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P.O. Box 792
Vermilion, Ohio 44089

Vol. VIII,NO.35– February 9, 1905.

The condemnation proceedings in the case of the Cleveland South western Traction company against Christian Schoepfle and others were taken up before Judge Reed in common pleas court Thursday morning. After the jury had been impaneled the jurors were taken to Birmingham by Sheriff Hoffmannn to view the premises in question. Mr. Schoepfle claims that the company built its line across the corner of his property without his consent and that in so doing it did considerable damage to a spring. The company offered to settle but there is a difference of several hundred dollars between the traction company’s offer and what Mr. Schoepfle is willing to take.

A motion was filed by the plaintiff in the case of Louis Koehnle, administrator, vs. the Lake Shore railroad asking that the defendant be required to allow plaintiff to make an inspection of certain books and papers belonging to defendant. The plaintiff wants to know what is required of a bride worker.

Mrs. Elizabeth Sherart was born in Hesse Castle, Germany, May 7, 1823 and died at Vermilion, Ohio, Feb 6, 1905, aged 81 years and 9 months. She has lived in Vermilion for 70 years, the most of the time at the homestead on the Lake Shore Road.

Oct. 20, 1839, occurred her marriage to Jacob Sherart. Ten grown children, six sons and four daughters, were the fruit of this union. The husband, two sons, and one daughter have preceded her into the spirit world. Four sons and three daughters survive, also one sister. Mrs. Sherart joined the First Congregational church in 1843. There is only one living member whose name has been so long on the church roll.

An estimable life is closed. This goes without saying. No extended eulogy is needed. “Her children rise up, and call her blessed.” The long life has spoken, and spoke well, as the large circle of acquaintances know. Funeral today at 11 o’clock, standard, at the residence, conducted by Rev. Geo. E. Merrill.

The regular session of the Village council was held Monday evening with all members present except McGraw who had not been sworn in.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

A letter from Chas McGraw was read. He thanked the people for his election as councilman but declined to serve. His declination was accepted and at the next meeting the mayor will appoint someone to take his place.

Mr. Nieding reported on Mrs. Ritter’s windows which were broken by the firing of the cannon. He also included in his report the cost, which was a little over $2. The council accepted the report and ordered the windows replaced.

[VV Ed. Note: Though no reason is given for the firing of the cannons methinks one can assume that someone fired them on New Years.]

The matter of appealing the case of Ackerman vs. The Village of Vermilion was discussed to some length and finally postponed until later. It seems that in the opinion of some the town would expend more money annually upon the road, etc., in the territory that will be set off from the corporation than the taxes would amount to. The only question is concerning the railroads.

The bills were then read and a claim ordinance providing for their payment passed.

The electric line affairs were then brought up. There were man things, which needed attention but will probably not be brought up until Spring.

There being no further business the council adjourned until Tues. Feb. 14.

A singular accident happened to the midnight flyer at Port Clinton Monday night. The train excepting the engines left the track, the trucks on the baggage car were smashed and the track torn up for 60 or 80 feet. The other cars of the train bumped along over the break onto the track again. No one was hurt and the only damage done was to the trucks of a baggage car and the tearing up of the track. Traffic was delayed several hours.

It is thought the wreck was caused by a broken rail.

The following is taken from Saturday’s Plain Dealer:

Mrs. Anna Minch president of the Kinsman Transit Co., and the oldest and best-known woman in the shipping business, died at her home, No. 80 Kinsman St. at 7:30 o’clock last night. Mrs. Minch was the widow of Capt. Philip Minch, who before his death in 1887 was one [of] Cleveland’s largest vessel owners.

Mrs. Minch’s death was not wholly unexpected. She was past her eighty-sixth year and had been in poor health for some time. Recently a complication of diseases set in and she slowly and peacefully passed away. The funeral service will be held at 1 o’clock Monday afternoon at the house.

Mrs. Minch was born in Blankenheim Germany, and came to this country with her parents when sixteen years old. In 1841 she was married to Philip Minch then a shoemaker at Vermilion, O. There they lived for years during which time her husband slowly worked his way into the shipping business until at least he owned one of the largest fleets on the lakes. Thirty-two years ago they moved to Cleveland, where Capt. Minch continued in the vessel business until his death.

The estate was left to his wife who immediately took up the work attached to it and conducted the business with the assistance of her son, Capt. Peter Minch. Although she had no desk at the general office, no move was made until she had been consulted, and her advice practically always prevailed. She closely watched every angle of the business ventures and kept herself informed as to business conditions generally.

In 1892 one of the steamers of her fleet, the Western Reserve, broken in two in Lake Superior and her son, Capt. Minch, his wife, children, sister-in-law, and her children were drowned. Only one member of the crew escaped.

After this calamity the estate was divided into the Minch Transit Co. and the Nicholas Transit Co.

Of the former Mrs. Minch was vice president and of the latter president. This business she conducted successfully with the assistance of her grandson, Capt. Philip Minch. About four years ago she retired from the active business life she had followed so long, though still retaining an interest and office in the Kinsman Transit Co., which, was then organized. Of this she was the president.

Only recently Mrs. Minch spoke of pants for a trip to Lorain in March to christen a new 500-foot steel boat, the Philip Minch which the firm is building.

She was the mother of eight children only one of whom is now living, Mrs. Henry Steinbrenner of No. 92 Kinsman street. Fourteen grandchildren survive her.

[VV Ed. Note: This is a historically relevant piece of information. Most know who George Steinbrenner was; and most know of his connection to American Shipbuilding; but few know of the Steinbrenner link to the Minch shipbuilding dynasty; and fewer still know of the link of the family to Vermilion.]

We are hearing much concerning trusts of late. There’s the Beef Trust, the Steel Trust, the Paper Trust, and in fact the everything trust, but did you ever stop to consider how much easier it would be to combat these evils if it wasn’t for the greatest of all trust evils, the credit trust. We refer to the kind that is all trust and no pay. Ask any businessman concerning it and see what he has to say.

We are now having some real winter weather. How do you like it?

Some of our citizens are beginning to realize what we have at our doors. The cement block or artificial stone is coming more and more into use. We have along the lakeshore an endless quantity of sand. The other ingredients are manufactured within thirty miles of here. Why not establish an extensive business here for the manufacture of cement blocks? Quite a number have already been made and used here. Fine specimens may be seen in the Lake House foundation and in several residences built by W.A. Tischer.

At Milan parties have established a factory and are using sand from the gravel beds with considerable success.

The new union of mates and pilots is causing considerable discussion among the lake men. The president of the Lake Carrier’s Association declares that they will not recognize any association or union of pilots and in consequence there will be chance for another struggle this spring. It is to be hoped, however, that the parties concerned can get together and so adjust matters that when navigation opens there will be no delay in starting the boats.

Many breathed a sigh of relief when the news came that Pres. Beckwith of the wrecked Oberlin Bank had passed away.

Does anyone fully realize what that man had to think of? In the eager struggle for this world’s goods he made a fatal mistake. Through his actions, friends and neighbors, students, laborers, the widow, the orphan lost all. How much no one will know until the final settlement.

Fortunately for them help came but did not take away the sting of remorse. A trust had been imposed upon him, he proved faithless and disobedient.

While Mr. Beckwith may not have intentionally wronged anyone, the wrong was committed by him, and others equally trusted. The blow fell and he died from its effects.

If Mrs. Chadwick had fatally stabbed her victims her fate would be without questions, but is she not as much a criminal as though she had dealt such a fatal blow.

[VV Ed. Note: I’ve only been following this story, marginally, as I go through these old files so I don’t understand the reference to “Mrs. Chadwick”. I do know that Andrew Carnegie intervened in this bank failure and lessened its effect to some degree. If I find out who Mrs. Chadwick was, and what her part in this affair was, I’ll let ye know.]

It is claimed that the Sandusky and Norwalk division of the L.S.E. will be changed from the old route between Milan and Norwalk to the Lockwood road. Thus the trestles which are regarded as dangerous will be avoided. The road will pass near the Norwalk steel plant.

Born – Thursday Feb. 2 ’05 to Mr. and Mrs. John Nuhn a 12–lb. Boy.

Born – To Mr. and Mrs. John Rieber, Wednesday Feb. 8 ’05 a daughter.

Born – To Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Greenoe Saturday Feb. 4’05 a son.

Born – To Rev. and Mrs. Wm. G. Klein Wednesday Feb. 8 ’05 a daughter.

Mrs. Roth is on the sick list.

Several Vermilionites attended the funeral of Mrs. Minch at Cleveland.

A phone has been installed at the home of Mrs. Chas Parsons, and one at A.A. Blair’s near Birmingham.

The little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mahler who has been seriously ill with pneumonia is somewhat better.

Carl, the six-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Baumhart, had a successful operation performed in Cleveland last week, upon a growth which had developed in his nose.

Died – At her home on the State Road, Tuesday evening, Feb 7, 1905, Miss Maggie Miller, aged 38 years. Funeral services at the home Friday afternoon at 1 o’clock standard.

Mrms. Chas Decker is on the sick list this week.

Don’t forget to call 19 when you have a friend visiting you.

Geo. Rathbun and Miss Hattie Abell visited friends at Fairport Sunday.

Investigation is being made of the value of the electric railroads in carrying the mails. It is understood that as soon as Mr. Cortelyon assumes his duties as postmaster general a test will be made by placing mail coaches on the trolley lines of Ohio and Indiana and other states.

Mr. and Mrs. Chas Young prominent Sandusky County residents, were struck by a Lake Shore Electric car near Fremont Thursday. Mr. Young was instantly killed and Mrs. Young fatally injured.

Manager F.J. Stout of the Lake Shore Electric says that the road has had a heavier business so far in January than ever before in its history for the period. He said: “The traffic has become so heavy that we are figuring on either double-heading limiteds or running them in trains. We must certainly do something to relieve the situation. The local cars also between Fremont and Toledo and between Cleveland and Lorain are doing a very heavy business, in fact, nearly all the cars between the above named points are crowded.