Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK:When I see these pix I am reminded of the song “Glory Days” by Bruce Springsteen:
Glory days, in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days”
I knew / know (attended school with) most of the guys in the 1962 Lakeland Conference Champs. A few of them are gone now: Mike Walker, Gary Hostetler, Jim Lehner and Larry Reed. To my knowledge the rest are still with us. My buddy Frank Homitz visits me at the museum on occasion these days. And while I have not seen Bill Ream for years we remain in contact. I remember that Bill played football and was in the marching band at the same time.
I must admit that I never watched these guys play so I missed their days of glory. But I’m glad to have known them.
I also knew most (not all) the guys in the pic on the home desk. But they were somewhat older than myself. I remember guys like Darryl Ollis, Dave Halley, and the Mikes Wheeler and Blakely. I also remember John Herchler. Some of the guys, like Herchler, did pretty good for themselves. I don’t doubt that more of them did as well.
Both these teams played on the field at Decatur Street.
And I'm going to drink till I get my fill
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
But I probably will…”
Glory Days.
JOHN IRWIN: So long as I’m thinking about the (relatively) old days I will mention that a guy I worked with and befriended back in the 1980s stopped by the museum to see me this week. Both of us worked as mental health technicians in the Elyria School System for a number of years. We worked with young people who had been designated as Severe Behaviorally Handicapped (SBH).
As we talked (going over the bad good ol’ days) I recalled another guy we worked with back then. His name was John Irwin. Like myself he was a Vietnam Vet. He, however, was a Navy guy (I was Army). He was, technically, a radioman on the USS Horne, Belknap-class destroyer leader/cruise off the coast of Vietnam. The Captain during his tour in the war zone was Stansfield Turner. Turner, as some may recall, later served as director of the C.I.A. under President Jimmy Carter.
The reason I mention Turner is because John participated in some covert operations inside Laos and Cambodia with Navy Seals under Turner’s command. The other reason I mention this now is because unbeknownst to me John died in early January of last year and Turner died about two weeks later, so nobody can be harassed by mentioning these covert operations. In any case, I never knew enough about them to say anything other than the fact that, according to John, they took place (when they should not have).
John was a very intelligent and good person. However, the war robbed him of ever being able to live a reasonably comfortable life afterward. He was not the same kid who left home after high school. Now they call it PTSD. Undoubtedly, some of his experiences brought him to the job at the school. One certainly had to be fearless, as well as spiritually fit, to work with those damaged young people. The unfortunate truth in John’s case is, however, that he gave much more than he ever received.
So although John was, on one hand, a good example of what a good Christian should try to be, he was also a victim – another casualty – of a war that had no good reason beyond itself.
No glory days there.
Historically,
MY PAL AL: I don’t currently recall where I acquired this pic and it’s not, as these things go, terribly old (c.1961) – but I like it. These are four Vermilion High students preparing for the Senior Class play.
The two young men in it are Mike Havrilla (standing) and Al Crozier (seated). I think (only guessing) that the young lady on the right is a Heyman girl. I am at a loss to instantly recall the name of the other gal. (I’m sure someone will remind me.)
My pal Al was the star of this play. Again, my memory fails me as to its title. But I do recall that Al played an old lady and was good in the role.
Al and I have been good friends since he moved with his family to Vermilion from Elyria a million years ago. Few of those who know him today have ever been able to appreciate his talents as an actor, artist and writer.
Initially, he was a friend of another friend – Jake Boone. Al and Jake are precisely the same age. Both were born on September 8th the same year. We all met when we attended Vermilion’s First Congregational Church in the mid-1950s.
Al’s father (Wayne) worked at Ridge Tool in Elyria and was also an artist. He did ”chalk-talks” at the church and painted numerous signs for stores, etc. on the side. His mother (Agnes) wrote for the Vermilion Photojournal. There are three other children: Gary, Carol and Scott. Al is the only one who still lives in Vermilion. Al is the oldest child. Most folks know him from the library because he is a voracious reader.
I THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A BAD DAY, AND THEN…: Everything was going ok until Friday afternoon. After work I was intending to go to the story and purchase some light bulbs. A bulb had burned out in the basement of the museum by the boiler and I thought it would be a good idea to replace it before the boiler guy came to service it. So I closed up, locked up and jumped into my truck to drive to the store. When I backed up about three feet I knew there was a problem. My right back tire was flat.’’
“No problem.” I thought. I’ll just call Triple A, they’ll send a guy, he’ll change the tire and I’ll be on my way. But that didn’t happen.
I did make the call. Triple A responded and promptly sent out a service guy. And then things went south. That’s because the tool that is needed to lower the spare tire on my Silverado was missing. We looked everywhere, but to no avail. So the service guy left without helping me, I called my wife and we went on search for a full tire changing kit for the truck so my tire could be changed. Would you believe that nobody in the whole darn town had this kit? So I forgot about buying light bulbs, locked the truck and we went home for the night.
Now I could certainly buy what I needed on the Internet, but it would take a few days to get it – and I needed the light bulbs sooner. So the following morning I went back to the truck and did another thorough, but unsuccessful, search. Not finding the tool I gave up, called Triple A once more, telling them about my dilemma in detail and asked the to send a person to change my tire.
This time it was a service person from a company with the positive name of “Lucky” towing. The lady service person was even driving a Silverado. I thought that it was a good omen and that his was my “lucky” day. But I was mistaken. She didn’t have the proper tool to do the job either.
Finally I requested a tow to the local dealer where I was confident that my tire could be repaired or replaced. Ms. Lucky made the request and I hunkered down to wait for the tow truck.
While waiting for the tow I received a called from a retired Oberlin college archivist who told me he had some items for the museum I might be interested in acquiring. I would have to drive to his home in Oberlin to inspect them for purchase but, as is obvious, I had no means of transportation and did not know when I would. Fortunately, the archivist had some business to attend to in Vermilion and said he would bring them to me – which he did.
He arrived at the museum just after my truck was being towed away; I inspected the items and purchased them with a personal check that I asked my wife to write to him. He then wanted a short tour of the museum before his next appointment in town. So I gave him a brief tour and as he was about to leave my good wife pointed out to me that although the checks I’d given her – as well as the one she’d given him to pay for the artifacts – were from our bank they were several years old. The problem was that the bank’s name had since changed. Ergo, it was very possible that the bank would not honor the check. Oops!
The Oberlin archivist probably thought I was trying to stiff him for the items. But I swear that it was more a matter of my having quit using checks to pay for things a long time ago, and thus had paid no attention to the name change of the bank printed on a book of checks I kept in my briefcase. In any case, we made arrangements for my wife to run home, get her checkbook and replace the one that had been written earlier.
In the meantime I remembered that I had used my rarely used checkbook to write a check to a Lorain plumber earlier in the week, and a feeling of dread ran up and down my spine. I really didn’t want to acquire a reputation for passing bad paper to legitimate businesses. In fact I’d paid an advertising bill to this very newspaper with one of these checks and never gave it a thought. Yikes!
And then the dealership called to tell me the tire on my truck had been repaired; and my truck was washed and ready for me to pick up. The serviceman was very positive and polite. And when I went to get the truck the lady at the payment window (I did not write a check) had me sign several papers and gave me a candy kiss with the receipt. The service representative fetched my newly washed truck and also told me that he had lubricated the doors on the vehicle because they really needed it.
And I thought I was having a bad day.
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...
The village council held its regular meeting Monday evening. The various committees reported. Public grounds and buildings committee reported on the public comfort station, the plans being laid out for using the band stand location and having the station underneath, and if concrete construction, the cost will be about $900 complete. The report was accepted and will be referred to the special committee of the Chamber of Commerce
The other committees had short and unimportant reports.
The clerk read a petition signed by businessmen For property owners in the south eastern part of the town asking for a stone sidewalk across the park diagonally. It was referred to the sidewalk committee.
A letter from the state railroad commissioner stating that he had no jurisdiction in the matter of obstruction of river. Also from the Lake Shore Ry. Company stating that obstructions in river would be removed.
The finance committee reported a shortage of two of the funds and the clerk was authorized to ask the auditor for an advance and if it could not be secured to borrow $500.
The tax returns seem to come in later every year sometimes causes considerable trouble. Another peculiar thing is that plenty of money may be in some of the funds but cannot be used.
The matter of the dog warnings was brought up and will be enforced after Saturday.
It was reported that Attorney Handy would be ready to bring in the franchise as soon as he had seen Mr. Fischer. The clerk was instructed to ask Mr. Handy to prepare all matters relating to the Ry. Company and Village and a special meeting would be called to close up the affairs.
The bills were then ordered paid and the meeting adjourned.
The regular monthly meeting of the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce was held Wednesday evening with a good attendance. S. J. Stevenson, Jos. Unser, J. Sheldon, H. E. Rose, J. Miller, J. F. Nolan and P. M. Sherod made application for membership and were received as members.
A communication was received from the American League Ass’n. asking for an action regarding the Parcel Post. A petition against the measure was ordered signed and forwarded.
The back taxes on certain lots in the stove plant addition were ordered paid and the lots will be dedicated to the village street purposes.
A letter from the Woolever Wrench Co. addressed to Joseph Stone concerning a location was referred to the industrial.
The matter of securing Mr. Matthews to talk on the tax question was referred to the educational committee. More of this matter will be published later.
The entertainment committee was empowered to act with the committee from the Band in preparing for the band tournament.
Mr. Wakefield introduced an amendment to the bylaws as Art. 4, Sec. 4. The ministers of all churches of Vermilion shall be elected honorary members with privilege of the floor only and without dues.
The finance committee reported showing a balance of $131.98 in the treasury.
The entertainment reported the financial part of the banquet and asked that the balance of $38.62 be paid from the funds.
Both reports were accepted in the entertainment committee tended a vote of thanks.
Mr. Blattner brought up the question of the free delivery of express packages by the companies also the disposal of garbage. The former was referred to the industrial committee and the latter to the civic improvement committee.
The public comfort committee reported with plans and the committee continued with power to act with the Council committee.
The election of officers resulted as follows:
President, F. W. Wakefield
V. Pres., H. L. Minium
Secy., Charles A. Heidloff
Treas., S. W. Simons
Trustees, E. L. Coen, George P. Wahl, G. B. McConnelly,
A vote of thanks was given the retiring officers and the meeting adjourned.
W. E. Bailey was been in the business as hardware dealer, plumber and Tinner in Vermilion for the past 12 years and who disposed of his hardware business some time ago to M. Wilber sold his plumbing and tin business to Washburn and Chandler last week. Both gentlemen are well known in Vermilion. Mr. Washburn being a son of the late W. F. Washburn and Mr. Chandler is the son of Mrs. Cora Chandler, daughter of W. F. Washburn. Mr. Bailey has not as yet a new location, but probably will later. We wish him well in whatever he undertakes. The new firm is taking charge of the business and we welcome them among our business firms.
Rolland Leidheiser went to Cleveland one day the past week and took examination for joining the Navy. We understand that he passed but as he is not of age will require the permission of his guardian and mother before joining.
If you have a dog keep them home. All dogs on the street after Saturday will be dealt with according to the ordinance.
H. R. WILLIAMS, Mayor.
Nearly all the offenses in the divorce calendar are charged in the case of Susie May Burch against Cassius Edward Burch, filed in the Common Pleas court, Monday morning. Extreme cruelty, failure to provide, and habitual drunkenness are some of the reasons alleged for a separation.
The parties were married at Vermilion in the 1893, and have three children.
When news of nearby towns
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. William Fountain, a daughter, Feb. 4, 1911.
BORN – two Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Standon, a daughter, Monday, Feb. 6, 1911.
Dana Smith is reported some better and is able to sit up for a short time.
Bert Sill who was hit by the Quarry run near Middle Ridge Crossing New Year’s Eve has settled with the Lake Shore R.R. Co. for damages.
Bertha M. Grossmeyer, of Amherst, was granted a divorce from her husband, Luis A. Grossmeyer by Judge Stroup, Saturday morning and now the man who a year ago attempted to kidnap their little daughter Valletta, had no claim on the child whatever, she having been placed in the custody of her mother, and the father ordered to pay $500 for the support of the child.
Valetta was attending Sunday school in Brownhelm when her father suddenly entered the room and led her to a horse and buggy standing near the church.
A wild ride through Amherst into a point near the Penfield Avenue junction resulted before Grossmeyer was overpowered and placed under arrest.
Farmers were notified of the kidnapping by phone, and the entire district was soon the scene of animated human beings which darted from road the road in an effort to apprehend the father.
Mrs. Grossmeyer told the court that her husband had threatened to kill her several times and that he had not provided a suitable home for her or her child.
The divorce was granted on the grounds of gross neglect of duty and extreme cruelty. – Telegraph.
Mrs. Bert Bacon spent Friday in Lorain.
Arthur and Asa Broughton had a runaway Saturday night near Oak Point. Arthur got his head badly cut and one tooth knocked out, and Asa got off a little better with a few scratches.
Lou Hopkins is recovering from attack of the Grippe.
Don’t forget the dance Saturday night.
A son arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gerber Feb. 2, 1911.
Mrs. Nettie Haywood who has been very ill with scarlet fever is now able to be out.
Henry Kishman has moved some of his stock to his Lake Shore farm.
James Cuddeback is reported much better with chances of soon being able to attend to his work.
C. W. Kishman is very busy hauling his shipments of farm machinery for his numerous customers for early delivery.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Boone on Jan. 20th, a son. The little fellow died on Jan. 23rd. Mr. and Mrs. Boone have the sympathy of the whole community.
Wheeler F. Washburn, son of David L. And Irene Beardsley Washburn, was born in Vermilion Township, near Axtel, Dec. 19, 1841, where his early life was spent.
He was married to Miss Hattie Seeley of North Amherst, Dec. 25, 1861, who died Feb. 2, 1871. To this marriage was born one daughter, Mrs. Cora Chandler.
He was married to Miss Francella A. Sawyer April 19, 1874, who was born December 29, 1849 and who died last Thursday and was buried last Sunday afternoon.
There were born to this union two daughters, Mrs. Mary Blackwell and Mrs. Albert Barnhart, and one son, Mr. David L. Washburn, two grandchildren and one great grandchild.
In early life while in Berea University, he united with the M. E. Church and in 1880 with his wife took membership with the Advent Christian church at Axtel, where they retained their membership until death.
His death came at the end of a long period of sickness on Feb. 1, 1911, at the age of 69 years, 1 month 12 days.
The funeral services were conducted on Friday afternoon from the home by Elder C. C. Maple of North Ridgeville, and old-time friend of the family. The funeral of Mrs. Washburn was also conducted by the same minister on Sunday afternoon, burial was at Axtel.
Francella A. Sawyer, only daughter of James H. Sawyer and Lydia E. Barrows, was born in Avon, Ohio Dec. 28, 1849, where the greater share of her life was spent. Died at Vermilion, Jan. 26, 1911. She was married to Wheeler F. Washburn of Vermilion, O., April 19, 1874 in the Baptist Church at North Amherst, Ohio, with whom she lived in happy union until nearly 37 years. To this union was born two daughters and one son.
She also leaves one grandchild.
In early life she united with the Baptist Church at North Amherst and retained her membership there until with her husband she united with the Advent Christian church at Axtel, O., of which she was a member until her death, 31 years.
Although Mrs. Washburn had not been in good health for years, her death came as a great shock to her family and her friends, her last illness lasted but eighteen hours.
[NOTE: I previously noted – and will again note – that these folks were the grandparents of A.D. “Dave” Baumhart Jr. and Charles Wheeler “Charlie / Chub” Baumhart. Their daughter, Effie Washburn-Baumhart, who had married A.D. Baumhart Sr. died during the terrible Spanish flu pandemic in 1918.]
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. J Burrows, a daughter Sunday, Jan. 28, 1911.
Mrs. Fred Krapp has been quite ill during the past week.
This is George Blattner is again able to be about the house after a few weeks of illness.
Mrs. Bert Hamill is expected home today, from St. Joseph’s Hospital, Lorain, where she underwent an operation last week.
Henry Schwensen, son of C. Schwensen left home about Oct. 1st, is located at Los Angeles, California, and doing well.
Mrs. Eva Decker celebrated the 85th anniversary of her birth last Thursday. She was showered with many beautiful postcards in honor of the event.
The Vermilion G. A. R. Band is practicing a number of new selections preparatory to giving a concert which will be announced later. Watch for it.
At the last meeting of the Council the matter of a new curb and gutter on Division and Liberty Sts. in the business section was discussed and it was decided to have engineer Schultz attend a meeting of the Council and explain some of the drainage features of the plan submitted by him. This is a good move and a much-needed improvement.
Mrs. A. L. Irey, daughter(s) Genevieve and Rosamond visited at the home of J. L. Moats Saturday. They also called on Rev. Rupert and family.
Jacob Bohr, a former resident of Berlin Heights, was born in Germany September 27, 1834. He came to this country and settled in Cleveland at the age of 15 years. In 1862 he was united in marriage – this union 11 children were born, one having died in infancy, leaving four sons and six daughters to mourn the departure of the aged and highly esteemed father. The deceased was living with his daughter Mrs. Mark Hendrickson in Norwalk at the time of his death. The body was brought here Saturday by undertaker Judson of this village and the services were held from the Congregational church at 1:30.
Earl Shattuck is on the sick list.
The body of Mrs. Amelia Brandau Vaughn, who was born, Nov. 2, 1857 in Brownhelm, O., and died in Hinckley, O., On Jan. 28, 1911, was brought to Brownhelm for interment on Wednesday, Feb. 1st where services were conducted by Rev. Snyder of the Amherst M. E. Church at the home of Mrs. Arthur Shattuck, a niece of the deceased. She leaves a husband, one daughter, five brothers and four sisters, and other relatives to mourn their loss.
Paul Hammond is reported ill with typhoid fever.
Among those from our town in attendance at the funeral of Mrs. John Shepherd Thursday were B. Shepherd of Plymouth, Mrs. W. Wright and Mrs. W. Humm of Lorain.
Hmmmmmm....
…publication; and the printing office is now deemed as essential as the school house or church. It has taken the place of the rostrum and the professor's chair, and, become the great teacher. No party, organization, enterprise or calling is considered perfect without its “organ "—the newspaper—as a mouth-piece.
Turning from this comment upon the art of journalism, let us see what Erie county has done in the way of newspaper publications.
The journal now known as the Sandusky Register was founded in the year 1822 by David Campbell, a New England printer. An effort was made, however, in the year 1821, by this same person, associated with Adonijah Champlin, to establish a paper in Sandusky, to be known as the Ohio Illuminator, but from lack of that substantial support so essential to the successful conduct of a newspaper, or any other enterprise, the Illuminator never sent forth its rays of light upon the people of the county.
The Sandusky Clarion, a weekly publication, succeeded the Illuminator project, and made its first appearance on the 22d of April, 1822, David Campbell acknowledging its paternity and assuming its maintenance. It was a four-page sheet, four columns to the page, printed on what would now be called coarse paper, and the advertisements and reading matter appeared in much the same size and style of type. Under the name of the Clarion the paper was continued until 1843, when Mr. Campbell issued a daily edition, which he called the Daily Sanduskian.
After continuing for some years longer the proprietor sold the entire plant to Earl Bill and Clark Waggoner. The former of these persons was afterward chosen clerk of the United States District Court for the district of Northern Ohio, while the latter became editor of the Toledo Blade. Still later he was on the editorial staff of the Toledo Commercial, but at a quite recent day embarked in the limitless field of history.
Messrs. Bill and Waggoner subsequently sold an interest in the paper to Henry D. Cooke, and the firm style was thereupon changed to H. D. Cooke & Co. Upon taking formal possession of the office this firm dropped the old name and called the paper, in all its editions, The Commercial Register, three editions, daily, tri-weekly and weekly, being printed. H. D. Cooke & Co. continued the Register publications for some twelve years, when Mr. Cooke retired to become the editor of the State Journal, Mr. Waggoner to accept a position on the Toledo Blade, whereupon the paper passed into the hands of Bill & Johnson.
The Commercial Register changed hands three or four times between 1855 and 1869. In the last-named year Isaac F. Mack purchased a half interest, and in 1870 the other half. He dropped the first part of the name, and since…
YUM: I never ate at Leidheisers, but the food certainly appears to have been wonderful. I'd like to have some potato pancakes right now.
This woman and her son are in a nice restaurant. There's quite a bit of food left over, so the woman tells the waiter, "Please put the meat in a bag for the dog."
The son jumps up, "Wow, Mom, are we getting a dog?"
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'".
Rich; it is our 60th reunion and will be very informal. It looks like this at the present time; Tuesday, JULY 9, 2019.
-4pm Boat ride Vermilion River and Lagoons (Parsons)
-5:30pm Drinks and music on the Patio-Vermilion Boat Club
-6:30pm Dinner - order off the menu Vermilion Boat Club
Replys can be sent to;
Roger Boughton
2205 1th Ave. SW
Ausitn, MN. 55912
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 49 - February 9, 2019
Archive Issue #830
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