Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: On the shop desk this week is an interesting portrait of the A.D. Baumhart family. This pic was probably taken c.1917 along the west breakwall of the Vermilion River. The little buy is Charles W. Baumhart and the young man in the light clothing is Charlie’s big brother Albert “David” Jr. A.D. Sr. is the fella on the right with the cigar in his hand. Behind him is his first wife (Charlie and Dave’s mother) Effie Clara Washburn-Baumhart. I am unable to provide names for the other three ladies – or the pooch.
When I look at this pic I am reminded of the tragic death of Effie in 1918 when she fell victim of the pandemic flu virus – the Spanish Flu at the age of 35 years. She was such a pretty lady, and they were such a happy looking family. (Tragedy was just around the corner.)
A.D. would marry another lady, Francis Bullock, in 1921, and she helped raise the boys. She was a nice person as well. I remember the boys (of course). But I also remember A.D. (his cigar) and kindly Francis. This was one of Vermilion’s First Families.
ELIZABETH “BESSIE” BOTTOMLEY-ROSCOE: This is a pic of my grandmother, Bessie and one of her school classes c.1896. She would have been 18 or 19 years old when this pic was captured. As I have indicated in the past she was actually only 13 when she began teaching (in Minnesota). By the time this pic was taken she was teaching in the Berlin-Milan rural school district in Erie County, Ohio.
Her accomplishments were notable and plenty.
THE BINDERY, ETC: With few visitors at the beginning of the year I’ve been able to do more work in the bindery room at the back of the print shop. It’s kinda’ like doing an archeological dig. There’s a good deal of stuff therein that’s been hidden there for a very long time.
Working here takes me to other places in the building that I don’t visit much – such as the basement. When some new windows were installed a few weeks back glass block windows were installed in the basement – which is a big improvement. But like the bindery there’s a bunch of stuff there also and it’s easy to get lost.
If I happen to disappear search these two places. Perhaps I’ll be found under a pile of old newspapers.
Historically,
EARLY REGATTA: I really, really like this photograph. This was along with the “Firemen” pic found elsewhere in “VV” this week. My grandfather (P. Roscoe) didn’t take a great number of wide-angle photos so I appreciate all that I find.
This appears to have been taken from the roof of the Vermilion Water Treatment plant on Main Street looking north and east toward the mouth of the Vermilion River.
I, obviously, have an ability to see this photo in greater detail than you can see it on this page so there are details not readily available for everyone.
By the appearance of the autos in the pic it was likely taken around 1925. The house (left background) was recently razed by the city to make room for parking along the Main Street Beach. [A puzzling move for a community that professes to be interested in preserving its history.]
Across the river the beautiful and wild wetlands is visible sans the pretty Cape Cod homes that now stand in the area. Further on – toward the lake is the Ferry dock and boat livery on the east side of the stream.
And the reason there are few people in the pic? They all walked out to the west breakwall to watch the races on the lake. You will note the firetruck in the middle of all the cars. I assume it was there as a safety measure.
NEW THIS WEEK: I resurrected this old video recording made of the Rev. James “Jim” Bidle addressing the congregation at Vermilion’s UCC Congregational church a bit over 12 years ago. It was the 50th anniversary of the building of that church. It is, incidentally, a part of a larger recording.
This is an interesting clip especially for persons familiar with either Rev. Bidle, the church or both. For posterity, and because it’s not a very good / clear recording I plan to make a transcription of his talk because much of what he has to say is historically important and relevant as it pertains to both to the town and the church.
It runs 12:65 minutes.
EARTHY PLEASURES & HISTORICAL TREASURES: Recently while in the process of reclaiming the printer’s bindery room in the printshop portion of our local history museum from clutter accumulated over the years [I must admit to having contributed my share of it] I was pleased by some of the historical treasures unearthed.
Among them was a hard-bound book titled “The Hoosier School Boy”. It was apparently gifted to my grandfather in 1883 when he was 14 years old. It is a first edition generally valued today at between 40 to 50 clams depending on condition. I consider it to be a nice family keepsake – the monetary value is irrelevant. I also came across another book, a hardbound 1st edition tome titled “Enchanting Isles of Lake Erie”. It, from my point-of-view, isn’t very old but it is evidently rather rare. It was self-published in 1949 by a guy named Harry H. Ross. Included with the book is a large notated map of the Erie islands with a plethora of photographs on the back. This book, oddly enough, is worth more than the one published in 1883. I suppose that’s because there were a relatively small number of them published.
Aside from being a room in the printshop where all sorts of printed materials were cut, bound and stored the bindery was also a depository for old metal photo plates. There are likely a 1000 or more of these plates, which are mounted on wood, stowed away in boxes on the floor under the shelving. Just for the heck of it I reached into a box and grabbed a plate [pictured in the photo]. As these things go this one was somewhat unusual.
Years ago, The Vermilion News printshop used these plates for printing on paper for books or for the newspaper. The plates, as indicated, had been mounted on a piece of wood. They were locked into a chase (a heavy steel frame used to hold type in a letterpress), placed in a press; ink was applied, and the image was, essentially, rolled on or “pressed” onto a sheet of paper.
In the case of halftone / black and white photo cuts (like this one) the work was done on a copper plate. The halftone effect is accomplished by photographing the subject through a wire or glass screen, which breaks the image up into a pattern of dots with sizes corresponding to the local brightness of the image; the larger dots create the darker areas, the smaller dots the highlights. The finer the screen, the finer the detail possible in the printed product. Halftones made with a screen having 65 lines to the inch are considered coarse. Those having 150 lines to the inch are considered fine. This, as one can see by the photo visible beneath the plate, happened to be one of the finer photo plates. The image on the plate was so fine the image, in this case, was reproduced by scanning it on a flatbed scanner and developing it with computer software. Unfortunately, this is not possible with every plate.
But there were many other treasures buried under all the clutter as well. Some are the machines that helped finish much of the material generated in the old time printshop.
One of them is a thing formally known as an “Adzit Greater Leverage Multiple Punch Machine”. Most simply put this apparatus was used as a “hole puncher”. It was used to punch holes in paper with a foot lever that allowed it to punch through many pieces of paper at a time and / or heavier paper and cardboard. The paper holes that were punched were deposited into the hollow base of the machine. On the base is a metal door that, when opened, exuded a colorful confetti that over many years had delighted more than one youngster visiting the shop. Rest assured that some parents were not as delighted. When the machine was new in the 1920s it cost a whopping $100. But it was a workhorse, of sorts, and worth every penny.
Another device unearthed is naught but an early 20th century marvel; a foot operated staple machine. This machine is one of the very first electric foot operated wire stitcher (stapler) devices on the planet. It was invented by a fellow named Thomas Biggs and manufactured by his company - the Boston Wire Stitcher Company in 1903. Not only does it staple things it fashions its own staples from a wire spool attached to the contraption.
Aside from being buried and forgotten under a world of clutter most, if not all these things, are no longer needed in a digital world where instant satisfactions seemed guaranteed. But speaking for myself I take great earthy pleasure in uncovering and understanding these historical treasures.
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...
Charging willful absence for three years, Millie Myers. Brought a divorce suit against William Kosob in the common pleas court.
Failure to properly support her is also charged by the wife, who asks to be restored to her maiden name, Millie Myers. The parties were married May 16, 1907, and have no children. The present place of abode of the husband is said to be unknown.
Eight years ago society circles in Elyria were astounded when it was made public Miss Gertrude Slingerland 30, a Latin teacher in the high school had eloped to Canada and was married to one of her 17-year-old pupils, Ralph Wallace. The couple moved to Ludington, Michigan, but a year ago, Wallace deserted his wife since she has made a living keeping borders.
This week even greater consternation was felt when a telegram from Ludington stated that Albert Windorf a border at the Wallace home had shot and killed Mrs. Wallace in a rage of jealousy late Saturday night and then turned the revolver on himself and put a bullet through his temple. Windorf will probably recover.
The dispatch stated that Windorf became jealous over the attentions and actor at the Wallace home was paying to Mrs. Wallace. – Ely. Tel.
It will be remembered by Vermilion people that Mr. and Mrs. Wallace spent their honeymoon at Linwood Park.
[NOTE: And so – atrocious and scandalous behavior is nothing new in the 21st century. Et tu Brute?]
Wm. Farrell received word Friday of the death of his sister, Miss Mayme Farrell at Cleveland. He left immediately for that city and Mrs. Farrell and son Wm. left on Saturday.
Mr. Howard Wooster is reported on the sick list.
The High School was excused Friday afternoon and the pupils attended the Farmers Institute.
Richard Brechmacher had the misfortune to freeze one of his ears Friday morning while on his way to school.
Raymond Sick of the Sophomore class who is been absent from school for the past week on account of illness has returned to school.
Mrs. Raymond Fairchild who suffered from an attack of appendicitis was taken on New Year’s Day to St. Joseph’s Hospital at Lorain and underwent an operation Friday and is now doing as well as can be expected.
Mr. Harley Clawson had the misfortune to freeze his ear this week.
We are sorry to hear that Miss Ella Miller is still on the sick list.
Geo. Feiseli and Milton Leadrach had an unexpected vacation Tuesday on account of the High School being dismissed for lack of heat.
In spite of the zero weather and a driving blizzard the Diamond Cheese Co., kept ten teams busy all day Tuesday hauling ice for the summer’s need.
Charles M. Hahn, recently divorced from his wife Lottie M. Hahn, will not go to the penitentiary for failing to support his two minor children.
Hahn was brought before Judge Washburn, Monday afternoon, on a warrant issued by prosecutor Stevens, Hahn being the indirect arrears to the extent of $27, in connection with the weekly payments the court ordered him to make for the support of his children.
His sister, Miss Lizzie Hanh, who has stuck to him through thick and thin during the various court proceedings which have been brought against him during the past two years, shouldered the blame for the money not having been paid the ex-wife.
She advised Judge Washburn that she had promised her brother she would pay over the weekly allowance of $5 dollars, but had neglected to do it and that it was not her brother’s fault that the court order had not been properly observed.
Hahn was ordered to give bond in the sum of $1000 to provide for his children and the prison sentence imposed upon him a year ago, but suspended, still remains in effect and may be carried out at any time the payments are neglected.
This is a leap year and the wise girl will take a good look before she does so.
777.
The coal man, iceman and plumber are busy in consequence of the sudden cold weather. Numerous water pipes have been frozen some of our citizens have been “keeping watch” nights to keep from freezing. It was so cold one morning that one gang of plumbers had water pipes freeze upon them, after making repairs, before water could be turned on again. Does anyone know in what condition our fire hydrants are.
Sunday was the first under the new order of things and everything passed off quietly, despite rumors and rumors. So far as we can ascertain there wasn’t even a crack in the lid. Outside papers have made some comments and the Elyria citizens have threatened to pass Vermilion by next summer on Sundays, but if some of the samples we had last summer are fair representatives of those who would pass us by, stand aside and let them pass and give them a little persuasion to hustle about it too. The lid is on the stay on so long as the majority desire it.
[NOTE: I’m assuming that this had something to do with alcohol and the new Mayor. I realize that Vermilion was a small town, but I don’t get why my grandfather was being so darn cryptic.]
George H. Agge, 28, Tuscola, Ill. and Ollie May Risdon, 21, Vermilion.
The library club and their friends gave Miss Ollie M. Risdon a Miscellaneous shower at the home of Miss Ruth Kuhl, Saturday evening. About 40 young people were present and a large number of pretty and useful gifts were presented to Miss Risdon.
Guy S. Davis is making some especially low prices and at his annual clearance sale. Only a few days more of Guy S. Davis special sale.
John Rhinemiller, 63, living a mile and a half south of Huron was struck by a Lake Shore train at Sage Crossing on Berlin St., Wednesday, and fatally injured. He was driving a horse which was badly injured.
Unser & Seeley are improving their store by having an enclosure placed near the center of the store for their cashier and for desk etc. A a person would hardly know the store so many changes have been made, all of which are decided improvements.
Sorosis meets tomorrow evening at the home of Mrs. Chas. A. Trinter, on Grand Street.
The Fishermen’s Union held their annual banquet and smoker at their hall Tuesday evening. An orchestra was in attendance and a fine time is reported.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Barnes, a son, Dec. 8, 1911, at their home in Troy, O. Mrs. Barnes was formally Miss Mayme Ennis of Vermilion.
BORN – to Mr. Mrs. Jonathan Lumley, a son, Tuesday, Jan. 9, ‘12.
According to the registrar’s report there were 43 births in Vermilion Village and Township in 1911 and 32 deaths. In 1910, 37 births and 27 deaths.
Soak the brains in cold water until white, carefully removing the outer membrane. Drain, place in a saucepan with one point of boiling water, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, half teaspoon of salt, a slice of onion, quarter of a bay leaf and part of a blade of mace. Simmer very gently for 15 minutes. In the meantime place 2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan and heat slowly until it becomes a dark brown. Drain the brains, arrange a hot platter, add to the brown butter 1 tablespoon of vinegar, pour over the brains and send at once to the table.
[NOTE: You don’t have to thank me for this recipe. Just enjoy it.]
center>BIRMINGHAM
Mr. Jack Patton has moved in town.
Miss Winnifred Jenkins is not teaching at Florence this week on account of scarlet fever. She is in hopes of beginning next week.
Mr. Henry Jenkins is doing some plumbing work at the Ruggles Hotel at Ruggles Beach. The work in progress now at the resort indicate that there will be better accommodation next summer than ever before.
The iceman of the village are busily engaged in filling their ice houses. Several of them are putting it up for private use. They seem to think that sixty cents a hundred as it was last summer is a little steep for price.
Mayor Wakefield held court in the town hall Thursday morning at 9 o’clock. J. Kurtz, charged with drunkenness. After talking to him in regard to his conduct he sentenced him to 10 days in jail and costs. But suspended jail sentence with the understanding that it would be put into force if he ever came to Vermilion again. The marshal took him down to the electric line and bought a ticket and saw him on the car for Lorain.
Two “vags” one an automobile worker from Cleveland and William Brooks of Syracuse, N. Y., were brought before the mayor and questioned and permitted to depart after having the law on vagrancy and begging read to them and a short lecture on the results of vagrancy. There was no charge against them.
The mayor expects to have an office fitted out for him in the Fischer building soon, W. D. Smith will be his stenographer.
Mr. Link Kelly is digging for gas.
The New Year’s Eve dance given at the Forester’s Hall last Friday evening was well attended and a fine time is reported.
“Why do you always go out on the balcony when I began to sing, John? Can’t you bear to listen to me?”
“It isn’t that, but I don’t want the neighbors to think I’m a wife beater.”
FRIDAY NITES IN VERMILION Before television and radio folks went to the silent movies or the Opera House on Friday nights for entertainment.
By Dr. E. Von Schulenburg, Sandusky, Ohio.
A WRITTEN history of this country, as well as any part thereof, would be incomplete without devoting an appropriate space to the German Element, that in years gone by helped materially to develop its resources and is still aiding in a humble way to shape its future destiny for good or evil in a social, moral, and political way.
A political history, strictly speaking, cannot be claimed for the German element in America, and yet in the conglomeration of the diverse elements constituting this Union has it played such a potent factor, that its peculiar traits and characteristics as a nation call for a special recognition. The tenacity in keeping up and preserving the old mother tongue in song and speech and the rigid observance of religious ceremonies and holy days as of old, are most marked.
Retrospecting, we find German emigration in its earliest infancy forced. Refugees in its proper meaning were the small number of pioneers that crossed the ocean a century or more ago. They were stripped of all earthly possessions, and yet are thankful in their pious devotion, that God did spare their bare lives, a repetition of so-called Christian tolerance so well illustrated in history in the persecution and expulsion of the Salzburger and Moravian sects. Without a home, a country of their own, or any protection, an easy and ready prey for the sharks of Holland and England, they had only one desire—to sever completely the ties of former bondage and oppression.
It cannot be said that the first immigrants bettered their condition materially in their new home; they entered a servitude bordering closely on slavery, but notwithstanding all this they felt contented, their final efforts culminated in the acquisition of a home and a few spare acres of land to provide themselves and families with the necessaries of life. It may sound harsh and offensive to the national pride of to-day, and yet it is an indisputable fact, that Germany furnished for a long time the English colonies not only with bought up and conscript soldiers—Hessians—but almost entirely with the rude hands for manual labor.
The German colonists of the eighteenth century became the coolies of this country. The star of glory at one time so bright in the old home dictating the policy of all other nations, had lost its lustre and its power. The bloody wars, following the Reformation and the Thirty Years War in special, had sapped and taken the life blood of this nation, and had destroyed its power, progress, and energy for more than one generation. Devastation was over all; the noble guilds that in years of former prosperity were so actively engaged in the…
UNEDUCATED GUESSWORK: I came across this file (and several others) this week while cleaning up the bindery room in the museum this past week. To be very candid I don’t know anyone in the photograph (Anyway, I think I don’t). But after looking at it for a while, and comparing it to another that is similar my uneducated guess is that it is (1st) a group of firemen and (2nd) that they are Vermilion guys pictured at the turn of the 20th century. I suppose if I look hard enough I will find Dad Tischer somewhere in this group.
I am also amused by the guys in the background. The fella in the fedora looks like an official of some kind. And the guy next to him has a big smile on his face. [He was probably collecting money for the photo.]
This guy was walking along the beach when he came across this salt-encrusted piece of metal.
He worked for an hour or so to remove the salt. Lo and behold it was a very old oil lamp.
The guy started to buff it to remove the verdigris when "poof" a genie appeared.
This genie, like all genies, was so happy to be freed of the lamp that he granted the guy three wishes.
"I wish to be a dollar richer than Bill Gates, " says the guy.
"Guy," the genie said, "You will forever be a dollar richer than Bill Gates. What's your second wish."
"Genie, I want the most expensive Porsche made: Fire engine red, on board GPS and the finest audio system ever installed in an automobile."
"That's easy, Guy," says the genie. He waves his hand and best car anybody had ever seen pops out of the lamp.
The genie then asks the guy for his third wish.
The guy mulls the problem over and over. A girl-- nah, with billions and billions of dollars he certainly had become a chick magnet. World peace? Only wackos want that. The guy found a reason not to wish for anything that came to his mind.
"Genie," the guy said, "I can't think of anything now. May I save the third wish for later."
"Gee, this is most unusual. But you hold the hammer, I can't escape from this lamp until you make a third wish. Call me when you're ready," and whoosh the genie disappears into the lamp.
The guy carefully picks up the now-ever-so- valuable lamp and places it in the trunk of the fire engine red Porsche. He turns the radio on to balance the sounds and makes all the other adjustments needed to get his great audio system customized to his ears.
After that, he pulled off the beach and headed south along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Soon he was up to 60, then 70, then 80. The Porsche handled perfectly.
The guy was so happy that he began to sing along with the familiar commercial on the radio.
"Oh, I wish I was an Oscar-Mayer Wiener..."
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 “Tripping: A Writer’s Journeys.” Signed copies of her new book can be purchased for $15.00 at the Southside Sentinel office or by mail by writing Rappahannock Press, Box 546, Urbanna, VA and adding $6.00 to cover mailing costs and tax. Contact:glongest@ssentinel.com.
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. 17. Issue 45 - January 11, 2020
Archive Issue #878
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