Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: On my home desk this week is an old pic of Vermilion’s very first Boy Scout Troop. The Vermilion Boy Scout Troop #2 was organized and chartered by the Reverend Mr. W.K. Williams of the First Congregational Church in 1912. Considering the fact Boy Scouts of America had been formally incorporated barely two years earlier Vermilion’s troop was likely among the first of those to be chartered in our nation. And though Rev. Williams only pastored in the community until 1914 his legacy (i.e. that of scouting) has proven to be extremely resilient.
This pic was taken aside (north) of the old schoolhouse on State Street. The Vermilion Mill and a few other buildings are barely visible in the background.
I used this pic in a calendar I produced in 2000. I still have many copies of that particular calendar – mistakes and all. They’re collector items and are numbered. Originally they were $15. Today they’re valued at $20. The profits were used to subsidize the museum when it was just an idea.
On the shoptop this week is a pic I took last summer of workers installing solar panels on hour home at the Olympic Outing Club.
The panels work just fine. However, don’t yet have storage batteries that would be useful during a power outage. Currently the power generated by the panels goes back to the electric company to help subsidize our electric bill.
We go one step at a time.
SUBTLE CHANGE: The change is nearly imperceptible. We added a fireplace mantel. It is from our new home at the OOC. At one time we were using it thinking it might be a reasonable heating source (so long as we were not living there full-time). But realistically it was not a good idea. It actually appears as though it belongs here.
Historically,
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO DAVE WHITE: It was just supposed to be a routine training exercise. Naval Reserve Lieutenant Commander David White was required to fly one weekend a month. So when he put the "Stoof," ( a.k.a. Grumman “S-TWO-F” Tracker} aircraft into the air over northern California on a crisp Sunday morning in mid-January of 1966 it was with full expectation that he would be enjoying Sunday dinner at home that night with his family.
But the evening came - and went. And then word came from Navy officials that Dave and his flight crew, Ron Dayton and Bob Palmer, had disappeared somewhere over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. No one knew what might have happened nor, with any certainty, where. All they knew was that three aviators, and the aircraft in which they were flying, had simply vanished.
As the days passed into weeks; and the weeks into months; Dave’s wife Bethli and their 3 children in Mill Valley, California, and his family and friends back in Ohio, held on to some hushed hope that he and his comrades - all familiar with wilderness survival techniques - were perhaps only wounded, and shrewdly biding their time in the mountains until the spring thaw. Maybe - in the spring...
David was the oldest son of Verdis (V.B.) and Elizabeth (Betty) White of Vermilion. His father was a very popular Osteopath and outdoors man, and his mother was a member of a prominent local family named Osberg. Born on September 28, 1929, by the time he finished high school he had two little brothers; Bruce and John Paul Stuart.
After his graduation from Vermilion High School he attended and graduated from Michigan State University. The year was 1952. The Korean Conflict was heating up. Consequently, Dave joined the U.S. Navy with the intention of becoming a pilot.
While he qualified to enter flight school after his basic training there was only one opening. Ordinarily this would not have been an issue. Unfortunately, there was another candidate in line for the school who was equally qualified. To settle the problem both men agreed to toss a coin. Luck was on his side. Dave won.
Flying an AD Skyraider (an attack aircraft affectionately nicknamed by pilots as a “Spad”) in the skies over Korea his guns jammed during a “dogfight”. But luck was on his side again. A fellow flier interceded and neatly dispatched the Soviet built MiG for him.
Things were (as some folks say) “certainly going his way”. Upon leaving active duty he took a position as a commercial pilot for United Airlines; married a young lady from Switzerland (i.e. Bethli); settled down in northern California; had three children - 2 boys and a girl; and flew one weekend a month for the Navy.
The Spring of 1966 finally arrived. It had been a full five months since Dave and his flight crew had gone missing in the Sierra Nevada's. One day two men on horseback (one Hank Gibbons of Lincoln CA. and one Jerry Hammer of Stockham) riding through a remote area of the mountains known as Desolation Valley in search of an ideal fishing hole made a dismal discovery. When they reached the top of a place called Red Peak they came across the charred wreckage of the missing aircraft. David’s luck had run out. There were no survivors.
Navy Lt. Cdr. David Bryce White was interred with military honors at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California in the summer of 1966. And, again, the days passed into weeks; the weeks into months; and the months into years. David’s children - Steven, Chris, and Anne - came of age and went their separate ways. But always the image of the father they never really knew remained in their thoughts. Too young to remember. Yet, too old to forget.
In the summer of 2007 seeking some closure for the emptiness which haunted them White’s daughter, Anne Reiss, and her brother Chris joined with Terry Hatch, an old military friend of their father, to find and visit the crash scene. Using maps, the internet, and information from the Naval archives in Washington D.C. they were able to pinpoint the crash site. And in July of that year the trio hiked into the Desolation Wilderness. This was, incidentally, no small undertaking for the 78 year old Hatch.
"We could see the flight path," Hatch would later tell an illinois reporter. "The pine tree clipped by David's plane was still standing. It was all splintered and knocked in half from the impact. And then we saw the wreckage. It was still there. The crash looked like it happened last year, not 40 years ago."
Anne placed cut flowers, given to her by her mother, on the wing of the plane, and also wrote messages to her father on the wreckage. Her brother inscribed the names of the three men who had died, as well as his name and the names of Hatch and Reiss on the wing.
Perhaps Dave’s luck had finally run out. But perhaps not. Some people live and die leaving a myriad of regrets behind. But that certainly can’t be said of Lt. Cdr. David Bryce White. That would only be true if no one ever cared enough to ask, “Whatever happened to David White?”
CRYSTAL GARDENS: On Friday, May 29, 1925 Mr. Blanchat arranged to have two of the finest orchestras in the country play host at the grand opening of one of the most beautiful dance halls to ever grace the banks of the Great Lakes. It was formally known as Crystal Gardens
Bedecked in tones of blushing pink and apple green the new hall was capable of comfortably accommodating two thousand (that's right folks - two thousand) dancers on its hardwood floor. A broad promenade that afforded enough room for nearly the same number of people embraced the dance area. Also included were a new refreshment stand, check room, and spacious lavatories. Throughout the following decades it was not unusual for folks in the area to dance to the music of Sammy Kaye, Count Basie, Les Brown, Coon-Sanders, Louis Prima, Lawrence Welk, Duke Ellington, Xavier Cugat, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Guy Lumbardo, and many others at the Crystal Gardens in Vermilion, Ohio
In 1965 – the same year that the Linwood Hotel disappeared from the landscape so too did Crystal Gardens. And all that’s left is a bank building and a song in the air…
YESTERYEAR'S NEWS: The following clips were orally transcribed from past issues of The Vermilion News. I think you will find them both interesting and fun...
Mr. George Blanden, Jr. and another man were called on this morning to identify a man found dead in the cut north of the car track. One of Mr. Green's children brought the news the town. The men found it to be a man known as “Rough Ward." Ward came here to work on the car line during its construction, married Miss Minnie Berg. He was in an accident in which a number of people were hurt and collected quite a sum with which his wife wished him to buy a little home but his inclinations turned another way and he proceeded to enjoy himself in his own way. His temperament became such that his wife took her little girl and went home to her own people. His money gone, without a home and probably drink crazed he put and end to his life with a pistol found with him, shot through the temple. No one knows how long he had been dead as his body was perfectly stiff.
At a meeting of the school board held last Monday evening, Supt. J. C. Seemann was again selected for the position of superintendent for the coming year. The Teachers will probably be selected at the next meeting, Monday, May 10.
Supt. Seemann has had charge of the schools here for the past 10 years and has done excellent work in placing the schools on a level with the other schools of the state. We are now rated as 1st grade and our high school is on the recognized list of the Ohio State University for the next three years. Some do not seem to understand this. The State University – once every three years will examine into the condition of the High Schools and we presume the school here will remain on the list as long as the present high standard is maintained. This is a result of the adoption of the four years course.
The band concert Tuesday evening was a pleasing affair although at attendance was not as large as might have been. The trombone solo by Joe Grant of Sandusky with band as accompaniment was especially fine.
Mr. Grant has been instructing several of the new members of the band in trombone playing. The band is playing some especially fine music will have still more for the summer concerts.
The state of Ohio vs. John N. Englebry and D. H. Stevens was called in the court of common pleas Tuesday. A large number of witnesses have been called from Vermilion on this case but only one was examined Tuesday, the most of the day being taken up with the selection of a jury. Wednesday seven witnesses were examined the last not being completed until this morning. Nothing new has been developed in the testimony so far. If the present progress is continued the case will take up the remainder of the week. The defense has two of the best lawyers of the city, Attys Beis and Starbird.
L.C. Smith has brought suit in Lorain County for divorce from his wife, Anna, charging that the defendant eloped with Fred Lemley some time ago and is it at present living in Sandusky.
The members of the Congregational church gave a farewell reception Monday evening for the Rev. and Mrs. Merrill and Miss Merrill. The lecture room of the church was decorated with cut flowers and potted plants and was used for the reception and program…
Adolph J. Kneisel, 31, carpenter, of Vermilion to Clara Belle Morse, 21, Vermilion, O.
A steamer and barge are in the harbor unloading ice at the fish companies icehouses.
N.A. Foster, the pioneer boatman has just received some first-class rowboats. Lyman built. Also several of the latest canoes.
The water system was accepted at the meeting on last Thursday evening.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. William Kreeger, of South Amherst, Saturday, April 24, a son.
About twenty-five men were temporarily laid off at the Ohio quarry Thursday.
James Nicholl, Sr. has so far recovered that he is able to attend to part of his business affairs.
Contracts have been signed for the building of a new residence for Dr. Hall.
Jacob Kolb and Richard Leonard two of South Amherst enterprising young men do not propose to spend their lives in the quarries so have started into the chicken business on a small scale to start with. In a year or so they expect to have leave the quarries and attend strictly to the poultry business.
Avery and Bemis have made a donation to the school and district 12 in the shape of an organ, the instrument is a very good one and the pupils are all delighted with the donation.
The funeral services of the infant Mr. and Mrs. August Harbart, were held from the home Friday. Rev. Schust officiating. The remains were interred in the Crown Hill Cemetery.
Fred James while under the influence of liquor Saturday night visited the home of his mother-in-law who is seriously ill, threatened to shoot the entire household, including his wife and sister-in-law, Mrs. Philip Clotz of this city. Mrs. David Miller, mother of Mrs. James is seriously ill and the two ladies were sitting up with her on Saturday night. At midnight Mr. James entered and threatened to put them all out, but was finally quieted and left but returned again at 3 o'clock in the morning carrying with him a gun and so frightened the women that they ran out leaving the sick lady. Officers were of finally secured and James was placed under arrest and was fined $5 and costs. The condition of Mrs. Miller is much worse from the scare.
Earl Leimbach sold a valuable horse for $200.
Elmer Heusner has been on the sick list.
The past week has been a busy week for farmers in this location, spring must be here.
George Greeno and Ed Mason the noted sheep shearers have beat the record. They shear two at once.
Bert says it keeps them busy moving setting hens and burying dead dogs.
E. B. is busy erecting his water tower. Guess things won’t go dry this summer.
Why don't the boys give notice of their prizefights? Our police force is somewhat crippled.
Prof. Frank Taylor was seen coming from the bakery with his Yellow Breeches on Friday last week.
The first shall be last and the last shall be first so saith the noted poet.
John Lyons says younger brothers com in handily when a fellow wants to rest off plowing.
Lawson Taylor had the skin removed from the back of his ear by a Poplar limb last week while helping the Washburn brothers with their spring work.
Mr. H. J. Porter has improved the looks of his place by painting his skyscraping barn, but says it is expensive to furnish paint for painters to paint their overalls.
J. Clawsen was seen on the Ridge with his pill bags and vanilla. Extracts are on the move. The venerable, consul is letting his whiskers grow he thinks there is more cold-weather coming.
The tug George A. Floss, which was lost the night of April 7, was found 3 miles N. W. of the steel intake crib near Cleveland and 60 feet of water Sunday.
Walter Bauer and the 7-year-old boy who failed to return home from school a week ago Tuesday was found Tuesday afternoon under a pile of planks at the Persons lumberyard. It is up probable that he attempted to climb the lumber pile when the loosened planks toppled over on him. His skull was fractured.
The 90th anniversary of the founding of the first Odd Fellows Lodge was celebrated Sunday.
The L.S.E. General offices were moved from Norwalk to Sandusky this week.
The infirmary barn will be remodeled. The commissioners will advertise for bids at once.
Miss Edith Hahn was reported quite ill the first of the week, suffering from a severe attack of quincy.
Mrs. Sahr was reported slightly better this morning. She's been very ill for several weeks at her home on South Street.
Mrs. E. T. Bottomley had the misfortune to fall from a chair this afternoon while helping to paper a ceiling and fractured the bones of her left wrist. Dr. help reduce the fact you fracture.
[NOTE: This was my great-grandmother – my grandmother’s (Bessie Roscoe’s) mother.]
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Chris Huldeman, a daughter, Monday, April 26, ‘09.
Capt. Hahn left the first of the week to begin his duties on the lakes. He will take charge of his boat at Buffalo.
An unusual activity was noticed in the cleaning up of rubbish at the rear of some of the business places Wednesday, as a result of a visit of the state fire marshal.
The little son of Mr. and Mrs. Delmar Donaldson has been quite ill for the past two weeks is somewhat better at present.
Mrs. J. A. Klaar is reported quite ill at her home on State Street.
A large party of Cleveland fishermen are enjoying the sport at Vermilion this week.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Blattner, Tuesday, April 27, 1909, a daughter.
Miss Alice Kane suffered a relapse Sunday and is reported quite seriously ill.
Miss Caroline Hoffman who was so badly injured a few weeks ago by being run over is recovering as fast as can be expected.
A rather peculiar fire occurred here last Thursday night, when the house belonging to Sandy Silverwood across the river burned. During the winter months it had been placed on a wagon box in both the house and all the furnishings and wagon box were completely destroyed. Mr. and Mrs. Silverwood were away from home at the time and it is thought the fire was incendiary. – Ottawa County Herald.
[NOTE:The continuing sage of the Silverwood family.]
Hmmmmmm....
INTERESTING STUFF:While all 3 blips are of some interest the one referring to the railroad connecting to the stone quarry is particularly interesting. I wonder where it was located?
HOTEL LINWOOD – VERMILION, OHIO: >More than one person has looked at the photograph of the building accompanying this week’s column and said, “Wow! Where is that place?” By Vermilion standards it’s really a very impressive structure. And by the same standards (i.e. building codes) I’m not real certain that anyone would want to undertake building something like it today. But back in the latter years of the 19th century the people responsible for Linwood Park saw a need for a great hotel along the lakeshore and Hotel Linwood was built.
When this hotel was built Vermilion did have a comparable 3-story hotel on the southeast corner of Liberty and Division streets called the Lake House (VPJ 07/11/2013). But that was way across the swamp and river to the west, thus making access and egress to Linwood, especially during inclement weather, less than ideal. In short, Hotel Linwood was an ideal place in an ideal place – a big hotel beneath the cool shade of a zillion trees. And just outside each visitors door was a wide and wonderful beach and beyond which lay the refreshing waters of beautiful Lake Erie.
Now, that being said let us fast-forward to the year 1927. In a brochure printed by the presses of The Vermilion News for the forty-fifth season of Linwood Park it reads: “We are pleased to announce to our friends and patrons, many new improvements both in Hotel and Park. / Running water in each bedroom, many of the rooms redecorated and refurnished, therefore adding much to the comfort and pleasure of the guests. / The ideal place for the whole family, American Plan. Rates reasonable. / Good food well served has been and will continue to be our motto. Plenty fresh pasteurized milk and pure drinking water. / Open June 18th to September 10th. Make reservations early. In addition to Hotel Service, a Lunch Room will serve good wholesome food at popular prices.”
The brochure is really an historic eye-opener. And that’s not only with what is said, but what it is not. In 2017, and perhaps even in 1937 or 1947 travelers would have taken it for granted that when one rents a room in a hotel or motel that they will have “running water” as well as other personal facilities – not to mention pasteurized milk for children and pure drinking water. So it seems amazing – even to me after seven decades of life – that it was only 90 years ago that such things were considered to be the epitome of hotel accouterments for visitors not only at Linwood, but everywhere.
While I am reluctant to mention the following, it may help some readers understand what hotel life might have been like before running water. When I was an unruly youngster with unruly friends we paid an uninvited visit to the upper floors of what was then Vermilion’s long abandoned Maud-Elton Hotel when it still had 3-floors. All the rooms had brass numbers on the doors, old metal beds with straw mattresses, porcelain pitchers and bowls on dusty dressers and, last but not least, chamber pots. I don’t know about anyone else, but I know what hotel job I would not have taken for any amount of compensation.
But setting that entire matter aside, the Linwood Hotel was really and truly a popular and respected inn for park visitors. During its eighty plus years of service perhaps thousands of families enjoyed not only their stay at the hotel, but their time at the park and their time in little ol’ Vermilion, Ohio.
The hotel also served as a summertime employer of more than a few young Vermilion youngsters – especially in the kitchen and dining room. Many Vermilionites will remember Hannah Morey who managed the kitchen and dining room at the hotel. That was her summer job. During the winter months she ran Vermilion’s school cafeteria. And one would be hard pressed to find a person who attended school in town and ate lunch in her cafeteria who doesn’t remember her lunches. That’s how good they were. But more importantly, her dinners at the hotel are said to have been even better.
And then things – as they always do - end. By 1965 most had lost interest in the hotel. It was apparently in need of extensive repairs; no one came forward to take over its operation; so in November the beautiful Hotel Linwood was taken down.
Ref: Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 03/23/2017.
…sil of any kind on exhibition. The amount in premiums offered at this fair was $70. At a meeting of the Agricultural Board, December 14, 1838, a proposition was received from Licking County Agricultural Society to send delegates with them to Columbus for the purpose of organizing a State agricultural society and O. Jenny and J. V. Vredenburg were sent as delegates.
At the second fair held at Norwalk, October 17, 1839, $118 was offered as premiums, and at the end of the year sixty-seven dollars were in the treasury. In 1840 $129 were offered as premiums, but no account of a fair being held is given. The fair for 1841 was held at Norwalk, November 2. There is no record of any fairs being held in 1842-3-4-5-6 and 7.
…could attain to its present gigantic proportions from so modest a beginning- As early as February, 1855, immediately following the dissolution, we find the leading spirits of agriculture in little Erie convened at Huron to organize the
A notice had been published in the three newspapers of the county to that effect. I.T. Reynolds was called to the chair, and Hon. F.D. Parish made secretary. It was resolved that it be the sense of this meeting that it is expedient that we organize an agricultural society at this time. Thirty-seven members united with the society at this meeting and the following officers elected: I.T. Reynolds, president; Harvey Chase, vice-president; F.D. Parish, secretary; C.N. Ryan, treasurer; B.H. Rogers, J.W. Thompson, A.W. Prout, sr., Elijah Bemiss, and Elam Ward, directors. The following preamble and resolutions will show the spirit of the meeting at this time. They were severally adopted, viz.:
Resolved, That our board of directors offer no premium on tobacco or intoxicating liquors.
WHEREAS, A well directed and vigorous system of agriculture is among the indispensable requisites to individual and national prosperity and happiness, and a thorough knowledge of mechanics, arts, manufactures, commerce, and facilities for transportation is essential to the life and progress of such a system, therefore be it
Resolved, That whatever measures tend essentially to improve the quality or to increase the quantity of agricultural productions, or to the improvement of stock, to increase the diffusion of the knowledge of mechanics and commerce should receive the constant attention of the entire community, and "common interests demand common efforts."
2. That we regard agricultural societies in connection with public fairs as among the most obvious and efficient means to the accomplishment of these ends.
3. We deem it, therefore, both the interest and duty of every member of the community to lend his influence and contribute his show to add to the efficiency and to extend the influence of such societies
4. We commend the consideration of this subject to our fellow citizens of Erie county and cordially invite them to become members of this society and invite common effort to secure a common good.
A premium list embracing every form of industry, was carefully prepared, aggregating $700 to be awarded at the first annual fair, which was held in Sandusky and was a decided success.
The fairs for 1856-7-8-9 and 60 were held at Huron, she having in 1856 at the annual meeting of the society bid $1,000 and free use of grounds for five years against the offer of Sandusky of $850 and free us of grounds.
PERFORATION MACHINE: This (of course) is just a partial (close up) pic of what is likely the oldest piece of equipment in the print shop museum. As indicated it was patented in 1898. It's the approximate size of a large desk and made of cast iron. By placing a piece of paper of cardboard in the machine and pressing down a food treadle it makes perforations in the paper.
I think it was used to make perforations in things like checks and ticket so they could be easily removed / torn off. I still like to play with the machine...
I do have the courage, but not always the skills, to tackle any home repair project. And yes I tackle almost all of them.
For example, in my garage are pieces of a lawnmower I once tried to fix.
A couple of my neighbors were walking by my house, and found me in the garage attacking my vacuum cleaner with a screwdriver.
"I can't get this thing to cooperate,"I explained when I saw them.
Joyce suggested, "Why don't you drag it over to the other side of the garage and show it the remains of the lawnmower?"
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
P.O. Box 437
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-8397
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
- Ellen Glasgow
Vol. 15. Issue 8 - April 29, 2017
Archive Issue #737
| advanced |
© 2016 Rich Tarrant