October 28, 1982
Picture #1 – The four Kuhn brothers, two of whom were mentioned in the lead story today, photographed years ago, perhaps at the time mentioned in the story. “Bid” is top row left. Next to him is George. Charles is bottom row left and Jim is on the right. Photograph courtesy of Mrs. Wilson (Marguerite) Hessey, 1010 N. Main St., cousin of the four brothers.
Mrs. Clarence (Dorothy) Vanderhoff, 905 Williston Ave., brought an interesting experience to my attention when the West Center Street articles about the Andes Opera House appeared in Potluck.
Way back when Dorothy was a little girl of seven, she was lucky enough to see the enactment of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” at the opera house in the Andes Building.
Back then, Dorothy was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Kuhn, and her dad took her to see the show. She recalls sitting in the first wow in the balcony.
I can still see and remember the bloodhounds chasing the slaves over the frozen ice and little Eva dying and Uncle Tom crying, she said in her letter to me.
Dorothy’s dad was a stagehand at the opera house and among other things pulled the curtain, she recalls. Her uncle “Bid” Kuhn had an orchestra which provided music for the opera house. Many readers will remember “Bid” as the father of Virginia and Janet.
But, the opera house experience wasn’t the only thing she had to tell me as the result of the Center Street Articles.
DR. HALE NEIGHBOR
The Kuhn family lived on the southwest corner of Countyline and Tiffin, directly opposite of Dr. Hale’s residence shown in one article.
Dr. Hale was our neighbor, Dorothy said. In the wintertime we (the neighborhood kids) used to slide down the hill on which Hale’s house was built.
Dorothy also recalled Dr. Hale’s mother lived in the house just north of him at 111 S. Countyline St., where Mary’s Beauty Shop is now, operated by Mary Emerine.
Mrs. Vanderhoff’s husband, Clarence, was an employee of The Review many years ago, in charge of the stereotype department.
READER FEEDBACK: MANY MEMORIES
Mrs. Ora Wade telephoned to report that so many of the recent Potluck articles recalled pleasant memories for her.
She started by saying that Dr. Hale, who was their family doctor, loved children and then went on to illustrate a case. In 1918, when Mrs. Wade took their daughter, Pauline, to the Halloween parage, she rather accidentally discovered that she (Pauline) had scarlet fever blotches on her hand.
Taking her home at once, she called Dr. Hale who came to the house and verified the affliction.
Pauline had two small kittens and she and Dr. Hale played with them during the housecall, Mrs. Wade said.
At that time Mrs. Wade’s husband Ora was scheduled to give a speech in the downtown area. However, coming down with pneumonia, he was ordered to bed by Dr. Hale. The band that was scheduled to play at the affair came to the Wade house to play for Mr. Wade.
Mrs. Wade has a keen memory for back then.
Mrs. Wade was pleased to see the article about “Queen” the horse which was owned by Alonzo Emerine and later purchased by F.M. Glassburn. She said when she was about 16 or 17, Willard, the son of Mr. Glassburn, gave her a ride in the buggy pulled by Queen from uptown Fostoria to her home.
She also remembers Earl “Skeet” Green and the delicious candy he made.
In another instance, Mrs. Wade recalled that she went to school with Fay Emerine at the Union Street School. Fay was the daughter of Alonzo Emerine.
WEST CENTER STORY
In a conversation with Helen Burtscher Wright, she told me that when the West Center Street story gave the history of her family, many people told her they didn’t realize that she had such important ancestors. One friend said she had a nice looking grandfather, only to discover later that the names had been inadvertantly switched on Charles Henry Jr’s. photo and that of Nicholas Burtscher.
HUMOROUS RECALL
Talking with Alice Margaret Van Curen Sanders, Woodville, about the Andes Block, she said that whenever she hears the names “Andes Block” she always recalls that when she went to her dentist Dr. A.O. Cole, on the second floor of the First National Bank building, the dental chair always faced across the street and the name “Andes Block” always greeted her during the “operation”.
PROSPECT FOR BOOK NOT PROMISING
Some weeks ago your author had a few paragraphs in an article about the possibility of publishing a book of Potluck articles, which was suggested at various times during the past several years by many readers.
The response for a tentative (not binding) agreement to purchase a book was not sufficient to warrant publication. In fact, the coupons returned numbered only 60. Not nearly enough!
Some readers have subsequently inquired about the matter and when told of the poor response suggested another reminder and coupon to fill in.
Following the suggestion, another coupon is provided today for the convenience of those who may have overlooked it or forgot to clip and sent it.
Returning the coupon is not binding at this time since a price for the book has not been set. The purpose is to determine actual interest if the price is not too much and if prospective purchasers are able to a make a firm purchase agreement later.