BIG CHANGES: This is a snapshot of the building of the Fischermen's Bend Condominiums. I don't recall the year because I was purposely wincing. I like new developments- but. This one I did not. I thought much could have been done with the old fish houses along the river that might have brought folks to town with their money. But perhaps this did as well.

AT THE THEATRE: There are over 30 videos / audios available at the theatre. I'm adding to the collection as the months pass. During the Covid (or anytime) - it's a good place to visit. I will be adding more this week. During this virus thing I've been learning a good deal about video productions.

I've not added anything for a time. But there's a good deal there to enjoy. Take a peek or two or three.

VERMILION HISTORY MUSEUM THEATRE

THE MAN WHO WAS AS HONEST AST THE SUN: When the weather cooperates and this blasted Covid thing is finally gone, take a stroll down north Main Street in Vermilion toward Lake Erie. On the southwest corner of Main and Huron Street you’ll see a large home known as THE WELLS HOUSE: I’ve no idea as to the precise age of this beautiful home, [Margaret Wakefield-Worcester can likely tell ya.] but it’s a very old building. Over the years it’s been known not only as the “Wells House”, but also the “Stagecoach” and / or the “Steamboat” Hotel. It is thought by some that once upon a time Huron Street was “the” main thoroughfare through the town. If so, those designations make some sense. But as for the details surrounding those designations, they seem mostly a matter of speculation than of fact. What we do know with certainty is that the home was originally that of an early Vermilion resident named Lewis Wells and his famil.

[NOTE: To avoid any confusion it should be known that this Lewis Wells and the Louis Wells that was responsible for the development of the Vermilion Lagoons are not the same person and nor are they related.]

The Lewis Wells in this essay, was born at Wells Hollow, Connecticut, (one obituary has him born in White Plains, N.Y.) February 28, 1814. He was one of five children born to Philo and Hannah Lewis-Wells who migrated to the “Vermillion” area in 1817. The Wells Homestead was on the ridge, then known as “Well’s Corners” at the intersection of Mason and State Roads south of town. In the latter years of the 19th century, it was described as having been “a place of business enterprise and activity”. We now know the area as “Axtel”.

Lewis, who obviously acquired his Christian name from his mother’s surname, attended the district school at Wells Corners. His mother died in 1848 at the age or 40. His father, a grandson of a revolutionary war soldier, died on the farm in 1879 at the age of 93. It appears that at a relatively young age Lewis became interested in, and connected with the Huron Iron Company on the ridge just below Well’s Corners (i.e., near the intersection of Darrow and State - Rt. #60). That was during the 1830s and 40s. At about that same time a Cleveland doctor by the name of Philo Tilden built a furnace (i.e. the Vermilion Furnace Company) along the Vermilion River in the area near the current home of the Vermilion Boat Club. Tilden's operation employed some 60 men, but only lasted for about ten years. By 1855 improvements in shipping on the Great Lakes had made obtaining a better grade of ore much easier, and the furnace operation was summarily abandoned.

In my research I found that Mr. Wells was by that time living in Vermilion proper and had become associated with a well-know (at least to myself) and very prosperous Vermilion grocer / merchant named Orange Leonard. But in 1861 he had married a Sandusky woman, Miss Benjamina Burgess-Walker and had become a dealer in produce. He soon proved to be a very adept and wealthy businessman, and was recognized throughout Erie County. My assumption (a wide assumption of course) is that this was about the time he had the aforementioned Huron Street residence constructed.

Around 1870, after the untimely death of Erie County Commissioner Hobart Crane, he was appointed to fill the vacancy. He was later elected to that seat and served three terms (about 10 years) continuously. "Lewis Wells", wrote a rather zealous reporter of him, "was as honest as the sun." The Sandusky Courthouse was built and equipped during his service at a cost of $143,000. The same reporter went on to say that the courthouse was "a monument to his integrity and fidelity to the people’s interests."

Mr. Wells died at the Huron Street home some called the Stagecoach / Steamboat Hotel on Thursday, September 23 in 1897 at the age of 83 years. His funeral took place there on the following Saturday promptly at 12:30 p.m. standard. The man who was as “honest as the sun”.

_{RNT February 14, 2021}

Vol. XVI No. 38 – VERMILION, OHIO, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1913

COURTHOUSE NEWS

After testimony on both sides had been heard, Judge Young, of Norwalk, in the Court of Common Pleas, Tuesday, on motion of Judge George C. Beis, for the defense, directed a verdict for Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Taylor in a suit instituted against them by the John Church Co., of Cincinnati, a musical instrument concern.

The contention of the Church company was that Mr. and Mrs. Taylor had purchased a piano for something like $200 and had refused to recognize notes given by them, after about half had been met. The defense first represented that one C. E. Scott, of Marion, an agent of the company, induced Mrs. Taylor to sign the note in question while she was ill and did not know what she was doing.

The jury fixed the value of the piano at $166.83 and rendered judgment accordingly.

For “unlawfully, purposely and willfully pursuing a certain game animal, to wit, a muskrat,” on Sunday, Deb February 2, E. J. Fisher, of Huron was hailed into Squire Philip Dietrich’s court Thursday afternoon by game warden Michael Hopp finger, to answer a charge of violating one of the fish and game laws.

Fisher gave bail in the sum of $50 for his appearance in court for the trial, and was released.

C. M. Ray, of Huron, represented Fisher. –*Journal.

Axtel Farmers Acquire Registered Stock

It is now a recognized fact that in order to make a profit in dairying or stock raising, a farmer must have blooded stock. A few years ago anything would do, but in these days of science, when all nonproductive animals, and fruits and grains are being weeded out and only the most productive acquired the purpose is to procure only the best.

With this object in view two of our young Axtel farmers, recognizing that the time is right for blooded cattle, have purchased from “130 Ranch” the well-known registered Guernsey Bull, Banner Boy, of Chestnut Hill,15507. He is three years old and weighs about 1800 pounds. He is considered by many to be the best bread stock animal in the state of Ohio.

The valuable animal was recently purchased by Messrs. R. B. Washburn and R. E. Bristol, and may be seen on the premises of Mr. Washburn. Anyone wishing further information should inquire of these gentlemen or phone 111 – M.

Should Be Watched

The Lake area commercial fishermen should sit up and take notice. A representative in the legislature from Dayton, backed by the Dayton Fish Clubs has introduced a bill which if passed will put a number of fishermen out of business. The schedule of the fees proposed compared with the present license fees is as follows:

Rowboats with gill nets $10, now $5.

Sailboats with gill nets $30, now $8.

Gas or power boat with gill nets $100, now $15.

Steamboat $250, now $25. Rowboat with troll lines $10, now $2. Pound nets $30, now $4. Trap nets $25, now $2. Seins from $10-$15, according to length now $5. Any other device not specified $50, now $1.

It is thought that this fee will net the state $50,000. The fees now net about $10,500 and the fishermen are willing to have a 50 percent increase to be spent in the propagation of fish in the lake district, but we ask, is it hardly fair to raise money in this way to stock the inland waters?

Another bill forbids net fishing in water less than 20 feet deep.

Evidently Rep. Miller Who introduced the bill has a desire to “reduce?” the cost of living.

If the Ohio commercial fishermen alone would be benefited,it would not matter but how about the Canadian, Pennsylvanian, New York and Michigan fishermen, how does the proposed license compared to theirs? Can Mr. Miller legislate to compel the fish to stay on our side of the line?

BROWNHELM

BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Brill Saturday, February 15, a daughter.

AMHERST

BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. John Gamiane, a son, Thursday, Feb. 13, 13.

The Valentine party given by the order of the Eastern Star was well attended.

There are several applicants for the clerk’s job, F. E. Kaser’s resignation taking effect the first of April.

The funeral of Fred Zurcher or of Henrietta was held Sunday at 2 p.m. from St. John’s Evangelical in S. Amherst, Rev. Lindenmeyer officiated.

Walter Albrecht of S. Amherst filed suit against Thomas Fazey Friday, for $5000 damages for the gunshot wounds allegedly to have been inflicted by a shotgun in the hands of the defendant.

When L. N. Leuzler of Brownhelm went to his barn Thursday he was greatly surprised to discover that one of his flock of sheep had given birth to three lambs.

The funeral service of Mrs. Henry Dute was held Saturday afternoon from St. Peter’s Evangelical church Rev. Lindenmeyer officiating. Interment took place in Cleveland Street cemetery.

Louis Miller, met with a very serious accident Friday at noon on his return from work, near the high bridge. He was walking on the high embankment along the side of the lake Shore Ry. tracks when he fell to the ground below. When found he was unconscious, was immediately removed to St. Joseph’s Hospital.

BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Balzer, a son, Saturday, Feb., 15, ‘13.

CEYLON

Rev. Matt ski was calling on the sick Friday.

STRONG’S CORNERS

Mrs. V. Leimbach is nursing at Oberlin.

Fred Zurcher after a long illness died Feb. 12, ‘13. Funeral was held Sunday at S. Amherst, Rev. Lindenmeyer officiating.

BIRMINGHAM

C. H. Latteman purchased a fine team of bay horses from W. J. Lambert this week.

Don’t forget the George Washington supper and program to be held at the Town Hall, Saturday evening, Feb. 22nd.

In memory of Francis Louise Oehling daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Oehling who was born April 2, 1912, died February 8th, 1913, age ten months and six days.

Cong’l Campfire Girls Notes

The Cong’l campfire girls are nearing the point of completion in their organization. Far more applications from outside girls was received than could be handled, necessitating the refusal of their names, inasmuch as the rules of the organization prescribe that no more than three campfire groups be in the same organization. The three groups of 12 each have been filled.

The organization came into existence about one month ago when the pastor, Rev. Williams, took steps for its organization. This led to the appointment of Miss Lyda Wakefield as guardian, who is a most capable instructor, handling the work with efficiency.

LOCAL ITEMS

BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Werner Leidheiser, a son, Feb. 15, 1913.

Mrs. O’Larry who has been very ill for some time is reported better at her home on Washington Street.

August Schwensen who has been in the bakery here with his brother for some time past, left for Los Angeles, Cal., this Thursday at noon. Mr. Schwensen is in poor health and is making this change in hopes of being benefited. He has many friends here who are sorry to learn of this and hope he will return to Vermillion in good health.

Earl Wells met with an accident Saturday evening and at first it was thought had suffered a broken leg. Later however it developed that it was only a severe bruise.

TOWN NEWS: [Sorry. This is the same as last week.] There are several interesting notes here. The one that interests me at this time, however, is about Mr. Wells building a home "just west" of his on Huron Street. Could that be the old Mehnert home?