A GOOD GUY: George Spreng was a member of the museum board and a good friend. He died on June 30th 2015. He was two months older than myself.

I’d been meandering through some old pix I’d taken about the museum in the past and came across this one. George, Mark Slocum and Jon Parks were building a storage shed behind the museum. When it was finished George painted it. When he was doing the back he got stung by some yellow jackets and asked me to tidy up spots where he’d splashed paint when the bees got him.

George did a good deal of work around the museum and I appreciated – and still appreciate – all that he did. A retired Ford worker he was a very capable person.

When he was younger he’d quit Ford and went to work for Lorain Towel Supply. One of his stories concerned Ed Fisher, the old funeral director, telling him jokes when he delivered linen to the funeral home. One time some gas build-up in one of Mr. Fisher’s clients caused the person to sit up. It scared George so bad he went through a screen door. But eventually George went back to Ford where he retired.

George also did a good deal of charity work in and out of the church. He was an all around good guy.

THE KEEPER OF KEEPSAKES: I’ve written about this dog “Mister Chips” (pictured) more than once [VPJ 04/06/06 – 06/24/12]. He was probably one of the worst and the best dogs I ever knew. I didn’t realize I had this snapshot of him until a few weeks ago when I found it inside an old souvenir book I’ve had since one of my school classes went to Cleveland to see the movie “Around the World in 80 Days” starring much younger versions of David Niven, Cantinflas and Shirley McLain. It seems like a million years ago. But it was probably about 1957 – only 60 years ago.

I don’t really have many things left from my childhood years anymore other than this book and another called “Bugs Bunny’s Birthday”. I received the “Bugs” book for my seventh birthday along with a music box with a crank on the side. I don’t recall what happened to the music box. But for whatever reason I apparently considered the “Bugs” book and, later, the “80 Days” book to be treasures.

To my surprise there were – fortunately or perhaps unfortunately – some grade cards from my high school years tucked away in the book. After reviewing them I can truthfully report that if I wasn’t the worst student in my class I was very close to it. Some folks like to say that they graduated somewhere near the top percentage of their classes. I am most certainly not among them.

In the past I’ve always told my wife and close friends that I could have probably skipped high school because I’d learned about all I needed to learn in the first 8 years of school; and that, as it turns out, is a bare-boned truth. Actually, during most of my high school years I worked from 4 to midnight at a local restaurant – and I loved every minute of it. Most simply stated, I had other priorities.

In any case, when I got to high school I was told from the start that I would never go to college. Financially speaking, that prospect was way out of reach anyway. So I was enrolled in “nonsensical” classes – most of which mirrored those of my first eight years in public school – and I, very literally, never cracked a book (with the exception of those I read outside school) during those years. Nor did I ever do a lick of homework.

When it came to testing – if the test was multiple choice, which most seemed to be, I simply filled in the little circles arbitrarily without reading any of the questions. Moreover, I never paid any attention to the results. Why would I? The odds were with me. I had a 50/50 chance of passing – or so I thought. But whatever the case, it was a very stupid thing for me to have done. Only the Good Lord knows what I might have learned if I’d applied myself. But I didn’t.

Several years later, after I’d served with the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War I met my wife who was, at the time, a student at Bowling Green State University. Eventually I followed. And suddenly, I was interested in academia. I really liked BG but didn’t graduate there because I transferred to Cleveland State University. At CSU, I continued my studies of English Literature while working a full-time job and eventually acquired a degree.

While I’ve seldom used that degree for anything professionally, just getting it was something I needed to do. I need to show, at least, myself that I was not a complete moron. Nor of course, was I a rocket scientist. In fact, I was often amazed by the super intelligence of many other students who were much younger than myself. Such eye-openers, very frankly, put me in my place. Happily that place was not at the very bottom.

Well, I’ve put all that behind me now. Or at least I did until I found these old keepsakes. And maybe it’s not a bad thing for any of us to look back and remember where we once were and how far we’ve traveled as the years have passed. To understand that because someone says you’ll never do something doesn’t mean that you can’t or won’t – if you try. In fact, some us may even become a keeper of many keepsakes.

_{Ref: Written in September 2017; Publiched in the Vermilion Photojournal 10/05/2017.}

Vol. XIII, No.18. - VERMILION,OHIO, THURSDAY, October 7, 1909

COUNCIL MEETING

The Village Council met in regular session Monday evening with Miller, McConnelly, Mattison, Minium and Wahl present; absent, Krapp, Mayor Williams presiding.

After the reading and approval of the minutes of the previous meeting the regular routine of business was taken up.

[NOTE: The next paragraph was illegible.]

Mr. Muhlberg of the firm of Nichols and Muhlberg, engineers, of Lorain, and an attorney was present to arrange for the settlement of their own account with the village for their work in preparing plans for a sewage system and the disposal plant. The cost of the plant was so much in excess of the limit given the engineers that it was thought the engineer should have notified the Council that they could not not come within the limit, and ask for further instructions instead of completing the work as they did.

The Council decided to offer to settle for $500, the attorney made a proposition to split the difference, finally $575 was agreed upon. The original bill was over $700.

Proposition of Mr. Chapin, the gentleman who planned our waterworks system was then taken up and discussed thoroughly.

Mr. Chapin offers to complete plans for a sewer system and disposal plant, prepare all the necessary legal work, secure the approval of the State Board of Health in for $400 and what plans, etc. the village may have on hand. Mr. Chapin also agrees not to exceed $45,000 in this estimate.

After the reading of the proposition the subject was freely discussed. The Mayor expressed himself against spending any more money until a matter was put to a vote as the other plans had proven so expensive and the cost of the plant too great to be considered that it was not in his estimation proper to make other expenditures until an expression of the sentiment of the people had been had by vote.

On the other hand, members of the Council expressed the belief that it would be best to make all plans for a suitable plant before a vote of the people was taken so that the exact cost of the plant would be known to the citizens, so they could vote with more intelligence than they could do otherwise. Not only would they know the cost of the entire plant but the lot frontage assessment and the entire details.

Upon motion duly seconded the question was put and carried that Mr. Chapin's proposition be accepted; yeas 4, nays 1, Mr. Wahl voting in the negative.

The stoning of a portion of the West Shore road was talked over and it was decided to secure the material, if possible, of the contractor who has the work on the state Road.

Resignation of Peter Callen, Marshal, was officially accepted and it was decided to have William Bolan act in Mr. Callen's place until a successor was elected.

After ordering the payment of bills, the meeting was adjourned.

A NICE PIECE OF WORK

Street Commissioner Schmoll has about completed the work on Ohio Street at the intersection of that street with Toledo Street. Large iron pipes have taken the place of the old stone culvert and a stone retaining wall has been placed to hold the dirt for the sidewalk. The street has also been filled in some making the depression somewhat less. The work is been done in first-class manner and is a great improvement. The ditch has also been straightened and the little creek occupying Toledo Street will no longer meander aimlessly.

The Largest Barn And Erie County Burned

The large barn owned by Charles Rockwell, 1 mile east of Sandusky out Columbus Avenue, the largest barn in Erie County, was totally destroyed by fire at an early hour Friday morning and the loss will be in the neighborhood of $30,000, with but a small insurance.

How the fire started is a mystery but it is thought that the incendiaries cause the place ablaze as the fire broke out in three different places in the barn at one time. The Sandusky fire Department responded to the call for help but was unable to do much owing to the lack of water. The entire structure with all contents was destroyed.

Among the contents was an immense quantity of wool, 73,000 pounds in all, and this was consumed by the fire. In addition one horse was burned to death and a half a dozen buggies and carriages, 100 tons of hay, grain and much other stuff went up in smoke. The fire was one of the worst in the history of that's section. It was about 5 o'clock when the flames were first discovered. Mr. Rockwell is one of the best-known and wealthiest farmers in Erie County.

Store Burned

The general started Ceylon was burned to the ground early Monday morning and the proprietor, Frank Rhodes, who was sleeping in the building barely escaped. The building and fixtures were owned by J. K. Boehm, and insured to $1900. Mr. Rhodes carried $2175 insurance on the stock. It is supposed the fire was set by a spark from an engine.

_{GRANARY AND STOCK BURN}

Wednesday about noon a straw stacking on the Fairchild’s farm near Rugby was discovered to be on fire. An alarm brought out quite of crowd of neighbors who by heroic work saved adjoining property excepting the grainnery which was destroyed with the stock. There was some 600 or 700 bushels of grain in the granary some of which was saved. The fire is supposed to have started from a bonfire. which was burning at some distance from the stack. The property was owned by Geo and Raymond Fairchild.

Correspondence

AMHERST

Mr. Mrs. Pape are rejoicing over the rival of a baby boy.

The Amherst School Board met on Thursday night and several important questions were discussed.

Thursday was a busy night at the Post Office, as October 1st was ushered in just plain Amherst. All stamped envelopes had to have the North erased.

Provisions have been about completed for the waterworks franchise. The rate shall not exceed $.25 per 1000 gallons or flat rate one dollar per month for private use. 50 hydrants to be installed for fire protection and must be completed about September 1910.

Strong's Corners

Henry Reinhardt is unable to attend school on account of having trouble with his eyes.

The farmers are busy cutting and digging potatoes.

Killed By The Cars

Wednesday evening, September 29, Mrs. Sarah J. Pease stood on the porch of the Bright House talking with the landlady, Mrs. Flora Wooden, when they heard train 127 coming, Mrs. Pease remarked I must hurry to the train to meet Miss Reid, hurried across the track in front of the hotel where there lies a foot walk across the track. Mrs. Wooden saw her step across the track and turn toward the train the headlights shining in her face, Mrs. Wooden then turned and went into the hotel. This was the last seen of Mrs. Pease alive. It was thought strange that she was not at the elocutionary entertainment given by Miss Reid, of Cleveland, in the Opera House, as Mrs. Pease was the prime mover in getting up the entertainment according to the program. At the close people went to Mrs. Pease's residence and found the house lighted, but a careful search of the house failed to find her. Frank Parsons then went across to the hotel to see if she had been there, when Mrs. Wooden remembered that in crossing the track in the evening she had noticed something white in the ditch on the south side of the track and said that she believed Mrs. Pease had been killed by the cars, and going to the place a few feet west of the crossing found her body. Her left arm was crushed, the other broken, her neck broken and her face cut, showing that she must've been killed instantly.

Her son, W. L. Pease was in Cleveland and was telephoned that his mother was in a precarious condition and he must return immediately. The body was found about 10 o'clock and he came a train number 7, Thursday morning, not knowing until he arrived that his mother was dead. Mrs. Inez Goodman, an whose home he was stopping, and Mrs. Ada Gibson came with him and returned to Cleveland in the evening, intending to return to Wakeman in time for the funeral, which was held from the home Saturday at 1:30 PM.

Mrs. Pease was a prominent member of the M.E. Church, was of more than ordinary ability and will be greatly missed in the church, village and community. Her death is the general topic of conversation by all who meet on the street. Her aged mother, sister Mrs. Mark Martha Campbell and son William have the sympathy of the entire community. – Wakeman Independent Press.

John Goodman, 87 and Mrs. Mary Goodman, 88, died at their home in Port Clinton, one on Friday, the other Sunday.

Locals

Mrs. A. P. Becker is reported very ill at her home on South Street.

RUBBISH DAY TUESDAY.

Mrs. Rose Wiggam is reported very a letter home at the home of her sister Mrs. Amanda Myers.

Miss Emma Liedheiser is taking the place of Mrs. Rose nee Rose at the telephone exchange.

Barney Blang has a 50-pound watermelon on exhibit exhibition at Lang's market. Who can beat that?

Preparations are being made for starting the wood works. The machinery is being fitted up in several men are at work. It is to be hoped that when they start up they will be successful improve a great benefit to the town.

Capt. Full spent Monday and Tuesday at home.

Mrs. Fred Backus has returned from Erie.

AXTEL

Mr. John Nieding is having a number of young ladies cutting his grapes this week.

You just ask Mr. John Feiszli his opinion on the working quite qualities of a well bodied preacher. It seems Rev. Brown can help fill a silo is good as the next man and a little better than some so we hear.

Mrs. Ruby Dean and Pauline Ladrach are cutting grapes for Mrs. John Nieding a few days this week.

The men who have been cutting trees in this vicinity of left for Wakeman.

Mr. Dan Thompson is slowly recovering from his illness and expects to return to his daughters in a few days atMarion for a much-needed rest.

Mrs. L. J. And K. N. Washburn had a very delightful auto ride Monday evening to Lorain, after which they attended the theater and then ready for a little rest. They report having a fine time.

Alonso DeMaris, motorman, is the plaintiff in a suit for damages in the sum of $10,000 instituted in the local Court of Common Pleas Wednesday against Lakeshore Electric Railway Company. He was injured in a wreck west of Vermilion some months ago, and by reason of his injuries, says he is permanently incapacitated from performing the labors upon which he is dependent for his livelihood.

DeMaris, in his petition, says that he was at the motor of one of the defendants companies Limited cars, which, as he had noticed was equipped with a defective break. He reported the defective discovery, he says, to the inspector here and supposed that the necessary repairs of been made when he, later took his car out of the barns. When he saw that the repairs had not been made, DeMaris says, and was told to try to get along with the defective up apparatus as best he could. When, in attempting to apply the brakes in the face of danger near Vermilion, DeMaris avers he was helpless. The crash followed. His spine was hurt and for a long time it was thought that his backbone had been broken.

Charles Silverwood of Port Clinton was arrested last week for furnishing liquor to men on the blacklist. He was bound over to the grand jury.

The traffic on the Great Lakes in August was the greatest months business ever done up on these inland seas. The official statistics complied by the United States government show that no other month ever matched the freight or tonnage movement of August, 1909. That is, no other month which preceded it. The figures for September are not yet complete.

Wants Cars To Stop It Ruggles

Charles S. Ruggles is the plaintiff in an action instituted in the Court of Common Pleas Wednesday to compel the Lakeshore Electric Railway Company to stop its cars in front of premises known as “Ruggles Grove". Ruggles says that when he granted right of way to the company which has since been utilize and occupied, it was with the understanding that cars going both ways should stop at a designated point. The alleged agreement was lived up to, according to the plaintiff a petition until July 2nd, this year, when for some reason unknown to Ruggles "Locals" and “Limiteds" commenced whizzing by “Ruggles Grove" just as if it was not on the map. Mr. Ruggles says that he has gone to the big expense to improve the Grove and that among other things he recently completed a new pavilion at a cost of $6000. He says that he sold a number of lots to persons desirous of securing summer homes on the shore of Lake Erie, and that he based the value of these lots, to a certain extent, upon the distance they were from the place where the cars were at the time stopping. Mr. Ruggles says that if the Lakeshore electric refuses to recognize “Ruggles Grove" as a stopping point, he will suffer serious losses. He asked the court to issue such an order as the law and the facts warrant.

HURON

Rev. McElwain has tendered his resignation's passport pastor of the Episcopal Church.

Stephen M. Klein a former resident of here and died at his home in Chicago September 27. He was 60 years of age and is survived by a wife and one son.

Mrs. Luther Young left or seven months old baby in a chair near the stove. During her absence from the room the child's clothing caught fire in both feet were burned off.

Here And There

The cost of Erie County public schools during the year ending August 31 was $170,098.65 according to the auditors report the state school commissioner.

Twenty-three deaths occurred at the O. S. & S. Home at Sandusky during the month of September. This is the largest list in one month since the opening of the home.

E. M. Ffies late judge of common pleas of Wood County has brought suit against the Free Press of Bowling Green for $25,000.

FRESCOES:I thought this interesting. Those familiar with Vermilion's Opera House will know about these pix. I believe there is a portrait of George Washington right above the stage. Now we know when they were done.

THE DIARY - UNABRIDGED: All of the following is contained a booklet pertaining to the Roscoe Family (part of my family) at the Vermilion History Museum. Nonetheless I thought that VV Readers might like to read at least this one part: Caselton Roscoe’s Civil War Diary.

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 - END

…in our tent. We have had four or five days of hard fighting and it is not over yet.

June 4, 1864. Bermuda, Va. I am on the James River above the City Point, fifteen miles from Richmond, Va. We have been here a month today and have had two hard battles, and lost a great many men in both battles, but we won them. Since then we have fallen back in our entrenchments and they have tried to drive us out, but can’t. The last news is that General Grant’s Army is within seven miles of Richmond. All day yesterday the heaviest cannonading I ever heard was going on, and it kept up until ten o’clock last night.

I had letters from Levi and Chauncy. They were in Fort Cass, near Washington, D.C. They had been ordered to move, have gone to reinforce General Grant’s Army. I have been with the Hospital Department, helping care for the sick and wounded since the battles on May 10th. The Hospital is back of the trenches, out of range of the enemy’s guns. I am up most of the night. Am again troubled with the dysentery, but have only four more weeks to stay in service. Three years is a long time to be away from one’s home ties, and I have never been away on leave of absence since I joined the regiment two and one-half years ago, not even a day, and never been sick, so as to go to the hospital.

I give thanks to my Father above, who has gone with me through it all and am very anxious to get home to see you all.

Hoping this cruel War will soon be over, the sight of so much bloodshed and mangled bodies makes me sick. I am sick of War.

-Caselton Roscoe

A YOUNG MAN’S DREAM: My dad was born In Nova Scotia, Canada but grew up in Portland Maine. While very young he learned how to print in a small shop in that city. What I didn’t know is that he apparently had his own little shop at one time – or at least that is what this card indicates.

He never spoke of it or of this Simoneau person. Simoneau is a French-Canadian name, and the only one I have ever found is a fellow named John with that last name. He was not listed as a printer, however.

Dad left Portland when he was very young to serve in the U.S. Army during WW1. Though he did return after the war for a short time, he didn’t stay there. On a personal adventure he struck out for Texas and stopped along the way in a little Ohio town called Vermilion to see his uncle (Rev. Howard Lynch at the Congregational Church). His adventure pretty much ended there.

The pic below the card is what 28 Brattle Street in Portland looks like today. The little print shop (if it really ever existed at all) is long gone, replaced by the Portland Post Office.

Dad died before I found this card so I was never able to ask him about it. What it something real, or was it just a young man’s dream? I guess I’ll never know.