SHOPTALK: On top of my home computer desk this week is simple a snapshot that I like. It was taken in June of 1949 probably from the front of the Park Market (meat market) that was located in one of the storefronts of the Fischer building along Liberty Avenue. Technically speaking, it’s not a good pic. But for me it’s a great pic of a Vermilion I remember. I can almost walk right into the scene.
On the shoptop this week is a pic I captured from the couch in our family room once sunny morning. I liked the way the shadows and sun looked on the wall. And if you look closely you may also be able to see a spider’s web on the metal tree sculpture on the wall. The photograph of the daffodil to the left of the sculpture is one I took several years ago just outside our front door after a late spring snowstorm. And the paper-cut heart in the frame on the right was a gift to us from Vermilion’s Reverend Bertoni several years ago. This is an extremely comfortable room.
THE PLATE PIC: I really had no idea as to the identity of the person (pictured above) pictured on an old metal photo plate was until both my sister (Nancy) and this gentleman’s grandson, Jared, later told me. It is a rather well-known Vermilion man named George Stumpp.
Mr. Stumpp worked at Wakefield Lighting – and in his spare time was an exceptionally skilled wood craftsman. I know he made some nice gun stocks; and that he also did a wood sculpture that his grandson still owns.
In looking through the box where I found this particular plate I later noted that most of the plates therein were related to the Wakefield Company.
REVERIE: On Tuesday a group of antique automobile enthusiasts visited the museum. I think they had a nice time looking around the place. But I have to admit that I found their cars more interesting than the museum.
These are not modified cars, but reconditioned automobiles. And not only were they fun to see they were also fun to hear. I watched them as they left and tried to imagine what it was like when the cars were the only ones on the road.
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.
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.
A single membership for an adult is $15 a year.
A couple membership is $25 a year.
A student membership is $5.
And a lifetime membership is $100.
If you would like to become a member the VNPSM you can send a check or money order to:
Vermilion Print Shop Museum
727 Grand Street
Vermilion, Ohio 44089
440.967.4555.
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.
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Vol. XI, No. 19. – VERMILION, OHIO, THURSDAY, October 17, 1907
COURT NOTES
According to statements on file in the county auditor's office Vermilion’s indebtedness amounts to $37,762.77. Huron owes $12,005; Milan, $6,150, Berlin Heights, $400, Sandusky $719.800. Huron village schools are indebted $18,000. Milan, $1988.05; Berlin Heights, $2,400, Sandusky, $35,000.
The funded debt of the county is $4000, that amount remaining unpaid on the Children's home.
The only unfunded debts are those of Margareta Township, amounting to $1000; Florence $800; Kelly's Island $800.
15 indictments were returned by the grand jury Tuesday afternoon against 17 persons as follows:
Oscar Hartley, criminal assault.
George Federkiel, shooting with intent to kill and shooting with intent to wound.
Terry Madden, assault and battery.
Ray Stonewall well, larceny and receiving stolen property.
J. R. Foster Carmine, larceny and receiving stolen property.
Thomas Green, maliciously interfering with a locomotive.
[VV. Ed. Note: OK. I wonder what this was about?]
John Hauser, burglary and larceny.
Harry Close, burglary and larceny.
Sam Rose, pocket picking.
F. Allwardt, burglary and larceny.
Harry Nelson, larceny.
August Schultz, larceny.
Fred Berger, nonsupport.
Fred Hollar, nonsupport.
Clarence Bailey, burglary and larceny.
Daniel Blade, burglary larceny.
Albert Ebner, burglary and larceny.
ROBBED OF $240 ROLL
After spending $66 in the saloons of Lorain on Sunday and while still under the influence of liquor this morning Michael Burgess, a stonemason of Vermilion, was robbed of $240, under the viaduct by two men.
Burgess, was a single man, and has a sister living 2 miles south of Vermilion, came to Lorain early yesterday. In his possession was the sum of $300. He admits that he was out for a time and expected to spend the whole amount. Although sober later this morning he was unable to say when seen at the loop, shortly after the robbery, just where he had been all the day before. The men who relieved him of the $240 while he was in a stupor had been his companions during the night.
Burgess stated that the two men had made toward Cleveland as soon as they had secured possession of his money and he entertained no hope of recovering it. He did not report the matter to the police.
"I have my lesson," said Burgess, "and I'm going back to Vermilion and stay there now."
He took a car for the village at 11:30 o'clock this morning.
Lorain Times Herald, Monday.
Correspondence
AMHERST
This is John Mertz was taken to Lakeview Hospital last week to undergo an operation.
Mrs. Lena Schultz was taken before probate Judge Hinman at Illyria Saturday and adjudged insane. She was taken to the asylum at Massillon.
Miss Alice Hearn, who has been ill for many months died at the home of her parents Friday morning, aged 27 years. She leaves her father, mother, two brothers and one sister.
One of the worst accidents in this section occurred Sunday afternoon when Lucy and Matthew Glovoski aged respectively 11 and 5 were killed outright and their aunt, Sophia Glovek, aged 26 so badly injured that she died at St. Joseph's hospital Monday afternoon. They were returning from a visit to friends west of town and walking along the lake Shore track. Little Matthew got his foot caught in the cattle guard and his sister trying to extricate it got hers caught also. Their aunt was some distance ahead with the baby a child of four years and hearing the cries of fright left the baby safe a safe distance from the track and went to help them. Just then a westbound freight came in sight. The engineer was unable to stop his engine and the trio were struck. The brother and sister were terribly mangled. The train crew gave what assistance they could.
Ms. Glover was taken to the Lorain Hospital but died from her injuries Monday.
Huron
Miss Ida Cook is nursing at Salem.
The fishermen report the biggest haul of the season last week.
News from Canada are that Rev. and Mrs. Robbins Ravson, former Huron residents, have a little daughter.
The matter of unstalling [sic] the waterworks plant in the villages being agitated and will no doubt be submitted to a vote in the near future.
Mr. and Mrs. Heald have the sympathy of the village in the loss of their little son Richard who died of cholera in fantum Sandusky.
[VV. Ed. Note: Cholera infantum is an acute infectious disease of infancy, characterized by diarrhea, and in severe cases by vomiting, rapid emaciation and extreme prostration.]
BERLIN HEIGHTS
Mr. and Mrs. Hoopes and daughter of Minerva are guests of Hudson Tuttle and family.
The senior class gave a ghost social at the town hall Saturday night at which everyone had a good time.
W. J. Poyer fell from an apple tree one day last week and broke his arm besides reading receiving other bruises.
A.D. Ennis is painting and re-papering the house recently purchased of T.S. Lee, and will occupy it in the near future.
AXTEL
Arthur Broughten is cutting corn for B. Bartholomew this week.
The CE Society will give up "Box social" at home of Mr. and Mrs. C. Sperry on Saturday evening Oct. 19. Each lady is requested to bring a box with lunch for two. Everyone cordially invited.
Last week we published an article concerning the loss of life on the Great Lakes. The ink was hardly dry the news came of the wreck of the Cyprus on Lake Superior with a loss of 22 with only one survivor. This wreck occurred within a short distance of where the Western Reserve went down in 1892. The Cyprus was a product of Lorain shipyards and fully equipped with every modern contrivance for comfort and safety.
The boat was completed about two months ago. It is stated by one survivor that the ship filled with water through the hatches and the shifting of the cargo completed its destruction. Five Cleveland people and George Dwelle of Kelly's Island were among the victims.
Another terrible accident on the L. S. & M. S. this week should serve to warn our boys and girls and men and women as well of the danger of walking on the tracks.
One of the indictments of Loraine Co. is against Thomas Guernsey of Kipton who is charged with owning property used for allegedly immoral purposes.
Lorain physicians are threatening the establishment of a "trust" drugstore to which they will send their patients to have prescriptions filled unless local druggists agree not to refill prescriptions and suppress the sale of patent medicines.
LOCALS.
Miss Alice Kane spent Saturday in Cleveland.
Mrs. W.A. Tischer spent yesterday at Lorain.
Mrs. James McCarthy is quite ill at her home on Ohio Street.
S. W. Simons has installed a new lighting apparatus in his grocery on Grand Street.
Master Alva Hill has been ill for the past two weeks in under the doctor’s care.
Alva Parsons left this week for Jacksonville Florida where he expects to spend the winter.
Mrs. Jake Baumhart and infant son came home from the Lakeview Hospital at Lorain yesterday.
Rev. F. E. Baker, editor of the Milan Ledger has been nominated for mayor of Milan on the Republican ticket.
MARRIED – Saturday evening Oct. 13 at the home of M. H. Stahl, Mr. Wm Ray and Emma Addiliff both of Cleveland by Rev. J. W. H. Brown.
Robert Kane, who for the past few years has been assistant postmaster here has accepted a position at the Erie Woodworking plant. His brother Warren is again at the office.
The building on Grand Street formerly used as blacksmith shop owned by S. C. Myers has been moved to the back end of the lot and turned to face south.
Roy Kane and Clifford Parsons visited home this week.
Charles told Horton was home from the lakes last night.
FOR SALE – My square piano for $25, Madie M. Merrill – Congregational parsonage
FOUND – false teeth. Owner can have same by calling this office and paying for advertising.
MRS. CHADWICK'S CAREER
Mrs. Cassie L. Chadwick, "the Wizard of high finance" died Thursday night at the Ohio penitentiary alone, save for the attending physician in the matron. It is estimated that her financial operations netted her over $1 million.
Following is the history of this remarkable criminal in brief:
1857, Born at Eastwood, Ontario daughter of Daniel and Mary L Bigley.
1879, first arrested as...Elizabeth Bigley at Woodstock, Ontario, on a charge of forgery. Escape conviction on grounds of insanity.
1882, married Dr. W. S. Springsteen Cleveland, but was turned out after 11 days, when her identity was discovered.
1883, reported as dead and buried.
1886, known as Lydia Scott, a clairvoyant.
1887, known as Lydia Devere in Toledo.
1889, sentenced to 9 1/2 years in the penitentiary for forgery at Toledo.
1893, paroled by Gov. William McKinley.
1894–1897, lived in Cleveland known as Mrs. Hoover.
1897, Mary Dr. L. S. Chadwick.
1897–1904, obtain vast sums of money from Cleveland banks and individuals on forged notes. Lived in unparalleled extravagance on Euclid Avenue. Accumulated debts amounting to over $100,000.
1904, exposed – November 2, when suit was brought by H. B. Newton of Boston to recover $190,800. Fled to New York, arrested and brought back.
1905, convicted March 10 of conspiracy to wreck the citizens national Bank of Oberlin. Sentenced to 10 years in penitentiary.
1906, arrived in penitentiary, January 12.
1907, died in penitentiary October 10.
[VV. Ed. Note: As I have said before this woman was probably the most successful female scam artist that ever lived (thus far). If anyone examines her career they will find that many of the persons and banks she scammed were bilked out of their money because they were greedy. They thought that by catering to her requests they would eventually be favored by persons like Dale Carnegie one of the richest persons in America. They got what they deserved. And, in the end, I guess she did too.]
Hmmmmmm....
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.
THE PIONEERS.
KELLEY'S ISLAND.
514…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.
ORGANIZATION.
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 IMPROVEMENT AND GROWTH OF THE ISLAND.
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…
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 -
Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
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.