Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: I may have used the shop desktop pic in a past issue. But – what I’m most interested in this time are the buildings in the background. On the right is the old Linwood Hotel that once overlooked the beach at Linwood Park. And of more interest is the old beach house that once occupied a place on the beach below the hotel.
I know what happened to the hotel. It was torn down in the mid-1960s. But I’ve never really paid much attention to the fate of the beach house. I have the Through These Gates book, and that info is probably in it. I’ll just have to look.
The tree where the group is standing and sitting beneath is obviously a big tree; But I don’t believe it is the famous Linwood Tree. I think that tree was much bigger.
I believe I acquired this photo from Linwood resident Janet Waggoner. It was taken from a glass negative.
CASK VILLA SHOT: On the home desk this week is an unusual shot of the Village of Wine Casks aka Cask Villa that once occupied the east bank of Darby Creek west of Vermilion.
While there are numerous pix of the little vacation park most show the fronts of the wine cask cottages. This particular pic shows the back of some that lined the bank over the beach – facing Lake Erie.
By the look of some of the cars I’m guessing that this pic is c.1940. Until I saw this particular photo it never occurred to me that there were also cottages facing the lake. Most of those I’ve seen pix of were backed to the hill overlooking the creek. I believe there were also cottages along that stream.
This was, as must be obvious by all the cars, a very popular vacation destination. It had a nice beach. It was also featured (one time) in the very popular Ripley’s Believe It Or Note publications.
I’m glad someone had enough foresight to take this photograph. It helps put things into perspective.
EARL TISCHER: My sister Nance emailed me a note last weekend telling me that a well known Vermilion expatriate Earl Tischer had passed into the next life.
Earl was a consistent supporter of this website and I like talking with him when he was visiting town from his home in Florida. He always had extremely interesting bits and pieces of Vermilion history to lend me. He knew a lot of Vermilion people that I only knew via pictures. He was a pleasure to talk with. I’ll miss his infrequent visits. However, the last time I saw him here he told me that it would probably be the last time he’d come to Vermilion.
I guess it was.
PROGRESS AT THE MUSEUM: I intended to use this pic last week but messed up and neglected to send it to my home computer for the page.
I was writing about the name change of the museum and I wanted everyone to see what it was like when we started with the apartment part of the place and what it’s like now.
I’m often amazed by the progress myself when I review the old pix. I think about all the very hot days of tearing out all the lath seen in the lower pic (it was on the ceiling too); getting rid of all the lath (tossing it off the back porch onto a tarp); and all the time and energy required to take all the little nails out of the 2x4s that once anchored them. We then insulated both the walls and the ceiling.
If I had to do it today I couldn’t.
After the drywall was installed we painted, then sanded the floor and stained it. Again, if I had to do it now I could not. I certainly hope that within the next few months I’ll at least feel like I could do it – if I had to. But now we’ve got other matters to attend to that are less physical and more cerebral. I hope I’m up to them…
Historically,
A FEW MORE COMMENTS ABOUT DR. B.F. BOND: As some persons already know Dr. Benjamin Bond was one of the town’s early physicians. His office was located in the area we currently call Exchange Park in the heart of the old business section of the city. That office was eventually moved and today (2017) it is the home of Rudy’s Bar and Grill just down the street from the park across from the library.
Doc Bond kept two teams of horses that he used to cover the countryside surrounding the town. When one team rested the other worked. The Doc apparently always worked.
His granddaughter, Kate Baker-Ruetner, told me that the good doctor didn’t believe in inoculations. Ergo, when attending to those afflicted with smallpox during an early 20th century epidemic in Vermilion he work (at least metaphorically) naked. A brave man was he.
In looking over some of his background I recently found that at least during the 1880 census he lived at what was then called the Lake House Hotel on the southeast corner of Liberty and Division / Main Streets. A man named Clark Jay was the hotel keeper during that time. (Jay’s story is another one of those great Vermilion stories.) My assumption is that the Doc’s lodging was temporary, but convenient to his office and horses, which were located just across the street from the hotel to the north. He may have been having a new place built during this time.
In addition to that bit of info his obituary (he passed on 24 June 1926) in the Sandusky papers (at least) indicate that he was survived by four grandsons. That note has me somewhat at a loss. As far as I know he had one son, Frank, and Frank only had one son, William and a one daughter, Geraldine. Perhaps he had 3 boys from a previous marriage, but I am unable to find anything to prove it.
Another interesting note about the doctor is that he, as one of the newspapers put it, “remained in the harness until he contracted the illness that caused his death…” at the age of 92.
He really was among the town’s most interesting persons of the yesteryear.
WHERE WERE YOU WHEN JFK WAS SHOT: They are just some scribbles on a wall calendar. The old calendar from 1963 should’ve been ripped off the wall and tossed many years ago. But it wasn’t. The date - November 22 is circled by a black marker. Bill, one of my older brothers, was at work in the backroom of the Vermilion News print shop on that day when the radio program he was listening to was interrupted by a news bulletin: President Kennedy had been shot in Dallas. It was around 12:25 p.m. in Texas. Thirty minutes later the President was pronounced dead at Dallas’ Parkland Hospital. And as the world collectively gasped for air my brother turned, circled the date and scribbled the time(s) of the historic moment (misspelling the President’s name) on the wall calendar behind him (pictured). He never replaced nor modified that calendar. And there it has remained, for the last 54 years.
It is almost as if time stopped that afternoon in 1963. And for more than a few persons who are old enough to remember that day there is, at least in a figurative sense, some reason to believe that it did. If you don’t believe it just ask someone near or over 60 years of age where they were on November 22, 1963. Chances are they will be able to tell you in some detail their whereabouts on that particular date.
I, for instance, was in the Vermilion Post Office. Vermilionite Kenny Kress was working the counter and a radio, with the volume turned up, was tuned to the news when Kennedy’s death was announced. Again, the world seemed to stop and take a breath. For who on Earth would murder a President of the United States of America? Though all that is history now it was not then. And for a time the assassination left many citizens speechless and quite bewildered.
While campaigning for the office in September of 1960 I was in the crowd at George Daniels Stadium in Lorain when JFK appeared there. I remember seeing him pass below the cheering crowd in the back of a convertible – his reddish hair blowing in the wind. It was an impressive image. However, my family had for years been staunch supporters of the Republican Party – especially President Eisenhower – and Kennedy’s opponent was Ike’s vice-President, Richard M. Nixon. Ergo, I naturally considered Kennedy a long shot for the office.
It had certainly been a contentious campaign. For instance: While I don’t remember it being presented in any public forum one of the concerns some had about a Kennedy presidential term was religion. JFK was Catholic and the undercurrent rumor mill suggested that if he were elected he would take his orders from the Vatican. It was an absurd assertion, but it played well with those who opposed his election. And then there was Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater America’s conservative Conservative along with the newly formed John Birch Society: Their vehement anti-Kennedy, anti-communist, anti-socialist and anti-New Deal philosophies appealed to a significant number of people. But obviously not enough people to win an election.
So our town was exceptionally quiet when night fell on November 22, 1963 – the night our 35th President was killed. With the exception of a few ill-informed and very drunk revelers celebrating the damage done to our national ethos the streets were empty. It would take days for the shock to wear off – if ever. People wanted answers. But they would never come.
On the following Sunday those watching their televisions as Kennedy’s assassin was being moved from Dallas Police Headquarters to a more secure jail some ne’er-do-well in a gray fedora hat and dark suit pushed his way into the crowd and murdered him. And so the assassin, too, was assassinated. And while there were now more questions there were, again, no answers.
But if you really want an answer ask someone who was around when JFK was shot where they were in that yesteryear, you will likely get a rather detailed one. It was a day that stood still for many. And some like my big brother turned to his calendar to make note of it never dreaming that a half-century later it might motivate some – even those who were not yet born – to make note of it also.
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...
A man passed the NEWS office the other day with a stutter in his walk. The sidewalk was too narrow for him. He passed around to the town hall shed and we investigated. He was from Birmingham and having a tooth, which was rather cantankerous came to Vermilion for an operation. Not having faith in modern painless dentistry and having a fear for the “deadly forks" as he called them he proceeded to absorb liquid courage. Whether the tooth was removed or not enters not into the story but he was perfectly aware of his condition and wanted to get home. He was sent on his way rejoicing.
A. L. Irey, formerly principal of the Vermilion High School, was at a recent meeting of the Board of Education hired to succeed J. C. Seemann who recently resigned. Mr. Irey needs no commendation from us as he was very successful in his work while here and is well known to Vermilion people. We welcome his return here and wish him success in his new position.
Pursuant to invitation issued by the Association, Vermilion G.A.R. Band will attend the tournament at Shelby next Wednesday. There will be an unusually large number of bands in attendance, 110 having been invited.
The band will go via the L.S.E. and Norwalk Mansfield line. $1.30 for the round-trip car with band will leave at 6:00 a.m. sharp; another car will leave about an hour later.
Quite a number have signified intentions of going – it will be worth the time and expense of the trip.
For further information in regard to the trip, tickets, etc., come to the NEWS office.
An effort is being made to have the meeting at Vermilion next year and the larger delegation present the better. Remember fare $1.30 for round-trip.
BORN – to Mr. Mrs. Adam Soloski, Monday, August 15 16, son.
Mr. and Mrs. William Miller are rejoicing over the arrival of a son.
A Tarantula measuring three inches and a half was captured at the Quarry Store Friday evening.
The funeral of Ella Kuellmer was held Tuesday from the home of her parents, in Brownhelm.
Pat Crowe of South Amherst was placed in jail Monday evening by Marshall Wilford on account of drunkenness.
R.C. Edward’s saloon was broken into by thieves on Monday evening. Ten dollars in cash was taken besides a watch and several boxes of cigars.
Frank Walker who was recently operated upon at Mr. Sinai hospital for appendicitis is not well at this writing.
Work on the new Bridge at Mill Hollow is progressing finely. The old bridge is torn down and work is already begun on erecting the abutments of the new bridge. By November 1st we expect the new bridge to be completed and ready for travel.
W.F. Bemis has moved in the famous “Old Mill Hollow.”
We had a fine rain Monday, which did the late crops of potatoes much good.
Charles Baldwin is running for Constable, we hope the Township will give them a heavy lift.
Two large dogs got into the flock of sheep owned by William Newberry, killing several. The dogs were tracked and one was shot.
The sick are improving in health. Dr. Boss has returned home from his vacation and looks fine.
Mr. Ed Howe’s barn was struck by lightning during Monday's storm and almost instantly was in flames all over. Mr. Howe’s team was in the barn but he got them out safely, also a calf which was tied in the barn. He has been breaking a colt this spring which was in a box stall in the barn he got the colt as far as the barn door when it was driven back by the intense smoke and the fire had already crossed the safety limit. Mr. Howe could not go back again and the horse perished. He got out his buggies and a few other tools. The loss falls rather heavy and Mr. Howe as he carried no insurance.
Swift capture was the fate that overtook a nervy horse thief who operated in Birmingham at an early hour this morning. At 9:30 he had been overtaken by a posse on the Lake Shore, only a few miles from the scene of his alleged crime. Lorain officers took him to that city where he gave the name of John Best and was bound over in the sum of $1000 for a hearing Tuesday.
The horses taken were secured at the farms of William Meister and of the Gordon Brothers. The Meister horse was reddish was ridden bareback with the aid of a bridle, while the others were led behind.
One thing that makes the perpetrator as a bold man is the fact that he secured the assistance of Ernest Emery, a 14-year-old boy, in catching the horses stolen from the Gordon place, the boy believing his tale that he had bought the horses, helped him to catch and halter them.
The trouble that he had in his leading the two Gordon horses was what frustrated Best’s plans. When the Emery youth returned and told his father, Gus Emery, what he had done, the latter’s suspicions were aroused and he followed Best compelling him to return the two horses, but making no attempt to capture the man or secure possession of the Meister horse, which he was riding.
A posse consisting of Tom and Will Gordon, Sam Bacon, Ray Fairchild, Seymour Greening, Henry Wallace and George Beers formed as soon as the triple theft spread around. After following some false clues they encountered Best in a cornfield on the Fairchild farm a short distance east of Brownhelm Center. The actual credit of the capture was given to the Gordon's although Chief Williams of Lorain arrived in an automobile shortly after.
Best insists that he is innocent and has a story to account for his actions.
The Baumhart family reunion is being held at the Park today.
The Gorton Minstrels gave an entertainment at the Opera House Monday evening to a well filled house. The show is a good one and was enjoyed by all.
L.J. Martinek was called to Kincardine, Canada this week by the serious illness of his mother-in-law. Mrs. M and son have been there for several weeks past.
Prof. T.J. Wettach of Pittsburgh who is staying at Linwood Park has a fine new piano which he will sell at a sacrifice.
Mrs. Harry Trinter was brought home from the St. Joseph's hospital last week and is recovering as rapidly as can be expected.
Mrs. Jacob Horning was bitten by a dog one day this week. The dog belonged to Mr. M Marchus and was ordered killed. The wound is healing nicely.
The many friends of Harry Trinter who is suffering from an attack of typhoid fever at St. Joseph's Hospital will be glad to learn that he is on the road to recovery.
Master Frankie Baker spending a few days in the Lorain.
[NOTE: Master Baker grew up to own and operate a very successful Ford Dealership in Vermilion. His grandson, Gene, currently runs Vermilion’s water filtration plant.]
Charles Heidloff is suffering from an attack of typhoid fever.
The Sterling Machine and Stamping Co. is preparing to move to Wellington.
The Busy Bee Club will meet at the home of Mrs. Martha Stevens Friday afternoon, August 20, ‘09.
William Moes, who went some time ago to St. Alexis Hospital and underwent an operation, is on the way to recovery.
Quite a crowd was entertained by a “Dog Show" downtown on Exchange Place, Wednesday evening. The animals were well-trained and well worth seeing. A hat was passed for contributions.
It is currently reported that the Lake Shore depot will be moved to a position nearly over the Toledo sewer. Of course this rumor cannot be verified. Work is being pushed on the grading of the road and now four engines and crews are making Vermilion a stopping point.
Dr. R.P. Pelton was arrested for "speeding" in his auto Friday evening under complaint of Mr. Carey. The claims [sic] was made that he was going at a rate of 11 miles an hour. The case came up for hearing Friday but as the lawyer for the prosecution did not arrive the hearing was postponed and finally the charge was withdrawn.
[NOTE: This is a great perspective piece. In 1909 folks were still using horse and buggies, feet and bicycles for most of their local transportation needs. I imagine that there were some folks who didn’t care for automobiles. Had I been living back then I would’ve probably been one of those curmudgeons. Who needs progress???]
Hmmmmmm....
BACK IN 1880: More good reading about old Vermilion.
Caselton (my great-grandfather) as you will discover over the ensuing weeks was a musician / fifer in the Union Army during the American Civil War in Company K, 67th Regiment of the OVI. As you will also discover everyone (and I mean everyone) had it tough during that war.
One of the things I found exceptionally interesting while reading his diary is his humanness view of the experience. He was neither a hero nor an enemy of the Republic. But the range of his emotions – his views of the conflict – may be an eye-opener for persons who’ve never had the unfortunate experience of war.
Anyway, in his words…
THE ARMY LIFE OF CASELTON ROSCOE PT.2:…for Regiment it being about fifteen miles. I thought I could not go that far, but I walked it, and got there about 10 o’clock at night, with my feet blistered. Then I went and got some medicine of the doctor, am feeling better.
The Seventh Ohio Regiment is camped close by us. I have not felt able to play the fife for two weeks, many of the boys have been sick.
We are on the Shannandoah [sic] River, and the Rebels are on one side, and we on the other. They burnt the bridge after retreating over it, and threw shells at our men while at work on the bridge, but a few parrot guns soon made them scatter. How long we are to stay here we do not know. I have not received any letters, and do not know if the home folks have gotten mine.
After the battle at Winchester and one at Strasburg: Am hoping we do not have to stay in this country for long, as it is so hot. When I get my pay will send it home but would like to keep enough to get me a revolver, for there are times when I am left behind, and have to travel in the night among bush-whackers, and it may save my life.
May 23,1862: At Fredricksburg [sic]. We have just arrived this afternoon, and ready for camp for the night. Have been on the march for most two weeks, and am most worn out, but will be on our way to Richmond, Va., in a day or two.
The enemy is within eight miles of us, but do not think they will be there long, for our men call them the band-box soldiers [Meaning: fresh or green troops still in their nice new uniforms having seen no action.] from New York. The news just came that the Monitor has been within seven miles of Richmond.
When we stop for the night, and the guns are stacked, the boys rally for the rails and away they fly like so many devils let loose, yelling like panthers or wolves, and that’s the way they go into battle.
…But the Seventh Infantry never faced the enemy as a three months regiment. When they were well versed in drill, then came Mr. Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand men for three years, and the Seventh Regiment, almost to a man, enlisted under that call, and were thus transformed from the three months to the three years service, and as such first donned the blue. They were mustered into the United States service on the 19th of June 1861, retaining, substantially, their former commanding officers.
After a brief leave of absence at their homes, the men reassembled at Camp Dennison, and on the 26th of June, 1861, started for the field, having been assigned to the campaign in West Virginia. None of the command will ever forget the march of June 29th, and it was this event as much as any, that gave them an idea of the hardships that were in store for them. Their destination was Weston, and the object of the march was the hope of possessing a goodly sum of gold on deposit in a bank at that place, which, was designed to be used for the erection of an insane asylum. The boys got it without meeting any armed opposition.
The regiment then proceeded to Glenville to relieve the force at that point. The first serious engagement in which the Seventh participated was the battle at Cross Lanes, West Virginia, on the 26th of August, 1861, Here the regiment fought independently, each company taking a position where the most effective service could be rendered; but they were outnumbered by the enemy, and slowly driven back, leaving many killed and wounded upon the battle-field. The loss to the Seventh in this engagement was One hundred and twenty killed, wounded and missing. The command became divided and scattered, one portion retiring to Gauley, while the others found the Union lines at Charleston, several miles down the Gauley River. By reference to the roster of Company E it will be seen that more men were lost by death, wounds or capture than in any other single engagement in which that company participated.
The regiment was soon gathered»again and went into camp at Gauley. The effects of the recent engagement told severely on the men and many were discharged during the early days of October. One pleasing event, however, occurred while encamped at this place, and that was the presentation to the regiment of a beautiful stand of colors by Professor Peck, of Oberlin College, in behalf of the people of the Western Reserve.
From Gauley, on the 16th of October, the regiment proceeded to Charleston, W. Va., where it remained until the 1st of November, but soon after that date it was engaged in a movement to get in the rear of the rebel force under Floyd, but through the disobedience of orders on the part of General Benham, the attempt was fruitless, and Floyd, though hotly pursued, succeeded in making his escape. After this the Seventh returned, by steamer, to Charleston, November 17, 1861. In December the regiment joined the command under General Lander and proceeded by water, rail and a march of sixteen miles,…
CAN’T REALLY DATE IT: This is certainly a one of a kind Vermilion artifact. It’s a thermometer compliment of the Vermilion Mill and Supply company that, a long time back, occupied the space where the Mill Manor nursing home is today. (2017).
[NOTE: If one should wonder as to the reason I often make a point of giving the year some things are currently located at a given site it’s because fifty years from now they may have been replaced by a parking lot or an apartment house. Things really don’t last as long as we think they might. So I make an effort to leave some bread crumb references behind.]
It’s really a nice piece of history. I’ve never made any attempt to clean it or otherwise renovate it because I’d probably do more damage to it than good.
Annie was taking her time browsing through everything at a friend's yard sale, and said to her, "My husband is going to be very angry when he finds out I stopped at a yard sale."
"I'm sure the old boy'll understand when you tell him about all the bargains," her friend replied.
"Normally, yes," said Annie. "But he just broke his leg, and he's waiting for me to take him to the hospital to have it set."
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
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Vol. 15. Issue 24 - August 19, 2017
Archive Issue #753
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