THE PLACE I LOVE: Here in the last throes of winter (there's a cover of snow on the earth in Vermilion this a.m.) and the yawning spring I thought of summer. Early in the morn during that time of year Main Street beach is one of my favorite places. The world isn't awake yet. Now and then a stray fishing boat will buzz out of the harbor (most leave much earlier). A dog might bark. Few people are stirring. The lake is exceptionally calm. The light breezes are fishy clean. The beach and the streets are still reflecting the heat of yesterday. And all is right with the world.
I don't make a habit of being in this place too often. That would ruin it. It is something to be treasured.
The place I love is where I am not - always.
I welcome spring.
MAY & JESSE: This photograph is very rare. It is a portrait of May and Jesse Wilber. They were the two oldest of the four children of Henrietta and Miller Wilber. All four children died within in week of one another in January of 1893. They were stricken by a malady some refer to as "black" diptheria. (I'm not sure what that means.)
Miller's father owned the Swift Mansion, Rosedale, that was located in Swifts Hollow on (what was then) Gore Road just south of Vermilion.
Some misinformed folks are under the impression that the children all died when the family lived there (Harriet and Wilber did live there with his parents for a very short time), and were buried in the valley/hollow along the river. That misinformation has been partially responsible for the urban legend surrounding the Hope and Light Orphanage (a.k.a the Gore Orphanage) that is given wide circulation through the region.
While the information is sketchy it is more likely that the children died in either Berlin Heights or at their home in Vermilion. (Mrs. Wilber was a Berlin Heights native - her family was named Kellogg.) By the time John Sprunger and his wife came from Indiana to establish their orphanage in the hollow the Wilber family had been gone from there for some time. Jesse was 11 and May was 9 when they were stricken. Their twin brother and sister were but 2 years of age.
Mr. Wilber ran a hardware store where Winterstein Realty offices are now located. Both he and his wife died in 1930. I am told, by those who knew them, that they were very kindly persons.
This photograph (acquired from Roberta Riley of CA.) is a real keeper for collectors. The story surrounding this family is immensely interesting.
MARYLYNN: Bryan Chandler of San Francisco e-mails me a numerous things of interest. I've received a number of photographs he's taken around SF that I find rather fascinating. He also forwards me numerous web-pages with sound bytes of various kinds - some music - some poetry. I, of course, don't know Bryan beyond the net and vice-versa. But I do know some things about him.
Bryan is a cousin to Vermilion native Bruce Eldridge. This means that he is a grandson of Louise Baumhardt-Chandler-Giddings. (I assume this also means that he is nephew to my friend, Mary Louise "Tootie" Reisinger).
Due to the fact that Louise was married several times I'm not real familiar with how all these relationships are connected. But in any case, among the things Bryan send me was a series of pictures of his sister as a youngster. Her name was Marylynn Claire Chandler Roe. She was the daughter of Harry and Berneitta Chandler. The shadows were captured in 1960 at the 103rd OVI (encampment) in Sheffield Lake, Ohio. (Those who know Lake Road through that area should be familiar with the 103rd's place there).
Because Bryan sent this pix with a subject title "RIP" I am automatically assuming that Marylynn has gone to her final home.
It may be that some folks about Vermilion knew this young lady. As for myself, I simply find the snaps fascinating. There's always a bigger story behind a photo.
C.1900: From LSE historian, Dennis Lamont, comes this beauty of the building of the Lake Shore Electric Railroad bridge over the Vermilion River about 1900. Of greater interest here may be the fact that the bridge abutment seen in the foreground still exists. The abutment on the far side of the river was removed - although I believe that some of the lower parts of that structure still exist along the docks of Bill Romp's Marina.
The bridge was used until 1937-38 when the electics were phased out in favor of a bus line and increased automobile usage. It was dismantled in 1940.
The Vermilion Area Archival Society (VAAS) is seeking to have a plaque placed in the new park being built at the foot of the old Vermilion Water-tower commemorating the days of when the LSE ran through the region across that bridge. The abutment is one of the very few vestiges of an era that is now all but forgotten.
THE FLOOD OF 1969: These are great snaps taken with an instamatic camera by the mother of Jill Martin Young and Marcia Martin (I'm sorry but I can't remember her first name at this moment) of the July 4th, 1969 flooding of the Vermilion River.
I know that there were perhaps thousands of pix taken of that flood - but few have surfaced (at least for me).
There are some good shots of Ryser's (once Warren Smith's) Bait Shop (in the old electric car) - and Parson's Fishery. Also note the one where the trailer is smashing into the trestle. It appears that part of a cottage is also taking a ride to the lake. That may have been one lost from the Olympic Outing Club.
Floods along this stream are somewhat common during winter/spring thaws - but this one (in the midst of summer) was an anomaly. It just rained, and rained, and rained.
Beautiful pix!
IN ITS GLORY: I worked on this photograph in Photoshop CS2 for a bit, and it turned out to be more attractive than the original. This pic of George, and later Elton, Fischer's home on the north side of Liberty Street really affords one a good idea as to how very appealing it actually was. As a youngster I always found the place to be exceptionally pleasing to look at - and I believe it shows in this pic.
But let us shoot ahead through time for a second and take another look:
THE FIRE: George and Elton Fischer had a thriving lumber company located just to the east of their home. One night during the late 1930's it caught fire and burned to the ground. This photo, from Bobbi Riley, captures the shadows of the family manse in the early morning light following the fire. This is the best of several that Bobbi sent me of that fire. Partically due to the fact that it took place at night there isn't a plethora of good photographs of this conflageration.
And somehow - just somehow - the beautiful house escaped harm.
The origin of the fire was never discovered. While Elton rebuilt the business he located it across the street.
What a great photograph!
WHAT'S A FOOT: The Vermilion Area Archival Society 2006 Historic Calendar featuring Vermilion's fishing industry is always available from myself, Sandy Neiding and Brummer's Candy Shop. While noting that these are calendars - please also note that they are collectors' items. This means that they're good for 100 years. These are new calendars that feature Vermilion's fishing industry. Anyone interested in one of the calendars can also contact me. They cost $5.00. Shipping and handling for out-of-town mailing is about $1.35. There only a few left. So get on it folks!
Also note that there are (unfortunately) some mistakes on the calendar. The name of Sue Backus under the "Business and Corporate Sponsors" heading is spelled incorrectly. And the month of March is listed incorrectly as being "2005". The days of the actual month, however, are correct for 2006.
Please take the time to visit (or re-visit) the Hope Children's Home site linked below because there are some additions there that you might find interesting. With all the bad things happening on the "dark continent" it's really nice to know that there are some places where the light does shine brightly. Please keep in mind that the needs of Hope Children's Home are on-going. Contributions to that home may be made to Larry Hohler in New York.
CLASS REUNION UPDATES: Here's a new item: Attention HVS Class of 1976. Youur 30th Reunion is upon near! It will be on June 17th, 2006@the Vermilion Boat Club 7:30 pm to Midnight.Pass the word. You can call Janet@967-4915 with addresses of fellow classmates or Email:jantanze@aol.com. The mailing address is:VHS Class of 1976 PO Box #872 Vermilion, OH 4089.
If something changes you'll see it here.
Some folks use this page as a portal to the Classes of '60 to '62 webpage I'm placing the link back here. But it would be a very wise move if folks involved with that page made a note of its URL and posted it in their notes as well as those contacting their classmates.
I was unaware of it but more than just a few folks do use this site as a link to their respective class sites - so - here's the VHS Class of 1959's site back for your convenience too: Remember that site is located at: Class of '59 and it'll be updated it as Roger (Boughton) receives enough new pictures and information from classmates to make it worth reading. So send him any information that you would like to share with other classmates and he'll put it up for all to see and view.
It is my understanding that some of these links are not working, or not working well. If so it is a technical problem belonging to the respective parties operating those webpages.
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.4, Issue 1, March 25, 2006
© 2005 Rich Tarrant