THE DAY THE WORLD ENDED: It was October 22, 1840. The lady stood on the 2nd story balcony of the family's brick home at Ruggle's Grove west of the burgeoning new Village of Vermilion, Ohio. (The house was one of the first brick homes in the area.) She looked to the forests to the south and the lake to the north for a sign. The air was cool, and except for some gulls that swept through the gray skies overhead, everything was still.
Suddenly a gutted grating roar broke the day startling the lady, and putting a chill in her heart that was so cold and dark that she lept from the small patio and fell head-long to the earth. It was the day the world ended.
This, in essence, is a true story. The lady in it was a member of a group of people called Millerites - a type of religious cult which emanated from the mind of a prosperous New York State farmer/Baptist layman named Miller. Miller had studied scripture and derived the exact date and time that the world would end and Christ would return. It was on October the 22nd in the year 1840. And there was no doubt in the lady's mind that this would transpire. And mind being capable of ruling over matter it was (for her at least) very true.
More of the truth could be found in the fact that two mischievious boys were secreted in some bushes just below the balcony with a gadget they had fabricated from an old barrel which when scrapped with a piece of wood would make a terrible bellowing sound.
Undoubtedly they did not intend for this woman to jump from the balcony - they only meant to frighten her some - but she was so convinced she made Miller's prediction personally accurate.
Truth is, in fact and indeed, stranger than fiction.
ORTH'S: Somewhere in my memory bank this is familiar. I believe that initially the livery mentioned on this business card might have been down by the water-tower. However,my thoughts of the Orth family become more vivid when I think of Vermilion's Newstand that was located where Berk's Realty Appraisal business is today located (next to the Main Street Grill). Before Orth's had the place Litman's (Bill and Dorothy) owned it. Before them I believe Mehnert's had the business.
After the Orth's bought the place they changed the name to the Favorite Newstand. My sister Ginny worked there for quite a long time. I delivered, first, the Cleveland News and the Cleveland Press from those rooms, and later I had a Cleveland Plain Dealer route based there. This was an unusual business by today's standards.
It was a clearing house for all the newspapers in the region, and it sold about 10 billion types of magazines, and comic books along with tobacco products, candy, and pop. It had a small soda bar featuring a big root-beer barrel dispenser. It was also the local Grayhound bus-stop. So there was a great deal of traffic in the place.
It was there that I have some very vivid recollections of the infamous character who was "Jungle Larry" Tetzlaff.
The Orth's had a daughter, and lived on the south side of West Lake Road just a few lots west of Joppa Road. They were very nice folks.
This card just spawned a few memories that I had been keeping in the attic of my dusty brain for the last half century. I almost forgot about these people.
JPS WHITE: Here is one of the brightest persons I've ever encountered in my life. He, like many of the people I befriended as a youngster, has long been gone from Vermilion - but he can never ever be forgot.
This is John Paul Stuart White - or just "Stu".
Stu's father was Dr. V.B. White (who looked an awful lot like Dwight D. Eisenhower), and they lived in the brick house on the northwest side of Main Street across from the waterworks. (That house is, at this moment, for sale.)
Stu, as is obvious, is an avid fan of the old west. And although this photo is staged his true hobby is guns, and western style shooting.
Professionally Stu is an engineer/designer. He is married to Carol Lima (also a Vermilion expatriot), and they presently live in PA.
I have some great stories about this guy. He is, for instance, the only person I've ever known who would shoot a gun in the basement of his house. One time he ignited a quantity of gun powder in the basement from outside the window leaving a low cloud of black smoke hovering at the ceiling. He once tied a string to a wallet, left it on the sidewalk in front of his house, and while peering out of the basement window would watch until some unsuspecting person would come along, spy the wallet (look around to see if anyone was watching), bend down to pick it up, and Stu would yank it beyond that person's reach. Funny stuff.
One time his mother called down to him, "Stuart, would you please come up here and draw me a glass of water?" Stu took paper and pencil, drew a picture of a glass of water, and took it up to her.
There was no malicious intent in any of this. It was simply the working of a quick and curious mind.
Stu's older brother, Bruce, still lives in town (he's retired), and I know they visit and go to shooting matches on occasion. Another brother, Dave, was a career Navy pilot and was killed in an air accident back in 1950's.
Stu is a fellow once met one never forgets.
MILL HOLLOW; A DIFFERENT VIEW: After last weeks photo appeared in this spot with some comment about it seeming rather curious that not many old pix of Mill Hollow seem to be in circulation Birmingham resident Dennis Lamont forwarded me this photograph. It comes from Lorain historian Al Doane's collection. Unbeknownst to either Al or Dennis this photo was taken by my grandfather, PRoscoe. His professional signature/mark generally appear with his pictures (i.e. the reversed "P" with the "R").
I've not seen this particular photo before, and I don't know whether or not my brother, Al, has it (or the original) in his collection of Roscoe's works). For the time in which he lived (latter part of the 19th into the 20th centuries) he was a very active local photographer. He created more than a few of the old postcard pictures in circulation today on eBay and elsewhere. His work as both a period and a regional photographer is quite substantial. I am always thrilled to understand that when I see one of his pictures I am actually seeing through his eyes. I don't know what more a grandchild could ask of a grandfather.
ALL DRESSED UP FOR A STREET DANCE: It may be that not many people know the identity of the youngsters in this photo, but I'd be willing to bet that more than a few can remember what it was they were anticipating when the pic was snapped. They were on their way to a Street Dance in beautiful downtown Vermilion.
This picture, from the Olmpic Outing Club archives was taken on a summer evening back in the 1950's. I don't know all those pictured, but I do know a few. Young Dick Aerni is the boy on the back left, his little sister June (now Rini) is the little blond in about the front center, and Joyce Dorsey (now Gill) is the last girl on the right.
I find it rather odd that some pictures of local kids at about the same time don't appear anywhere. Methinks they're probably stashed away in someone's attic gathering dust.
THE FIRST ANNUAL CALENDAR: This is the cover of the 1st Annual Calendar (2005) produced by the Vermilion Area Archival Society. Some, but not all, the pictures in the calendar have been featured on this page or on my "Historic Vermilion Pix" site. Now you can have them for yourself. Pictures in the calendar that you may not have seen before include one of the Goody Goody Bar, the Schwensen Bakery, the old Firehall, the Vermilion Oil Company (once Kyle Motors), the Decker warehouse (later Englebry and Hull's Coal/Concrete), and a close-up view of the Masonic Building in about 1930.
Here, friends, is a very nice Christmas gift for yourself or for someone you might know who is interested in the history of Vermilion, Ohio. More importantly, it's cheap! You can have it all for a mere $5.00 American (plus shipping and handling where required).
For those who know members of the Archival group all you have to do is ask - and I'm sure they'd be happy to get you one. For those who are far away and only see this message on the net - just forward me the necessary information and I'll see that you get one.
The society only printed 200 of them. 30 have already been given to their sponsors. So act now!
Note that I've already sent calendars to California, Maryland, Michigan, Florida, Virginia, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas, various parts of Ohio, and Germany.
They're moving fast. So if you want one it would be wise to order now.
SUPER CHRISTMAS GIFTS: One of my favorite cowboys was Hopalong Cassidy. That goes back some years. Thus far, I've received some of your thoughts about a favorite Christmas gift some recieved when a child. They are so interesting. The "Views" Christmas issue will air those thoughts. So pass them along.
It doesn't have to be alot. But I know each of us has experienced that special Christmas - so please share.
CLASS REUNION UPDATES:
Ray Beursken tells me that the VHS class of 1955 has scheduled their 50th class reunion on September 10, 2005 at the Boat Club. Class members of 1955 should put this date on their calendar. They're hoping for a good turnout.
I've been in contact with Bruce Eldridge and John Hunter from the Class of 1960/61 (?) and it looks like they'll have a website up for their class reunion very soon. When its done the link will appear on this page.
A gal named Shelly from the Class of 1985 tells me that "the VHS class of 1985 will be having a 20 year reunion in the summer of 2005......no further details. The name of the organizer is Kim Schultz."
From Roger Boughton comes the following note. His class just celebrated their reunion earlier this month (October): Some classmates have inquired if there are pictures available from our reunion weekend. Yes, and if classmates would send copies to me either through the internet or mail I'll make sure they are placed on our web site for all to see. This would be helpful to those who were not present but would like to see pictures of classmates who were present. Jessie Spring (Sharon Stark) and Mary Lou send their regards and promise to be at our next reunion when ever that might be. There has also been some discussion as to when to hold our next reunion and if we should move it around the country. We'll have a questionnaire that will come out within the next 30-90 days providing you an opportunity to respond and provide your views on what should happen next. Remember our web site is located at: Class of '59 and I'll update it as soon as I receive enough new pictures and information from our classmates to make it worth reading. So send me any information that you would like to share with other classmates and we'll put it up for all to see and view.
I've visited Roger's website and it's fun.
Persons interested in having their VHS (and vicinity) reunion plans posted on this site are welcome to do so. I can't provide anyone with webpages to post their activities in depth, but I can provide a link to existing pages and/or post some activity items here. All anyone need do is contact me at my email address and pass along their material electronically.
As news regarding VHS reunion activities comes to my attention it will appear on this web page. So stay tuned folks.
The Beat Goes On: The page is generated by the 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 bookmarks. 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.
Links to other sites on the Web
Vol.2, Issue 38, December 11, 2004
© 2004 Rich Tarrant