VETERANS DAY: I've been waiting for some time to get this photograph. It was taken on 11/11 at 11 minutes past 11 in Exchange Park.

I am normally among those in attendance. But this year I stood across the street with my Nikon to capture this scene in particular. It's almost impossible to stand closer without standing in the middle of the street.

As American veterans services go this is (in my opinion of course) one of the most significant. This year is the first year Vermilionite Angus Bartlett has coordinated the program.

Very nice.

THE HISTORY KEEPERS: Last spring I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase the first half of all the old Vermilion Photojournal issues on microfilm from Bowling Green State University. Like the micro-files of the old Vermilion News (that I use on almost a daily basis) I wanted the VPJ files for the same reason: Old news is history – and that history is, of course, contained in these files.

The emergence of the Photojournal weekly in Vermilion overlapped that of The Vermilion News. The VPJ began publication in 1961, and the News published its last issue, put its presses to bed and turned off the lights in 1964. And it is the historical gap – the gorge – that exists between ’64 and the present that I wanted to fill. Reviewing just a few of these early issues I find the task formidable. It’s a “Rip Van Winkle” type experience. I don’t remember exactly where I was during those years, but I most certainly was not paying much attention to local news events.

However, I did know, for instance, that a Vermilion guy named George Radosevich was the first editor of the Photojournal. I remember him as being an enthusiastic person who’d been (among other things) an outstanding high school football player. I also knew that he’d married a pretty Vermilion girl named Katie Wellner. I vaguely seem to recall that after several years with the paper the couple left town apparently relocating in Florida.

But among the things I didn’t know (or remember) until I acquired the micro-files of that paper was that another local guy, Harry Lenhart, had become editor after Radosevich left. Though I knew Harry was a very intelligent person and talented journalist, I was shamefully ignorant of the fact that he had once been the editor of the paper. So, when I discovered via these files that he’d once been editor of the local journal I began to wonder what had become of him after he’d (obviously) left that job and moved away. Then, as fate, coincidence or whatever you may call it, would have it that question would not linger for long in my mind. Last Saturday (09/17/16) Harry was in Vermilion to attend his 60th high school class reunion and I (again coincidentally) had the opportunity to ask him just that question.

The simple answer to it is that he has been a lifetime journalist and public relations person. The complex, but very generalized, answer to the same question is that he has worked for numerous organizations, publications and politicians from Washington D.C. to the state of Oregon during his career. And thus having told me in some detail – naming names and places that without means to make record of them I an unable to herein repeat – he very modestly refers to his working career as being “spotty”.

But I digress. Those are just a very few of the things I knew, forgot or have been led to learn from reviewing the micro-files of the Vermilion Photojournal. Not only did I note changes in the community, but I also note changes in the newspaper itself. There are weeks of intense political sparring in editorials and letters, as well as months with an extreme focus on public relations: whole pages featuring large photographs of school workers, city workers, scouts, etc. It’s an interesting journey through time.

And as much as I appreciate the technical advancements and innovations available in today’s world (e.g. the very one I am using to compose and send this article to the VPJ) I would submit that a record of current affairs printed on paper was, is, and will forever remain vital to maintaining a lasting record of our history. And despite the fact that Harry Lenhart considers his career in the field of journalism to have been “spotty” I can only say that without such “spots” and people such as Harry, George, as well as those who both preceded and proceeded to make them, there would be no recorded history at all.

_{REF: Published in the Vermilion Photojournal – 2016.}

Vol. XII, No.24. - VERMILION, OHIO, THURSDAY, November 19, 1908

WILLIAM CHAPMAN OF OGONTZ KILLED

While crossing the tracks of the LSM S railroad of the L.S.M.S. railroad at Ceylon with his coal wagon, at noon yesterday William Chapman, aged 47, was struck by a train and fatally injured. He died about 3 o'clock.

Chapman worked for the Peak Coal Company of Ceylon jct. He saw a train coming in one direction and was watching it and failed to see another train approaching in the opposite direction. He did not see the second train until it was upon him and the wagon was struck before he had a chance to jump from the seat. Chapman was thrown a considerable distance and the wagon was demolished.

The injured man was picked up and removed to a nearby house where a physician attended him. He suffered immensely from his injuries until death, a short time later, ending his suffering.

Chapman's home was in Ogontz, Ohio. He leaves a wife and five children.

HENRY HOLMES DEAD

Henry Holmes, a member of the Vermilion Fishermen's Union and well-known in Vermilion, died suddenly at the home of his brother Wendell Holmes, at Richmond O., Sunday morning. Mr. Holmes had been in poor health for a number of years and has been sent to several places in hopes that he would regain his health. He was 39 years old. Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at 1030; burial at Euclid O.

John M. Delker of this place was chosen as a representative of the Fisherman to attend the funeral but on account of a change being made in the time without notifying the Vermilion people, he arrived too late. He however went to Euclid with the relatives and friends.

Well-Known Nursery Man Dead

S.C. Myers died at his home on Ohio Street at 7:30 Wednesday evening after a short illness.

Mr. Myers was well known as a dealer in Fruit And Shade trees and other nursery stock and also ran a hack line to the parks during picnics and carried on a livery business to some extent. He was 58 years of age. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 o'clock at the house.

FALSE REPORT

The report of the death of Mrs. Wyler, wife of Rev. Wyler formerly pastor of the Reformed Church at this place was circulated around town last night and this morning. This is untrue and no doubt originated in word being sent to the Leadrach families of the death of a cousin, Mrs. Emma Framm of Nebraska.

LORENZO DALZELL DEAD

Lorenzo Dalzell well-known resident of Rugby died at his home at that place Thursday last, of consumption. Mr. Dalzell was 62 years of age and leaves a son and three daughters. He had been a resident of Rugby for about 20 years. The funeral services were held Sunday conducted by the Christian Science minister from the Lorain.

NEWSPAPER PLANT DESTROYED

The office of the Lorain Daily News was wrecked at an early hour Monday morning by fire. The mechanical department being entirely put it out of business. Until a new equipment can be obtained the paper will be issued as a morning paper and at Times-Herald plant.

The loss to the News is estimated at $20,000.

D.G. Pelton formerly a well-known businessman of Sandusky died at his home in Cleveland Sunday aged 73.

THANKSGIVING NEXT THURSDAY

The NEWS will be issued on Wednesday of next week on account of Thanksgiving. Items for publication should be handed in or telephoned to us earlier in the week than usual.

If you are to entertain or to be entertained on Thanksgiving, you will confer a favor by telling us of it so we may have the item for publication.

EDITOR ALEXANDER

We received this morning a copy of the Trenton (NJ) True American, the editorial column of which is headed with the name of Henry Eckert Alexander as editor and and publisher. The True American is an old paper, one of that name having existed since 1801. Since the early 50s it has been in the hands of the Narr family and upon the death of Joseph L Nar was sold and is now in the hands of Mr. Alexander.

Mr. Alexander is a former Vermilion boy, a son of Mrs. George Lapp and brother-in-law of Mrs. E Alexander, and will be remembered by many here. Success to the True American and to its new editor.

COURT NOTES

I.B. Poyer has been appointed administrator of the estate of the late Henry J. Nuhn.

In probate court an inventory of the personal property of Mary A. Garry, an insane person, was filed by the Guardian, N. W. Hart this week. The total value of the personal property as indicated in the inventory is $2740.40.

Claims He Has No License

J.E. Lacey of Berlin Heights, claiming to be a veterinary surgeon, was arrested like late Friday afternoon by Constable Derby, on a warrant sworn to by Dr. A. Smith of this city and issued by Justice of the Peace Bechtol, charging him with being engaged in the practice of been veterinary medicine and surgery without having a certificate or diploma from the state Board of veterinary examiners.

Lacey was brought to Norwalk and arraigned before Justice Bechtol. He plead not guilty and his trial was set for 9 o’clock Wednesday morning. Lacey was released from custody on his own bond of $300. – Reflector

HAND BURNED

Ed Gawn of Amherst had his right hand badly burned last Saturday evening while operating a picture machine at the Crystal Theater. In some way he came into contact with the electric wires and in an instant the “juice” had done the damage.

Correspondence

AMHERST

Mrs. John Nickel is reported critically ill at her home on Elyria Street.

Mrs. D.C. Gulick is on the sick list.

Mrs. John Klassen is reported very ill at her home on East Street.

George Kriestburg [sic] who is employed at Elyria came home sick and is threatened with typhoid fever.

The chemical fire engine has been moved into the town hall basement for the winter.

Fred Eberhardt's barn was burned Friday at noon. It is thought that small boys smoking in the barn was the cause.

G.F. Sabiers sold his stock of goods at public auction Wednesday as he has decided to retire from the harness business.

Henry Gormerly a former resident of Amherst died in Chicago, Wednesday last. His death was due to injuries received at work on the railroad.

Strong's Corners

Mr. Carl Miller is improving rapidly from his operation.

No hunting will be allowed in this neighborhood.

BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap November 11, a son.

Ed Huessner is missing quite a lot of corn from his lot in South Amherst.

BIRMINGHAM

We have a new telephone girl.

The area is thick with rumors of weddings to be reported later on.

Starr Truscott was home Saturday and stayed long enough to cast his first vote for President.

Just a tiny shower visited us Saturday night, all gone in the morning.

BROWNHELM

Mr. William Fisher has moved into the Bacon Bros. house at Mill Hollow.

OBITUARY

Catherine Leimbach was born in Kirchheim, Bavaria, September 5, 1826; at the age of six came to our shores with her parents making their home in Boston for eight years, from there they move to Elyria Ohio. April 20, 1843 she was joined in holy wedlock to Paul Leimbach and ever since lived in the Leimbach homestead now owned by their son Christopher.

She was the mother of 12 children, three of whom together with her husband preceded her into the eternity, father being called away in March 1890.

Nine children, 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren mourned her death. She died November 14th at the good old age of 82 years, two mos. and nine days. All her children, except her son Lewis were present at the funeral services.

Mr. and Mrs. Leimbach were charter members of the Reformed church at Brownhelm, which was organized over 50 years ago. They also helped in the organization of the reformed church at Vermilion.

A large concourse a friends showed her the last honors at the burial on Monday.

Locals.

Napkins for all occasions. NEWS office.

Mr. George Fisher and son Elton were Cleveland visitors Monday.

The Crystal Theatre opened Saturday night, with as good films as you can see anywhere for the money.

The deal was consummated yesterday whereby Robert Kane has sold his new house to Philip Darley.

Mr. and Mrs. Pearl Roscoe and Miss Jessie Delker spent Monday at Cleveland.

Mr. Lewis Englebry, Vermilion’s clothier, has just placed a new sidewalk showcase in front of his store.

BROWSING: Lately I've begun browsing through the morgues of newspapers surrounding Vermilion. Once in a while I come across some tiny items of note like those above.

These items reflect a time period in American history when jumping on freight trains and riding from place to place in search of work was not uncommon. While they were called Hobos / Bums many were of foreign discent who had come to America in search of those mythical "Streets of Gold" and found them empty.

War was on the horizon.

ROSCOE: His first name, of all things, was Pearl. He was the only child of Caselton and Helen Rachel Forster Roscoe. Though his father was by trade a carpenter / millwright he also kept a farm in North Milan, Ohio where Pearl was born on November 9, 1869. He received his education in Milan’s school, afterward going to work at Norwalk for the Laning Printing Company.

From about the 1870s to 1900 Laning published books of all sorts and did a good deal of printing for several legal firms. Consequently, it was an ideal place for a young man to learn the printing trade. Sometime during the 1880s Roscoe went to work in the news business – taking a position with a weekly in Oberlin, Ohio. By the late 19th century he had secured a position as printing foreman with the old Lorain Times.

The year 1901 was a banner year for the young man. It was the year he married a pretty schoolteacher from Milan named Elizabeth “Bessie” Bottomley (b.1879 in Minnesota) – and also the year the couple purchased a fledgling weekly newspaper and print shop in a place called Vermilion, Ohio.

Initially the business was located on the second floor in what folks called the “Wells Building”. It was located on the east side of Vermilion’s Grand Street north of the tracks several doors south of Liberty Avenue. (The building no longer exists). Early in their marriage the newlyweds rode bicycles to and from Lorain to operate the business. But by November of 1904 the newspaper, print shop and the young couple, had a brand new home in a building built by Roscoe’s father just two doors south of the railroad on the same side of Grand Street.

It is said that at the beginning of their publishing career in Vermilion Pearl and Bessie had encountered some opposition. But undeterred by those criticisms they persisted in working toward the expansion and improvement of the town’s public library, schools, churches and business community. Due, in part, to their insistence and persistence, both the newspaper and the town prospered during their lifetimes. Editor Roscoe worked with local businessmen to acquire new industry, held various offices in the local chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, and served as a deacon in Vermilion’s First Congregational Church. On occasion he even added his voice to their choir.

On the 24th day of May in 1906 the couple welcomed a little daughter, they named Ella Gwendolyn, into their lives. A little over a year later Pearl’s mother died in her home in Milan, Ohio. She was 71. Shortly thereafter Pearl’s father, Caselton, came to live with the family in the apartment over the print shop. During his stay a new addition was added to the back of the building and another child - a little girl – was also added to the family. She was born on December 1 of 1911, and named Alice Margaret. And then; on the 16th day of May in 1918 Pearl’s father – carpenter-millwright, loyal member of several Masonic Loges in the area, Civil War veteran, and musician – also passed into the hands of God. He was 82 years old.

As a young man Roscoe had become very interested in photography and throughout his life captured many pictures of people and scenes in and around Milan, Lorain, and Vermilion. Many were used for penny postcards. Those depicting newsworthy events he infrequently published in his weekly newspaper. He also did many passport photographs. In all, his black and white film and glass negative photographs number in the thousands. Just a few years prior to his death he also dabbled in some color photography taking numerous color slides of some places and faces of Vermilion, O.

Mrs. Roscoe (Bessie), co-publisher and friend, passed in early January of 1946 at the tender age of 66. Roscoe followed on April 17th of the same year at the tender age of 76. The newspaper and print shop actively continued their work under the direction of son-in-law William Basil Tarrant until one year following daughter Ella’s death in 1963.

EPILOGE: Some folks inherit money, some property, and some talent. Good or bad my legacy is one of family: photographs, writings and memories that provide me with a bridge from the yesteryear to the present and forward – into the future.

_{REF: Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 10/07/16.}

ZZAPP!: This is an antique Western Electric 48-A 5-bar magneto for an old hand-crank telephone. It has 5 horseshoe magnets. The bearings and shafts look great. When cranked it puts put approximately 100 volts AC.

A million years ago, when I worked at the Kountry Kitchen Restaurant (where Vermilion’s Old Prague restaurant is today – 2016) we hooked a wire from a magneto like this to a metal stool at the food counter.

Old Joe – who drove a semi-truck for Standard Oil from Cleveland to Toledo every night used to stop and eat dinner every night on his way west on Route #6. We hooked it to his stool.

Fortunately, Joe was a good guy. He took his shocking seat with good humor.