NEW BUDS & BEGINNINGS
SHOPTALK: On the shop desk this week is a c.1930s pic of one of the first houses / cottages in the Vermilion Lagoons. I don’t know which lagoon this house was on, but it appears to have been there for enough time to have been lived-in for awhile.
The way things are today it may be that this place no longer exists. In the last several years folks have been inclined to purchase one or two of these properties; tear down the houses; and build a new, larger one.
On my home desk this week is a candy-colored photo painting of a hydrangea in our backyard. I’m partial to these shrubs, and I really like the color of this one. I’m kinda sorry that we’re going to be moving soon because I won’t ever see it grow into a large shrub. Perhaps I’ll be able to come back and visit.
CHANGES: I just spent about an hour or so on the telephone with my ISP trying to get my email account at the museum correctly configured. It’s been an off and on pain for several months. I now know the reason, but I doubt that anyone will want to know the details. Anyway, I now have over 2000 emails dating back to the first of March. I’d deleted most of them – but now they’re back. It should not be a problem in the future.
On Thursday I finally brought my large format printer to the museum (see pic below). It’s where it needs to be. While I’ve used it at home printing large items was quite a task in the cramped area where I kept it. It’s really an asset.
I also installed a new printer in the darkroom. This means that I won’t have to go up and down the stairs for my finished prints. This is for the film and glass negatives that will be developed.
Either the Ricoh or the large format Epson will be used to print books, posters and finished photographs.
I’ve begun work-rearranging things in the bindery room to accommodate some of the digital equipment and make more practical work and storage space. Much of the space has been taken up by the storage of old paper stock we’ll never use and sundry other items that we don’t need. It’s a good space, but it will require some rewiring and additional lighting in the near future.
And so we ch-ch-chug-a-long.
THE TECH GUY: Because I’m alone at the museum most of the time I’m in charge of technical problems (when they arise).
Thursday evening the electricity went out all over the area. It was the 2nd time that it happened this week.
The first time I didn’t notice any change with my equipment – but I did on Friday morning. My Q-See 4 video / security monitor quit sending emails to my home computer. Normally, I get quite a few notices from the museum at home. Anytime it detects movement around the building I receive an email alert.
Some of the trouble was related to the email trouble I had with the ISP that was already mentioned. But that was only part of the problem.
Although I have the security system on a back-up power source the modem is not. Consequently, when the power goes out and the modem comes back on it comes back on with a new IP address. That’s not been a big problem until now because the security system always recovered the new address. But for some unknown reason it didn’t this time.
So – to make a long story short: after fooling with all the settings for an hour or two (and making sure that they were all correct) I finally turned the system’s power off; waited; and turned it back on. It righted itself.
As my own tech guy I can honestly say that what I did was akin to whacking the back of a radio to get it working right.
Cripes. That’s another 2 hours I’ll never get back…
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MUSEUM SCHEDULE: Beginning now the museum will be open six days a week from 11 AM to 3 PM. We will be closed on Sundays and Holidays. We are located at 727 Grand Street in Vermilion across the street from Vermilion's historic E&R Church. The museum is open Monday thru Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM. A small admission donation of $3 (for adults) is requested. Children accompanied with an adult will be admitted free. For Special Tours call: 440-967-4555.
We are closed on Sundays and holidays.
Private tours during those hours and during the evening can be arranged by calling the museum, or stopping in to see us.
FIVE-OH-ONE-CEE-THREE: The museum is a 501(c)(3) organization. Consequently, all donations and memberships for the museum are tax deductible. This is retroactive to November of 2011.
Memberships for the VERMILION NEWS PRINT SHOP MUSEUM are always available. Funds generated will go toward the aforementioned renovations and maintenance of the shop.
If you would like to become a member the VNPSM you can send a check or money order to:
Vermilion Print Shop Museum727 Grand Street Vermilion, Ohio 44089440.967.4555.Cell:440.522.8397
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK:Take the time to visit us on Facebook. Click on the badge below and stop in. We'll keep adding pix as we go along. If you're in the area come on in. I try to be there in the a.m. most everyday. If you see a Chevy Silverado in the drive with the plate "MRCOOKR" stop by and see what's cooking.
Historically,
SOMETHING ABOUT VERMILION POET HELEN KELSEY FOX: Vermilion poet Helen Kelsey Fox was certainly no Emily Dickinson. But on the other foot - who is? I stumbled across her poetry while reviewing some microfilm files of The Vermilion News from 1901. What follows is an excerpt from her poem, “I Would I Were a Child Again”.
I would I were a child again/To roam among the clover,/To wander by my dear old home/With meadow lark and plover./What honeyed hours I then enjoyed,/The like I ne’er shall see,/No matter where I am employed/Or what my life may be...
The poem is fair, but hardly unique for American newspapers of those times. My initial take on the piece was that it was just used to fill space on the printed page. Nonetheless I was curious so, of course, I “Googled” her. To my surprise I found mention of her in two places. Carl Van Vechten gives her a paragraph in his book “The Merry-Go-Round (1918). While in Frank L. Boyden’s “Popular American Composers” (out of copyright) she is afforded five full paragraphs. And though I’ve yet to discover any of her work in print - outside the pages of The News - I’m sure that it exists. One of her compositions, “A Song of Lake Erie”, was published by the Success Music Co. of Chicago during the summer of 1901, and was sold as a souvenir at the “Groves” (i.e. Linwood Park and Shadduck’s Grove) for 50 cents.
Reviewing her biographical data I was a bit put off. Whenever anyone uses phrases such as “artistic temperament”; “poetic nature”; and “lyric mentality” I am inclined to think that the truth is being dramatically enhanced. And when more than passing mention is made of a person having been descended from European royalty - in this case a French nobleman and a German princess - as if this lineage had something to do with their said talent, I found myself ready to quit reading. But when I further discovered in both accounts of her life that she was apparently so imbued with the “poetic spark” (another one of those phrases) that she was said to speak in rhyme half the time, I just knew there there was something about Helen that wasn’t being said.
Born on a farm 4 miles south of the Village of Vermilion in 1850 Helen was the only daughter of Mary A. Riblet and Daniel Kelsey. Her biography indicates that It was from her mother that the poet inherited her “rare spiritual gifts” and royal lineage. [The Riblets were actually a prominent Vermilion farm family.] It has been said that Helen’s talents were noted at a very early age, and that she quickly developed an exceptional ability as a writer of both prose and poetry.
Right around 1874 she met and married a Berlin (Heights) man named Theadore Fox. By 1880 the couple had a son, Joel, and a daughter they named after Helen’s mother Mary. Sometime during the following decade the couple divorced, and in December of 1890 Helen, who was then living alone with her widowed mother along Risden Road, fell ill and was not expected to survive. But survive she did. And by the early 20th century she was beginning to establish herself in north-central Ohio as a respected writer and composer. But then her fortunes seemed to turn downward.
In late January of 1907 a story appeared on the front page of the Richwood Gazette in Union County, Ohio beginning with the headline “ A Pitiful Case”. It seems that Mrs. Fox, who had apparently been living with her daughter in that area, was receiving treatment at the Marysville hospital with a nervous condition, which - as the newspaper report put it - had “dethroned her reason”. Helen, who the newspaper referred to as having once been “one of the brightest literary lights on the stage” was being transferred to the Erie County Infirmary for further treatment. She never recovered.
In the U.S. Census of 1920 she is listed as being an inmate of the Toledo State Hospital. And on the 25th day of April the following year there she died. She was laid to rest at Maple Grove cemetery not too far from her childhood home. Had she an epitaph on her grave it might have been the last line of her childhood poem: I would I were a child again/To roam amid the clover,/To hear the meadow-lark’s sweet song/But ah, those days are over.
VHS CLASS OF ’60 SEEKS “LOST” MEMBERS: The 1960 class of Vermilion High School is planning their 55th year reunion and there are several classmates whose addresses are unknown. The reunion is planned for Sunday, September 13, 2015, beginning at 2 P.M at the Vermilion Boat Club. There will also be other meet and greet opportunities in the two days before. We want to make every effort to contact all class members and we need the help of the public to make this possible. Please look at the following list of “lost” class members and, if you know their whereabouts, please contact SANDRA YEAMANS NEIDING AT 967-4190.
Missing are: Penny Clague, Judy Eagan, James Hill, Robert Holtcamp, Billy Kay, Judy Lowery, Ray Luna, Wayne Rohrbaugh and Marjorie Sipos.
"Sail On" VHS class of 1960. Your 55th reunion is fast approaching! We will meet on Sunday, September 13th, at the Vermilion Boat Club on Liberty Avenue for dinner, remembrances, door prizes, and fun in general. If you have not already signed up, please contact Carol Loucks Kress at 967-9472. The cost is $40 per person and reservations need to be in soon. There will be other pre-reunion activities to be announced shortly and lots of fun to be had by all. – Correspondent Sandy Neiding
BY THE WAY:
Also, the night before a VHS Champion Football team will gather at Rudy's Bar and Grill to sign a large poster of the team and fraternize.
SPENDING TIME 1907: In my spare time I’ve been wandering through 1907 Vermilion, O. getting to know the people and things that were “happ’n” back then:
Early in the year (2 February) a fella named “George Rathbun 25, Vermilion, mate on steamer, and Miss Hattie Delight Abell, 24, Vermilion, schoolteacher”, were married by Rev. Kaley; the minister of the First Congregational church. By 1920 George would trade his lake job for a land job as proprietor / owner of a grocery business on Liberty street at the site of what is currently (2015) a quaint little eatery called “Simple Pleasures”. The couple had two sons, Harold and Robert. Bob married a local girl named Dorothy Haines and - well a person doesn’t have to be around town too long before meeting a member of the Rathbun family or someone who knows one of them.
1907 was also the year that Vermilion High School graduated its first class of 4-year students. Friday May 31, 1907 “marked the first commencement of the Vermilion High School since the adoption of the Four Year Course, and the granting of the First Grade Charter by the State Commissioner of Schools.” Graduating were “Misses Grace Risden, Bessie Sherod, Edna Trinter, and Lottie Burrell, Messrs. Ralph Gegenheimer, Thomas Bottomley and Hazen Thompson.”
Those familiar with local history will definitely recognize most of these names. And I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing, but I actually knew and well remember two of these persons. Tom Bottomley was my great-uncle (and a great uncle he was) and Hazen Thompson and his family were good friends of my family. My uncle, incidentally, had a very successful career as a Cleveland pharmacist and helped form the Gray Drug Store chain way back when. But as stated most of these persons appear in local histories – both oral and written. The VHS Class of ’07 was apparently a very good one.
In late June Mr. William Wakefield died. He was 73. Mr. Wakefield was born at Stanton by Bridge, Derbyshire, England August 17, 1834 and migrated to America permanently in the spring of 1873. He came to Vermilion in the early years of the 20th century from Cleveland to live in the place where most of his children had settled; and where his son, Fred, had established a brass lighting company (i.e. the F.W. Wakefield Co.) in 1906. Like the Rathbun family a person doesn’t have to be around town too long before meeting one (or more) of William’s descendants.
My great-grandmother Helen Forster Roscoe of Milan, O. died the same week as Mr. Wakefield. She was only 71. She had been ill for some time and her illness was reflected in the size of the newspaper for several months preceding her death. It contained very little local news.
Shortly after her demise the NEWS got thicker, and this story appeared: Two “Mensa midgets” named Dell Miller and Thomas Smith took rooms at Vermilion’s Wagner Hotel and proceeded to rent a horse and buggy from L. J. Decker’s Livery (In 1907 the livery was located where the new addition to the Ritter Public library is now.) telling Decker that they were driving to Ceylon Junction on business. Ceylon at that time was a busy little farming community and rail stop. After failing to return they were found in Sandusky and were promptly placed behind bars. It seems that the rented horse had dropped dead about four miles south of Sandusky after being over-driven; and the men had sold the buggy for $13 and pawned the harness for $3. The bizarre nature of this story, though unsaid, leads me to believe that spirits other than the human type may have had some role in their performance. Mr. Miller was convicted of horse stealing and larceny. And as a consequence was awarded a room at the Ohio “Pen”. Evidently Mr. Thomas, like Mr. Decker, had also been duped by Miller and as such narrowly avoided becoming Miller’s cellmate.
At the end of August two new fish tugs were in the harbor and touted as being “The Best That Can Be Built”. One of the tugs was for the Leidheiser brothers. The other belonged to Driscoll Fish. The Driscoll tug, aptly named the J. H. Driscoll it was reported, “ went out for a trial trip one day last week. The boat is everything that can be expected and behaved splendidly in the rough sea that was running at the time. The boat is approximately 68 feet long, 15 feet beam, about 8 feet in depth, and 27 tons registered. The engine is a 12 x 12 and will develop between 70 and 75 HP and was built to make 10 mph although probably doing better. Mr. F. E. Cater, the engineer, assisted in laying the keel and has been with the boat off and on during its construction. The inspector complemented him greatly on the piping and arrangements for machinery. Capt. “Billy" Gilbert is master.” A photograph of the tug (the one accompanying this essay) appeared with the article.
Although the old weekly didn’t have a sports page baseball had always been an extremely popular pastime, and the Vermilion Independents of 1907 had become well known throughout northern Ohio. In the September 7th edition of the paper the following article appeared: “The fans at Crystal Beach Labor Day were treated to a game that had to go 11 innings to decide a winner, and in addition to this the Independents had on the rubber a girl wonder, Miss Weiss, who showed the wake and aggregation that they were up against it for the first five innings that she officiated as the slab artist, as they were only able to secure four measly hits in one tally for their share of the game.” This was the first mention in the local paper of Alta Weiss who would later gain fame as a talented female semi-professional baseball pitcher in both minor and major league venues in the U.S.
I’ve three more months to spend in 1907, and then I’ll move on to ’08 and so on. I believe that it was a banner yesteryear in the history of our town. But then again, they all were.
AGAIN - ANOTHER NEW (NOW OLD) THING: Initially I said that "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." But methinks that it's carved out a niche for itself and the "Macabre stuff" with have to find another.
So stay tuned...
The compulsory education law, of particular interest in connect connection with the opening of the public schools, is as follows:
Section 4022-2, no child under 16 years of age shall be employed or be in the employment of any person, company or corporation, during the school term, and while the public schools are in session, unless such child shall present to such person, company or corporation, an age and schooling certificate herein provided for. An age and schooling certificate shall be approved only by the superintendent of schools, or by a person authorized by him, in city or other districts having such superintendent, or by the clerk of the Board of Education in village, special and Township districts not having such superintendent, upon a satisfactory proof of the age of such minor, and that he has successfully completed the studies enumerated and check Sec 4022–1 of the revised statute of Ohio; or if between the ages of 14 and 16 years, a knowledge of his or her ability to read and write legibly the English language. The age and schooling certificates shall be furnished by the state commissioner of common schools, and the same furnished, in blank, by the clerk of the Board of Education. Every person, company or corporation employing any child under 16 years of age, shall exact the age and schooling certificate prescribed in this section, as a condition of an employment, and shall keep the same on file, and shall upon the request of the truant officer hereafter provided for the permit him to examine such age AND schooling certificate, employing any minor contrary to the provisions of this section, shall be fined not less than $25 no more than $50 dollars.
The ladies are invited to attend the opening display of the millinery at Miss Wagner store Thursday of next week.
As administratix of the estate of Richard J. Jarrett, Jare Jarrett has brought suit to quiet title of Berlin Township property. The suit is against the unknown heirs of Cornelius Smith, Aaron Root and others. She seeks to have the claims of the defendants declared null and void, and asked that three mortgages one executed in 1850, another in 1854, and a third in 1856, be canceled. The plaintiff and grantors have been in possession of the property for more than 21 years.
The required time having elapsed for the Council of Huron village to make answer, and they not having been heard from, Judge Sloan, Monday issued an order in favor of the Erie County Mutual Telephone Company. The company having sought relief in probate court after the Council of Huron refused them a franchise to employ the streets, alleys and public places of that village for the erection of stringing wires, etc., for telephone lines.
Myrtle Heath is the plaintiff in a suit for divorce from William Heath to whom she says in her petition, she was married at Berlin Heights, September 3, 1889. The parties have two children, one six years of age; the other three. Drunkenness and cruelty of the alleged grounds upon which Mrs. Heath bases her claim for legal separation. Her husband, she avers, while under the influence of liquor, has threatened to kill her and otherwise made life a burden. Mrs. Heath asks for a divorce, custody of the children and an order restraining Heath from disposing of any of their property as he has, it is charged, threatened to do.
Mrs. Helen Kelsey Fox was committed to the state hospital at Toledo Friday. Mrs. Fox has been in ill health for several months in this together with other troubles is probably the cause for misfortune. She has always lived in or near Vermilion and her many friends here will be sorry to learn of her affliction.
[VV. Ed. Note: See the story about Mrs. Fox above.]
Items dropped in the NEWS box at the post office MUST be signed otherwise we cannot publish them. The names of course are not published but we must insist upon this world own protection. – Editor
While at work on Wilson's threshing machine on the farm of Geo Risdon Tuesday, George Trinter met WITH PARALYSIS an accident which but for the timely assistance companions would have cost his life. He was pitching bundles into a self-feeder when the bundles in the barn behind him came tumbling down throwing him headfirst into the machine. Workmen seeing the accident threw the belt off immediately and stopped the machine. He was completely buried in bundles and those that had fallen ahead of him was all that saves him from the knives. Besides being rather unnerved for a time no evil results followed the experience.
Tuesday, September 24 07, at some dusky, oh., Occurred the arranged marriage of George F. Chrisman of this place and this mod are. Jenkins of Huron. The couple left for a trip to Toledo and through Indiana on a visit to the bride's relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Chrisman will make their home here.
Tuesday Mrs. B. F. Bond, wife of Dr. Bond of this place was stricken with paralysis and now lies at the point of death at her home on Liberty Street. This is the third stroke and no hopes of recovery are entertained. The deepest sympathy of the village is extended to the family.
Mrs. Joseph Gawne is reported quite ill.
Mrs. Henry Kane is reported seriously ill at her home in Brownhelm.
A daughter was born to Dr. and Mrs. Turner a daughter, Sunday, September 22.
The funeral of Mrs. George Grant was held at St. Joseph's church Saturday morning.
The marriage of Miss Lulu Bell Bailey and Mr. Samuel A. Slack will take place., Thursday, September 28 at the home of the bride's parents.
BORN - to Mr. and Mrs. Mike Moune East Quarry Sunday, a son.
Bert Jenne was bitten Thursday by Mr. Eppley's dog. He thought little of it until Sunday when the woman began to swell. Hydrophobia is now feared.
Word from Lakeview Hospital, Lorain brings sad news of Miss Alice Hearn. It is said that she is dying at this writing. No operation was performed as it was found to be too late.
It is stated by physicians in charge that John Wurmsnest Sr., is a victim of cancer. He has been suffering from stomach trouble for a long time.
In excavating for a seller of the property of the B.A. Kuss what is thought to be a gold mine was found. The substance has been sent to experts for analysis.
Miss Alice Herne was taken to St. Joseph Hospital, Lorain for an operation last week. Several months ago Miss Herne underwent an operation at Elyria Hospital has received no benefit from it. It is hoped she will be benefited this time.
Mrs. JR Miller is reported early all at her home west of town.
Mrs. John Lee is dangerously ill at this writing.
Ms. Callie Brett Barnes who has been spending a week in evening with her sister returned home Tuesday.
A number from this place attended the fair at Sandusky Fairgrounds week before last.
Mrs. B. N. Goodsell of this place is seriously ill at this writing.
News reached here one day last week of the death of Mr. Fred Hollister of Toledo Ohio. The deceased wife was a sister of Frank Barnes of this place.
Mrs. George Knott spent Sunday at Collins.
Mrs. Keziah Warner, who has been ill for some time died Saturday evening at the home of her mother, age 26. She underwent an operation at Toledo last spring and never recovered. She leaves to children.
The switchmen on W. & L. E. Ry. have been on strike since Thursday. The company has a large number of men in their places in trouble was feared. However all is quiet and but five arrests have been made. Marshall LaVoo and a force of deputies are on duty on the east side.
George W. Pelton was born in Vermilion, Erie County, Ohio, August 23, 1865 and died September 16, 1907 age 72 years and 24 days. On July 5, 1858 he was married to a Adalia A. Klady; one son was born to them. He had always lived near his childhood home and was loved and respected by all who knew him. His honesty, hospitality and his pleasant ways made friends of all who came in contact with them. He was a patient suffer and bore his pain without a murmur; patiently waiting for the end which he fully realized was near. He leaves a wife, one son, a daughter-in-law, one grandchild, one sister and a host of friends to mourn his loss.
Mrs. Emma Gardner Chase passed away at her home in Exchange St., September 17th, 1907, at the age of 64 years and 10 months, having been born at Farmington, Penn. November 17, 1842. She was married to Edgar M. Chase March 17, 1867. He entered the other life May 21, 1901. Three children were the fruit of this union. Of these Carrie died in infancy and the others are: Mrs. F. E. Hartwell, Key West, Florida; Mrs. Edith Gordon, Vermilion, Ohio. Other surviving near relatives are; Stephen B. Gardner, the aged father, now in his 90th year, of Auburn, Iowa; three grandchildren, Grover and Ralph Hartwell, and Ruth Gordon; two sisters, Mrs. D. T. Hull, of Hawkeye, Iowa; Mrs. G. E. Utter, of Long Island, Kansas.
Mr. and Mrs. Chase were well known in this vicinity. They were engaged in business at Linwood Park 14 summers and she continued for three summers longer, giving up her concession at the close of the 1903 season. Mrs. Chase’s passed her life in Pennsylvania, Iowa and Ohio. For 10 years Vermilion has been her home. She joined the Congregational church in 1897 by letter. Her faith was a strong one and the rich source of comfort as she realized her days were numbered. Only Mrs. Utter of the widely scattered near relatives away from here was able to attend the funeral services held Friday last at 1 PM. Her pastor, Mr. Merrill, read from Scriptures two of her favorite Psalms and used a passage from one, the 103rd, as the basis of his address in which he spoke disserved words of praise of the life just ended here. A trio from the Congregational church sang. The wide circle of acquaintances in this vicinity extends sympathy to all the bereaved ones, especially realizing by reason of their residing here the loss to the daughter and granddaughter's living in the home with Mrs. Chase.
Was somewhat of thy lofty faith / We lay the outworn garment by,/ Give death but what belongs to death,/ And life the life that cannot die."
Nick Young was taken to the infirmary at Sandusky Sunday.
George Blanchet who was accidentally shot a few weeks ago returned to the hospital at Lorain again.
The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alheit is recovering from an attack of pneumonia.
The new fish tug building at Lorain for Bert Madison the probably be launched next week.
[VV. Ed. Note: This means that they were building a new tug for Mattison – not that they were building a building.]
Capt. Adam Lapp and crew are expected home from Erie this week.
Born – Friday, September 21 07, to Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Decker a daughter.
Born – to Capt. and Mrs. Hess Friday, September 21 07, a son.
A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Abell one day last week.
Born – to Mr. and Mrs. John Dickel, Friday, September 20, 07, a son.
Frank Goff had the misfortune to lose a fine young cow last Sunday by lead poison, so pronounced by Dr. Turner of Amherst was in attendance during the sickness.
Mrs. Sullivan was been confined to her bed for the past six weeks, does not improve as fast as her friends could wish.
Cloudy Noel and family have returned to their home in town from their summer home on the river.
Ms. Clara Wakefield left Sunday to enter college at Hiram.
FOR SALE CHEAP-a soft cold stove. Enquire at the NEWS office.
Miss Weiss the girl picture who works for the Vermillion independence, held the Lorraine All-Stars to six hits Sunday at Crystal Beach. She lost her game 6 to 5 because the team back of her did not field right. Seven errors were marked up.
Miss Weiss me to hit, had to put outs and three assists. She made an error, attendance 2364.
Hmmmmmm....
TIME STAYS – WE GO: Sifting though an old cabinet at the museum I came across some very interesting items. Among them were several manuscripts for a column local historian George Wakefield wrote for the NEWS back in the 1950s. It was called “When The Boys Wore Blue”. My sister, Nancy Alice Emery, who used to prepare his column for print on the Linotype (type setting machine) always said George’s handwriting was extremely difficult to decipher. That was not an overstatement. George’s script is actually quite beautiful. But for most of us it may as well have been done in cursive Arabic. It’s a veritable wonder that it ever got to press. But I digress.
Beneath the manuscripts was a small manila envelop with “old paper” written on it in my late father’s equally enigmatic handwriting. When I opened it I found an old copy of page six of the Sandusky Star Journal from July 14, 1928 (pictured). The finger is pointing to the article; 'Lo' Looms In Vermilion History. A man named James A. Ryan wrote the piece. Ryan, the son of Irish immigrants, had started out in the composing room of the Sandusky Register when he was only 11 years old. He was an author and reporter for several Sandusky newspapers as well as the Cleveland Plain Dealer; served as Sandusky’s postmaster during WW1; and had once been Press Agent for Cedar Point. And thus do I digress again.
In any case, the article presents a very intriguing and concise history of Vermilion, Ohio from being host to the Sandusky, Tawa, and Chippewa Native American people to the “Village of Lake Captains” of 1928. While many may know most of this history there are a few things that are known only by but a few – and still other things that are in need of further verification before they become factual. Those are, of course, the “intriguing” items.
One of the better-known things about the town that appears in this article is the reason Vermilion came to be spelled with a single el. It was changed in 1898 by order of the U.S. Post Office department in an effort to avoid mail confusion between Vermilion in Erie County and Vermillion in Ashland County in Ohio. Some of the lesser-known facts are that in 1842 the federal government appropriated funding for improving the harbor and the building of a lighthouse eventually leading to the development of shipbuilding, commercial fishing and the export of grain and stone. However, when the railroad came to town in 1853 “the business of the port disappeared entirely.” The town then became noted mostly for its commercial fishing businesses and as an extremely alluring summer resort. During the summertime the village population would double.
Among the more captivating things in Ryan’s article – and less verifiable – is the story that just prior to the War of 1812 the English Army had an encampment in town near the mouth of the river where they kept a stockade as well as a hut for wounded soldiers. According to late Vermilion Mayor, Mr. H.R. “Squire” Williams, the remains of thirty-seven Kentucky Infantry men taken as prisoners in a battle along the Maumee and Sandusky rivers (probably the Siege of Fort Meigs) were discovered during the excavation of Vermilion’s water filtration plant early in the 20th century.
I would point out here that no “public” mention of such a discovery was made in the NEWS when the water plant was being built in 1904. However, I have no reason to doubt its veracity. That’s because an almost identical account given by Williams’s (albeit more graphic) also appears in another history (1934) by Marjorie Loomis Cherry. Unfortunately we’ll never really be able to determine the true identity of those remains with any certainty. Ms. Cherry appropriately ends her account of Mr. Williams’s story with the words from a Whittier poem: “And the city lots are staked for sale,/ Above our soldiers’ graves.”
But there’s one more fascinating item: During the same excavation that unearthed the soldiers it was discovered that long ago our river flowed into Lake Erie from two locations. In the yesteryear, just to the west of the river mouth that we now know there was said to be a small island and the river flowed around it. Over time timbers, branches and other debris clogged the stream permanently closing the outlet. Ryan described the area back in 1928; “The slight depression surrounding the homelike residence on the little elevation plainly shows the course of the river when it entered the lake to the west of the present opening.”
This clearly suggests that the “residence on the little elevation” is the older / larger house on the lake just west of the river currently the home of my good friends Dale “Shorty” and Mary Louise “Tootie” Reisinger. It further suggests that the lower part of Main Street was once a branch of the river, and that the beach was the second mouth of the stream. (Amazing.)
In the words of Henry Austin Dobson: “Time goes, you say? Ah no! / Alas, Time stays, we go.”
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 townships south of Vermilion. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
These proceedings led to a protracted litigation, in which the question of title was thoroughly investigated by the courts, and eventuated in a more full and satisfactory confirmation of the same to the purchasers. Perhaps these would have been obtained had no such controversy arisen. Still the claimant persisted in his illegal acts until a conviction on a criminal charge, and narrow escape from the consequences thereof, induced his final absence from the neighborhood.
During the fall of the year 1833, was erected a double log house, for a boarding house, which stood upon the bank immediately in front of the site of the "Island House." Mr. Luther Dodge, with his family, occupied the boarding house upon its completion, he having been appointed superintendent of the interests of the Messrs. Kelley, and having moved to the island a short time previously. During the winter of this year, the present wood dock was commenced, and enough completed to afford a landing for steamboats, which, in the following spring, commenced "wooding" therefrom. During the year following, Mr. Julius Kelley, son of Mr. Datus Kelley, was in charge, and was succeeded by his brother, Mr. Addison Kelley, who, from that date until the removal to the island of Mr. Datus Kelley, in 1836, remained in charge of the business of the firm.
A short time after the building of the south side wood dock, was built the stone dock at the north side, and, a few years subsequently, by Horace Kelley, the dock now owned by Mr. Charles Carpenter.
At this date, and up to the winter of 1837-8, the island constituted a portion of the township of Danbury, and was included within the limits of Huron county. During the winter of 1837-8, was created the county of Erie, and the island, as a part of Danbury township, was set off into that county.
On the 21st of January, 1840, in accordance with the prayer of a petition to the legislature to that effect, it was enacted that "all that tract and territory of land known as Cunningham's Island, situated on the south side of Lake Erie, within the county of Erie, be and the same is, hereby constituted a township to be known and distinguished as the township of Kelley's Island."
By section second of the same act, the islands, known as the Bass Islands, were constituted a township called Van Rensalaer, in the said county of Erie.
On the 6th of March, 1840, was passed the act creating the county of Ottawa, which county included within its boundaries the new island townships of Kelley's Island and Van Rensalaer.
The first election for organization as the township of Kelley's Island, was held on "the first Monday in April, 1840. The total number of votes polled was fifteen. Chester Stocking, Walter Beardsley and Ephraim T. Smith were appointed judges, and George C. Huntington and Addison Kelley, clerks. Addison Kelley, Oliver Emory and Walter Beardsley were elected trustees; Horace Kelley, treasurer; Datus Kelley, clerk; John Titus and Hezekiah Bickford, overseers of the poor: Chester Stocking. George Wires and Henry Provost, fence viewers; Joseph Willett, constable; Henry Harris, supervisor of highways. George C. Huntington was elected justice of the peace, his bonds being filed and accepted on the 8th of June following.
In May, 1840, "An election was also held for county officers for the new county of Ottawa, and the returns duly made to the temporary seat of justice at Port Clinton."
As the population of the island increased, and as its business connections, from its geographical position, were entirely with Sandusky (nothing but legal, township, and jury matters calling the inhabitants to Port Clinton), its political connection with Ottawa county became very irksome, and determination was formed to effect a separation therefrom, and its reinstatement as a township of Erie county. A petition was, therefore, presented to the legislature to that effect, and in February. 1845, was passed by that body, an act which "set off that tract and territory of land known as the township of Kelley's Island into the county of Erie." Thus, within the space of some seven years, or from the winter of 1837 and 1838 to that of 1844 and 1845, the island formed a component part of two townships and four counties, counting Erie, first and second time as two, and it is remarked, "that of four children of Mr. Addison Kelley, born in the same house, no two were natives of the same township and county." But, as in detailing the history of the organization of the township, the natural order has been anticipated, return will be made to a few events that occurred prior to that date.
The Messrs. Kelley, after perfecting their title to the fee of the entire island, and obtaining possession of the same, commenced a system of improvements, in the building of wharves, etc., to facilitate the sale of the products of the island, such as wood, cedar, stone, etc.
Aware that the encouragement of emigration would the more rapidly develop the resources and enhance the value of their purchase, they at once proceeded to place their lands in market, at fair prices, and upon liberal terms of payment, at the same time endeavoring to make judicious discrimination as to character for thrift, industry, etc., of such of the settlers as might wish to become purchasers. The result of this care has ever been apparent.
The earliest purchasers of lands directly from Dr. I. Kelley, were Addison Kelley, John Titus. James Hamilton, Julius Kelley, Horace Kelley, J.E. Woodford, G.C. Huntington, Patrick Martin, Bernard McGettigan, S.S. Duelle and James Estes, most of whom, or their descendants, are still occupy…
CROW: This is a photograph of a metal plate from the print shop that was used for advertising Vermilion’s Crow Lumber Company for many years.
As some might surmise this image has been change (180) in order to show it as would appear after it has been printed.
The museum has a collection of no less than a thousand similar plates that were used during the shops lifetime. There are numerous items like this pertaining to businesses; and there are also many that were made from photographs taken of people, places and things about the town during those years (1897-1964).
The Crow plate is a beauty.
An old woman walked up and tied her old mule to the hitching post. As she stood there, brushing some of the dust from her face and clothes, a young gunslinger stepped out of the saloon with a gun in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other. The young gunslinger looked at the old woman and laughed, “Hey old woman, have you ever danced?”
The old woman looked up at the gunslinger and said, “No… I never did dance… Never really wanted to.”
A crowd had gathered as the gunslinger grinned and said “well, you old bag, you’re gonna dance now,” and started shooting at the old woman’s feet.
The old woman prospector — not wanting to get her toe blown off — started hopping around. Everybody was laughing. When his last bullet had been fired, the young gunslinger, still laughing, holstered his gun and turned around to go back into the saloon.
The old woman turned to her pack mule, pulled out a double-barreled shotgun, and cocked both hammers. The loud clicks carried clearly through the desert air, and the crowd stopped laughing immediately.
The young gunslinger heard the sounds, too, and he turned around very slowly. The silence was almost deafening. The crowd watched as the young gunman stared at the old woman and the large gaping holes of those twin barrels.
The barrels of the shotgun never wavered in the old woman’s hands, as she quietly said, “Son, have you ever kissed a mule’s ass?”
The gunslinger swallowed hard and said, “No ma’am… But I’ve always wanted to.
There are five lessons here for all of us:
1 – Never be arrogant. 2 – Don’t waste ammunition. 3 – Whiskey makes you think you’re smarter than you are. 4 – Always make sure you know who has the power. 5 – Don’t mess with old women; they didn’t get old by being stupid.
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, "Grandmas’ 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 “The Private War of William Styron” is available in paper back for $15.00 with tax and can be purchased locally at Buxton and Buxton Law Office in Urbanna, ordered from any book store, Amazon.com or Brandylane Publishing Company. A signed, hard back edition may be purchased from Mrs. Buxton directly for $30.00 by writing her at Box 488, Urbanna, VA 23175 and including $6.00 for tax, postage and packaging.
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
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
Vol.13, Issue 23 - August 15, 2015
© 2013 Rich Tarrant