Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: F.Y.I. her name is Elyse Ferber - and she once owned the local Curves exercise franchise in Vermilion, O. Her husband (I gather) is a physician. She and a friend (Mrs. Proctor), on occasion, I met when they were volunteer delivery-drivers for our local Meals-On-Wheels program. While I was aware of the fact that she and her husband own a home on Vermilion Road (south of town) I didn't know exactly where. That didn't really matter; but I was curious.
As it turned out she and her husband purchased what was once "Camp ISS-SEE-KES" (Thanks for the right spelling Myrna) on Vermilion Road just a hop, skip, and a jump south of the Lorain County Mill Hollow Metro-Park Reservation. And, as ye can see, the sign that once marked the entrance to the camp remains. They, obviously, perceived it to be both charming and useful as it pertains to having folks unfamiliar with the area find their home.
The property is, understandably, private and protected so uninvited visitors are not (again understandably) welcome. But that's not real important. The sign, itself, is enough to generate pleasant memories for a significant number of persons; those who spent a week or two at camp. It was sponsored by the Elyria YMCA for many, many years.
Elyse said that most of the artifacts they came across which were related to the history of the camp they gave to the Elyria "Y". And that's as it should be. But I'm glad they kept the sign. Were it not for the landmark sign the place might easily be forgotten. [Although I've been told that one local school principal can still sing the camp song if someone asks.]
THE MAUDELTON HOTEL:was originally constructed on level ground when it stood on the corner of Main and Division streets. But when it was moved down the hill the basement was built into the hill to level the building. Thus, a frontal view shows one a three-story hotel and a side view shows a four-story building (in old pictures).
Once upon a time the tallest member of our baby-faced gang jumped up and grabbed the bottom of the hotel's fire escape at the back, and we gingerly scampered up the ladder to the first entrance, and quietly as possible forced the door open. It wasn't exactly precision cat burglary. It was also daylight. We all had to be home by dinnertime. That would be 6 o'clock on a summer evening. So, we had a window of about 30 minutes to get in, look around, and get out. The floors creaked and we whispered because we thought the people in the bar below might hear us and come running.
Looking back, I sincerely doubt that anyone in their right mind would have "come running". Not in that building. The possibility of crashing through three stories of rotting floor seemed rather distasteful. Years of disuse had taken their toll.
And through the dust we crept half expecting to be met by a ghost in the dim hallway of the old hotel. We came to the first door of the nearest room and pushed it open.
I am still astounded by meeting the past on its own terms outside of a museum. This was real. Nothing fancy; Just old, left the way it was the day someone closed the door, and went home. There was a big brass bed with a straw mattress (remember that old saw: “sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite?”) There was an old dresser with a porcelain water pitcher and bowl on it. And a great deal of dust. Or did I mention that?
What a let-down. Getting in and out of the place without being caught was real thrilling. But the place itself (?) it was an old decrepit hotel. A bunch of dusty rooms with brass beds, old water pitchers, and brass numbers on the door.
But to be very honest, I’m glad we did it.
VIEWS PODCASTS: Between 2008 and 2010 I made 167 video podcasts as a part of the Vermilion Views page. I eventually took all off line because they were taking up too much of the space allotted me for the page at the time. But I did save the recordings, just as I have saved most of my online work during the last 20 years. My formatting may now be outdated, but not my work.
I don’t know how any of it will play in another 10 or 20 years, but I’m going to place some of it back online now and we will see.
Added to the files this week is a video / slide-show about the building of Vermilion's UCC Congregational church that I made a number of years ago. It runs 11:46 minutes. There are a number of familiar faces and places in it.
Historically,
THE ONLY COP IN TOWN: For many years Vermilionite Edgar David Benson (1883-1960) was the only cop in town. His obituary tells us that he was “a miller by trade” and in his younger days had worked at grist mills in both Lorain and Vermilion. Precisely what led him to become a law enforcement person is one of Vermilion history’s mysteries. But no matter, records will show that he was elected to be the Village Marshal soon after coming to Vermilion around 1917 and remained as the town’s chief law enforcement officer for the next 38 years. During most of those years, as has been said, he was the only cop in town.
Sounds like a tall order – doesn’t it? Well, while it would be a mistake to trivialize the importance of the office, as well as the difficulties inherent in the job simply because most of the year the population numbered a good deal less than 2000 souls. There were times, especially during the warmer months of the year, when the population of the community experienced a significant increase. And whether it was because of regatta celebrations, large picnics at the local amusement park (i.e. Crystal Beach) or families taking respite from city life for a week or so, the job must have often been a bit hectic. But Chief Benson took care of it.
WE GATHER TOGETHER: “We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing; / he chastens and hastens his will to make known; / the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing;/ sing praise to his Name, he forgets not his own…”
That’s always been one of my favorite Thanksgiving songs. It’s an old Dutch hymn written in 1597. According to those who know such things it first appeared in American hymnals sometime in 1903. Gaining popularity during the years that followed, it was commonly used throughout the United States during town and college centennial celebrations, and especially during Thanksgiving services everywhere.
When I was but a lad (a jillion years ago) it was still deemed appropriate music for Thanksgiving programs in public schools. But this ain’t about that. The song sung in unison by several hundred children in the twilight of South Street School’s auditorium back in the early 1950s is not easily forgotten. And I am thankful for that.
In those days our family would crowd into our old Pontiac sedan on Thanksgiving morning and head for Uncle Tom Bottomley’s home in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Back then it was, what I used to think of as being, an arduous expedition. (The days of interstate highways were yet to come.) As a matter of course, prepping for such journeys began by asking everyone, “Do you need to go to the bathroom?” Though the answer to the question was often met with a resounding and impatient “No” upon departure, there would invariably be a mad dash to the facilities as soon as we reached our destination. Many were thankful for that.
Uncle Tom’s house was a nice place across the street from a school playground. If the weather was nice my sisters, cousins, and I would take advantage of it. But when the weather was bad, we explored – or rather snooped – about the house the way kids do when they really shouldn’t. Of those snoop sessions two things enthralled me. (1. In the bath there were multi-colored bath beads. I’d never before seen any. Though they looked like candy I somehow knew enough not to eat them. Coming from a family of 8 children bath beads in our house were out of the question. They would not have lasted 10 minutes. (2. The house had an attic. It was the kind with stairs, so it was easy to access. The attic was very clean. It was filled with old furniture, suitcases, and trunks. The odor of old things – hidden treasurers – I found, even then, intoxicating. None of us were so bold or disrespectful as to touch any of the items therein. It was enough just to be among them. And I am thankful for those memories.
Thanksgiving dinner was always wonderful. Uncle Tom and pretty Aunt Florence were very warm and cordial persons. Their table was always immaculate; the conversation around it loud and full of mirth; and the food was excellent. All were thankful for those things and each other.
For some unknown reason the ride home was always less onerous than the earlier one. I recall being wedged between my sisters in the backseat of the car. Night had fallen. The dashboard lights dimly lit the interior. Conversation was lagging so someone turned on the radio. The Fibber McGee and Molly Show was being broadcast. Fibber McGee opened his closet, and everything came crashing to the floor. I was warm as toast; happy as a clam; snug as a bug. I was thankful, in that yesteryear, for the life my higher power had provided me; family, friends, and country. And I still am.
FOGY FOLLOW-UP: After the “Fogies Dream Too” article ran in the local weekly newspaper (i.e. the Vermilion Photojournal) – Hoffman who owns the Liberty Car Wash called me. He asked if I could come to his business on Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m.
When I arrived, he took me around back to one of the back bays in the business. Inside one of them was a 1957 Ford Thunderbird with a removable hardtop with portholes.
Wow! We took it out for a spin and then he let me drive it for a spell (with the top off). Understand this: this 1957 vehicle did not have power steering or power brakes. Ergo the driving of it took me back to the days when my mom had a 1956 Pontiac – except – this was a 1957 Thunderbird. It’s a cool ride with or without the top.
Now this fogy has one less dream to dream.
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...
Captain James Stone, for more than 50 years connected with the Lake trade in one of the most popular men in the business, died very suddenly at his home, 9107 Detroit Ave., Thursday morning of acute indigestion. Capt. Stone who was supervising inspector of steam vessels for the ninth district for the past thirteen years was at his office in the government building Wednesday in apparently good health. He was appointed supervising inspector in 1898, and succeeded Michael Galvin, of Buffalo.
Captain Stone commenced sailing on the lakes when 17 years of age in the employ of the late Captain Alva Bradley, who was then a resident of Vermilion. He continued sailing in the Bradley employ for 37 years without interruption by sickness or other cause for a day. For three years he was engaged in the office of M. A. Bradley, who managed the Bradley estate. During all the time he was in the Bradley employee the underwriters were not called upon to pay a general average claim on a boat that was in his care.
His early life as master was spent in command of sailing vessels, his first boat being the schooner Challenge in 1864. His first steamer was that Joseph S. Fay, he superintended the building and brought the steamers R.P. Ranney, City of Cleveland, Maurice B. Grover, Pasadena and Hesper in the order named.
Capt. James Stone was born in “Port Burwell”, Ontario, Sept. 10, 1836. His parents moved to Vermilion three years later where he resided for 51 years. The past 21 years he has made Cleveland his home. He was united in marriage to Sarah Frances Parsons, Jan. 15, 1863.Three children were born to this union, Louis W. Of Vermilion, Mrs. William Honecker of Lorain, and Burton A., of Cleveland.
Sarah Francis Stone died March 16, 1891. He was united in marriage to Sarah a McCauley, Nov. 23, 1902.
His death occurred at his home in Cleveland Nov. 23, 1911, at the age of 75 years, two mos. and 13 days. The funeral was held on Saturday afternoon at his home in Cleveland. Then the body was brought to his son’s home in Vermilion and a brief service was conducted Sunday at 12:30 P. M. By Rev. T. H. D. Harrold and burial was at Maple Grove Cemetery.
Delmar Donaldson, formerly of Vermilion and well-known for his ball playing was seriously, if not fatally, injured Monday at the public square, Cleveland, by being struck by streetcar. Mr. Donaldson had just arrived in Cleveland from Canada where he has been for some time past, and was on his way, to Vermilion when the accident occurred.
Nothing further has been heard regarding the above report which was telephoned to Vermilion by someone who said he was a physician and had charge of the injured man who was to be taken to the home of his sister at Salineville.
Ernest P. Chamberlain, of Oberlin has brought suit in the Common Pleas Ct. of Lorain County for $25,000 damages on a Lake Shore Electric car near Vermilion. Two cars collided head-on in May of this year and Chamberlain was among a number of Oberlin students who were injured.
Pearl Zimmerman and Jesse Francis, Huron girls who ran away from home Wednesday, were ordered sent to the Delaware home by Judge Sloan at a juvenile court hearing Friday.
According to the testimony of the young girls, they were on their way to Toledo when they were apprehended at Bogert’s corners. They told the court that they wanted to visit some more friends in Toledo and see what a big town looked like.
The people of Axtel and vicinity will have the privilege of listening to a two hours musical entertainment in the Axtel M. E. Church on Tuesday evening, Dec. 5th at 7:30 P. M., By Wickens Co., of Lorain, O., on the Victrola. The finest vocal or instrumental selections from New York Trinity Choir, Sousa’s band and also vocal selections by the best artists in the world. All for 5 cents for children under 12 and 10 cents for adults. A rare treat. House should be crowded. Proceeds for all for the church.
The Epworth league of Vermillion will secure the same for Vermilion. Watch for the date.
The funeral services of Mrs. Frederick Steer was held on Tuesday afternoon at the Lutheran Church. Reverence Schust officiated.
Funeral services of John G. Schubert was held at the home of his daughter, Mrs. August Sahl Sunday, Rev. Zigler officiated. Burial was made in the Brownhelm Cemetery.
Frank Lassen of Amherst, who for a short time conducted a meat market here has won the displeasure of Prosecutor Stevens of Lorain County, and it is moved that charges against him and Lewis Heninger of Lorain will be brought in connection with disposing and operating slot machines.
Capt. George Bell returned home from a season’s duties on the lakes, Thursday.
The Village Council will meet in regular session Monday night.
“New York By Night”. Opera House, Vermilion, Friday night, Dec. 1.
C. A. Trinter left Monday evening for Chicago where he expects to spend a few days.
It was reported Monday that a man had been killed on the Nickel Plate near here, but proved a false rumor. In Avery a man, was injured near that village.
Roy Kane has arrived home from the lakes.
Howard Thompson and family have moved into Mrs. Quigley’s house recently vacated by Charles Wilkes.
Is important that members of the Vermilion G. A. R. band attend the next regular meeting on Tuesday evening, next.
The railroad sewer is being pushed rapidly to completion. The work is now in progress between Washington and Grand Street. The contractor is doing a first-class job. It is too bad that Vermilion cannot have a sewer system with its trunk line as well constructed.
There has been some falling off in the fishing business at this sport. The fish companies have been handling an unusually large number of fish. At the Driscoll plant 140 tons have been cared for in the past eight days. The J. H. Driscoll and Ames took their lifts to Fairport this week.
The gas boat Trinter has had an unusual white fish lifts. Four lifts aggregated 8349 pounds of that species alone.
Mrs. Conrad Reed has been under the doctor’s care for the past week.
The temperance program at the Advent church last Sunday night was well attended.
Seymour Leimbach is Very busy breaking colts at present.
…physician in the city; those before mentioned as having been here, had all left. The first year of his residence in this city was at the old “Townsend House," kept at that time by R. D. McDonald. In April, 1855, he formed a copartnership with Dr. Kramer, which continued for three years; their office being most of the time at Dr. Kramer's house, the present residence of Dr. John A. Graham. Dr. Massey graduated from the medical department of New York University in April, 1846. The venerable Dr. Valentine Mott was president of the faculty, and professor of surgery. Dr. Massey was in active practice as an allopathic physician from the time of his graduation until he came to Sandusky; he had, however, for two or three years previous to his coming west, been investigating the claims of homeopathy, and devoted most of the year of his residence here before commencing practice with Dr. Kramer, in that gentleman's office, familiarizing himself with the materia medica and therapeutics of the system which he had decided to adopt, and in which practice he is still engaged, having practiced thirty-four years as a homeopathist in Sandusky, and eight years as an allopathist in New York. He is therefore the senior in actual age—having been born January 17, 1821 —as well as in years of practice, of all the homeopathic physicians of Erie county. Dr. Massey had for many years a large and lucrative practice, extending not only over Sandusky city, but more or less into the different townships of the county. He was from 1861 to 1871 physician to the county infirmary, a term of ten consecutive years. He was also for several years a member of the board of health, and a portion of the time health officer of the city. Admonished by increasing years and the growing infirmities incident to long exposure in the duties of a “doctor's life," that the call from labor to “rest and refreshment" had sounded, the doctor is endeavoring to enjoy the fruits of an active professional career, among those who remain of friends, patrons, and acquaintances, extending over a period of thirty-four years—more than a “generation of time."
Dr. L. L. Leggett, son of General Leggett, of Cleveland, located here about 1870, and remained a year or so, when he relinquished his profession and engaged with his father in the patent law business. Dr. Leggett has the qualifications that will make him succeed in whatever he undertakes. The loss of-such men to the profession is a misfortune to it and the public.
The next recruit to the ranks of homeopathic physicians in Sandusky was Dr. J. D. Buck. He was born in Fredonia, N. Y. State, November 20, 1838. He studied medicine and graduated at Cleveland Homeopathic College in the spring of 1864; commenced practice at Battle Creek, Mich.; moved to Sandusky in the spring of 1865, forming a copartnership with Dr. D. T. Kramer. In the fall of 1866 he was appointed to the chair of physiology in Cleveland Homeopathic College which position he filled until he removed to Cincinnati in the fall of 1871, where he helped to organize, in 1872, the Pulte Medical College of…
ASTOUNDED: Well, it may not astound anyone else, but it certainly grabbed my attention. I found this certificate while (what else?) I was looking for something else. I looked it over rather quickly and had to do a double take.
It was enclosed with another teaching certificate from Erie County in Ohio dated 1896.
What astounded me is the fact that these certificates belonged to my grandmother Elizabeth “Bessie” Bottomley-Roscoe who was born in 1879.
Do the math. In 1892 Bessie would have been 13 years old. I had known that she began teaching school when she was very young – but 13(?).
The Howard Lake in the early certificate was in Minnesota where she was born and lived until her family moved to Milan, Ohio – probably around 1895 or ’96.
When I was 13 I was still reading comic books.
. .
An old woman is riding in an elevator in a very lavish New York City building.
A young and beautiful woman gets into the elevator, smelling of expensive perfume. She turns to the old woman and says arrogantly, "Romance" by Ralph Lauren, $150 an ounce!"
Then another young and beautiful woman gets on the elevator, and also very arrogantly turns to the old woman saying, "Channel No. 5, $200 an ounce!"
About three floors later, the old woman has reached her destination and is about to get off the elevator. Before she leaves, she looks both beautiful women in the eye, then bends over and trumpets a fart like the finale of an opera.
As the elevator doors close behind her, she turns and whispers into the eyewatering fumes: "Broccoli, 49 cents a pound."
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 “Tripping: A Writer’s Journeys.” Signed copies of her new book can be purchased for $15.00 at the Southside Sentinel office or by mail by writing Rappahannock Press, Box 546, Urbanna, VA and adding $6.00 to cover mailing costs and tax. Contact:glongest@ssentinel.com.
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
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Vol. 17. Issue 39 - November 30, 2019
Archive Issue #872
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