Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: I decided to let the shoptop pic from last week ride for another week. We’re trying to raise funds for the museum. I thought an advertisement I gave to the local paper would be published last week, but for some reason it wasn’t. And that threw a wrench into my holiday plans for the museum. On-line advertising is easy and cheap, but it isn’t very productive (financially).
This gallery and sale will continue into the New Year.
BUCKING UP: I’m full of something this season, but it ain’t the Christmas Spirit. I’m ready for the year to end and 2018 to begin.
I lost most of the summer and fall seasons recuperating from hip replacement surgery. It was an elective process and I’m not convinced that I made a good decision. I was in some pain prior to the surgery, but I could function / walk much better.
On the other hand that’s just me grousing about something I can’t change. As Leonard Hofstadter’s (a character in the “Big Bang Theory TV program) mother told him when he was whining to her about something, "Buck Up!"
It's good advice.
OS SYSTEM CHANGE: I reluctantly upgraded the operating system on my museum computer. I say “reluctantly” because it has been my misfortune in the past to upgrade and discover that half my software apps don’t work unless they are upgraded.
Fortunately, this time that does not appear to be the case. I did lose one of my favorite screens in the process (with readily available BBC news, local weather a dictionary, and a foreign language translator apps among other things).
On the other hand it came with a “Siri” app that allows me to orally request information. I’m just not used to it. The new OS is called “macOS High Sierra – 10.13.2”.
My work pc is a little slow – which annoys me at times – but it’s a good device. I’ve had it for six – almost seven – years.
Perhaps next year I’ll look into an iMac Pro with 4.5ghz Turbo Boost, but they’re a bit costly.
If nothing else it’s something to dream on while I’m waiting for one of my Adobe plugins to start…
Historically,
STARR GARDNER: If, perchance, I should write a mystery / detective novel my main character would be named Starr Gardner. The name, way back in the early to mid years of the 20th century was actually that of a Vermilion businessman – a butcher – who owned a shop along with a well-known Vermilionite named George Naegele on Division Street. The store was located below the Masonic Temple in a portion of the rooms now occupied by Lee’s Landing Nautical Gift Shop. The photograph accompanying this essay appears to have been taken from the walk just outside the window of the Gardner-Naegele market on Christmas Day in 1911.
We are fortunate to have several interior photographs of at least two of Vermilion’s butcher shops from this time period. One is of the George Krapp market (VPJ 11/10/2013) where Gardner had worked in his younger days. But setting that aside the thing that likely captures most attention in either photo is all the poultry and sundry other meats hanging from the ceiling and / or lying on the counter. This certainly leads one to wonder how safe these items were to use.
To digress for a moment the poultry, etc. (sans flies) hanging from the ceiling reminds me of the open-air markets I saw when I was a military visitor in the Republic of Vietnam back in the mid-1960s. But as picturesque as those markets were I had no desire to purchase a chicken, goose or whatever they had hanging in their markets for dinner. It just seemed a tad unsanitary. On the other hand I am inclined to assume that those doing the selling knew what they were doing. So no matter what I thought, it probably was safe.
Looking into preservation methods in our country during the early years of the 20th century I was happy to find two things: One is that most of the poultry and meat sold in little markets like the one pictured were obtained locally. In short, these items were relatively fresh. The second thing is the fact that many of these markets had an insulated room where ice harvested from the river and lake during the winter was used to keep the stock refrigerated throughout the year.
And, indeed, if one looks closely toward the back of the photo there is a refrigerator of sorts with a glass door. Additionally, this photo was taken (as indicated) on December 25, which means the outside temperature was probably close to freezing. Those things coupled with the fact that the store probably lacked any consistent central heating source likely meant that the hanging meats were not in “immediate” danger of becoming toxic.
And now, just a little more about Starr Gardner: He was born in Berlin Heights on 13 June 1869. He married a lady named Carrie Myers in April of 1892. Before coming to Vermilion and going to work for George Krapp he worked at a grain elevator near Berlin Heights. As previously indicated he worked for Mr. Krapp. For some unknown reason he quit that shop after a few years and went to work in Lorain, Ohio for a short time. But by 1920 he was back in Vermilion having partnered with George Naegele in the meat business.
Aside from providing the general population of town with meat products the Gardner-Naegele market also provided local restaurants, such as Vermilion’s famed Okagi Restaurant (just around the corner) with beef and poultry. The business thrived.
In 1936 Gardner retired selling his interest in the market to his partner Mr. Naegele. During the years that followed he busied himself with activities at the Vermilion Grange (No. 271) and others sponsored by the Knights of Pythias fraternal society in his hometown of Berlin Heights. But finally, on the 22 of May in 1946, after ailing for a year, he passed into the hands of God and was placed to rest in the Riverside Cemetery in his home community.
Now that would, ostensibly, mark the end of the life of Starr Gardner. However, when I finally write my mystery novel – “It was a dark and stormy night” - be assured that the protagonist will most certainly be a Starr.
YESTERYEAR'S NEWS: The following clips are dictated transcriptions from past issues of The Vermilion News. I think you will find them both interesting and fun...
Those who are interested in the reorganization of the Chamber of Commerce met in the Town Hall last Friday evening. The committee on bylaws reported as did also the committee on securing the records of the old Chamber of Commerce.
The question was then brought up as to whether the property of the old Chamber of Commerce could be legally transferred to the new or not. It was finally decided to have a committee appointed to see the issuing of a call to the Chamber of Commerce for the annual meeting in January. A committee was also appointed to solicit members. After listening to the report on automobile factory, the meeting adjourned.
At 3 o’clock Monday morning the tugs Jas Driscoll and Ames arrived in port after a terrific battle with the ice and waves on old Lake Erie. Later in the day the Fred Driscoll arrived.
The men report the trip from Erie as something terrific and the boats were covered with a sheet of ice varying from 2 to 8 inches thick. The Ames especially, the glass in the windows in front of the Wheelman’s station were completely hidden from view, and the lights so frozen that no one could tell whether they were burning or not. The Driscoll had been cleared of ice somewhat. The crews were engaged in removing the ice Tuesday and it will take several days to care for the nets, etc. Considerable relief was felt here when the boats arrived.
Now that the old Chamber of Commerce is to be reorganized let everyone put a shoulder to the wheel to help keep things moving. We cannot hope to secure any large factory by furnishing them capital upon which to work but the main object is to get what we can by furnishing suitable sites for manufacturers and helping to make the town a desirable place in which to locate. We have many advantages and the best we can do is to present them in a favorable light.
There are many small factories already established that might possibly desire a better and cheaper location where shipping facilities are good and the securing of one or two such factories would be a good thing for Vermilion.
The report of the committee who were corresponding with parties in regard to securing an auto factory was not very encouraging. The committee offered a choice of three sites. The company asked in the reply to the committee, a site of 8 to 10 acres of land and $10,000. This the town cannot furnish, and the committee was instructed to so inform them.
Congressman C. C. Anderson, of Ohio, appeared before the rivers and harbors committee in Washington Friday to secure surveys for Sandusky, Huron and Vermilion harbors. He was assured that surveys would be included in the rivers and harbors bill this year.
The following is taken from the Bucyrus News – Forum and will be of interest to many of our readers. We hope, however, that the people of the little city mentioned will have no occasion to change the word “booster to boaster” as is easily done by the changing of one letter. The latter is the way it is spelled in Vermilion.
Rev. A. G. Lohmann, who was recently secured by the Crestline Reformed Church as its minister and who preached the first sermon of his pastorate there Sunday, has no use for Vermilion, the village which he is now quitting. He characterizes the businessmen of the town as “unprogressive”, and says that the people of the village are suspicious of anyone who tries to boost the town.
Crestline is welcoming Rev. Mr. Lohmann as a minister and his boosting tendencies will probably be appreciated there.
[NOTE: Clearly Rev. Lohmann was angry with the citizens of Vermilion and had made the mistake of using the pulpit to vent his anger. I hope he fared better for the people of Crestline.]
J. Lassen misreported quite ill at his home on the west side.
John Franks is reported quite ill with pneumonia
New machinery will be installed at the electric light plant soon.
The public schools hold their Christmas exercises on Thursday afternoon.
The funeral of F. A. Griffin an aged farmer residing south of this place, was held on Wednesday afternoon, Rev’s. English and Mottershead officiated.
The Ohio Quarries will be shut down Thursday, until the 3rd of January, during which time it will undergo extensive repairs.
When Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Walsh returned from a visit at Elyria on Thursday evening, they started the furnace. No sooner had the fire a good start than the pipes burst and the rooms were flooded. Some of the rugs and furniture was got out of the way but the loss will run up pretty well.
Mrs. Ed Lambert of Wellington age 75 was struck and instantly killed by a Big Four train while crossing the track in front of the depot Tuesday.
The wooden building formerly used as a college gymnasium at Oberlin was burned Monday noon. The building has been used as a storeroom recently and was filled with odd furniture belonging to the college.
After great suffering death came to the relief of Mr. Anthony Sebolt last Friday. Mr. Sebolt had lived in Florence for over 50 years.
For $500,000 the Central YMCA building at the corner of Erie and Prospect streets, Cleveland [was sold] to eastern capitalists who will tear down the present structure and erect thereon at $2,000,000 hotel.
The Lake Shore passenger train crashed into a switch engine in the Cleveland yard Saturday. Five were killed among them were W. G. Burns formerly of Amherst engineer of the switch engine.
Henry Knettle, a farmer residing near Berlin was thrown from his buggy at East Milan Friday night and quite severely injured. He was carried into a home the home of Eben Ward and medical help called. His injuries will probably not prove fatal.
We are disappointed in not being able to furnish a picture of the tug Ames in her coat of ice today but all trains being late it had not arrived at the time of going to press. It will appear next week however.
It is been in nearly a year since Vermilion people enjoyed the first electric lights. Could you do without them now? We distinctly remember when several businessmen broach the subject to Mr. Coen of the electric line; the petition that was circulated and presented to the Council, and discussions, which arose as to rates, etc., finally ending in the granting of the franchise. Like everything else it only needed someone to start the proposition, but it is sufficient to say that the persons who started the movement and worked for it the hardest are businessmen of our town.
The fishermen along the lake lost nets during the heavy storm on of two weeks ago, and are still attempting to recover his many of them as possible. The loss with the amount will amount to many hundred dollars. The tug Penelope of Cleveland was burned off Avon Point and the three men on board barely escaped with their lives. The fishermen here met with varied luck.
Mrs. E. T Bottomley and daughter, Mrs. W. B. Houseman of Birmingham spent Saturday in Elyria.
Tuesday was the shortest day of the year.
George C. Driver has some fine kraut for sale at $.15 per 1-2 [sic] gallon or 25c per gallon. It is going like hotcakes. Better try some. Res. opposite Lake Shore depot.
Old Mr. Krahenbuhl died at his son John’s and was buried from the M. E. Church last Sunday. He was quite an aged man and had lived with his son John who took care of them.
The severe cold does not keep people from traveling the roads, which are fine and if you have any idea that Xmas is a long way off just come to Birmingham and view the stores and try to buy a paper of pins or some other necessary trifle.
Christmas exercises for the schools will be held at the Town Hall. There is to be a Cantata given by the high school in other interesting events. This will take place Thursday evening.
If the party who took the blanket from the buggy of Miss Sophia Trinter at Town Hall sheds, Vermilion, Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 22, will return it no questions will be asked. Otherwise trouble will be made as party is known.
Simon Stefan lies quite ill at his home on South Street. His daughter, Miss Anna, who is attending college at all relevant was called home Tuesday.
Mrs. Anna Friese Chapin has presented a bill for $21,250, to F. P. Salinger, guardian of her son Valentine freeze, for boarding, lodging, care, maintenance and service, from Mrs. Chapin to her son for 8 ½ years, or since the death of his father, Valentine freeze of freeze landing. The claim will not be allowed. The trial it’s an dusky last spring in which Mrs. Chapin attempted to have her son’s marriage to Hazel Brockett of Cleveland and the old will well be remembered here; the young people disappeared and have been in the West since. They were in Cleveland last week but again have disappeared.
William C. Miller was busy butchering Monday.
Don’t forget the Xmas program Sunday evening.
Hmmmmmm....
TAKE NOTE: This facility lasted until the late 1940s.
I was talking with Vermilionite Jane Smith this past week and she told me that she met her husband while skating in this building.
…Horace R. Wood; mustered out with company July 13, 1864.
James M. Webber; wounded at battle of Petersburg, Va., June 19, 1864; mustered out with company July 13, 1864.
Valentine Walter; died June 18, 1864, from wounds received at battle of Wilderness, Va., May 10, 1864; buried in Arlington, Va., National Cemetery.
Charles F. Warner; no record found.
Fayette Walcott; discharged March 5, 1863, for wounds received in action.
William Wilson; discharged November 4, 1862, on surgeon's certificate of disability.
Ebenezer E. Warren; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps September 30, 1863, by order of war department.
Christian W. Weidel; transferred to Sixth United States Cavalry October 23, 1863, by order of war department.
Jacob Weidman; transferred to company A June 25, 1861.
Isaac Wilson; transferred to commandant at Camp Cleveland, 0., July 13, 1864.
The Twenty-fourth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camps Chase and Jackson during the latter part of May and the early part of June, 1861. To its formation no less than eleven counties made a contribution of men, young men, most of them, strong and active. The county of Erie sent into this command a large contingent of company E. The greater portion of this company was enlisted in June, 1861, but recruits Were received during 1863 and 1864.
Although the regiment entered the service in June, it was not until about the middle of September, following, that it engaged in its first battle. During the latter part of July the Twenty-fourth left camp for Cheat Mountain, Va., where they encamped and prepared for guard duty. The enemy were within a short marching distance, and picket firing and skirmishing were not infrequent.
On the morning of September 12 the regiment was surrounded by the rebel forces and barely escaped capture. Lack of proper vigilance was the cause of this disaster. But the boys soon rallied and formed a line of battle and made a stout and successful resistance, but not without some loss in killed and wounded. The roster will disclose the fact that as many of company C were killed or wounded at Cheat Mountain as in any other place, excepting possibly Chickamauga, Ga.
The Twenty-fourth was next engaged at Greenbrier, Va., on the 3d of October, where they were exposed to a heavy fire, but for all of that their loss was inconsiderable, two being killed and three wounded. This ended the fighting for 1861. The regiment proceeded to Louisville, Ky., arriving there on the 28th of November. While here the Twenty-fourth was attached to the Fourth Division of the Tenth Brigade of the Army of the Ohio.
THE BOATHOUSE INN: Some Vermilionites will remember this little restaurant from the 1950s. It was located in the building where the Freeman-Eckley Yacht sales business currently operates (i.e. on the north side of Liberty just above Don Parsons Marina). I don’t know who operated the establishment.
Though I never ate there (when I was a youngster restaurant odors and food made me nauseous). But I seem to recall that I did go into the place with my brother Bill and have a soft drink.
Some businesses – especially restaurants – seem to come and go quite quickly. Operating a restaurant requires a great deal more work than some may realize. Moreover, location counts.
During a jury selection process, the first lawyer began his questioning as an intimidating showman. He looked over the prospective jurors and asked, "Do any of you here today dislike lawyers?"
Before the pause became too long, the judge said, "I do."
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, "Grandma's 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
P.O. Box 437
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-8397
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
Vol. 15. Issue 42 - December 23, 2017
Archive Issue #771
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