10 YEARS AGO
Deaths this week: Evelyn Minning, Robert L. Amick, Gene Scott, Doris Williams, Doris Jester, Charles G. Humphrey, Ruth Chatham, Ethel Koons.
Tim Colen of near Fairview has been honored by the Switzerland County Soil and Water Conservation District as its “Conservation Farmer of the Year” for 2006. He and his wife Machelle, work together to preserve the family farm, and grow corn and soybeans on about 900 acres of local ground.
Charlie Haskell has been honored by the Switzerland County Soil and Water Conservation District with its “Silver Star” award for 2006 for his lifetime spent in the farm industry. Working with his father then his sons, Charlie Haskell spent 45 years in the dairy business.
“Hoosier Basketball” magazine has released its list of the top 100 senior girls basketball players in all of Indiana; and Switzerland County point guard Ashley Bright has been honored with inclusion on the list.
Jim Wingate of near Moorefield is the new Pleasant Township trustee. He was elected by the Democratic caucus last month and takes over longtime trustee Carolyn Griffin, who has retired after serving the township faithfully for many years.
20 YEARS AGO
The sounds of helicopters flying over the river, surveying the damage, have been replied by the sight of trucks on the roads loaded with relief supplies, as Switzerland County begins to dig out from the flood of 1997. Last week’s flood was the worst since 1964. Floodwaters rose to a crest of 60.6 feet – nearly 10 feet above flood stage – on Thursday, March 6th, before the Ohio River began its slow recede back into its riverbanks. As the waters lowered and roads begin to reopen, Switzerland County residents began to see first hand the damage that was done.
Switzerland High School Students Aaron Terry and Tehya Allen recently competed in the Indiana State Solo and Ensemble Choral competition in Indianapolis. Aaron Terry received first place in his category, while Tehya Allen earned a second place. Both students participate in the Switzerland County Choir under the direction of Steve Ward.
25 YEARS AGO
Norman “Dick” Knaus was presented two special plaques, recently in honor of his retired and 40 plus years of driving a Switzerland County bus. The plaques, presented at half-time of the high school basketball game here February 22nd, were gifts from his family and from the school board, expressing appreciation and wishing him a happy retirement.
A half-million dollar project to upgrade housing in Vevay is ready to begin. Sponsored by the Town of Vevay, the project is financed by a state grant of $250,000 and a matching grant form the Vevay Switzerland County Foundation, said Foundation executive director Chuck Overbey at last weeks meeting of the Vevay Town Council.
30 YEARS AGO
Fire claimed the homes of two county residents over the past few days. Early Friday morning around 4 a.m. fire destroyed the home of Phillip and Robin Springer and their two children on Plum Creek. The home of Harlan and Vicki Scudder on Main Cross Street in Vevay was destroyed by fire Monday around 12:25 p.m.
County Girl Scouts will help celebrate the 75th anniversary of Girl Scouts in America. The theme for the celebration is “Tradition with a Future”.
Bruce Hutcherson of Patriot competed in two tractor pulls in February, one at Louisville and the other at Montgomery, Alabama. Hutcherson took two second place finishes in two days of competition in 9,200 pound dragster tractor class at Louisville. The Louisville event is the oldest indoor pull in America. He also claimed a first and second place finish in two days of competition in the dragster tractor class in Montgomery.
40 YEARS AGO
Albert “Ben” Slack has been honored with a Hoosier Homestead Award, given by the State of Indiana in recognition of farms that have been owned and operated by the same family for a century or more. Mr. Slack’s farm located on Slack Road near East Enterprise has been in his family well over 100 years. It was settled in 1837, by Mr. Slack’s great grandfather, Thomas Bliss.
He’s Switzerland County’s youngest artist – with a skill far beyond his years. Michael Shane Bennett age 10, started his drawing career as an illustrator for newspapers and magazines. Right now cartoons are his specially but he draws other things too. He is the son of Richard and Helen Peelman and lives on Main Street in Vevay.
50 YEARS AGO
Vevay Newspapers has finalized arrangements for a Food Fashion Fair cooking school to be held Monday, April 3rd, at Vevay High School gymnasium. Miss Jan Krupa, on of the nation’s most respected professional food lecturer-demonstrators, will be conducting the school.
Carol Ann Rosenberger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abbie Rosenberger of Vevay, was decked out in buckskins and a feather and ready to pow-wow. The young miss was mascot for Vevay Junior High School’s basketball team, the Warriors, which defeated Allensville in the championship game of the county junior high tournament last Tuesday night at Vevay gym.
Pfc. Norris Patton Gammons, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Gammons of Switzerland County, has returned to base camp after 21 days in the field in the U.S. Army First Infantry Division’s “Operation Cedar Falls” in Vietnam. After a four-day rest following Operation Cedar Falls, the troops returned to the filed for a new operation.
60 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Jestin Lewis of Center Square are parents of a baby son who was born Monday afternoon in the Madison hospital. He weighed 10 pounds, 9 ounces and has been named Stephen Samuel.
A 7 pound, 2 ounce son, Kevin, was born Tuesday morning to Mr. and Mrs. Don Wright of Vevay at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Miles of near Bennington quietly observed their 50th wedding anniversary on February 22nd at their home. They were married at Fairview by Reverend Royal; and the bride was Miss Ethel Cotton. Mr. Miles is 71 and Mrs. Miles is 67.
Mr. and Mrs. Herman Roland were honored Sunday with a luncheon served on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Roland were married February 27th, 1907 in Kentucky.
The 95th birthday of Mrs. Harriet Welch was quietly observed Friday at the home of her son, Gary Welch, and Mrs. Welch at Bennington.
A family dinner was held Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Chapman near Rising Sun to celebrate the 34th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Chapman and the birthdays of Mrs. Chapman and Mr. Carroll Rider.
William LaVelle of Warsaw, Kentucky, owner of the LaVelle dry cleaning establishment in Vevay, has taken over the management of the plant her following the resignation of Charles R. Leap, former manager.
70 YEARS AGO
Miss Patty Ralston, daughter of Graham Ralston or rural route 2, Madison, became the bride of William Lock, son of Mrs. Mary Lock of Vevay in a ceremony at the bride’s home on Tuesday evening, February 25th.
Miss Mary Macrander, 18, of Patriot, and Earl F. Roach, 22, of Rising Sun, were united in marriage on Saturday, March 1st, by the Reverend L.M. Campbell in Rising Sun.
Mrs. Clarabelle Shaw Slack, wife of Chauncey Slack, who was seriously injured last week when their automobile skidded and struck a tree near Rising Sun, is greatly improved in the Milan hospital where she was taken following the accident.
Nathan Craig, the three-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Whitham, formerly of this county, but now residing in Sunflower Village, DeSoto, Kansas, is reported in excellent condition at Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, following major operation. The baby is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Whitham of Florence.
Glenn Waltz of Aurora, a former resident of Vevay, sustained a broken shoulder in an automobile accident near Shelbyville.
Betty, 10-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Breeck of Lamb, sustained a broken left leg when her sled hit a tree while coasting about 9 o’clock Sunday morning.
Wilbur Loree Conner of East Enterprise and Miss Rosemary Smith of Aurora were united in marriage Saturday, March 1st, at the residence of the Revered Frank Reed in Vevay.
A daughter was born early Monday morning, March 3rd, to Mr. and Mrs. James Thomas Beach of rural route 1, Rising Sun. She has been named Martha Ann.
80 YEARS AGO
The Vevay Warriors basketball team wiped out the Aurora Red Devils at Aurora gym in the final fame of the tournament to win 24-17 and the district’s basketball champs.
Miss Elenora Scudder and Robert Ramseyer, both of this county, have announced their marriage.
Lee Bliss, who has been critically ill at his parents home near Vevay for some time, was taken to Christ Hospital in Cincinnati Saturday where he underwent two operations on his throat.
A very decided earth tremor was felt by Switzerland County people near midnight Monday while no damage was reported, many people were awakened by the shock. It lasted several seconds.
Miss Jeanette Browning, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Browning, was injured Saturday evening when she was accidentally struck by a car driven by Oliver Furnish, Jr.,
90 YEARS AGO
While returning from the sectional tourney at Scottsburg Saturday night Carroll Dudley Graham sustained a broken leg in an automobile accident and Thurmen Roberts was seriously cut about the neck.
At the regular meeting of the county commissioners Monday a road plane was purchased for use in the county and contract for a stone crusher was recently awarded to Culbertson Brothers.
Mrs. Anna Chatline, aged Vevay woman, fell at her home on Ferry Street last week and fractured a bone in her hip. She was taken to King’s Daughters’ Hospital at Madison Saturday and is now doing as well as could be expected.
Fire starting in a hay mow last Thursday destroyed a barn on the Tait farm in Pleasant Township, causing a loss of about $2,000.
Miss Hilda Siefer, 17 was instantly killed and her mother, Mrs. Josephine Bowen Siefer, 38, was seriously injured last Friday when their automobile was struck by a double-header passenger train in Dayton, Ohio. Mrs. Seifer is a daughter of L.N. Bowen of Vevay and was born and reared here.
The Gayle loose leaf tobacco warehouse at Carrollton was destroyed by fire early Sunday with an approximate loss of $43,000.
A Ford touring car belonging to Ernest McFarland was destroyed by fire Saturday night near the Thomas Protsman home two miles north of Mount Sterling.
100 YEARS AGO
Ben Miles of Upper Indian Creek is the champion hawk catcher of the county. Within the last six weeks he has caught seven of the winged pests in steel traps.
Stork beats the reaper, 24 to 6 – there were 24 births reported while only six deaths (and three marriages).
While working at the Rosenberger saw mill Friday. Joe Holdcraft was painfully injured by a piece of flying timber which struck him in the face, breaking his nose and cutting severe gashes.
One night about a week ago when William H. Scott of rural route 1, Florence returned home from Cincinnati, he was followed by a splendid specimen of white collie dog which escaped from the mail boat.
110 YEARS AGO
Miss Abbie Anderson, daughter of Thomas Anderson, has a severe attack of quinsy.
Joseph C. Dodd of Kansas and Miss Annie D. Hall of Center Square were married March 2nd at the residence of the Reverend W. M. Gard. They left immediately for Kansas where they will reside.
A. W. Richards and Miss Rose B. Tibbetts were married Saturday evening, March 5th, at the home of the bride’s uncle at Sugar Branch.
130 YEARS AGO
James H. Brown, one of the city’s best known businessmen, died at his home in the city last Friday afternoon of a complication of diseases.
Will Wahl, who has been employed on the steamer Cincinnati, has been promoted to the position of trimer and now has charge of one engine on the boat.
James Hambrick, Jr., and Miss Abbie Sheets of goos Creek were married Thursday at Rising Sun.
A son was born March 9th to John Kinder and wife of Posey Township.
140 YEARS AGO
Julius C. Bersot and Miss Mary Jane Graham were married March 4th at the home of the bride’s mother in Vevay.
Shall Vevay become a city? Is a question that the voters of the town will be called upon to determine on next Monday.
Amount of toll collected on the Vevay, Mount Sterling, and Versailles turnpike during February was $272.69.
Alfred Rous who is engaged in business in Cincinnati has removed his family to that city.
Last Wednesday while engaged in working at his sawmill Craig Township, Francis Boner of Vevay had one of his feet mashed by a saw log.
Willie Boerner has gone to Evansville to seek his fortune.
Dr. J.P. Mills of Chicago and Miss Anna Whallon of Vevay were married March 7th at the residence of the bride’s parents.
150 YEARS AGO
Married on March 6th at the residence of the bride’s mother in Vevay, Joseph W. Cotton and Miss Hester Adams.
George W. Craig has announced himself as a candidate for trustee of Jefferson Township.
Edward Eggleston will deliver a lecture here on the evening of March 21st. His subject will be “Life Beyond the Frontier”.
Captain A. J. Schenck of the steamer Argosy fell violently ill when the boat was at Natchez coming up. In order to get home more quickly he took passage on the Robert Burns. He arrived home Tuesday very ill.
160 YEARS AGO
Married in this place at the LeClerc House on March 7th by the Reverend H. Wason, George J. Downey of Ohio County and Miss Marie Jane Ward of this county.
Fire last night at Louisville destroyed Breedons planing mill, two dwellings and three store. Estimated loss of $30,000.
Reverend Daniel Lathemore died in Vernon on Saturday. He was a eminent preacher of the Presbyterian faith.