Some days are diamond some days are gold...
SHOPTALK: On my home desk this week is a relatively old snapshot that was taken by the Phillip�s home on Sandusky Street of the late Steve Demou, his wife Marlene, and Elizabeth Phillips. I don't know what year it was taken, but it was probably around the turn of the 21st century. [Note: I didn't realize that Zak has been a judge for this long now.]
On the shop desk is a nifty pic of a group of children standing in front of the Vermilion News print shop. This photo was probably taken around 1922 or 23. My late aunt Alice Roscoe Lindsay is the little girl standing at the back on the left.
Among the reasons I opted to use this pic is because some of the children are barefoot. Seldom do I see any young people playing barefoot today. And I�m amused by the bored look of the little guy (front left). Methinks he had better things to do than sit for a photograph.
LARRY'S PIE: I took this pic (with my phone) of our friend Barb Ruggles cutting into a pumpkin pie at function at our church (the United Church of Christ Congregational) last Saturday afternoon.
My intention is to show another friend (Larry E. Howell) what he missed by not helping our crew with the luncheon. Pumpkin pie is his favorite.
So, take that Larry!
Actually, Larry had taken his scouts on a camp out. Those youngsters are very lucky to have such a dedicated scoutmaster - though a pie-less one he chose to be.
TROUBLE (FOR ME) IN RIVER CITY: I'm way behind this week due to problems I'm currently having connecting ftp - file transfer protocol to my web page provider. I've spent hours trying to connect to no avail.
Some say that the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again only to get the same result. If that is really true I am ready for the nut hatchery.
Anyway, I had a way to work around the problem for now so I am able to carry on with the page. But there are things - such as sound - that I can't use because I lack the ability to upload that much data without an working ftp client.
While I know that I'll eventually solve the (tech) problem. But it is extremely frustrating.
A WORD OF CAUTION TO MAC OWNERS: If you’re not a Macintosh computer owner you can disregard this word of caution. But if you use a Mac I would suggest that you refrain from using and/or purchasing any cleaning software that contains anti-virus software or be extremely cautious with anything you might be considering.
This is not to say that Macs are unhackable. In practice cybercriminal gangs are focused primarily on Windows computers because there are more Windows users, but also because Windows is still easier to hack. As a Unix-based operating system the Mac OS X is by its very nature protected. It's like having a series of fire doors - even if malware accesses to your Mac, it is unable to spread to the heart of the machine. Again, Macs are not unhackable, but they are more difficult to exploit than Windows computers. So just as a burglar might break into a house with an alarm system he will probably choose the unprotected dwelling next door, a Mac makes a less attractive target in a world in which only attractive targets tend to be attacked.
I bring this up because I made the mistake of acquiring a cleaner software program about a week ago and it only succeeding in making my Mac nearly unusable. I had to go through everything on my computer and delete all traces of that software before it began to work right again.
So I hope all my Mac friends heed this warning. It will save you a good deal of head banging.
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,
THE COOKS: My brother-in-law Terry Diener gave a page from the September 7, 1959 issue of the Cleveland News with an article about Vermilion's Olympic Outing Club on it. This pic was one of those accompanying the article. Terry's grandfather, Joseph, is the fella in the middle of the group.
I don't know the reason Richard and Paul Whitt don't have the same address in this pic. It may be that Paul had recently been appointed assistant postmaster in Vermilion and had moved to town ahead of his family, and his young son Richard was still going to school in Lakewood. But it could very well have been that the reporter had asked Richard for his address and out of habit he gave their Lakewood address.
Richard currently (2015) works for a mining company in West Virgina, but should soon be retiring. In the meantime he still has a cottage at the club and can often be found on the river fishing. His younger brother, Don, also has a cottage at the club. He is retired and recently purchased a winter home in Florida. Their sister, Cathy Fisher, is also retired and lives (up the hill) in town with her husband Don.
Good days - good times - at the OOC.
MAIN STREET - NORTH OF LIBERTY: And finally we get to north Main Street. This portion (north of Liberty) was all there was to Main Street until the early 1960s when the name of the lower (south of Liberty) part (i.e. Division) of the street was changed to "Main".
EXCHANGE PARK: This park is also known by many local citizens as "Rubberneck" Park because it was a good place to sit and watch traffic pass by on what was once the main road "Routes 6&2" across northern Ohio.
The name of the park is often confused with Victory Park located just across the railroad tracks to the south because of the veterans memorial clock located in it.
The old marine cannons in the park may also contribute to this common misnomer. The cannons were placed in the park in the very late 19th or very early 20th century by the efforts of Mayor Englebry and Squire Williams. The one in the pic with the scouts has been moved at least twice since its original placement.
The little park has always been a pleasant place to pass the time.
WAGNER HOTEL: Structurally, the old Wagner Hotel has not changed very much over the last century. While its appearance has been improved and upgraded it's still very recognizable.
I believe a local dentist Dr. Suszko currently (2015) owns the building. He has offices in the northern part (right) of the lower floor, and the town's weekly newspaper The Vermilion Photojournal has offices in the southern (left) portion. I�m not sure how the upper floors are now used.
Back in the 1950s Vermilion optometrist Dr. Burley had an office in part of the upper floor along with at least one (maybe more) apartment. My sister Ginny and her husband Dave Wilkes lived there when they were first married.
Back then Dr. Halley kept in office on the lower floor where Dr. Suszko is today and Chuck Prieur had an appliance store in the other half of the building. After Mr. Prieur left Vermilion photographer kept a studio in the storefront.
Dr. Suszko seems to take a good deal of pride in the building. It really is an attractive landmark.
KISHMAN'S: I suppose a whole lot of old time Vermilionites lament the loss of the old Kishman Fish houses that were (now) long ago replaced by the high-end Fisherman's Bend condominiums.
I guess there was some attempt to save the old fish houses after they closed but it just didn't happen. Sometimes those who see the value of such things are in no position to prevent their demise. And that was indeed the case with Kishman's.
C�est la vie (darn it!).
THE BLACKSMITH SHOP: On the other hand, I doubt that many folks complained when J.I. Howell�s blacksmith shop disappeared from the local landscape. However; I am certainly glad that some good soul had the foresight to take a picture of the place so we have some idea of where it was located.
THE VERMILION BOAT CLUB: Actually the Vermilion Boat Club had several homes before and after it landed at the building some refer to as the "Sail Loftï".
Today, of course, the old club building is the home of a nationally recognized French restaurant. Local attorney Henry Kishman also keeps an office in one part of the building.
Back in the 1950s Lechner's ran a rather brisk laundry business in the building. And later Drs. Colebrook and Russell operated their dentist practices on the upper floor of the building while the French restaurant worked the lower floors. There was also a psychiatrist office in part of the building as well.
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...
Geo W Bartlett has brought suit against the Lakeshore & Michigan Southern Ry. Co. In his petition he sets forth that he is owner of certain lands in Huron lying next to the railroad company's right-of-way; that said company maintains opposite thereto and equipment for supplying its locomotives with water, while in motion; that in this way it is wasted and, there being no drainage provided, this water has so soaked his soil, as to render it unproductive and useless for more than three years. He asks that the railroad company be enjoined from further practices injurious to his interest.
The estate of Edward J Hartley will receive $1000 in funeral expenses as the result of the settlement of a claim against the national to company for alleged damages arising from the killing of Hartley in the company's Lorain yards on November 7.
Danbury, O. Nov. 25 �07 EDITOR �NEWS�
I see by the Sandusky Register of last week where Mr. Nick Myers of Ashmont had bag 22 rabbits in two days and was anxious to know who could beat that. Now in one day I bagged 18 rabbits and three quail, while Mr. Sherm green of Marblehead beat me by shooting 19 rabbits and eight quail in one day. Mr. C.S. Englebeck of Pico, brought down eight rabbits in one hour and 15 minutes. I could cite a number of cases to prove that we have nimrods in galore on the Peninsula that can beat Mr. Myers record, but I think the above will be sufficient to make him take a backseat.
Respectably yours, P.C. Jackson
George M. Parker is on the sick sick list this week.
Charles Hearn is on the sick list this week.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. J Kerscherner Thursday morning sun.
From now on an Oklahoman stand up when he hears the Star-Spangled Banner.
The four months old son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gessler died Thursday morning.
The month old child of Mr. and Mrs. Rubin Miller of Brownhelm died Monday evening of pneumonia.
Leo Gray fell on the step as he was leaving the library one day last week and broke his leg.
Mrs. Elizabeth Schaefer died at her home in Brownhelm Wednesday night, aged 57. Five sons survived
Married � At the home of the bride's parents Wednesday evening and a Martha Schram and Jonas Springer, Rev. Lindemeyer officiating.
Rule Mrs. Lucy straw was taken to Charity Hospital, Cleveland this week suffering from typhoid fever. She has been nursing her nephew Harry Gawen who has the same disease for the past four weeks.
60 days in jail was the penalty incurred by a rash young man who sent a dynamite bomb to the governor of Colorado. It would be interesting to know what the judge regards as a serious crime.
S.N. Barnes died Saturday at his home on the ridge age 69. He is survived by a wife and one daughter. Funeral was held from the home Tuesday internment in middle Ridge Cemetery. Mr. Barnes was formally a breeder of trotting horses.
Mrs. J. Dute is on the sick list.
The employees at the Independent Quarry were laid off last week.
George Mengel is employed at the Amherst printing office.
Wm Kuss who was hurt several weeks ago at the station by being struck by hand car is not improving as fast as his friends could wish.
August Wolf, a resident of Amherst for the past 25 years died Monday morning from tuberculosis. He leaves four children: Mrs. Michael Brown of Elyria, Harry, Edward and Emma Wolf.
Mrs. Charles Griffin age 27 died Monday night after a long illness from tuberculosis. [She is survived by]A husband and two children, a mother and brother.
Superintendent Damon of the Brownhelm schools visit our school Monday.
Clarence Kishman has been laid up with a very sore hand this week.
Mr. and Mrs. Burrel have gone to Cleveland where they will spend the winter.
Christ Sprankle harvested about 3000 bushels of potatoes on the J Baumhart farm and is shipping by carload.
L A Braun harvested about 1500 bushels of potatoes from 11 acres.
The funeral of Robert Ward was held from Christchurch Friday morning.
There will be a Thanksgiving service at the Presbyterian Church Thursday morning.
The receipts of the supper and bizarre given by the ladies of the Presbyterian Church were $65. The receipts will be used to repair the furnace in the church.
Little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Percy Brown is ill with scarlet fever.
Miss Ethel Smith, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Smith, and Mr. Alfred Worner were married at the Greg Hotel, Adrian, Mich., last Thursday.
Barney Callen, age 76, died Friday afternoon from cancer of the throat. He was born in Ireland and came to America 40 years ago. A wife and family survive him. Funeral was held Monday from the Catholic Church.
Marshall LaVoo arrested two strangers who gave their name as Fred Shuhr [sic] and Oscar Sherman. In the morning after visiting a number of saloons and getting rid of all their spare change, took their horse and buggy to a livery and sold it for $160. They were in the act of getting the check cashed when arrested. Inquiry soon brought out the fact that the rig had been hired at a Milan livery. They were given a hearing before Mayor Clock and bound over to the circuit court in the sum of $500 each. Later they were taken to Sandusky and placed in the county jail.
Mr. Fred Coleman baled hay for Wasson Tuesday.
Mrs. EB Welch and little daughter Velma called on Mrs. Ira Denman Friday afternoon.
Mr. Otto Todd started from Vermillion left Tuesday for St. Andrews Bay, Florida, where he expects to remain during the winter.
Superintendent Nuhn called on the Axtel school Monday.
Mrs. Charles Barnes, aged 55, was accidentally shot Saturday afternoon by her foster son, Roy Ward, age 16. He was cleaning his gun in the backyard and it was discharged in the some way. The family live near Wakeman.
The scare about sleeves has settled into pretty general conviction that the woman who wants long sleeves can have them and be secured in the thought that she is ahead in the fashion, and that the woman who wants the short sleeve is welcome to it and they wear it with the sure comfort that a host of persons counted among the best in the land are with her. Long sleeves, wrinkled their entire length are coming over the back of the hand are here [sic], as it was predicted away back last summer that they would be this fall. They are, as a rule, of gauze or lace, and match the yoke of the gown, while in upper sleeve, more or less brief, is made of material like the bodice or its trimming. There are no end of double sleeve shapes. The ways of such leaves are so many as to defy particularation [sic], some of the upper sleeves being mere caps or bands.
Lorain was the scene of a much excitement last week the result of the mad dog running rampant on Oberlin Avenue. After a long chase the animal was killed by Harry Showalter.
Pay your TAXES at the Bank of Vermillion. The books are now open.
A. W. lead wreck has sold the farm recently purchased by him from the Bradley estate through C.A. Trinter, real estate agent.
Mr. and Mrs. E.T. Bottomley and daughter went to Lorain Wednesday afternoon and will spend the remainder of the week with her daughter Mrs. Worlie Houseman and family.
C.A. Trinter has tendered his resignation as R.F.D. carrier No. 2 effective Dec. 1, but apparently will not be relieved until Dec. 15. It is Mr. Trinter's intention to devote his entire time to his insurance and real estate business.
Death has harvested a number of bank officials who have wrecked their banks as well as the savings of others during the late financial flurry. We say late for we believe the worst is over and that business will again go on in the way it should.
The Thanksgiving service will be held in the Methodist Church on Thanksgiving Day at 7 PM. Sermon by Rev. George Merrill; Although brother Merrill has been here a longer time than any other.
C.H. Jessup, a painter and decorator, who lives in the old Backus place on Huron Street is prepared to fill orders for all kinds of work. He comes well recommended. For particular see his advertisement in another column.
The Ball family will hold a family reunion Thanksgiving.
The county commissioners have given up the project for a new barn at the county infirmary.
Don't forget to telephone the names of those you entertain Thanksgiving Day.
Capt. Hahn and Will Parsons were home from the lakes this week.
Mayor Williams spent Wednesday at Sandusky on business.
Miss Alice Kane spent Saturday and Sunday at Cleveland the guest of C.O. Bassett family.
Some of our merchants are placing their Christmas goods on SALE this week.
Mrs. Helen Haines of Cleveland spent the first of the week with her mother, Mrs. Martin and sister Mrs. Fred Bailey.
Guy S. Davis preparing to open a dry goods store in his building recently vacated by W. A. Christian. His goods have arrived and he is now busy placing them on the shelves.
H. S. Miller expects to move his restaurant cigar and confectionery into the room in the Quigley building, Friday of this week.
The little daughter of Jas McGee manager of the Lock Shoe Company at Lorain was bitten by a mad dog one day last week. The child was taken immediately to Chicago for treatment at the Pasteur Institute. The dog died of rabies Monday morning.
CABBAGE FOR SALE - We have a large quantity of good cabbage for sale. Enquirer or address Light And Hope Orphanage, Birmingham Ohio.
�YOUNG MEN AND LADIES with ambition should learn to Telegraphy. Under the new 8-hour law which goes into effect next spring, over 20,000 additional telegraphers and [sic] required by the railroads of the United States. Positions pay from $60-$80 per month to beginners. You can qualify in 3 to 4 months time and work for expenses while learning. For full details write the National Telegraph Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio.�
H.S. Miller has moved his place of business to Liberty Street to the Trinter 1Bk [sic] where he will be found dispensing a full line of fine Cigars, Tobacco and Confectionery. Lunch counter will be running connection.
Hmmmmmm....
RELICS OF YESTERYEAR: When I was very young we had a storage room at the back of our house on Perry Street that had (I was told) once been used as a "summer kitchen". For those unfamiliar with the term I should explain that years ago it was not unusual for many homes to have a building / room separate from the main part of the house that was used as a kitchen during the heat of summer. Thus separated, the main part of the house would not be overheated while food was being prepared. It does not take a great deal of imagination to understand that "once upon a bad old time" cooking dinner over a stove heated by coal or wood was not only a real art; it was also hot, labor intensive, work. But anyway, by the time I came along in the late 1940s the summer kitchen had been outdated � thanks to the proliferation of electric and gas appliances � and the summer kitchen had become a"junk room".
The junk room was a wonderful place for us kids and our friends. It was a clubhouse � albeit somewhat cluttered. But that's really what made it so appealing. There were things in the room that even Methuselah might have puzzled over. And then there were other things that I think were just there to boggle a kid's mind. Among those items was a big 3-door oak box with sturdy latches called an "icebox" An icebox (again for the benefit of those unfamiliar with the term) is a non-mechanical refrigerator that was widely used before the development of safe electrical powered refrigeration systems.
These boxes had hollow walls that were lined with tin or zinc and were packed with various insulating materials such as cork, sawdust or straw etc. One would place a block of ice in a compartment near the top of the box and cold air circulated down and around storage compartments in the lower sections to preserve perishable food items. A drip pan was placed under the box that had to be emptied nearly everyday. The ice was purchased from the local"iceman"who traveled around town with his team of horses pulling a wagon loaded with blocks of ice (VPJ 09/06/12).
Now, about the snapshot accompanying this week's essay: Much of the ice for use in the aforementioned iceboxes, as well as the ice used to preserve the fish caught by the local fishing industry, was harvested from the river during the winter. Harvesting generally involved waiting until approximately a foot of ice had built up on the water surface. The ice would then be cut with either a handsaw or a power saw into long continuous strips and then cut into large individual blocks and transported to an icehouse for storage. At the icehouse it was packed with insulation, often straw or sawdust, and would remain frozen for months, often until the next winter. It was used as a source of ice during summer months not only for storage of perishable foods, but it was also used to cool drinks as well as sundry other things.
I acquired this photograph six years ago from Vermilion expatriate and California resident Bobbi Neller Riley the granddaughter of Ruth Goodsell and Elton Fischer. Elton was the son of a prominent Vermilion businessman named George Fischer who had named a hotel after his children Maud and Elton; and built the landmark Fischer building block on the southeast corner of Liberty and Main streets. When these 1939 shadows were captured Bobbi's grandparents lived in a beautiful mansion overlooking the Vermilion River and the fledgling Lagoon allotment beyond. [Note: The Fischer home was used for some years following their deaths as a nursing facility, but was razed sometime in the late 1960s or early 70s. Currently the city uses the site between Fisherman's Bend condominiums and the Vermilion Boat club properties as a park.]
Along with the snap Bobbi wrote: "It was taken from the 'widows walk' on the third floor of the Fischer home. The sidewalk that you see under the pergola led from the back door of the basement down to the river's edge. Several stairs were at the end of the sidewalk, most times under water, for the ease of getting in and out of boats. In the summer there were large beds of beautiful Lily of the Valley plants on both sides of the walkway." And on the back of the photo her grandmother wrote to Bobbi's mother Virginia: "Daddy said this would be a relic some day."
Well, I guess that some day has come. And the days of harvesting ice from the river are long gone; as well as those of the icehouse, the ice deliveryman, and the icebox. But I have to confess one thing. I still call our refrigerator the icebox. And if the icebox is a relic of the yesteryear what am I?
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.
Perry now bore down upon the enemy with a fresh ship, leaving Captain Elliot to bring into action the rest of the fleet. Perry parsed ahead of the Detroit, Queen Charlotte and- Lady Provost, poured a destructive broadside into each from his starboard, and from his larboard guns into the Chippewa and the Little Belt. In this manner, cutting through the line, he was within pistol shot of the Lady Provost, and rained so heavy a fire as to compel her men to run below. At this moment, the Caledonia came up, and opened her fire; several others of the squadron were enabled, soon after, to do the same. The issue of a campaign, the mastery of the sea, the glory and renown of two rival nations matched for the first time in a squadron, were the incentives to the contests. It was not long before the scale turned in favor of Perry. His flag-ship, Lawrence, bearing in mind the injunction �"Don't give up the ship"�the remnant of her crew, with bleeding hands, spread her flag to the breeze, and with failing breath rejoiced. The "Queen Charlotte," having lost her captain and all her principal officers, by some mischance ran foul of the "Detroit." They were compelled to sustain, in turn, an incessant fire from the "Niagara" and the other vessels of the squadron. The flag of Captain Barclay was soon struck, and those of the "Queen Charlotte," the "Lady Provost," the "Hunter" and the "Chippewa" came down in succession. The "Little Belt" attempted to escape, but was pursued by two gunboats and captured.
Thus, after a contest of three hours, was this important naval victory achieved, in which every vessel of the enemy was captured. Perry returned to Put-in-Bay with the combined fleets, and from there made his memorable report to his government: "We have met the enemy and they are ours." We have been thus particular in giving this historical event in this connection, because it was strictly within the Jurisdiction of, and the waters of, Put-in-Bay township The officers slain in the battle were buried on the shore of the bay. Both American and British lie side by side in peace. A willow tree set by their comrades mark their graves: their monument�the country. The islands now assume the dignity of values. Island No. 1�Ross Isle, alias South Bass, alias Put-in-Bay, Island No. 3�Floral Isle, alias Middle Bass Isle, Island No. 3�Sugar Island. These three islands were attached to Avon township, Lorain county, to equalize values in the distribution of the sufferers" lands by the State of Connecticut, known as the Connecticut Reserve. Pierpont Edwards, of the State of Connecticut, drew Avon township, and became possessed of the three above described islands. His son, A. P. Edwards, in the year 1831, first took possession of the islands. In 1832, Mr. Edwards built the Put-in-Bay dock; 1833, he put in the west dock, and in 1834 built the first frame house, known as the Manor House. The business of the islands for several years was agriculture and the manufacture of cordwood. In 1853 Mr. Edwards sold to the United States government Strontian, alias Green Island, for the sum of one thousand dollars. In 1854, the government built the first lighthouse on Green island. This lighthouse was destroyed by fire on the evening of 1863 and morning of 1864; rebuilt in 1864.
Phillip Vroman was the first school director, and built on South Bass isle the first school house in 1855: also, on Isle St. George, a frame school house in 1857. A. I. Jones was the first school teacher in Put-in-Bay. In 1854, J. D. Rivera purchased South Bass isle, Middle Bass isle, Sugar island, Ballast, and Gibraltar islands, for which he paid forty-five thousand five hundred dollars. Mr. Rivera continued to make improvements by clearing land and building houses for his tenants.
Now we come to a new era in the business of the group. Actual settlers commenced the purchase of the land, until now very little had been done toward the improvement of the islands; in fact, it was not known what was the best use to put the lands to. Farming would not pay�the seasons, as a general rule, being too dry. It was not known then that such a climate was a perfect paradise for the vine. Grapes will not bear wet feet; they love the islands, and will make them their permanent home. In 1858, Phillip Vroman, Esq., L. Harms, Esq., Lawrence Miller, Esq., and J. D. Rivera commenced the cultivation of the vine. Several acres of vineyard were set, and their success was all that could be desired. The same vines are in a healthy, flourishing condition at the present time. The three or four pioneers commencing the business as an experiment in 1858 on Put-in-Bay isle, have increased to seventy-one grape growers, practical and successful, as the result of five hundred and fifty acres of vineyard on the island, and the vintage of 1878�one million two hundred and thirty-one thousand pounds of grapes �gathered on Put-in-Bay island alone shows. The varieties on Putin-Bay are: three hundred and ninety-three acres of Catawba, fifty-four acres of Delaware, ninety acres of Concord, and some twelve acres miscellaneous, �Ives, Nortons, Clinton, etc.
Within the last three years the cultivation of the peach has begun to assume the importance it deserves. Sixty acres are now set to peach trees, and more will be put out annually. All fruits, of whatever kind, raised on the islands, possess a superior quality over like, and all kinds, grown on the main shore. The quality of the soil, natural drainage, and surrounding climatic influence, has settled the fact.
The first post office was established in 1860. V. Dollar, postmaster.
Put-in-Bay Township was organized at the June session, 1861, taken from Van Rensselaer, and comprises ten islands, viz : Ross, alias South Bass, alias Put-in-Bay Island, one thousand five hundred acres; Floral Isle, alias Middle Bass, seven hundred and fifty acres: Isle St. George, alias North Bass, seven hundred and fifty acres; Rattlesnake, sixty acres; Sugar Isle, thirty acres: Strontian, alias Green Isle,�
THE GAZETTEER: This is probably one of the oldest books in our collection at the museum. As may be obvious it has been well used and abused. It is very fragile.
JEDIDIAH MORSE (August 23, 1761 - d. June 9, 1826) was a notable geographer whose textbooks became a staple for students in the United States. He was the father of telegraphy pioneer and painter Samuel F. B. Morse, and his textbooks earned him the nickname" father of American geography."
RICHARD CAREY MORSE was the brother of Jedidiah. He was born in 1793 and died in Germany in 1868.
SORRY TO DISAPPOINT
A young woman doctor tells the story about her 4 year old daughter. On the way to pre-school, the doctor had left her stethoscope on the car seat, and her little girl picked it up and began playing with it.
"Be still, my heart," thought the doctor, "My daughter wants to follow in my footsteps!"
Then, with all the earnestness of a Social Sciences major the child spoke into the instrument, "Wowcome to McDonald's. Do ya want fwies wif that?"
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 32 - October 17 2015
© 2013 Rich Tarrant