OLD NEWS IS GOOD NEWS

SPUDS COME HIGH

There have been several times lately the potatoes could not be had in Vermilion at any price. 65¢ a peck, it is believed the highest price in the history of the town, is now being said paid for potatoes. At some places it was possible the first of the week to buy a single bushel for $2.40. While these conditions exist in town, rumors come from the country nearby are to the effect that “spuds” are not as scarce as the town folks might be led to believe, but that the farmers not satisfied with $2.00 a bushel wholesale, are holding out for $3. Report has it that one well known man has about 2000 bushels that he intends to hold until the latter price predominates before selling. If this is true and it is possible that we have men in this country who are avaricious, is to be hoped that something will be will happen that will cause them to be satisfied with the earth and not want a fence set with the diamonds to enclose it.

777…

BETTER LIGHTS IN THE FUTURE

The People’s Light and Power Company will within the month install in the substation here, a Westinghouse Induction Regulator. This regulator is to keep the electric current at a uniform voltage and it is claimed prevent the fluctuations in the current so noticeable at times. This improvement will be welcomed by the customers as nothing is more exasperating than dim lights or an insufficient current to run it a motor especially when one is in a hurry.

VERMILION CAPTAIN TO SAIL A NEW BOAT

Another large freighter the Parguy, is to be launched at the yards of the American Shipbuilding Company, at Lorain, Saturday morning at 10:00. This launching is of particular interest as one of our local captains, Charles M. Gegenheimer, is to be the master, when she goes out on her first trip in the service of the Pittsburgh Steamship Company at the opening of the navigation this spring.

The boat is 600 feet long 60 feet beam and 33 feet deep. Several lake men and others from here will attend the launching.

Captain Gegenheimer who has been engaged on the lakes for 29 years, commenced to sail with  another captain, George Bell, and was with him for 13 years, or until he was appointed to the command of a boat. In the 16 summers since he has had charge of probably 7 or 8 different boats and last season sailed the William P. Palmer.

It is reported that the next large boat to be launched at the yard will also make her maiden trip under command of a Vermilion captain.

BOAT BUILDERS PROGRESSES HERE

Henry Black is busy these days in filling a contract for the gas boats, nearly the same size. One now under construction is nearly 29 feet overall with 7 foot beam and will be supplied with 14 horsepower engine. It will be used for towing a trap net barge and for the firm of Krock & Cooley of Huron, the framework of this boat is all up and is about half planked.

The second boat will be the same length but with about a foot more beam and is in for John Cummings of north Bass. The 14 horsepower engine will be the motive power.

The boats are of substantial build, the keel and frame being of oak and the planking of Cyprus. They are to be ready for delivery by March 10th. Otto Pallhorn is assisting Mr. Black and the shop is located east of the river near the bridge.

CRIPPLED MAN INJURED

-N.A. Foster is confined to bed at his home near the bridge, following a fall Tuesday evening. Just about dusk, Mr. Foster started down the cellar on an errand supposing he had reached the last stair, he stepped up and fell forward on his knees severely injuring the calf of his left knee. The member is badly swollen and very painful. He has suffered from lameness in this leg for a number of years and it is particularly unfortunate that he should have hurt himself in this manner.

LOCAL MEN IN COLUMBUS

Reverend J. B. Moyer, P. B. Morgan and E. L. Coen left Wednesday morning for to attend the Ohio Dry Convention of Columbus. This marks the real beginning the campaign of 1917 for prohibition in Ohio. The three days session closes today. The subject has been discussed in all phases by some of the most noted speakers the country affords. The synopsis of the various lectures will be probably will probably be given when the local representatives make their report.

[NOTE: One likely knows what these people wanted – and as fate would have it also know what eventually transpired. I really think it shows how people can be talked into passing a law with good intentions and sound logic, but really, really didn’t think it through. The lesson should be underlined in every American History class taught today. It can very easily happen again. And the result of such carelessness (as we know) might be worse than the very thing the law was attempting to address and correct.]

LEAVES WAKEFIELDS TO JOIN NEW FIRM.

Walter D Smith, who for the past eight years, has been employed in the office of the Wakefield Brass Company resigned his position this week to accept one with the Dall Motor Parts Company. He will have charge of the installation and cost of office systems at the new factory and will assume the duties there about the 15th of February.

Gerald Basil, who left for the past several months has been traveling salesman for the Wakefield company will take charge of the position vacated by Mr. Smith for the present.

COUNCIL HOLDS SPECIAL SESSION

The town council held a short session Monday evening. The clerk read the replies from the several boards which had been offered the $12,000 bonds. All refused, so they will be offered in open market.

A resolution authorizing the clerk to advertise the bonds for sale to the highest bidder, was passed, the council reserving the right to reject any and all bids.

The subject of having another saloon, based on the census taken in 1915, was brought up. The mayor explained the law in regard to the matter. Some of the councilmen there in favor of taking the old census and revising it as an attempt to secure the third saloon, while others were decidedly against it. If anything they would prefer the taking of a new census. It is claimed that in the former one a number of temporary residents were counted, also members of the families who were no longer residents of the town, being employed and living in Cleveland and other places. It is doubtful if the record requisite number, 1500, could be secured. If the law provided that there should be 1 saloon for every 500 people or fraction thereof, say 300, there would be no question, but it distinctly sets the figure at 500.

The appointment of street commissioner was deferred.

SOME ARTICLES FROM 1880

February 6TH, 1880

 Captain Lucius Edson and W. Levon have purchased the property known as the Andrus property, fronting on main street and extending to the river, for $1300.

S.B. Grumman, one of the large vessel owners of Detroit, Michigan, has brought the lots on the river, down by the lime kiln, formerly owned by Captain Minch, consideration, three hundred $600.00, we are informed the intention is to erect a grain warehouse in the spring.

A strong effort is to be made to establish and open a free reading room.

FEBRUARY 12, 1880

Two or three of our ice dealers commenced cutting the ice today. The ice is about four inches thick and will do very well for spring use but will hardly keep enough keep through the summer. Mr. Henry Englebry while cutting the ice took a dive into the river, much against his wish or desire. He was standing on the edge, when the piece broke off and gave him a ducking.

February 19 1880

John Bacon of Brownhelm is sick with cancer of the stomach.

Uncle Burton Parsons, one of the old pioneers of Vermilion, is very sick with catarrh fever.

 A little child of O. F. Hatch was buried on Sunday. Mr. Hatch himself is laid up with a broken arm. Mrs. Hatch has just begun to recover from a severe fit of sickness, and we learned that another child has been taken down with fever.

BIRMINGHAM

Miss Jesse Kropf was brought home from the Oberlin hospital Monday afternoon.

Several cases of chicken pox have been reported in this community recently.

Mrs. George Blandon sr. died at her home here last Wednesday afternoon. Funeral services (private) were held at the home Friday, Rev. Chenen of Oberlin officiating. She was 70 years of age and leaves a husband, one son, George junior, one daughter, Mrs. Rae Storek 4 grandchildren, one sister of Norwalk two brothers, Charles Bristol of Axtel and Will Bristol of Geneva.

BROWNHELM

Mrs. Eugene Streetor who has been very sick is much improved.

BERLIN HEIGHTS

Miss Allison Reighley has been unable to look after her duties as teacher so far this week on account of the illness of her mother.

Cora Helgate who completed her year at the normal will take charge of the school now being taught by miss Pauline Ludwick on January 29th.

William Lippus has been unable to attend to duties at the store for over a week owing to illness.

Mrs. Leah meeker of Vermillion was buried at the old Baptist cemetery here last week.

Little Mary Brandeis is reported quite ill.

Henry Crocker is again able to be out.

AMHERST

The stockholders of the Amherst Lumber Company will hold their annual meeting at the office on Thursday afternoon.

Mrs. Albert Hostettler is reported quite ill at her home north of town.

The six month old child of Mr. And Mrs. Joseph Francis died from measles and pneumonia Thursday.

J.W. Underwent a serious operation at Saint Joseph’s hospital Lorain Thursday.

Funeral services for B. D. Bemis a lifelong resident, was held from the home of his parents in Northridge Sunday afternoon, Reverend Snyder officially of Berea, officiating. The Masons and Eagles lodges of which he was a member attended in a body.

LOCALS

Mrs. William Ackerman is reported quite ill at her home in the West End.

Charles Coleman prosperous Vermilion farmer left Monday to Cincinnati for a two week trip to join the Florida- China special

Russ Poley son of Mr. And Mrs. George Poley of West Vermilion, who was seriously injured in an auto accident on New Year’s night was removed from the hospital to his home this week, and his complete recovery is hoped for.

HURON

Soft coal is retailing here at six and seven dollars a ton hard coal is going up to $9.

With the advance rates on the electric current and water rents several families have gone back to the use of lamps as a means of cutting living expenses.

Our icemen felt a little encouraged over the last spell with nicer ice on the river they will likely soon complete their harvest.

The pool room on Main Street is having a nice floor put in and giving the place a general overhauling.

Mrs. Gotchstecker, of Oklahoma, is improving nicely and her friends here hope she will soon be able to be up and about again.

Huron will soon have a modern post office if reports are true.

So all of the old buildings on the east side of the river will be torn down in the spring by order of the state fire Marshall.

Is reported on very good authority that Huron will have a new restaurant in the spring.

Huron is sadly in need of good thorough temperance campaign among the many unfortunates. The field is certainly here for this work.

Frozen water pipes are causing no little inconvenience at various places about town.

The new wooden block pavement on the bridge is not proving entirely satisfactory, some of the blocks are being forced out of position by the frost. Repairs will be necessary.

Funeral services or Mrs. Lewis Sprankle, who died suddenly Friday of Bright’s disease, was held Monday afternoon at 2:00. Burial, with services in charge of the Ladies Woodman circle, of which she was a member. She was aged 51 and was the wife of a local florist, and was apparently in good health Thursday night for she attended the session of the Farmers Institute being stricken shortly after her return home. A husband, one son, a sister, Mrs. Herman burns, and three brothers survive.

Robert Day, an aged resident is ill and the case has been diagnosed smallpox.

Mrs. Joseph Speckler had one of her eyes removed one day this week doctor Kreider of Monroeville performed the operation.

NEWSY NOTES

A great many people sitting in their safe and comfortable homes are firmly convinced that the warring parties of Europe should fight for their principles to the last ditch.

[NOTE: I’m not sure what this meant – or how to take it. Is this a criticism of Americans for not helping in the European war at this time – or is it a nationalistic comment?]

The children have been putting in the time well lately with their sleds. The snow of Saturday night and the drop in temperature that followed has made conditions for their sport ideal. The grown-ups too have not let the opportunity pass to participate in a sleighing party. Advocates of the old fashioned winter have nothing to complain of so far this season.

The manager of Crystal Beach is now making preparations for a lively summer season at that popular resort. This week he has had some interesting circulars printed which contain photo engravings descriptive of crystal beach at its best and it can hardly fail to influence community committees and others in charge of arranging camping parties, pick picnics, you know like.

STRONG’S CORNERS

Mrs. E. B. Page is improving at this writing.

The Grange will give a pie social at their hall and Henry and a center next Tuesday evening.

[NOTE: I’ve never heard of such an event before. It really is a fascinating concept. I’d like to give it a try!]

Mr. And Mrs. Elmer Heussner who have been confined to their bed for some time are slowly improving.

The state of Ohio is now thought to be ahead of Texas in population, we’re in fourth in rank in the nation, following it the order named, New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

[NOTE: Since then Ohio has sunk to 7^th most populated states in the U.S.