Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: I'll not write much this week. The pix are, by and large, self-explanatory: The river and a cartoon. The cartoon was among items donated to the museum from late Vermilionites Elizabeth and Clarence Phillips. Because both worked for the electric company it is related to an electric bill.
Although I’m at a loss to say much more here I guess you might like to know what the guys in the cartoon are saying.
The fellow behind the electric pole is holding a collection note and saying, “Four bucks or I got to cut em off.” (He’s a lineman.)
And the fella coming out of the house with a shotgun in his hand is saying, “You’ll get a lot of em if you do.”
As I’ve indicated, it was an electrical worker’s joke written an drawn by an electrical worker. I don’t know if it was Clarence’s work or one of his fellow workers, but it shows some talent.
REALLY WORN OUT: I don’t know what it is that I have but I’d not wish it on anyone. Thus far, I’ve managed to sleepwalk through most of my obligations this week. But when the afternoon comes I’m toast.
I’ve been to the doc’s and have taken antibiotics along with some little clear-colored cough pills. But I still have fits of coughing (especially at night) until my stomach hurts.
I think this may be payback for all the great days I’ve had in my life.
Yikes – and double Yikes!
I hope I’m better next week.
FIVE-OH-ONE-CEE-THREE: The museum is a 501(c)(3) organization. Consequently, all donations and memberships for the museum are tax deductible. This is retroactive to November of 2011.Memberships for the VERMILION NEWS PRINT SHOP MUSEUM are always available. Funds generated will go toward the aforementioned renovations and maintenance of the shop.
A single membership for an adult is $15 a year.
A couple membership is $25 a year.
A student membership is $5.
And a lifetime membership is $100.
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Historically,
CHARLIE: I’ve been struggling with a terrible cold this week and as my later father-in-law used to say, “My get-up-and-go got up and went.” So as I looked about for something interesting to use in this spot I came across this old snap of a young Charles Wheeler Baumhart along the river near the waterworks.
Charlie is one of my favorite Vermilion people of the past. I thought he was one of the most intelligent men I’ve ever known – except when it came to women. It was a fault he readily admitted. I suppose a man could have worse faults.
Of course, I only knew him when he was much older than he was in this snap. But it’s like I knew him even then: when it was a time for spending a lazy day along the river and a night of raising heck somewhere in the village.
What a guy.
KELSEY: A VETERANS TALE OF CRIME AND PUNISHMENT: He was the most intelligent guy in our outfit. His name was Alvin Kelsey. He was an American Indian. I believe he was a member of the Sioux nation, but I don’t know which group (i.e. Dakota, Lakota, or Nakota). He was older than most of us – a big guy: 6’2”, 250 lbs. But as big as he was he was a very gentle and calm person. I never saw him angry; although I always thought he should’ve been. It was 1966. We were in Vietnam.
In 1959 there were 760 American soldiers in the Republic of Vietnam. When Kelsey got there in 1965 there were 184,300. When I arrived the following year the number had more than doubled to 385,300. And that’s when and where I met Kelsey. While it may not be widely recognized Native Americans have one of the highest records of service in the Vietnam era conflict, per capita, of any ethnic group.
Most Native Americans I met during my time in the service of the United States Army were very adamant about one thing – and that was that they not be addressed as “Chief”. However understandable it may seem for persons of other races to bestow the nickname upon them; unless that person was in fact a Chief, it was actually akin to using the N-word to address an African American. But as said Kelsey was a very gentle and calm person. To his credit he ignored the epithet. Besides that, he had bigger fish to fry.
Aside from being an Indian Kelsey differed from the rest of us in the company in several ways. First of all he was the only college graduate – and that included several of our officers. Secondly, he had no rank. None. Having no rank, especially in a combat zone, was unheard of. Almost the minute a soldier arrived in country he or she was promoted. But Kelsey was “rankless”. And he’d been there for at least a year. And last but hardly least was the fact that Kelsey was also jobless. Alvin Kelsey, American soldier in Vietnam in 1965-66 could’ve been a character trapped in a novel written by the German writer Franz Kafka. Somehow he’d become lost, faceless and nameless in a system that for whatever reason had forgotten him. It was a truly bizarre circumstance.
In truth, he was not totally forgotten. His superior officers knew of him. He was allowed a place to sleep and food to eat. But other than the clothing he was issued when he entered the service he received no pay or any other benefit. In this situation he was forced to write home and beg his family for money for simple things like postage stamps, shaving cream, and soap, etc. In the meantime he wrote his Congressman and spent his days at the base, as he facetiously put it after breakfast every morning, “Watching the jets blast off”. What this actually meant was that he spent his days sitting at an outdoor “Bomb-De-Bomb” (Vietnamese Bier 33) stand near the airport runways getting “bombed”.
When Al arrived in Vietnam in 1965 he had been assigned to work as a helicopter mechanic. He’d been in the service years before so he was familiar with the routine of military life and quickly acquired the rank of Staff Sergeant. In his off time he became familiar with some of the Vietnamese living near the base and noticed that the children were in dire need of a number of essentials he felt they should have. As a consequence he began to help them. Finally he stumbled upon a plan – albeit an ill-advised one – where he would purchase cartons of cigarettes using the military discount, and sell them on the black market for a tidy profit that he used to benefit the children.
To make a long story short, he was caught, court-martialed, and instead of jail time sentenced to the conditions hitherto described: No rank and no pay. Aside from the obvious, the big problem was that those responsible for his sentencing rotated out of the war theatre without leaving specific instructions pertaining to the case. As a consequence he was ignored and then forgotten.
Sometime in August of 1966 his Congressional Representative got through to the parties responsible for this fiasco. Suddenly persons were very apologetic. Not only had they neglected to impose a term for Al’s punishment, they also ignored the fact that even as a convicted military lawbreaker Al had been entitled to funds that would’ve covered his basic human needs. Yet I doubt Kelsey cared much about the money owed him. It would have been a paltry sum at best. What he most cared about was being able to return home – back to the American Plains and his family.
As I said at the beginning of this tale, “I never saw him angry, but he should’ve been.” No matter what he never ever uttered a bad word about his country or the men who punished him for his infractions. He could, would and did live with the consequence of his discretions. No matter what anyone said or would say in the future the fact is that he represented his country honorably. After all he was an American.
YESTERYEAR'S NEWS: The following clips were vocally transcribed from past issues of The Vermilion News. I think you will find them both interesting and fun...
Monday evening the village council met and transacted business all members were present excepting Krapp. The meeting was held in the large room of the hall on account of the high school civil government class being present to get an idea as to how the Council transacted business.
Communications from the Lake Shore Ry. Company in regard to the lighting of their crossings, and from engineer Schultz who made a proposition for making a map of the corporations. It was thought it would be a nice thing to have a complete map of the Corporation but it was thought best to inquire into the cost. Mr. Schultz, who by the way has been unusually successful in locating the monuments and lines in the village says that the map now in possession of the town is correct in every detail. If we understand correctly the plot was made over 70 years ago.
Mr. Fischer was present and asked that counsel look after the outlet of the Toledo Street sewer as he was about to build a residence on the property nearby. The counsel will investigate
Mr. Friday was present and asked the council about caring for water which overflows his premises. The matter was referred to the proper committee.
The matter of laying up the fire engine was discussed and it was left to the fire committee to consider.
Mr. W.A. Tischer was present and invited the Council to attend the Firemen's Annual Ball, New Year's Eve. Mr. Minium on behalf of the Council introduced a resolution accepting the invitation and taking the firemen. Of course the mayor clerk are included in the invitation.
This brought to memory at the Firemen's annual allowance had not been given to them. It was probably placed among the bills.
The matter of passing a lighting ordinance compelling the lighting a certain streets or crossings of the steam railways by electricity was brought up and it was decided to adjourn until Tuesday evening to further consider the matter. A letter was read from the engineers who have the sewer question in charge and they reported that it was feasible to have a disposal plant east of the village.
After ordering the payment of bills Council adjourned.
George L Krapp has been made defendant in the suit of $29.82.against him by C.F. Decker. It is claimed that Krapp has absconded to defraud his creditors.
The divorce suit of Mrs. Nina E. Bellamy against Edwin Bellamy was held in the Court of Common Pleas this week and has attracted considerable attention. Nearly 20 witnesses were called. The plaintiff asked for divorce, alimony and the custody of the two children, setting forth as grounds for the action habitual drunkenness on the part of the defendant. She also charges gambling against him. She left her husband last February and has since been working in the Berlin Heights Box Factory. The defendant filed an answer and cross petition in which he asked for a separation and the custody of the children. The parties live in Berlin Township.
After reviewing the case Judge Richards refused to grant divorce to either and advised them to attempt to settle their troubles and to try living together again. The judge found that there was no ground for granting a divorce that I had to of the two but from the evidence thought the wife justified in leaving home and therefore made in order for the payment of $300 alimony, payable $25 down and the balance it at the rate of $8.00 per month. The custody of the three-year-old child was given to the mother and the six-year-old to the father. He is to pay $7 a month for the support of the youngest child until it is 16 years old.
The people of Vermilion were startled the latter part of the week by rumor that George L. Krapp, proprietor of the Krapp Café on Division Street had left for parts unknown and the two young men had gone with him. However the young men had only made a trip to Lorain and returned in due course of time. Mr. Krapp however is still missing.
It has been found that he was heavily involved although it was stated that he has enough property to more than pay all liabilities.
Creditors have levied on his place of business and Henry Grisel has charge.
Mr. Crawford has been in poor health and at one time gave up the liquor business but went into it again last year after somewhat recovering.
Mr. Krapp’s present whereabouts is unknown, but it is hoped that he will be heard from soon.
Miss Evelyn Sherman has been hired to take the place of Mrs. Bemis in the second grade.
Frederick Mohrman fell from a ladder and dislocated his shoulder Friday.
Henry Smith respected resident of this township died at his home Friday. He was born in modest Marburg, Germany on June 30, 1842. In 1868 he was married to Miss Anna Flor. Two daughters and one son were born to them. One daughter Lucy survived. The funeral was held Monday at the home conducted by Revs. Fuessner and Hart.
Fred Wieland fell at the quarry is in a critical condition.
BORN -To Mr. and Mrs. George Bauer a son Saturday.
Wells and cisterns are dry all over town and the reservoirs are only about half full of water. It is likely that some action will be taken soon toward the waterworks.
Mrs. Harmon Plato is on the sick list.
Henry Brandt is recovering from a bad attack of rheumatism.
John Nickels is very sick with tuberculosis and there is practically no hope of his recovery.
A Hungarian laborer was struck and instantly killed by Lakeshore train number 19 in Huron Monday.
Nearly four hundred million of white fish eggs are in the U.S. hatchery at Put-In-Bay.
A hog cholera epidemic is reported from Norwalk. Between 75 and 100 hogs have died from the disease in the past few southeast of the city.
Locals.
T.H. Bottomley And R. Gegenheimer were Cleveland visitors yesterday.
C. Roscoe and spent a few days this week with his brother, Jay and family at Norwalk.
LOST – Somewhere between C.F. Decker’s home and coal office a pearl handled knife. Finder please return to Ruth Decker or leave at NEWS office.
A good assortment of bed blankets and dry goods and notions at W.A. Christians, Wells building.
Hunters are quite thick in the vicinity more so than rabbits.
Henry Smith died Friday at age of 83 years. He leaves a wife and one daughter.
The rain Sunday evening was quite a welcome visitor. It filled up some of the cisterns.
Hmmmmmm....
BROWSING: This clip is a bit long, but there are some interesting things therein....
THE STORY OF THE KNIGHTS & LADIES: Following the Civil War numerous fraternal organizations flourished in the light of Free Masonry. Fraternal societies provided persons with a number of social benefits: A gathering spot outside of home and work; A social safety net; Moral and spiritual guidance; and a model for and a way to practice self-governance in small groups. Although Freemasonry deliberately avoided any formal insurance program, many others made it very much a part of their membership benefits. In 1892 a gentleman by the name of Dr. H.A. Warner gathered 11 men and women together in his Topeka, Kansas drugstore and encouraged each to donate $1 to help form an organization he called “The Knights and Ladies of Security.” It was intended to be a progressive fraternal society, and as such was among the first to accept women as equals, provide life insurance to everyday people and focus on caring for the community. By 1910 it had a membership of over 90,000 people. Some of those people obviously lived in the bustling Village of Vermilion Ohio. For that is the approximate – if not the precise – year the photograph accompanying this essay was taken.
These shadows were captured as the car, surrounded by village youngsters on their bicycles, all decorated for a Decoration or Independence Day parade, passed the Vermilion Town Hall on Ohio Street headed east toward Exchange Street. Years ago the parades formed at the Town Hall, moved to Exchange Street where they turned south, marched to Erie / Mill Street and turned west to State Street. Pausing at the State Street School, where some students and teachers joined the parade, they then marched north, flags waving, to South Street eventually returning to the Town Hall. Once there a local “big-wig” would treat all to a patriotic speech. On rare occasions of inclement weather the speeches were given inside a very over-crowded hall.
This particular photograph is extremely “Rockwellesque” in tenor. And a century after the fact some may find it difficult to view without smiling. The costumes – the flowing robes, helmets and crowns seem “a bit much”. The detail is extremely appreciable.
For instance: At about the mid-right background of the photo a young boy on the sidewalk riding a rather unusual contraption commonly known as a “boardwalk” or “invalid” tricycle. It was both powered and steered with levers. All the little guys in the photo are wearing neckties, and lacking chain-guards on their bicycles their trouser bottoms are wrapped tight around their ankles. Also very visible in the background is the sign painted on the south side of C.F. Decker’s Coal business building on the north side of the tracks. (Currently the site of Main Street Vermilion.) But to return to the fraternal society:
In the years that followed the taking of this photograph the society grew and experienced a number of positive changes. In 1919 the organization merged with another fraternal order and became known as the Security Benefit Association with an expanded range of benefits, which included the development of a hospital, an “old folks home” as well as an orphanage. At one point members contributed nickels toward building a myriad of things. Among them was a dormitory for orphaned children of their membership. It became known as “The Home That Nickels Built.” During both World Wars the SBA offered expanded coverage to members serving in the military called the “Patriotic Fund.”
On January 1, 1950 the fraternal society was transformed into a mutual reserve life insurance company called Security Benefit Life. In 2010 the company was purchased by an investor group and is now privately owned. Consequently, the story regarding this old photo of these absurdly costumed people riding in a parade down Ohio Street in Vermilion Village in 1910 is rather amazing. Today what was once known as the “Knights and Ladies of Security” is now a privately owned financial security firm located in Topeka, Kansas with assets of $2.5 billion. Any crowns they may now own are likely made of real gold.
…"Whereas, the commissioners appointed by the Legislature of this State to review and remove the seat of justice of Erie county, if, in their opinion, the public interests required it, have on full examination decided and found that the public interests did and does not require such removal, and
"Whereas, in order to prevent the removal of the seat of justice by said commissioners, F. D. Parish, A. H. Barber, Charles Barney, Samuel Moss, Moses Farewell, John Wheeden, W. H. Hollister, William B. Smith, L. S. Beecher, John Beatty, John G. Camp, E. Cook, S. B. Caldwell and David Campbell executed and delivered to the commissioners of the said county of Erie their joint and several bond in the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, dated May 11, 1840, conditioned for the furnishing to and for the said county, within two years from April i, 1840, good and sufficient public buildings, such as a court-house, public offices and jail, without expense or the levy of a tax in said county, and,
"Whereas, the most of the proprietors of the stone building now occupied by the county as and for a court-house and offices, situate on the east block of the land appropriated and set apart by the original proprietors of Sandusky city for county and other public buildings, have this day delivered to the commissioners of said county a deed of conveyance of said building, to be holden and used by said county for a court-house and offices forever, containing a covenant of warranty of the title of the same against all claims whatsoever.
"Now, therefore, we, the commissioners of the county of Erie aforesaid, do now accept and receive for the county, for a court house and offices, the said building in fulfillment and satisfaction of the condition of the above mentioned bond of F. D. Parish and others, so far as the same has reference to and stipulates for the furnishing of a court-house and public offices, and land on which to erect the same, on condition that the obligors of said bond shall erect a portico across the north side of said building, not less than twelve feet wide, and extend up to the floor of the third story, and covered with a deep floor, and surrounded with a hand-rail and bannisters, and a portion to be enclosed at each end, and stairs to be erected to be erected from the first to the second story; and subject to such other internal arrangements at the commissioners shall hereafter direct and adopt; and also remove the partition in the second story, and lay a floor over the present stairway so that the court-room will extend over the whole of the second story."
The latter portion of this instrument was subsequently modified in relation to the construction of the "portico" and stairways, and provision made for a semi-circular portico with circular stairs.
The deed from the proprietors of the land and the shareholders of the "stone building," bears the date of May 14, 1842, and is made upon the express condition that the county seat be not removed from Sandusky city. The deed was signed and executed by the following named person: W . H….
MALLET & BLOCK: Pictured are very basic tools of the letterpress printer's trade - the mallet and block. They were used to tamp / tap type set down in a chase to make sure it was tight and ready to be placed in a press. If the type was level or loose it could cause huge problems with the printing equipment.
As is obvious, these tools were used a good deal.
They are great printer's artifacts that not many who visit the print shop museum notice. But they were very important.
A wife and husband both talked in their sleep. She loved auctions; while his hobby was golf.
The other night, during a deep sleep, the man yelled, 'Fore!'
His wife, also in a deep sleep and not missing a beat, yelled back, 'Four Fifty!'
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: After giving it much thought this link has been "put-down". During the last year most of the folks who used to use this page as a bulletin board have acquired their own and, consequently, no longer need this forum from "Views". I have, however, kept links (in the links section) to Larry Hohler's "Hope Homes" in Kenya - and to Bette Lou Higgins' Eden Valley Enterprises sites. They are historically and socially relevant projects. I suggest that you visit these sites on a regular basis to see "what's shakin'".
Persons interested in the history of the Lake Shore Electric Railway (which was the subject of a recent past podcast series) - "the greatest electaric railway system on the planet" may want to go to Amazon.com and purchase a book called "Images of Rail - Lake Shore Electric Railway". It was put together by Thomas J. Patton with the help of my friends DENNIS LAMONT and ALBERT DOANE. It'd make a nice gift.
Another great book with Vermilion Roots is, "Grandma's Favorites: A Compilation of Recipes from MARGARET SANDERS BUELL by Amy O'Neal, ELIZABETH THOMPSON and MEG WALTER (May 2, 2012). This book very literally will provide one with the flavor of old Vermilion. And ye can also find it at Amazon.com. Take a look.
MARY WAKEFIELD BUXTON'S LATEST BOOK "The Private War of William Styron" is available in paper back for $15.00 with tax and can be purchased locally at Buxton and Buxton Law Office in Urbanna, ordered from any book store, Amazon.com or Brandylane Publishing Company. A signed, hard back edition may be purchased from Mrs. Buxton directly for $30.00 by writing her at Box 488, Urbanna, VA 23175 and including $6.00 for tax, postage and packaging.
THE BEAT GOES ON: This page is generated by a dreaded Macintosh Computer and is written and designed by (me) Rich Tarrant. It will change weekly ~ usually on Saturday. Bookmark the URL (Universal Resource Locater) and come back at your own leisure. Send the page to your friends (and enemies if you wish). If you have something to share with those who visit this page, pass it on. And if you see something that is in need of correction do the same. My sister, Nancy, is a great help in that respect. It only takes me a week to get things right. And follow the links. You might find something you like. If you experience a problem with them let me know. Also, if you want to see past editions of this eZine check the new archives links below.
If you're looking for my old links section (pictured) I've replaced it with a pull-down menu (visible in the small box next to the word "Go"). If you're looking for links to more Vermilion history check that menu.
How the old links menu looked
1041 Oakwood Drive
Vermilion, Ohio
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- Lord Oliver Cromwell
Vol. 14. Issue 40 - December 10, 2016
Archive Issue #717
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