Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: On my desks this week are several pix of the old bandwagon / truck that was used around town for many years during parades, street dances and various other activities.
The one I recall is the one on the shoptop. At this time it was owned and sponsored by the local American Legion Post. I’m guessing by the signs on the vehicle that this pic was taken during WW2. A few of these guys likely ended up in that conflict. The older fellas would’ve been WW1 guys.
For a long time I was under the impression that the wagon was always a Legion thing, and that it was only a WW2 creation.
And then again…
When I was developing some of the glass negatives at the museum some time back I happened upon the pic on my home desktop. This was taken in front of Albert Raymond “Waddie” Stone’s garage - now the building (next /west) to what is now Rudy’s Bar and Grill.
Across the street was Walker’s Terraplane (1932 -1938) dealership. [NOTE: The Terraplane was really a cool car. The most memorable sales slogan of the Terraplane years came in 1933: "On the sea that's aquaplaning, in the air that's aeroplaning, but on the land, in the traffic, on the hills, hot diggity dog, THAT'S TERRAPLANING" I have a scale model of a 1938 Terraplane.]
Anyway, this pic was most likely taken in 1937. I’m guess (as always) but it may be that Mr. Stone was the person responsible for the initial development and storage of the vehicle. Perhaps it was made especially for Vermilion’s Centennial. You may also note that most auto dealerships also sold gasoline.
A DOCTOR'S VISIT:Charlie Adams Vermilion GP Ret. Stopped in at the museum for a few minutes and gave me a copy of this article (above).
I looked for the original on the net and acquired a true a copy of the original that appeared in the April 2nd edition of the Legion Magazine in 1942.
I would encourage you to do the same if you have the ability. Either do that or zoom in on this one.
Dr. Adams is right. This is something that people need read because it is a pertinent document in today’s world.
In short, an Axis victory in WW2 would not have allowed this article (the one you’re seeing) to be made public.
What we did as Americans during WW1 and WW2 was to come together as one people to preserve our freedoms. Persons who ignore that fact are unfamiliar with history and of the potential consequence of a loss.
GROWING AMISH: My work computer is so fast that it takes less than 2 seconds to go online.
Remember the days of dial-up?
I remember my first computer (aside from one that my brother let me have from RadioShack). I got it around 2002 and thought it was just magic. My first webpage was the Vermilion Historic Pix page (c.2003), is still available. The tech changes since then constantly amaze me.
I am rapidly growing Amish.
YOU’RE INVITED TO A CLAMBAKE: On Saturday October 6th the Vermilion History Museum is sponsoring a Clambake fundraiser at the Olympic Club. Board member and Club member Terry Diener will be the chef – and he’s darn good at it.
The bakes are $30 each ($10 for extra bag of clams) and must be purchased before the event. They can be obtained from any board member, or at the museum (T-440-967-4555). Tickets are limited. So be the first on your block to get one (or two, or three).
Historically,
MORE RUBE: Some time ago I wished for some pix of the “Rube Band”. It took awhile, but now I have a number of them: the two at the top of the page, the one from Earl Tischer (above) and a few more.
This one is one of newer ones. I have at least one from the 1950s and another from the 1960s. I’ve no idea where this is. I thought it might be at the Olympic Club, but it’s very difficult to tell exactly where it is.
Late Vermilionite Ozzie Kelm last had the truck at his place on Cherry Road just south and west of town. After he passed there was an auction at his home and while the truck was beyond reclaiming (I guess) one of the local (Jim or Doug’s son) Smith boys acquired the bell that is visible on the front of the vehicle.
And so – it is no more.
THE LAST DAYS OF THE L.S.E.: Like the Pony Express, the day of the electric interurban railway that once quietly streamed along the shores of northern Ohio between Cleveland and Detroit, was not long. The company was formed around 1901 from four streetcar and interurban lines, and by 1939 it was gone. The photographs that accompany this essay are some of those collected over the years that basically outline the life of the line – or at least a portion of it – as it pertains to Vermilion.
As some persons may already know the man who served as General Manager of the line from beginning to end was a guy named Fred “F.W.” Coen. Coen and his brother Edward “E.L.” came to Vermilion in 1891 from Indiana and helped found the Erie County Bank. After the turn of the 20th century F.W. was called to Sandusky to assist in the creation and operation of the Lake Shore Electric Railway. Brother, Edward, remained in town to operate the bank, help found the Vermilion Telephone Company and, in his spare time, serve on the school board. He and his wife, Cora (Lawless), and sons Edward M. and Clarence L. lived in the big house on the southwest corner of Liberty and Perry streets. Without any doubt, the Coen brothers were undoubtedly the “movers and shakers” of their times.
The (1) photo is a rather attractive one of one of the very first interurban cars to stop in our town before it became an official part of the L.S.E. line. On Thursday, December 12, 1901 the following blip pertaining to the (2) photo appeared in The Vermilion News:
“THE FIRST CAR – Notwithstanding the rain Sunday morning a large number of citizens were out to see the first car run through on the Lake Shore Electric line. The car arrived in due season with a party of Norwalk gentlemen. Motorman Paul and Conductor Remlinger of Milan were in charge of the car, No. 4 of East and West Main St. line of Norwalk.
After spending part of the day in town the party left for Norwalk. A car will be run between here and Norwalk and soon regular time will be made Transfers will be made at the river bridge, which will soon be completed to Lorain and Cleveland.”
The (2) photo was taken near the corner of Liberty and Main Streets. The store in the background is currently known as “Big Ed’s Soda Grill”, and Exchange Park and the Kishman Fish house are visible in the background. The photo was taken from the 2nd floor of the Trinter-Unser General Store that once occupied the corner where the municipal offices are today.
Photo (3) as local Interurban historian Dennis Lamont explains, was “taken on the last fan trip over the Edson Creek Bridge April 3, 1938.” He added that car “166 was waiting in the passing siding for the eastbound 179. The guys were gathered in the east and west direction.” Today the path of the 4-lane road on the west side of town is that of the old electric line. In any case, this photograph is basically a record of the final days of the L.S.E. – or very nearly the last.
The (4) compilation is illustrative of the fates of the cars when the line no longer needed them. Some were modified and used as homes and businesses. And some were just used for storage. In Vermilion there used to be one along the highway at Vermilion-on-the-Lake; another on West River Road; and another just west of Bluebird Beach. For a number of years there was one along the river at Parsons’ Marine, and another just below the road at Parsons. The Vermilion Fish and Game Club also had one they used for storage.
In time some, such as the one on West River Road, were purchased and restored. A former Vermilion Police Chief, Nick Mayer and his wife Rita, once owned it. It sat on the corner of West River Road and Rolling Meadows Drive across the street from the entrance to the Olympic Club. It was Jewett car #174 built in Newark Ohio in the early 1900’s. Purchased at a Sandusky auction on June 20, 1939 it was promptly moved to the W. River location by Vermilion’s Haber family. For years members of the Haber, Barthel, and Mayer families used it as a home. In the spring of 1996 it was purchased and donated to the Newark, Ohio Historical Society where it has been restored to its original condition (5).
Although the company known as the Lake Shore Coach (bus) Company had been in existence since the 1920s it never really gathered any real traction until about 1936 when Mr. Coen saw the inevitable end to the Electrics. The final photo (6) is that of two Lake Shore Coach busses stopped near the corner of Liberty and Grand streets about 1942.
Today there may still be a few people [such as myself] who regret the demise of the Lake Shore Electric Railway – aka. “The Greatest Electric Rail System in the World.” But that’s just me: Me and F.W. Coen.
YESTERYEAR'S NEWS: The following clips are dictated transcriptions from past issues of The Vermilion News. I think you will find them both interesting and fun...
A large crowd gathered on the pier and along the lake Tuesday shortly after noon and waited patiently for the whistle to announce that Curtiss had started in his flight from Euclid Beach to Cedar Point. Finally it was announced that he would not start on account of the direction of the wind, which was from the Southwest.
Shortly afternoon Wednesday, it was announced he would make the trip making the start about 1 o'clock. Crowds of people began to congregate along the lake and upon the pier. Strong wind was blowing from the northeast. Some had nearly given up, when the whistles commenced a blow announcing the start. He left Euclid Beach at 1:06.
The crowd anxiously watched points to the east from which he might be expected. Then someone saw something in the air just north of the point beyond Crystal Beach. It was the "flying machine." On it came, passing directly over the piers. The crowd went wild. Hats and handkerchiefs were waived, many shouted and screamed and the tug whistles were blown. Curtiss could be distinctly seen guiding his machine. He seemed to have perfect control and made a drop just before passing over the piers. He was between 400 and 600 feet in the air and was probably traveling nearly a mile a minute. In five minutes he was lost in the haze toward Huron. He landed at Cedar Point at 2:24 having made the trip in 78 minutes.
Started - 1:06
Arrived Vermilion – 1:58
Arrived at Cedar Point – 2:24
Time-of-flight – 1 hr. 18 minutes.
Distance – 60.5 miles
Average speed - 46.1 mph
Average height – 300 feet.
Received $2500 for the trip.
Will try for speed record today.
See local columns.
William Blattner of this place, son of Mrs. Maggie Blattner, who has been employed on one of the Lake Shore work trains, was severely injured while near Elyria, Saturday afternoon. He had just stepped from the derrick car when the engine of a passing freight struck him. He was thrown some distance but fortunately landed at the side of the track. He was picked up and taken to the Elyria hospital where it was found that besides being considerably bruised he had a wound on his head, which required 17 stitches to close. The last report from him is that he is getting along nicely. He was able to come home Tuesday evening.
John M. Otterbacher, wife and son Harry, of Wellington came to Vermilion in an auto with H. L. Avery as chauffeur, Sunday. After calling on J. A. Klarr and family they visited Linwood Park and it was suggested that they go to a peach orchard some distance south on the East Shore road. They took with them Mrs. Rosa and Amelia Zilch of Brownhelm, who were staying at the park.
Upon their return, when about the cross to L. S. Electric track the 2:28 Limited, eastbound came upon them. It was too late to get across and the driver attempted to turn the auto parallel with the track but without success, and a car struck the machine throwing the occupants into a ditch. The car struck the auto a second time completely wrecking it. Several who witnessed the accident hurried to relieve the sufferings of the injured and doctors and ambulance were called from Vermilion. The latter was not needed as four of the injured were taken on a special car to Lorain where they were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. Amelia Zilch was apparently but slightly injured and was taken to Marion cottage Linwood Park and cared for. Harry Otterbacher was but slightly bruised and scratched, but those taken to the hospital were very severely injured and it was thought might die before reaching there.
Rose Zilch, Brownhelm, who was deaf and dumb, was injured internally, had several ribs broken. She died at the hospital Monday night. The funeral was held today at 1 o'clock from the church at Brownhelm.
The following are at the hospital:
Mr. J. M. Otterbacher, Wellington besides being severely cut and bruised, is suffering from internal injuries and a wrenched back and it was thought at first would not survive. He may, however recover.
Mrs. Otterbacher, Wellington back injured, severely bruised.
Harry L. Avery, chauffeur, Wellington, hip crushed, body bruised.
Mr. Otterbacher is a prominent businessman of Wellington and VP of the Wellington bank. He is 56 years of age and has for years been engaged in many of the manufacturing business. J. A. Klaar, our harness maker learned his trade of and worked for Mr. Otterbacher a number of years ago.
As to the cause of the accident it is probable that the occupants did not see the limited until it was too late to do anything and the motorman did not see the auto until too late.
The three now at the hospital are reported this morning as getting along nicely, with hopes for their early recovery.
Miss Carrie Eggleston a well-known Erie County teacher died Friday afternoon at her home in Milan, age 36.
Henry Oetzel was caught by a train while crossing the trestle at Fries Landing while on his way to church Sunday. He dropped between the ties and hung on until two cars had passed over him. The third had some projection on it, which struck him on the head causing him to lose his grip and fall to the center of the pier of the abutment where, he was picked up unconscious by the crew and section men. He was taken to the home of his brother and will probably recover.
A Clevelander who conducted a gambling game in the woods at Crystal Beach Park yesterday will probably hereafter cut out the Vermilion Park off his calling list. At least he will not go back until he carries a small size arsenal with them.
The fellow came down with many Cleveland picnickers yesterday morning and at once got his game started. The operator cleaned up the coin all day and towards evening was about $20 [sic] to the good. He had brought $400 with him for a "bank" and altogether he had about $600 on him when several dissatisfied patrons let him this aside, jumped on him and robbed him of every cent.
Late yesterday evening the fellow called on Mayor King and wanted the assistance of the police to arrest some of the fellows who had mauled and robbed him. However the mayor stated that the affair had happened out of his jurisdiction he could do nothing for them.
The fellow is said to have stated we would gladly part with the money he had won during the day but losing his role of $400 was too much.
– Lorain News
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Nicholl, Thursday, a daughter.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. John who job but daughter, Sunday, August 23.
The pipes for the waterworks have arrived in our being distributed.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. B. Gunn a daughter Saturday, August 28.
Mr. Luce Wiggins who was so badly injured by a streetcar last week is reported on the gain and it is thought he will recover.
The barn and contents belong to Mrs. Mr. George Sage on the Berlin Road was destroyed by fire Monday.
Mr. Patrick Duffy Sr. passed away last week Monday and was buried at the Milan cemetery Wednesday.
Curtis left Cedar Point at about 3 o'clock today. Passed Vermilion at 3:16 and arrived at Cleveland at 4:13, he was flying low when he passed over Vermilion, probably 200 feet high and could be distinctly seen to wave his hand. When opposite Linwood Park he was seen to make several "dips" causing many to hold her breaths for fear he would fall. It is stated that he endeavored to beat the L. S. Train on which his wife was a passenger – he did easily. Curtis has broken the overwater record.
Laura Eliza Harris was born at Vermilion, Ohio, April 10, 1845. She was united in marriage to James E. Lawless, February 21, 1863. To this union were born five children, four of whom are living, one, James Elbert, having died at the age of four years. Mrs. Lawless has always resided in Vermilion, excepting for one year, which she spent at Oberlin. On January 12, 1908, she was a stricken with paralysis and has been confined to her home since that time, passing away Sunday morning, August 29, 1910. She has endured great pains and suffering during all her sickness, but has been patient, and uncomplaining. Mrs. Lawless united with the Congregational Church in 1885, but has been active in the church work for many years previous to that time. Her aim was to rear her family so that they might tread the straight path, and to teach her children by example and precept, the high ideals which she herself held.
Generous and unselfish, ever thoughtful of others, she has left an undying influence for good. She leaves to mourn her an aged mother, three brothers, one sister, two sons and two daughters. Her husband, Capt. Lawless, was drowned September 21, 1900.
The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon from the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. L. Coen, Rev. J. A. Kaley, of Elyria officiating.
Superintendent A. L. Irey of the Vermilion schools will address the Teachers Institute tomorrow on the subject of changes in the certification laws.
E. L. Bottomley spent Monday at Toledo.
The little son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Heidloff has been very ill for the past two weeks.
Mr. Castleton Roscoe was the Sunday guest of Mayor and Mrs. Bassett at Milan.
A. D. Baumhart spent Monday with his brother C. C. Baumhart family at Oberlin.
Mrs. Geo. Rathbun and son leave Saturday to spend a few weeks with her husband at Erie.
Supt. A. L. Irey of Vermilion schools, has been elected Sec. of the Erie County branch of the Ohio Teachers Reading Circle.
Mrs. L. J. Martinek and son return this week from their summers sojourn with relatives at Kincardine, Can. They were accompanied by an aunt from Cleveland who will visit here for time.
Mrs. George Fisher and son Elton were guests of Lorain friends Tuesday.
James Cuddeback wh who underwent an operation at St. Joseph's Hospital, Lorain some time ago, has so far recovered that he sat up for a short time Saturday.
Raymond Bacon is attending the Teachers Institute at Elyria this week.
Mrs. Morse was been sick for the past week is reported to be some better at this writing.
Mr. Will Newberry has a fine lot of peaches, which he has begun to harvest.
The decorators are at work on the ceiling and walls of the new building. It will take about six weeks to complete the work.
The people on the shore in W. Vermilion were attacked Tuesday evening with neckolitis [sic]. The cause of it was rubbernecking for the airship. It will take a barrel of liniment to get the necks shape again.
Hmmmmmm....
…Theodore Geesey, died October i, 1862, at Louisville, Ky.
…During the service of the regiment down to and after the siege of Corinth, the ranks were fearfully reduced by disease, and nearly as many were lost or unfitted for field service from this cause, as by the results of battle. At Corinth the regiment was again closely engaged. Colonel Buckland returned to the command of the regiment, and General Denver took the brigade. After Corinth the army proceeded to Memphis, the Seventy-second being stationed at Fort Pickering. While here it was brigaded with the Thirty-second Wisconsin, the Ninety-third Indiana, Ninety-third Illinois, and the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois, and designated as the First Brigade of the Third Division, Colonel Buckland again assuming command of the brigade, and General Lauman the division.
While holding the bridge over Wolf River the brigade had a taste of guerrilla tactics, but it did them no loss. It remained in this place some two weeks and in January 1863, received orders to proceed to Corinth, where it arrived after a long and weary march in the dead of winter. Here the brigade was assigned to the Sixteenth Corps, and placed on picket duty at White's Station, nine miles from the city. The strength of the regiment was increased while at this place by about forty nine months recruits, and other men formerly of the command who had been absent and sick.
About the middle of March commenced the movement southward, and by a series of journeys by land and by water until Jackson, Mississippi, was reached and a battle fought on the 14th of May, and after that came the labor of the siege of Vicksburg. After the surrender of that city the regiment participated in the movement against General Johnson, at Jackson, and afterward pursued the rebels to Brandon where another engagement took place. In September the command joined in the four days scout to Mechanicsville, and on the 15th of October moved on General McPherson's expedition to Canton, but soon afterward went into camp in rear of Vicksburg. From here it went to guard duty on a line of railroad between Memphis and Charleston. This occupied the remainder of the year. On January 2 the men of the Seventy-second re-enlisted and moved to Memphis, and after taking part in the expedition to the Tallahatchie River, returned to Ohio on veteran furlough on the 23d of February 1864.
Early in April, having been strengthened by many recruits, the regiment returned again to the seat of operations and made a stand at Paducah to defend that place, and shortly after moved to Memphis where it remained till the 30th of April, when it again joined an expedition against the rebel Forrest, thence to Bolivar, and from there to Ripley, but soon returned to Memphis. In June following twelve regiments, of which the Seventy second was one, again started in pursuit of Forrest, and found him much to their sorrow at Brice's Cross Roads, and were badly defeated and routed, losing a part of their wagon-train and destroying the rest. They retreated in disorder and confusion, and escaped…
TICKET (OR TOKEN, RATHER) TO RIDE: Vermilion PJ weekly editor, Karen Kerr-Cornelius visited the museum on Thursday and dropped off this token (pictured). Another Vermilionite with the last name of Moc brought it to her at the Photojournal office recently and she (or both) knew we’d be interested.
One of the oddities about this whole thing is the date: Thursday was August 30 – the date on the coin. What a coincidence.
I have written some about Vermilion’s Ferryman, “Cloudy” Louis Noel in the past. He, of course, had the ferry franchise along the Vermilion River in the early years of the 20th century – transporting folks from Linwood to town. He also ran a boat livery on the east side of the river.
I’ve known about these tokens for years (seen pix of them), but had never seen the genuine article until now. It’s very small, which may account for Mr. Moc’s finding it along the beach. It would be easy to lose.
What a very interesting artifact of Vermilion’s yesteryear.
A guy goes up to this girl in a bar and says, "Would you like to dance?"
The girl says, "I don't like this song, but even if I did, I wouldn't dance with you."
The guy says, "I'm sorry, you must have misunderstood me, I said you look fat in those pants."
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)
Vol. 16. Issue 26 - September 1, 2018
Archive Issue #807
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