THE PLEDGE - THE DREAM - AMERICA
FUN AT THE "VV" DESK: Ah - something new a-gain. This week I'm trying out some new software that will allow me to make digital video recordings from VHS tape. The "sell" on the software is that the tapes degrade over time. The implication is that the digi recordings will not.
I'll not argue the point beyond saying that digi recordings will also degrade. Perhaps not as quickly. But nothing's permanent. At least not yet.
However; my main interest here (aside of the technical part) is attempting to preserve local historical recordings that have been captured on VHS tape. My friend Bobbi Neller Riley from CA. emailed me a few weeks ago asking if I would be interesting in having a VHS recording of a Class Reunion of the VHS Class of 1938. Few need ask how I answered.
And thanks to Bobbi I now have that recording.
So using an old VHS player/recorder in conjunction with this new software from Roxio (VHS TO DVD) I am slowly learning how to transfer the recording from the old to the new formats.
My intention is to pass the recording along to the Vermilion Area Archival Society in both formats. I am in the initial stages of the process so I really can't say how successful my work will be. I'll likely use some of the recording in a "VV" podcast at some later time.
Thus far, I've found nothing terribly earth shattering in the recording. But it does have some historical value. Some of the folks in the class would be familiar to many Vermilionites: Jim Hart, Earl Beiner, V. Fischer, Adele Kovanic, Don Kishman, Harvey Rodgers, Dick Gorbach, Dick Walker, and Dick West, etc. Though not all of those mentioned appear in the video - one may get my drift about its historical value. I don't know the precise year the reunion took place. It likely wasn't an exceptionally long time ago. But it is, nonetheless, a interesting part of local - and very American - history. (And I'm - as always - having fun with it.)
Historically,
THE SIDNEY AND WAYNE
A VERMILION TUG: I mentioned this tug just a few weeks back when writing about the legendary Captain "Big Ed" Lampe. When the engines failed he rode this vessel into port like he was driving a run-a-way horse team.
At the time I didn't give much thought as to who built the tug, nor what may have happened to it. But while looking for something else (on-line) I came across the following information:
Registry and Rig Information Vessel Name SIDNEY AND WAYNE Nationality U.S. Official Number 216004 Rig Fish Tug Dimensions and Tonnage Vessel Length: 38.50 feet. Gross Tonnage: 24.00 Vessel Width: 11.42 feet Net Tonnage: 21.00 Vessel Depth: 3.42 feet Hull Material: Wood Masts: Hull Number: Item Number: 006586 Image Size: 71874 bytes Vessel History Builder Vermilion, OH 1918 Ownership Changes Date Registry Official # Ladis J. Martinek Vermilion, OH U.S. 1918- 1929 U.S. 216004 Frank Clark Cleveland, OH U.S. 1929- 1940 U.S. 216004 Vessel Name Changes Date Registry Official # No Name changes recorded Rebuilds No Rebuild Information Available History No Vessel History Available Disposition Stranded, February 19, 1940, a total loss, "place unknown."
I knew that Martinek was a Vermilion fisherman. And I knew that he had a relationship with Lampe. But more than that I didn't know until I found this info.
I guess those old tugs were much like old soldiers: They never died. They just faded away.
MEMORABLE FACES
TO BUCK: My good friend Tom Rodgers, who currently lives in Troy, Ohio, sent me this pic during the week with this note:
Rich,
Attached is a photo of the Wakefield Brass Compamy management team taken in 1949 . In the back row I recognize Ted, George & Al Wakefield. Bud Snodelberg (spelling ?) is standing in the upper right hand corner. My dad ["Buck" Harvey Rodgers] is setting in the lower right hand corner. Directly behind him is Jim Friday. Don Huffman is located in the lower left hand corner and John Trinter is right behind Don. I'm sure Tug Wilson and Ray Grote are pictured too, but I don't remember what they looked like...
I do recognize some of the other faces - but don't recall their names at this writing. The one person I can identify is the man who once was known as "Vermilion's singing mayor" - Leonard Osberg. He's sitting on the floor just to the right of Don Hoffman.
I'm certain that there are some persons who will be able to identify everyong in the photo as well as spell Mr. "Snodelberg's" name correctly.
Thanks Tom.
PAINTING THE TOWN: Sometimes things are painted in pictures. And sometimes in stories. But however painted they are nonetheless as powerful...
THE LAST GROCER: During the 1950’s Vermilion’s downtown - the area along Liberty Avenue bounded by the railroad tracks to the south, Ferry Street to the north, Sandusky Street to the east, and Decatur Street to the west - was very much alive and thriving. There was a bank, a bakery, a shoe-store, a lawyer’s office, a laundry, a haberdashery, a blacksmith shop, a flower shop, a dime-store, a dentist’s office, a bowling alley, a gift shop, a Western-Union office, an Ohio Edison office, a telephone company office, a movie theater, a library, a post-office, two hardware stores (one sold liquor), four auto dealerships, four gas stations, three saloons, three commercial fish houses, a lumber company, ten restaurants, and five grocery stores. (Sorry. No partridge in a pear tree.) In time many of these enterprises began to disappear. Some, like the auto dealers, simply required newer facilities with more space and relocated. Others, like several of the restaurants, just vanished. The entire transformation should not, however, be overstated. It was actually so subtle - gradual - that it was nearly indiscernible. But by the mid 1960’s very few emporiums founded during the first decade or two of the 20th century remained. Of them Hart’s Corner Drug Store (est. 1912) and George Rathbun’s Grocery Store (est. 1916) were, perhaps, the only businesses still being operated by the original owner or owner’s family. As one might rather easily suspect, due to its very nature, business at George Rathbun’s Grocery during later years had steadily decreased as business at local “Supermarkets” increased. Had George been a younger man he might have been concerned. But by the time this was taking place he was already well past the age where most persons hang up their work duds. Running his store was, therefore, more habit than necessity. And this, combined with a sincere desire to trade tales with an occasional visitor whilst the face of Vermilion outside his windows evolved, was the way he apparently opted to spend his golden years. For George certainly had some tales to tell. As a young man it is doubtful that his first vocational choice would have been that of operating a retail grocery business. And as seen in retrospect - it was not. George (Stuart / Stewart) Rathbun, born January 9, 1882 in Solon, Ohio, was like most young men then and now an adventurous spirit. He was probably still a teenager when he left home and signed on to work as a sailor on the Great Lakes. In a relatively short time he worked his way up the ranks to first mate on a freighter. In the bottom right inset photo George is pictured (to the right) on the deck of an ice covered vessel dressed in a heavy coat and hat, and puffing on a pipe that many persons who knew him may readily identify. Exactly how long Mr. Rathbun worked on the big boats is unknown (to this writer). However; by 1910 he had left the Lakes and was married to a Vermilion girl named Hattie (Abel). They had a son (Robert L.) and had begun working as Captain of a steam tug (a gill-netter named the “J.H. Driscoll”) out of the Port of Vermilion. He is pictured on the deck of the “Driscoll” in both the large photo and, again, with his crew in the inset [top left] dressed in a white shirt with the pipe - his unofficial signature - in his mouth. By 1915 or 1916 - after adding another son to their family (Harold J.) and having worked nearly 20 years on the freshwater fields of the Great Lakes in one capacity or another Mr. Rathbun - purportedly at the behest of his wife who had grown weary of his long absences from home and his safety in general - quit sailing and opened a grocery store on solid ground. And there he prospered. The family lived in a little house on the south side of Ferry Street near the corner of Washington Street. The Ritter Library Community Room now occupies the approximate site of that home. Hattie died in 1945. Son Harold moved to Illinois. Robert remained in Vermilion. Both men and their families prospered. And everyday George went off to his store where in “later years business had steadily decreased as business at local Supermarkets increased”. But that didn’t really matter - so long as there was a story to tell, and there was a person with which to share it. On Sunday July 28 1968 the pipe-toting, taletelling, adventurous spirit who became Vermilion’s the last “independent grocer” passed away at the age of 86 years. Those who knew him in a yesteryear will forever recall the white-haired gentleman; pipe in mouth; sitting aside the stove at the back of his store; and lost in quiet reflection; whilst the face of Vermilion outside his windows so gently unfolded.
Ref: U.S. Federal Census’ of 1910-20-30; U.S. WWII Draft Registration, 1942; The Elyria Chronicle Telegram, 7-29-68; Special Thanks to: the Vermilion Area Archival Society; Dave Rathbun, Linda (Rathbun) Rucins, and Claire (Rathbun) Ribble; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 10/16/08; Written10/12/08@1:52 PM.
AGAIN - ANOTHER NEW THING: This will not take the place of the "Macabre" stuff all the time - but will supplement whilst I search for more macabre stories to tell.
So stay tuned...
Number 11, 1902.–Volume 6.–Number 28.
A Horrible Death Mrs. Hattie G. Bayless Burned to Death
The entire community was shocked Sunday night to hear of the death of Mrs. G. Bayless at her home on Opperman farm near Axtel at about five o'clock Sunday afternoon. Her husband and child were at the barn when the accident occurred so it can only be conjectured as to the cause. The little boy returned to the house and found his mother's shawl and the carpet in flames and called his father telling him the house was on fire. He extinguished the blaze and search for his wife. He finally found her in the yard, dead. Her clothing was burned off and she was a horrible sight. It is supposed she caught fire while putting wood in the stove and ran out of the house finally falling and burning to death. Wednesday afternoon the funeral was held at the Axtel church Rev. A. G. Rupert of Vermilion officiating. A large number of sympathizing relatives and neighbors were present. Mrs. Hattie G. Bayless, nee Sperry was born in Vermilion April 27, 1861, was married to Fred J. Truxell December 10, 1874. To them were born for children two of whom are are living. She was married to Edward A. Bayless October 17, 1894 and to this union one child which is living was born. She was a kind and indulgent mother and pleasant to her friends always greeting them with a smile.
Struck Oil
Workmen while drilling the gas well for Mrs. Catherine Krapp have struck oil at 325 feet. While this strike was unexpected it may prove very beneficial from a financial standpoint drilling has been stopped in order to find what the flow will be. The oil, it is claimed, is of fine quality.
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Mrs. Geo. Bell went to Conneaut yesterday morning to meet the Captain whose boat is in port there. M. E. Lawless wishes those who desire to attend the “Messiah” concert at Oberlin the 19th inst. to notify him of the fact by Saturday of this week. Monday at the very latest, so that he can make the necessary arrangements. The Vermillion Gill-Netters Union now have a fine hall and club rooms of their own over Nuhn & Trinter's store. They have furnished the rooms nicely and have a cosy [sic] place to spend their evenings. May they always find a safe harbor in the stormy days. Mrs. C. L. Wagner of Sandusky carried off 17 of the premiums at the recent cat show in Cleveland. She is the owner of a number of valuable felines and recently refused an offer of $1000 for one of her pets.
Fire!
The house of Jack Lumley on the east side was badly damaged by fire Monday night. It is supposed that the fire started from the wood back of the kitchen stove. The interior of the kitchen in the upper story of the main part were badly scorched and the building will need considerable repairing to make it again tenantable. The furniture was mostly removed.
Real estate.
Frederick Driscoll to S. G. Neiding, lot 182, block 5, Vermilion Village; $2,700.
A Remarkable Change.
Friday night when the inhabitants of Nebraska city retired, that place was located on the Missouri River. When morning broke, lo, and behold the river was some 3 miles distant, their waterworks crippled and their small craft onshore. A big railroad bridge spanned a waste of dryland and things were generally demoralized. Thus it is with the willful Missouri.
Lake Shore Electric Railway. Timetable
Eastbound–First car leaves Vermilion at 5:57 AM and 3 minutes before the hour until 10:57 PM. Electric package at 11:57 AM and 3:57 PM Westbound–First car leaves Vermilion at 6:03 AM to 3 miutes after the hour. Last car leaves the Park switch at 12:55. Electric package at 9:03 AM and 1:03 PM.
Seeking new locations.
The Tucker Wood Rim Co. of Urbana, recently destroyed by fire will employ 75 men. The Ohio Haypress company want a building site and $1500. Wheelbarrows and specialties, Sturgis Mich. Will consider a proposition. Shoes–Bloom and Dubble, Jefferson Missouri. Rubber Specialties–pure gum specialty company Barberton Ohio. And many others.
Calvin J. Keith.
J. Keith was born at Mylan Ohio., October 18, 1854 and died at the Lake House, Vermilion, O. Sunday morning December 7, of consumption. Mr. Keith was well known about town having been a border at the hotel for four years. He was a fisherman by profession but had not fished any during the past year owing to ill health. He was a member of the Vermilion Gill-Netters Union and secretary of that body. Mr. Keith spent a portion of his life at Brownhelm. His living relatives are at Enuniolaw Wash., and consist of a father, two brothers and a sister. His mother died some time ago and together with one brother and his two children are buried at Brownhelm. His funeral was held from that M. E. Church, Monday Rev. A. G. Rupert officiating the remains being taken to Brownhelm. The although he had laid by a little of this world good, the amount of soon dwindled and the Union looked after him and cared for him and his last hours, following him to the grave. It is sad to die alone and far from one's relatives but in the presence of such organizations a person is not without a friendly helping hand.
Short News Briefs - Across the Nation.
Three unmasked men entered the Eagle club rooms at Pocatello,Idaho and robbed the place of about $1000. Two of the men advanced with drawn revolvers into the room in which there were not less than 35 men. The third man then marched around the gambling tables and gathered up all the money. The discovery of a new means of causing rhythmic beats in a strip of heart muscle is announced from the University of Chicago. The stimulus is oxygen and Dr. J. D. Lingle is the discoverer. Henry L. Gatchitt, who, as a lad, was the first newsboy in New York to cry his papers aloud, has just died at his home in Brooklyn, a rich man. The new associate justice of the United States Supreme Court Hon. Oliver Wendell Holmes, of Massachusetts, has taken the oath of office and entered upon the discharge of his duties. The Cheyenne Wyoming, opera house, owned by James M. Kerry, and valued at $50,000, burned recently. The Wyoming Tribune publishing Co., which occupied the basement of the building, suffered a loss of $15,000. Adjoining property was damaged and the total losses $75,000, covered by insurance. 40 people were sleeping in the building when the fire was discovered but all got out safely.
Crushed Under a Falling Wall.
Cleveland, Dec. 6.–While fighting fire at the Likly–Rocket plant at case avenue and Hamilton Street, Friday morning, Fireman Patrick Joyce of engine Company number 14, was killed by a falling wall and three of his companions were seriously injured. Two other firemen were slightly hurt. After the fire was apparently under control Chief Delaney ordered the men to go to the third floor, where the fire scene to a broken out afresh. They were toward the east side of the building, when a sudden wind threw down several bricks upon them. Chief Delaney and Lieut. McKenna ordered the men down, but it was too late. The walls fell and the men, five in all, were thrown and fell under the ruins. Delaney escape by jumping to the street.
Five Workmen Are Badly Burned.
Cleveland, Dec. 9.–Five workmen were burned by molten metal after an explosion at the Newburg mills of the American Steel and Wire Co. Sunday night. The explosion was caused by a cauldron of the white-hot metal coming in contact with snow. The explosion wrecked the cauldron threw them into the ground, and covered them with the molten metal. Their clothing was set afire and five were badly burden burned.
Don't Be Frightened.
About noon today (Thursday) the report came to us that there was a case of smallpox in town. The victim is Irwin McKee, a railway mail clerk and well-known resident. The house has been quarantined and all precautions taken, so there is little danger of spread of the disease.
Bound Over.
A Negro claiming the name of Walter Williams and Lorraine is his home was arrested Wednesday on a serious charge. He was bound over today and will probably receive a severe sentence.
Married Tonight.
It is currently rumored today that John A. Englebry retired furniture dealer and undertaker of this place is to be married to Miss Sarah Hine of Berlin this (Thursday) evening.
Hmmmmmm....
HARTS DRUG STORY WAS ALL HEART:This is not a terribly old photograph. Perhaps it's 50 years old. But I find it interesting because we're looking at what I thought to be "an institution" in the heart of downtown Vermilion: Hart's Corner Drug Store. Here we see Albert "Jim" Hart consulting with his friend and fellow pharmacist Joe Hohman. This is a part of the building that few people got to see. It was the "heart" of the business. Jim essentially rescued the business that his father started when Jim was a boy a bit after he left the Navy after World War 2. He was an astute businessman. He knew the value of a nickel and a dime, and made them work for him. The other "heart" of that business was Jim's soda fountain that exists to this day. Nobody, but nobody, knew more about building an ice cream sundae, a soda, a milkshake, a phosphate, or a triple-decker cone than Jim (Esmond Ice Cream). When I was in 4th grade I happened to read a story in a school book that described a hot-fudge sundae. After that I always tried to save a quarter from lunch and get to Hart's as soon as the bell rang. I learned to read from Hart. He sold comic books for a dime, Red Arrow, Superman, Donald Duck, Uncle Scrooge, and "the classics". He had toys, too. Model cars were my love. And then there were the people who worked there. My sister Nancy met her husband when she worked there. I worked there, and learned how to scrub and wax tile floors with Jim working right along with me. All the kids from the Vermilion Schools visited the place. Many of them worked there at one time or another. I know a great deal about the history of the building because Jim wrote it out for me. I use that information on my website. But I also know a bit about Jim as a human being. He's very exacting (which is an asset in the pharmacy trade - also ice cream), but he is also very generous. To my knowledge he never denied any needy person a prescription when they really, really were in need. It was not ever a matter of money. It was always a matter of "heart."
Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 5/16/02; Written 5/10/02.
SOMETHING OLD - SOMETHING NEW: Well, the months / years have gone by and I'm no closer to publishing a book than I was in the beginning. While content is not a problem I have some concern about the expense of the project. And though I could get it done at no expense (to me) I would relinquish significant control over content. And I don't really want to do that.
I came mighty close to purchasing the equipment to do my own publishing. However; the prospect of have the equipment in our livingroom trumped that idea. Additionally, I'm experiencing some troublesome eye problems. (What am I going to do print it by touch?) So - what to do.
Well, it only goes to show that - if it ain't one thing - it's another. Who said it would be easy?
Whether tis now or then the view along the river in Vermilion, O. is classic. I am surely glad that I was able to know the riverside as it was when the fish houses still occupied its banks. And I know that many, many long time citizens complained when that rustic view of yesteryear was eradicated by the building of the Fishermen's Bend condominiums. But it's still a pleasant scene to cast your eyes upon.
And as much as I thought the presence of the fish houses were nice there were some additional things that were not when the fishing industry was going strong. So what looks nice in a photo and / or painting of yesteryear really doesn't tell the whole story. Much like the demise of the steam locomotives along Vermilion's rails - they were misssed. But the downside was the smoke they added to the local atmosphere as they passed. You really had to be there to appreciate it.
December 11, 2010 9:02 AM.
THE FIRE-LANDS: I found the following information re: the early inhabitants of our area to be extremely informative. Methinks you will also.
I am getting better at transcribing these passages so there are fewer mistakes. But I like to read as I go - and sometimes I fill in the blanks. So tread carefully this trail through yesteryear.
The following series will take thee to the south of Vermilion in the Clarksfield area. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
SHERMAN
Sherman is township number, in range twentyfour, and is bounded as follows: on the north by Lyme township, south by Norwich township, east by Peru township, and west by the townships of Thompson and Reed, in Seneca county. It was named in honor of Taylor Sherman, Esq., one of the directors of the Fire-lands Company, and originally a large land holder in the township. The name was given at a meeting of the directors, held at New Haven, Connecticut, November 9, 1808. At this time the lands were divided by lot among those holding "sufferer's" claims. The surface is generally level, and the soil principally clay. Along the borders of the streams it is mixed with yellow sand, and is easily tilled. Away from the streams the soil is harder to work, but is productive, and improves very much with proper culture. This township contains but little waste land.
SETTLEMENT.
The following is principally from the "Memoirs of Sherman." by John E. La Barre: Daniel Sherman, (son of Taylor Sherman and uncle of General W. T. Sherman) Burwell Fitch and Samuel Seymour, were the first white settlers of the township. The year of their arrival was 1812. They were from Norwalk, Connecticut, and the last end of their journey was over what was then known as the Portage road, their teams being the first which travelled over it. The first night after leaving Newcomb's, in Bronson, was spent in the woods. They were not accustomed to this sort of a life, and were disturbed and considerably alarmed at the noise of the wild animals with which the surrounding woods abounded. They immediately eommeuced improvemeuts, in the secoud section. The first clearing was made on Sherman's land, and the next on that of Burwell Fitch. The first house in the township was built on the land of the latter. Daniel Sherman went to Lancaster in the fall of 1812. He returned in December, and the war having ensued, made his home in the block house of Charles Parker, west of Milan. There, in 1813, he married Abby Guthrie, and in March, 1814. returned to his home in Sherman township. He continued to reside in the township until 1825. Mrs. Sherman died in 1821, and mwas buried in the township burial ground. This was the first burial, and the second death in the township. In 1824 he married Laura Hubbell, and in February, 1825, removed to Ridgefield township, locating on the farm now occupied by S. D. Fish. Here he died September 27, 1864. Mrs. Sherman died December 31, 1876. Their children were as follows: Betsey, who was born November 5, 1814; married C. B. Hall, and is now deceased. William S., who was born January 20, 181'i', removed to Mansfield, where he died September 24, 1876. George Edwin, born in 1819, died July 6, 1831. Harriet E., who was born April 24, 1825; married Sidney D. Fish, and lives on the old homestead; and Charles W., who was born in 1827, and died in 1836. Taylor Sherman visited the township which bears his name, one season, during which he was taken with the "lake fever." He returned to Connecticut, and after lingering some time, he finally died from its effects. Burwell Fitch died in Sherman. He had four children: Mary Ann, who married Buck Chandler, of Bellevue. He died and she became the wife of Ephraim Felton, of Norwich; Susan, who married Alonzo Husted, of Lyme: Betsey, who married William West, of Fairfield, and Eliza, who married William Burns and moved to Iowa. Samuel Seymour was killed by the Indians. (See history of Ridgefield township.) Most of the early settlers located in the first, third, and fourth sections, the second not being in the market. No particular effort Avas made by the original owners to draw settlers that way, except, perhaps, by the Lockwoods. In 1814, land was held at one dollar and fifty cents per acre. — Blanchard came this year and bought fifty acres of land. Daniel Sherman gave him fifty acres more to induce him to settle, and the year following he began clearing his farm. Mr. Blanchard had no children, except a son by adoption named Samuel, who lived for a time in Sandusky, and from there he went Michigan. Mr. Blanchard died in Sherman. Rufus S. Paine moved into the township during the year 1816 or '17, and bought Blanchard's one hundred acres, on which he settled and lived until his death. Edwin Hanford, an early settler, died in Sherman, leaving three children, George, Edwin, and James. The following are among the early settlers: Valorous Richardson, H. Dascomb, who had a wife, was a baker. He soon removed to Sandusky, and from thence to the west. William Frink, the noted hunter, after whom Frink's run was named, had no family in Sherman. He died many years since in Seneca county, with his trusty rifle by his side. Captain Howard moved on to lots eleven and sixteen in the third section at an early date. He remained four or five years, and removed to Hartford. James Lewis and a man named Samuel Rice were living in the township in 1817. On May 19, 1817, Jonathan Fitch left Norwalk, Connecticut, for Ohio, in company with Adam Swan and John and Seth Keeler. The three horses owned by the party were harnessed in one team, and with this the journey was performed. Near Morristown, New York, they were overtaken by Captain Husted and Ezra Wood, who were also en route for Ohio by team. The company continued together until June 10th, when, having reached a point near Big Beaver bridge, Messrs. Husted and Wood took the right hand road to Clarksfield, while the remainder of the company continued on to Mansfield, in Richland county. Jonathan Fitch soon after came on to Major Landerhill's in Ridgefield township, and from there to Sherman township, where he took up his abode with Burwell Fitch. At this time there were four families on the fourth section. John Chany owned lot number nine, Nathan Shippy lot number three, Burwell Fitch lot number eight, and Jonathan Fitch purchased lot number thirteen. After making some improvements on his farm, Jonathan Fitch returned to Connecticut in the fall to get a helpmate. When near Pittsburg he met the companion of his former "voyage," Captain Husted and family, then "moving'" to Ohio. Mr. Fitch married Hannah Raymond on the 2d day of April, 1818, and started soon after, by team, on the return trip to Ohio, which State was reached in due time, without accident or material incident, other than those usually occuring in an over land journey to the western wilderness. We have no history of Mr. Fitch and wife, after reaching Sherman township. Joseph Purdy came from the State of New York to Huron county, Ohio, in 1818, locating in Sherman township in February of that year. In 1822, he removed to Townsend township. Some three years later he went to Cleveland and engaged in merchandising. This occupation was soon abandoned, and Huron county again became the home of the family. The parents finally settled in Branch county, Michigan, where they both died. The children are: Horace, who married Sally Thompson and removed to Michigan, where he died; Ransom, who married Sallv P. Bennett, and died in Bellevue, this county; and Major, who married Hannah Bennett, purchased a farm in lot number twenty-four, in section three, and still occupies it. Here the writer found him, hale and hearty; and, although time has changed his once jetty locks to a silvery hue, yet has left his mind unimpaired. He is the oldest settler now living in the...
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 - Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
AMOS: A GOOD FRIEND AND AMAZING PERSON: 1923. Here we are at the large metropolis of Axtel, Ohio. We're a their school. And this is the class. Back row (left to right): Arnold Palmer, Leonard Kroph, Amos Feiszle, Violet OUzel (teacher r: teacher who became Amos' sister-in-law), Grace Feiszle, Emma Barthalomew, Nedda Kroph, Erma Bauman, Mildred Geghimer. Front row (left to right): Clifford Washburn, Wilbur Standon, Charlie Palmer, Elmer Bristol. . Amos Feiszle is one of my favorite people. 1 had breakfast with him at the Nest Restaurant last Sunday. I'd been •. hunting for him for a week. 1 went to his church a week ago thinking I'd get to talk to him. Because of my bum leg 1 took the elevator to the sanctuary. 1 was ten minutes late to the service. 1 walked into the room and asked the usher if Amos was there. 1 was told that he wasn't. But 1 really, truly, wanted to talk to Amos. So last Sunday 1 took a chance. And there he was at our table for the Churchmen United Breakfast. What a guy. Amos is 91. He amazes me. He always did. He used to drive our Country Route for Mobile Meals. And when the weather started getting tough he decided Ito retire. He was in his late 80's. That was good thinking. Because I did that route after Amos left and landed on my butt delivering one day. Amos grew up in Axtel. His parents were farmers. They had 156 acres (I believe) just south of that water tower out there. The picture, here, is taken just outside that which became the Vermilion Grange Hall. Still standing, it's now privately owned. When I spoke to Amos he told me exactly where his family lived when they lived in separate places in town. He remembered the addresses precisely. Amos worked for the Wakefield Lighting Company and their predecessors for 47 years. Now he is a dedicated man. A great person. His sister, Grace, is also in the photograph. I'd not miss her for a moment. She married George Roberts. George had several gas stations in town. Grace is now, I believe, in a nursing home, and the children, Leslie Ennis, Lynn Hurd, Tom and the grandchildren are still about town. Amos has two boys. Glenn and Ed. Glenn recently retired from the city, and I don't know very much about Ed. I received. this photograph through Amos' daughter-in-law, Barbara West Feiszle, and I thank her.
Ref: Published in the Vermilion Photojouranl 5/30/02; Written 5/26/02.
THOUGHTS ON CHRISTMAS
• Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas. ~Johnny Carson • I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph. ~Shirley Temple • Oh look, yet another Christmas TV special! How touching to have the meaning of Christmas brought to us by cola, fast food, and beer... Who'd have ever guessed that product consumption, popular entertainment, and spirituality would mix so harmoniously? ~Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes • Christmas at my house is always at least six or seven times more pleasant than anywhere else. We start drinking early. And while everyone else is seeing only one Santa Claus, we'll be seeing six or seven. ~W. C. Fields • Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people once a year.” ~Victor Borge • Christmas begins about the first of December with an office party and ends when you finally realize what you spent, around April fifteenth of the next year." ~P. J. O’Rourke • The threat of Christmas hung in the air, visible already in the fretful look of passersby as they readied themselves for the meaningless but necessary rites of false jovialities and ill-considered gifts. ~Peter Dickinson • From a commercial point of view, if Christmas did not exist it would be necessary to invent it. ~Katharine Whitehorn • Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. ~Larry Wilde • Many banks have a new kind of Christmas club in operation. The new club helps you save money to pay for last year's gifts. ~Anonymous • In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukka' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukka!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!' ~Dave Barry •I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying, toys not included.” ~Bernard Manning • Were it not for the shepherds, there would have been no reception. And were it not for a group of stargazers, there would have been no gifts. ~Max Lucado • I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.” ~Harlan Miller • Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall. We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space. ~Dave Barry • Let me see if I’ve got this Santa business straight. You say he wears a beard, has no discernible source of income and flies to cities all over the world under cover of darkness? You sure this guy isn’t laundering illegal drug money?” ~Tom Armstrong • People can't concentrate properly on blowing other people to pieces if their minds are poisoned by thoughts suitable to the twenty-fifth of December. ~Ogden Nash • There has been only one Christmas -- the rest are anniversaries. ~W. J. Cameron
PODCAST #209:This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #209 is another very touching "Act of Culture" in a Food Mall.
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.
Also, please note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (when used) are done in the "Quicktime MP4" format. If you don't have "Quicktime" it's easy to find and free to download.
NOTE NOTE:Past podcasts are not available in the on-line archive. They just take up too much disk space. But if one really, really, really wants to acquire a copy of a past cast it can be had by contacting me and I will place it on a disc and send it to ye for a minimal fee.
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'".
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
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Vol.8, Issue 39, December 11, 2010
© 2010 Rich Tarrant