VHS CLASS REUNION: Will be held August 26 and 27, 2016, for the VHS Class of 66....they need addresses,email, etc. Folks can email Carolyn Hill or call her @ 440.967.2821.

JUST ACROSS THE STREET: (from last week) are these pix. I’m not entirely sure, but I think the older snap was taken in the late 1940s. The cars are most certainly old, but they’re on display – they weren’t being used for daily transportation by anyone. And the interurban rails are long gone from the scene. (The L.S.E. was closed by 1938.)

What I find very cool about the scene (aside from the old cars) is that it shows that not much has really changed over the years. The only business that remains, however, is the barbershop. George Rathbun’s store, Paul’s Snack Shop, Litman’s News Stand, and Hart’s Drug Store are, of course, all gone now.

That’s our Vermilion.

A HISTORIC PUZZLE: When I first had the pleasure of seeing my grandfather’s (Pearl Roscoe’s) rare color slides of the Vermilion area I happened across a few that I found rather puzzling. They depicted what obviously looked like terrific storm damage in a cemetery. Because the slides were not marked, I had no idea as to their specific location other than what I have just written. And then I came across an 8”x10” black and white glossy Rudy Moc photograph that made my grandfather’s slides identifiable. The cemetery (as pictured) was our Maple Grove Cemetery on the morning of August 14, 1943.

The night before a tornado had come out of the southwest. It cut across the Risdon Farm on Risden Road [please note that the names are correct although spelled differently], headed northeast toward the lake where it destroyed the Sherod home just east of Coen Road, and then bounced across West Lake Road to the home of Charlie and Katie Krapp at Stop 130. It leveled their home, their barn along with 200 chickens, and caused the tragic death of Mrs. Krapp’s cousin, Josephine Lowe, who was there on a visit from her home in Cleveland. Mrs. Krapp, who was trapped in the wreckage of the home for 45 minutes, suffered only minor injuries. All that remained at Stop 130 when the storm passed was the garage. It is still standing.

The home of Fred Krapp (Charlie’s brother) just to the east was untouched. The floor of Charlie’s barn rested against the house. The storm had lifted it, transported it 1000 feet, and softly set it down by the kitchen door without disturbing shingle nor nail of his house or outbuildings.

Turning southeast the storm jumped the NYC railroad tracks and tapped the Backus home on Adams Street. Mrs. Lydia Backus was critically injured when a wall collapsed on her. Her husband somehow escaped without harm.

At least five additional homesteads were swatted by the mid August storm. On State Street the H. Rossman home was twisted off its foundation. On Douglas Street the Cecil Rossman and Edward Troxel homes were also damaged. And on Mason Road the Krebs home was grazed, and Carl Washburn’s barn doors, part of a haystack, as well as an entire apple orchard were swept away in the whirling summer winds.

In 1866 the Village of Vermilion had purchased 3 acres of land along Mason Road from one Amason Washburn to use as a permanent cemetery. The property adjoined a one-half acre plot of land that pioneer settler, John Beardsley, had earlier in the century deeded to School District No. 6 and their successors to be used as a burial ground. The additional land was then cleared, graded, and a good number of young maple trees were planted. Thus was it named “Maple Grove” (cemetery).

During ensuing years more acreage was added. By August of 1943 the memorial park was comprised of more than 7 acres of land, and the young maples that had been planted nearly a century earlier now towered over the grounds and monuments.

And as these terrible storms have no respect for life - human or otherwise - they also have no mercy for the dead. On August 13, 1943 the same storm that had stolen the life of Josephine Lowe arbitrarily dismantled many of the monuments in Maple Grove, as well as uprooting and splintering almost all the old maples that once stood guard over them.

The accompanying Rudy Moc photograph shows the damage done to the cemetery on that day. The other shows the area as it looks today. Were it not for my discovery of the Moc photo I would not have known any of this ever happened, and I would have been puzzling over my grandfather’s color slides for the remainder of my life.

_{Ref: Vermilion Area Archival Society archives; The Lorain Times-Herald; 8-14-43; The Vermilion News: 6-28-38; Special Thanks to: Ruth Bauman Tanner and the Glenn Risdon Family; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 09/01/2005.}

Vol. XI, No. 49. - VERMILION, OHIO, THURSDAY, May 14, 1908

_{Fire at Berlin Heights}

Berlin Heights certainly went dry Tuesday evening. While lighting up a gasoline lighting system in Van Thorne’s Saloon there was an explosion and as a result two saloons, Bakers Meat Market and Bowling Alley are in ashes. The saloons destroyed were the only ones in the "Hub" and were recently voted out. The fire was confined to the buildings mentioned although first report stated that the entire business portion had been destroyed.

_{Mr. And Mrs. Ries Furnished Room}

The annex to the St. Joseph Hospital Lorain was opened to the public last Wednesday and Thursday. Among those furnishing rooms in this annex are Mr. and Mrs. John R. Ries, formerly of this place. The hospital is now the finest in this section and a number of the rooms were wholly furnished by Lorain citizens.

_{Not Coming}

On account of State Farm Marshal ordering the discontinuance of the use of the second story of the Town Hall, the Salvation Army has postponed their annual visit to Vermilion.

DECORATION DAY
_{How it will be observed in Vermillion}

The several societies, G. A. R., K O. T. M., K. & L. of S., And Woodman will meet at 8 o'clock and accompanied by the G. A. R. Band will go to the cemetery and decorate the graves of the soldiers.

At 1 o'clock services will be held in the park. An address will be delivered by Rev. A.G. Lohmann of the Reformed Church. Music both vocal and instrumental is on the program. If the weather is stormy the services will be held in the town hall.

All are cordially invited to attend the services and it is also asked that citizens decorate their places of business and residences for the occasion.

_{New Suits Ordered}

The Vermilion G. A. R. Band has ordered new uniforms and it is expected that they will be here in time for Decoration Day. The band now numbers 19 members and it is expected that several more will join soon. The organization is progressing nicely and will be in splendid trim for the concerts this summer. It seems good that Vermilion has a band and it is hoped that the citizens of both town and the country will turn out to hear the concerts.

_{Cannot Be Used}

Reports come to us from that the Township trustees have been notified to place fire escapes and make other changes in the second story of the town hall before it can again be used for public gatherings.

As Mr. Edson was not home today the exact nature of the fire Marshall's instruction to the trustees cannot be ascertained.

In a report in the hands of Mayor Williams, however, a brief paragraph says in effect that the second story of the hall must not be used for public gatherings until changes ordered are made. In several of the churches the doors are ordered changed so that they will open outward.

_{[NOTE: These orders are relatively significant for several reasons. The first is that they were likely given in direct reaction to the terrible fire that took place at the Lake School in Collinwood, Ohio on March 4, 1908 (Ash Wednesday). The second is that the orders certainly altered the way all doors in public buildings were to be theretofore constructed – which is something we now take for granted. sub>}

Correspondence

AMHERST

45 men were laid off at the -- quarry last week.

The Eyerick family held a reunion at the home of John Eyerick and Elyria Sunday. A fine time was had.

David Miller of East Quarry suffered a stroke of paralysis last week. It has affected his speech.

George Warner had one finger shaved off and another badly crippled while at work at the Quarry Friday.

Another case of hydrophobia developed at S. Amherst last week. The dog of Mr. Thompson and also one belonging to Isaac Slack were shot.

Mrs. Marla Kolb, aged 80, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Bechtel, last Wednesday morning. Funeral was held Friday. She had been ill for several years.

The Amherst supply company's organization was completed last week with the capital stock of $50,000 all paid in. The company took over the interest of Henry Kolb where the new plant is being installed and the business of William Shively, including the elevator and building supplies.
William Shively is the president of the new company. George Holstein vice-president, Carl Neiding secretary and treasurer.

A Shadduck has just had a gas well sunk on his farm west of town.

The Board of Education of Brownhelm Township have decided to close the school on the lake shore next. There are about twenty pupils and they will be sent to Vermilion.

HURON

Fred Heimburger is suffering from a severe attack of typhoid fever.

The dredge Maumee arrived Sunday and began the work of removing the old breakwater Monday.

The funeral of G.A. Budd was held from the family residence last Wednesday morning. Rev. McIllwain officiating.

The store of C.L. Witty was broken into last Wednesday night. Entrance was gained through the front door but they were probably frightened away as nothing was taken.

Memorial Day will be fittingly celebrated here. John McCormack, Mr. Allishouse and Mr. Cunningham have charge of the music. The ladies of the Parliamentary Club have charge of decorations. A speaker will be secured. The parade will be one of the features of the day.

ASHMONT

Lloyd Nichols of Ogontz made up flying trip through Joppa Sunday.

Erwin Meeker and family of Vermilion have moved into part of the house occupied by "Bill" Johnson of Ogontz.

Strong's Corners

Mrs. V Leimbach has 50 young ducks.

V Leimbach is assisting Jesse Smith in shearing sheep.

Wm. Sprunger purchased him a corn drill of V. Leimbach.

Misses Jenny and Lena Kushner and piano sent them from an uncle Len Nebraska as a present.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Brolin family of Brownhelm spent Sunday with her cousin Mrs. V line law.

BROWNHELM

Mrs. Henry Cooley has been very sick but is recovering slowly at this writing.

Mr. Fred Bottomley had a runaway last Thursday evening while coming home from the quarry but no one was hurt.

There will be a concert and dance at the town hall Wednesday evening given by Greens orchestra of the Elyria.

Kenny Wilson went to Columbus last week to buy automobile.

Several of the Brownhelm in Amherst attended the raising the at Henry Smith's last Thursday. Mr. Smith is rebuilding his barn.

Mr. and Mrs. C. Eaton spent Sunday at the home of Fred Becker of Vermilion. Mrs. Becker is very sick.

Mr. J. Peck has a dandy gas well he has 40 pounds of gas.

George Brown had a runaway last Thursday evening while watering his horse at the town pump. The horse ran away and damaged the buggy.

Marshall Delker has been called upon to dispose of three dogs lately. But we hope that we will have no cases of hydrophobia in our midst why wouldn't it be a wise precaution to have all the dogs muzzled and the stray dogs disposed of as soon as possible? It’s always best to be on the safe side.

Several neighboring towns of adopted the plan of licensing bill posters and distributors and issuing permits to reliable parties for doing such work. This is a good scheme, which it might be well to adopt here. Quite often our town is visited by bill distributors who litter up the dooryards and streets with papers making them an unsightly appearance. This could be easily avoided by adopting some method of regulation.

Rocky River is having some experience in regard to speeding in the river. It seems according to an article in a Cleveland paper that it is unlawful to run a boat more than 5 miles an hour in a river or harbor and that damages may be collected from the owner of any boat where damages caused by such speeding. This was proven in the case of steamers on the Detroit River when one of the passenger steamers ran full speed. The owners were compelled to pay several thousand dollars for damages to the small boats and docks.

The clerk of the Board of Education has received the result of the fire inspection on the school building. Fire escapes and exits from the rooms and the fireproofing of the basement has been ordered. The board has been expecting the order and will carry out its provisions as soon as possible.

_{[NOTE: This certainly falls in line with the changes required at the township hall – for the same reasons.]}

_OBITUARY

Sidney Sherod was born in Vermillion Township June 11, 1832. Mr. Sherod was a sailor 45 years, leaving the lake 16 years ago. His home was at the Cuddeback Homestead, two and one-half miles west of town for 51 years. He enlisted in the Army August 19, 1864, and served ten months and twenty-five days as a member of Company F. 128 Regiment, Ohio Infantry. July 13, 1865, Mr. Sherod was honorably discharged. When H. G. Delker Post, G. A. R. Was organized he became a charter member. May 6, 1908, being 76 years old lacking a month and five days Mr. Sherod passed away after an illness of several months. His sufferings were severe during a large part of these months of sickness. The Funeral took place May 9th in charge of his G.A.R. Post with Rev. Geo. E. Merrill officiating minister. The services were largely attended, including two thirds of the post, a large proportion considering the threatening weather and the physical condition of some.

The following from out of town attended the funeral: Henry Stoddard, Olmsted Falls; Mrs. Auguta Page, Mrs. Julia Chapman, Mrs. Frank Connor, Henry Fowler, Berlin Heights; Mr. and Mrs. James Barnes, Shinrock, Mrs. Miss Cora Hurlburt, Amherst; Elmer Cuddeback, Capt. and Mrs. George Cuddeback, Lorain; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Cuddeback, Cleveland.

Locals.

Captains Ray [sic] and Bell left this morning to take charge of their boats.

J.W. Krapp has erected a stand nearly electric depot and will have on sale candy, cigars etc.

Cort Simonson and George Neiding spent Monday in Cleveland. While there they attended Ringling Brothers Circus.

Several members of the Olympic Club of Cleveland had been here the past week looking after their interests along the river.

S.J. Nieding will occupy is no market building on Grand St., Saturday. Come in and see him.

Invitations to the commencement of the school for Deaf And Dumb at Columbus were received here last week by relatives and friends of Miss Fanny Rumsey. Mrs. L.U. Todd, Mrs. Ella Hamlen and Mrs. Rumsey left Wednesday to be present at the exercises Thursday evening.

Amusement lovers will be glad to hear of the coming of the Oscar F. Cook Stock Company and big tent theater next week. The Norwalk Daily Reflector of May 18th says the following of this clever company:

COOK STOCK COMPANY A REAL NOVELTY

Hampered on all sides by wind and rain the clever Cook Stock Company Monday evening presented its opening play, "In Montana," in a most credible manner and more than pleased those who braved the elements to witness the first production.

Those who witness Monday night a performance are very enthusiastic in their praise of both play and players. The only way, one can realize gratitude of the performance is to attend and judging from the many remarks heard on all sides, the big tent will be taxed to the capacity this evening. Tonight's offering, "The Black Flag," was one of Nat Goodwin’s successes, which is recommended at enough to justify a large audience.

Vermillion is hungry for a good show and as the prices are only 10 to 20 and 30 cents. The Cook company will no doubt be greeted by a packed tent Monday evening.

Birmingham

Mrs. Funk who was taken sick last week does not improve much. Rage is very much against her, being over 80 years old.

Our town was very much stirred up last night about the Berlin Heights fire. We are glad it was no worse as we are had very exaggerated accounts of it, and quite a number of people went up as the boys met to practice for baseball.

Quite a little excitement occurred in our neighborhood. Some thoughtless or inhuman person or persons fastened two paintballs to a dog's leg and started him on the road. He tore around the corner making a terrible noise, and scared a horse that was in an enclosed lot and he ran against a barb wire fence cutting himself quite badly. Someone came along and relieved the dog who was so scared that he dropped down beside the road.

150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE “BATTLE OF THE HUNDRED SLAIN”: 3 miles from Fort Phil Kearny near Story, Wyoming will be held this year. (See Wikipedia.)

Late Vermilion resident, Matilda Louis Grummond was the sister of 2nd Lt. George Washington Grummond. Grummond and 81 of his fellow soldiers were killed by an overwhelming force of Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians in one of the worst military disasters suffered by the US Army on Great Plains.

If you are a descendant of Matilda please email John Horton or call him at 1.586.549.2471.

A TOWER VIEW: It appeared to be a fine summer morning, probably just before W.W.II (c.1940), when some audacious soul climbed the Vermilion water tower, looked westward over the village, and took this photograph. While it is certainly part of the P. Roscoe/Vermilion News file photograph collection the specific identity of the valiant wight who scaled the tower to capture these shadows is unknown to me.

In the lower right corner of the picture the silhouette of the tower top is visible on the pavement of Liberty Street and part of the parking lot at F.E. (Frank) Baker’s Ford garage. A decade later the dealership would become one of my favorite haunts. I loved the Ford’s of that time, and Mr. Baker never objected to allowing me an opportunity sit behind the wheel of the new models when they were introduced to the public every September. The garage is now home to Vermilion’s Convenient Store and Carl Lapp’s Medicine Shoppe.

Directly behind the garage on Sandusky Street, just to the west of the barely visible Fries/Crow Lumber Company buildings, sat a tidy two-story house. I’ve no idea who occupied the house at the time of this photograph, but when I was a youngster the Ed Fischer (not Fisher) family lived there. When one looks at the area today it is hard to believe that there was enough space for such a residence.

With the exception of the large building that can been seen to the west of Sandusky Street, which is now the Cargo Warehouse, none of the visible structures in this photo (aside from the brick Lake Shore Electric depot) remain.

Just west the old LSE depot on the northwest corner of Exchange Street the 4-story Maud-Elton Hotel towers over the trees. Most likely the old inn wasn’t in use at this time - or if it was it wouldn’t be too long before new laws regarding operations would put it under. And kindly take note of the New York Central rails behind (to the south of) the old hotel. There are four sets of rails. One is a set of siding tracks. But the other three were in regular use well into the 1960’s. Both passenger and freight trains made regular stops in the village.

North of Liberty Avenue, just across the street from the hotel named after him and his sister Maude, was the riverside home of Elton Fischer. Elton’s father, George, had built the house earlier in the century. This was a sizeable house that I have before called a “mansion”. To the east of the mansion fish houses line the river to the bridge.

At one time George Fisher’s Lumber Company had occupied the area between the mansion and the first fish house where the Vermilion Boat Club is today. That lumber yard was completely dispatched in a fire (c. 1930) and was never rebuilt on that side of the the road. Ironically and tragically, another fire in 1950 erased nearly all of the fish houses seen in this photo.

That which became the lovely Vermilion Lagoons, across the river from the fisheries, was still but someone’s dream the day the brave photographer climbed the tower with his camera to capture these specters of yesteryear. I am glad he dared to do so. Because if it was up to me there would be no tower view at all. Five foot eleven is as high as I ever care to climb.

_{Ref: Special Thanks to Al Tarrant and the Vermilion Area Archival Society; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 07/08/2005.}

MR. RADIOMAN – AL JOLSON DISCOGRAPHY: Al Jolson and the Isham Jones Orchestra recorded Radioman on the Brunswick label on March 14, 1924.

Jolson was born (Asa Yoelson) on May 26, 1886, in Srednike, Lithuania. His family came to the United States in 1894, and settled in Washington, D.C. Several factors in Jolson's youth influenced his career, including his religious Jewish upbringing, the death of his mother when he was ten, and his father's work as a cantor in a synagogue. Jolson acquired a love of singing from his father, but he did not want to use his voice in the synagogue. Instead, he and his brother Harry sang on street corners to earn money. He attended the theater whenever possible and there discovered he loved to perform.

In the 1930s he became America's most famous and highest-paid entertainer. And between 1911 and 1928, he had nine sell-out shows in a row, more than 80 hit records, and 16 national and international tours. Although he may now be best remembered as the star of the first talking picture show, The Jazz Singer (1927), he actually starred in a series of successful musical films throughout the 30s.

As most people know, Jolson often performed in blackface makeup. But what is generally unknown is that it had been a theatrical convention since the mid 19th century. With his unique and dynamic style of singing black music, such as jazz and blues, he was later credited with introducing African-American music to white audiences. As early as 1911 he became known for fighting against black discrimination on Broadway and elsewhere.

Few under the age of 50 may even know his name, and many who do were taught that he was a "white man who made millions making fun of black people." Many misunderstood his “blackface” performances despite the fact that it was a convention used by many other stars (i.e. Eddie Cantor, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Doris Day and Betty Grable) of that era. There was no bigotry attached to it. But unfortunately, the man who was the king of Broadway for nearly 40 years is now largely forgotten or misunderstood, and there is no plaque or statue or even sign anywhere on Broadway to honor him.

Al Jolson was married four times, and he had three children. Then in 1950, against his doctor's orders, he traveled to Korea to entertain, American troops during the war. While there he became ill, and shortly after his return to the States he suffered a massive heart attack and died. It was on October 23, 1950. The next day he was scheduled to do a radio performance with actor/singer Bing Crosby. He was only 64.