Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: On the shoptop this week is an old pic of late Vermilionite Charles Wheeler Baumhart. Knowing him later in his life I’d never taken him for a river rat. But there he is. What would someday become the Vermilion Lagoon subdivision lies pristine behind him just across the river. [I like his swimsuit. I think I’ll get one.]
On my home desk this week is another favorite Vermilion character of mine: Captain “Big Ed” Lampe on his tug “Grandon”. I’ve written some about both Mr. Lampe and his tug in past issues.
Captain Lampe was not a handsome man, but he was both intelligent and successful (of and on). He acquired and lost several fortunes during his lifetime on the Lakes.
Both the Grandon and Charlie are near the Vermilion waterworks in this photographs.
Well, I’m not really here this week. This issue of Views comes a few days early because on Thursday I am to acquire my new hip. I wore the old one out during my “hippie” days.
In any case, I struggled trying to figure out how I could keep up with the page and finally thought it would be just as well to do it early. The previous pages are all archived, so nobody should miss anything.
I doubled up on my work last week so I’d get this done. Next week might also be problematic. But I’m determined to get things done on time.
Historically,
FACE OF A VERMILLION DAWN: This is both a familiar face and place to, perhaps, only myself. But I had to use it. This is the morning scene from our front porch in our new old home at the Olympic Outing Club.
Everyday (or nearly every day) since we moved to the club late last summer I’ve taken at least two photographs from our porch every morning. Later this summer I intend to put them together to make a slideshow illustrating the passage of the year and the seasons.
Oddly enough one of my first memories as a little guy was of the club – looking from the riverside to all the cottages. And once (just once) I was stupid enough to ride my bike down the hill into the club at a million miles an hour only to be met by the chain that once hung across the drive at the bottom of the hill.
I never dreamed that I’d ever live there – although Geo and I did when I was caretaker for several years back in the early 70s. I have some interesting memories of those days.
Now it appears that I’ll end my days here. And that, as is obvious, ain’t such a bad thing.
CAPTAIN JAS. STONE: In 1839 a man named William B.H. Stone, his spouse Eliza and three children moved here from a small town called Port Burwell on the northern shore of Lake Erie in Ontario, Canada. The newly incorporated Village of Vermillion – with two “ells” – of 1839 had even at that early time likely acquired positive reputation about the Great Lakes as a thriving port and shipbuilding town. It must have been a lively place where persons with appropriate skills and initiative were welcomed and could immediately find work. And thusly Mr. Stone, who found work as a cooper, took up residence here.
Coming of age in such environs, surrounded by families of sailors, ship’s carpenters, and shipping merchants, it should surprise no one that by the age of 17 years James, the youngest of Stone’s three children, took to the sea. Actually he went to work for his neighbor, Alva Bradley. Bradley had distinguished himself as Master of the 15-ton “Olive Branch” running trade from the islands to Lake Erie's southern ports; then the 47-ton schooner "Commodore Lawrence." When he left the lakes he partnered with a man named Ahira Cobb to build vessels in Vermilion. Thus, it is very likely that young James admired Bradley’s successes on both land and the lakes. And the young man thrived.
In 1864 Stone took the helm as Master of the schooner Challenge. His first steamship was the Joseph S. Fay. In an obituary written about him that appeared in “The Marine Review” in December of 1911 it was said that he “was known from one end of the lakes to the other as one of the most experienced navigators that had ever sailed on the lakes”. In fact, during Captain Stone’s 37-year tenure as a Bradley employee underwriters were never called upon to pay a claim on any vessel under his care. In 1898 he was appointed as government supervising inspector of steam vessels for the ninth district and superintended the building of the steamers R.P. Ranney, City of Cleveland, Maurice D. Grover, the Pasadena and the Hesper.
Captain Stone married Sarah Frances Parsons in 1863. She died in 1891 at the age of 50 years. Together they had three children: Lewis, Mary and Burton. Lewis followed in his father’s footsteps and by the time of the elder Stone’s death was master of the Samuel Mather (built in 1906). [Note: Sarah’s father, also named Burton, was another well-known Vermilion ship master and light keeper.] Following Sarah’s Stone married another lady named Sarah (McCauley) in 1902.
Most records of his working life emphasize the fact that during all the years he worked for Alva Bradley and his successors it was “without interruption by sickness or other cause,” for even one day. On Wednesday November 22, 1911 he was at his office in a government building in Cleveland and was apparently quite well. The next day was Thanksgiving. Following his attendance at a church social on that day he was stricken by an attack of “acute indigestion” – and suddenly he was gone. He was 75 years, 2 months and 13 days old. And thus one of the best navigators on the Great Lakes charted his way back home to rest – in The Village of Lake Captains.
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...
Monday was observed as Decoration Day in Vermilion. The weather was fine and the entire program was carried out completely.
In the morning the cemetery was visited and the graves decorated with the usual ceremonies. Promptly at 1 PM the G. A. R., I.0.T.M., and K.O. T.M. and school children began to gather and the parade was formed. The line of march was from the G.A.R. Hall south on Division Street to South, east to Exchange, south to the schoolhouse, across to state, where the schoolchildren and thence north on State and Grand to Liberty to Exchange Place where the crowd gathered to hear the speaker of the day, attorney R. H. Williams of Sandusky. Mr. Williams made an excellent address which was listened to with interest. After the speech the band gave a short concert which closed the ceremonies of the day which was one of the most successful ever carried out in Vermilion.
Edward Bachmann met with a painful accident at the Sterling Works Tuesday. While handling some molten metal it from some cause exploded burning him severely about the face. At first it was thought he would loose the site of one eye but it is thought now that it can be saved. Mr. Bachmann expected to leave the factory in a few days to go to Colorado. He is confined to his bed and his face is in very bad condition owing to the burns.
As brought up by William H. Black, Edwin Black, Herman Black and Albert Black against Margaret P. Black and E.L. Coen, the executor of the last will and testament of Henry Black, deceased, an action to contest the will has been instituted in the Erie County Common Pleas Court.
Henry Black, who lived at Vermilion, died the fourth day of April of the present year and his will was probated sometime during May in the probate court of this county. In the will which was from probated he directed that each of the petitioning heirs should receive $5 and left the balance of his estate, both real and personal to his wife, Margaret P. Black, E. L. Coen was named in the document as an executor of the will.
The plaintiffs claim that the will which was admitted to probate was not the will of Henry Black, and they asked that it be set aside.
The papers in the case of the state of Ohio vs. George Skin, et.al., assault and state vs. Joseph Mayer, et.al., assault were filed Tuesday in the Common Pleas Court. The cases came up from the Mayor's court at Vermilion. The defendants in the first named case are George Skin, Liva Brown and Arthur Brown. The prosecuting witness in both cases will be Elmer Shaffer. The defendants in the second named case are Joseph Mayer, Frank Broughton and John Doe. The alleged assault took place May 22, 1909.
Because her husband Joshua Phelps continually accused her of unchastity Mrs. May Phelps has filed suit for divorce from her husband whom she married in Vermilion. March 14, 1901. He is also accused of telling his friends that she was an immoral woman, and has a habit of quoting Bible passages to her regarding fallen women and telling her she could see what would become of her.
Mrs. Phelps says that he frequently called her a pig and a dirty puppy and after one of the tantrums he would go to the barn to sleep and refuse to come near the house. In order to support herself, Mrs. Phelps claims she was compelled to hire out to neighbors where she husked corn and pitched hay.
Walter Buckley did some driving stunts with a horse and buggy Monday in Vermilion which resulted in drawing $5.00 etc. when brought before the mayor.
John Shaffer, of Elyria took a day off Monday and came to Vermilion. Of course he did not come alone, but that is not part of this tale. He would have had a good time to if that body of wise (?) men who meet at Columbus occasionally had not conspired to prevent such occurrences by making a senseless law. Mr. Shaffer had found the other amusements of the day unavailing so having a little of the disposition of Isaac Walton he went fishing in the Vermilion River. So far so good. Then comes the climax. A certain game warden was on duty and happened to learn that several little bass had been hungry about the time that the said Shaffer put his fishing tackle into commission and had been ensnared, pounced upon the fisherman and brought him before Mayor Williams. Then as it was very evident that the man was guilty the Mayor had to perform one of the most distasteful duties of his official career, impose the regulation fine of $25 and costs upon the young man for catching a few measly black bass.
The class of 09 is the first to graduate from the new school and is the largest in 12 years.
All the quarries with the exception of the Ohio Mills closed down for Decoration Day, Monday.
John Lapp has moved his drilling machine on Albert Kishman's farm near Vermilion where a gas well will be put down.
The annual commencement exercises were held at the opera house Thursday evening. The graduating class is composed of eight young ladies and seven young men.
The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mari died at the home in South Amherst Wednesday. The funeral was held Thursday afternoon at St. John's Evangelical church. Rev. Lindenmeyer officiating.
John Weber and aged and respected Amherst citizen was killed near Milan Street bridge Thursday morning. He was on his way to his farm and in crossing the track the train back down on him.
H.W. Schumach is contemplating going into the ice business before long. He expects to get his supply from Lorain and will run a wagon and deliver to all parts of the town.
The Memorial services were fittingly observed by the Amherst citizens on Monday. The attendance was very good at about 500 took part in the parade.
Mrs. Philip Grossmeyer received an anonymous letter Thursday week purporting to have been written by a lady in Cleveland who said she was a true friend stating that she overheard Mr. Grossmeyer making plans to again try to get the little girl. Mrs. Grossmeyer says that her husband has repeatedly threatened to shoot her and she is considering having him put under a peace bond.
V. Leimbach was assisting Mr. T. Sanders in putting in corn.
Earl Leimbach is assisting Mr. Pepper on the road.
Mr. V. Leimbach has bought a new cream separator, the World’s Standard, the De Lavala a $90.00 one.
DIED – Infant son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kropf, Sunday, May 30.
Saturday evening about five or six prominent young men of Axtel attended the Crystal Theater. All report good time.
We have quite a number of stylish looking, and fast horses in this vicinity, which may give some chance for racing the summer.
Karl Sprunk delivered a very valuable load at Vermilion one day last week, as it was he took the River road where his horse stumbled and almost frightened to death the two young ladies occupying the seat. Don’t know if Karl will take the State Road with such a load; but just leave it to him.
Capt. W.E. Burns was found dead in his room in the tug Industry at Lorain Thursday night. His home was in Port Clinton. Heart disease was given as the cause.
Adam J. Stoll of Sandusky is in trouble. He's been accused of issuing false pay vouchers in connection with Sandusky water works department. He was brought before the mayor and bound over under at $2,000 bond. The only transaction which is has been investigated is $43 drawn in favor of two persons alleged to have never been in the employ of the water work and unknown to the department. The penalty if the sum exceeds $35 is from one to ten years in the pen. If below $35 a workhouse or jail sentence. Prosecutor Stevens and W.I. Fiesnger has the prosecution and King and Beis the defense.
Albert Hart of Clyde spent Monday here.
A large party of Oberlin students spent their decoration vacation here.
A. W. Burrows family moved to their home near Furnace Corners last week.
C. Roscoe attended Memorial sermon and exercises at Milan Sunday and Monday.
[NOTE: I use this blip as a personal record. C. Roscoe was my great-grandfather. He was living with my grandparents – over the NEWS office – during this period of time.]
Children's Day programs given at the town hall Sunday evening June 6 at 7:00 PM. Admission free.
Several of the fishing tugs have been laid up for a short time. The tug Lamb will undergo some repairs including a new "house".
Frank Adams, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has come to Vermilion, and located in the room on Liberty Street, just east of the Krapp market. He is an expert watchmaker, jeweler an engraver and is prepared to do work on short notice.
R.P. Stoddard has been appointed traveling passenger agent for the L.S.E.
It seems rather queer not to hear the school bell ring and see the groups of merry children trouping [sic] by.
Elizabeth Myers has been appointed to administratix de bonus non, with will attached of the estate of Nicholas Young.
Sam Edge returned to the battleship Georgia Saturday after a pleasant visit with his mother, Mrs. Miles Edson.
Watch for the eclipse of the moon night. The eclipse will be total and last about an hour. On June 17 we may witness an eclipse of the sun.
The joint picnic of Vermilion and Berlin Township schools was held at Ruggles Beach Friday. The affair was well-attended, a fine program rendered and a general good time enjoyed by all.
Mrs. Simons, of Wakeman, mother of S. W. Simons, had the misfortune to fall from the porch of her home Thursday and break both wrists. On account of her age the accident is extremely serious.
An automobile containing Cleveland people took a skid while going down a hill near the C. L. Phelps place, went through a fence and turned turtle, Monday. Fortunately no one was seriously injured although several of the occupants were bruised badly frightened. The auto however, was more than scratched and bruised.
Mrs. F. H. Rice who is suffering from typhoid fever at her home in Painesville was very low at last reports. She lived here formerly.
N. A. Foster recently had one of his best rowboats taken. He rented it to some men to use for fishing and it was never returned. A boat was found at Lakeside near Chas Vandelne’s place, which proved to be Mr. Foster's. It will be returned to him in a few days. The party who took the boat is known.
On next Thursday evening the entertainment at Crystal Theater will be under the auspices of Lynwood Hive I. O. T. M. The usual 2000 feet of moving pictures willing be exhibited. Ries 4-piece orchestra and an expert pianist will furnish music and probably singing will be arranged for. Tickets 10c each will be on sale at once. First "show" to begin at 7:30; second at 8:30.
Hazen Thompson came home from Cleveland to spend Sunday.
Mrs. Wm. Bacon of Brownhelm while returning from Amherst Saturday afternoon started a disastrous run away, when she attempted to open umbrella near the cemetery at Brownhelm. The young team behind which she rode, frightened by the noise, went on a wild gallop. Mrs. Bacon was thrown from the buggy on the cemetery picket fence. Her left arm was broken, a pocket pierced through her right had [sic] and she was otherwise injured. Mr. Bacon, accompanying her, while thrown some distance, was but slightly bruised. The team received many cuts and the buggy was demolished. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon are prosperous farmers and prominent throughout the county. – Elyria Telegram.
Hmmmmmm....
HOW ABOUT THIS: Looking through this clip I find that several subscribers of this page are listed. I wonder if they remember those days?
Trudy can be contacted at: tla8849@aol.com
GOLD STARS, GOLD STARS, GOLD STARS: Korea. Following the surrender of Japan in September of 1945 U.S. authorities divided the peninsula along the “38th parallel. Soviet forces occupied the area north of the line and U.S. forces the south. After free elections failed to establish a unified government in 1948 the nation became increasingly divided politically. South of the line a right-wing type of government was established. The north preferred communist rule. Reunification talks started and stalled. Tensions increased. Then, on the 25th day of June in 1950, North Korea invaded the south. And the Korean War – that was never really a “war” but a “police action” – had begun.
The Korean War often referred to as “the forgotten war” because it has been overshadowed by more immediate memories of Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan was no less bitter or difficult than any. Over fifty thousand American lives were lost, and over 100,000 were wounded. And though a good number of Vermilion families tossed and turned in their beds until 27 July 1953 – the day the fighting ceased – none, thankfully, had to place a gold star in their window.
And then there was Vietnam. Like Korea the conflict in Vietnam was not a “declared” war. In fact, the U.S. Congress has not declared any military action in which our nation has participated in a war since 1941. But, as some say, a rose by any other name is still a rose. It was a war. And this time nearly sixty thousand American lives were lost. Five of them were from our area:
Captain Fleming Brainerd III, whose home of record was Amherst, Ohio was killed in action in Phu Bon Province, South Viet-Nam on 26 May 1965. Captain Fleming was an Infantry Unit Commander (Special Forces) and had been in the service for a decade. He was 31.
Sergeant Theodor Davison Ward, D. Company, 2nd Brigade., 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cav. Division grew up in Mitawanga, Ohio. He died from multiple fragmentation wounds received at Tay Ninh Province, South Viet-Nam on 8 May 1969 just short of his 21st birthday.
Sergeant John Lewis Kotora, was a member of C. Company, 1st Battalion of the 22nd Infantry Regiments 4th Infantry Division when he was seriously wounded by small arms fire at Binh Dinh Province, South Viet-Nam in April 1970. He died in a hospital in Japan on 3 May 1970. He was 21.
2nd Lieutenant Matthew John Pechaitis’s was a member of the U.S.A.R.V. 1st Cavalry. While his home of record at his death was Columbus, Ohio, he grew up in Brownhelm. Lt. Pechaitis was accidentally killed in the Republic of South Viet-Nam on 10 January 1966. He was 23.
Private First Class Hubert Jackson Payne was killed in action from multiple fragmentation wounds at Hill 1338 Ngok Con Kring in Kontum Province, South Viet-Nam on 17 November 1967. He was a member of Company C., 12 Infantry, Fourth Infantry Division. The 26 year-old soldier was brought home to Big Run Cemetery in Webster County, West Virginia.
Vermilion’s local Amvets Post 22 is named in honor of Captain Brainerd, Sergeant Kotora, and Sergeant Ward. And it certainly would have been nice if these five Gold Stars were the last of Vermilion’s military casualties. But they were not.
On the day before Christmas 2003 nine-year Army veteran Sergeant Benjamin Walter Biskie was killed along with two other soldiers when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device on Highway One near Samarra, Iraq. He was a member of the 5th Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade out of Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was 27. Sergeant Biskie was Vermilion’s last Gold Star. But sadly enough he is unlikely to be the last.
As we pause this Memorial to remember these men of yesteryear, their families, and their sacrifices we should also say a prayer for all the men and women who are currently in the service of our nation. The photo accompanying this monograph was captured during a Memorial Day celebration in Vermilion’s Exchange Park just a few years ago. WW2 Navy veteran Luther Marquart’s salute to the flag as Taps is played says everything I cannot.
…The granges in the county are now all in a healthy condition, the flow and ebb of their prosperity are passed, and they are now upon a solid foundation and have come to stay.
With township, county, State and national organizations, working in harmony and unitedly for the bettering of the condition of the farm masses, it is the only hope or bulwark against the aggressions of monopolies, trusts and extortion of other organizations detrimental to the farmers' interests. Its social feature, its literary culture, its helpfulness against the isolation of farm life, and, best of all, the fraternal brotherhood and sisterhood it engenders, are necessary to the farmer who would keep his occupation abreast in all respects to the other industrial occupations of the age. No Pomona or County Grange as such has ever been organized in the county, but the granges meet quarterly, together, and thus keep alive a feeling of union and fraternity with each other. Mrs. H. C. Norton is now the State deputy master of the county.
FROM the time of the close of the war of 1812, Erie county cannot be said to have possessed or acquired much, if any, military history until the outbreak of the war of 1861-5, which event all historians are agreed in terming the "War of the Rebellion." During, that war the county most certainly made a record in history, and a most glorious and enviable record it was, for, with a population in 1861 of less than twenty-five thousand souls, she sent into the various branches of the military service from seven to nine per cent of her people, or from seventeen hundred to nineteen hundred men.
But the military history of the county commenced with the time that that intrepid band of twenty men met and formed a company for defense against the murderous depredations of the Indians during the early part of the war of 1812—15. This company was known as the "Rangers," and was organized at Huron. Their conflicts-at-arms seem to have been confined substantially to the affair with the savages on Bull Island, in which the red foe was defeated and utterly put to rout by the Rangers. Of this engagement there is no well-authenticated written history, but traditional history never underestimates the magnitude of any event. This subject is elsewhere fully discussed.
Then, again, there was the citizen soldiery, whose greatest battles were fought and victories won on "general training" day—the day of all days in pioneer times, and second not even to the 4th of July. But it was in the mili…
THE WORKSHOP: I thought this an artful display. These tools are, by and large, where they always were on the wall in the bindery room in the print shop. In many cases I’ve tried to leave things, as they were when I found them. That is, I leave them where they were unless I need to use one of them.
The photograph was taken next to my computer equipment. The contrast is startling…
Doctor: "I see you're over a month late for your appointment. Don't you know that nervous disorders require prompt and regular attention? What's your excuse?"
Patient: "I was just following your orders, Doc."
Doctor: "Following my orders? What are you talking about? I gave you no such order."
Patient: "You told me to avoid people who irritate me."
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)
- Edward Everett
Vol. 15. Issue 13 - June 3, 2017
Archive Issue #742
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