News compiled by Ginny Leap from past
issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Two Switzerland County residents have earned inclusion on the dean’s list at Ball State University for the fall semester of 2002. Stefanie Rider and Antha Springer both earned a spot on the dean’s list. To be included, a student must attain at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, has announced its graduates for the fall semester of 2002. Tracy A. Caddell of near East enterprise completed requirements for a master of arts degree in education. He is the superintendent of the Switzerland County School Corporation.
Liz Phipps has earned inclusion on the dean’s list at Hanover College for the 2002 fall term. In order to earn a spot on the dean’s list, a student must attain at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. On Saturday, March 22nd, Liz Phipps was initiated into alpha Lambda Delta academic honor society.. She is a freshman at Hanover and is the daughter of Jim and Shannon Phipps of near Fairview.
Rhonda Griffin has been named as the new executive director of the Switzerland County Recreation, ,Tourism, and Convention Commission. She has served as the assistant director for the past two years, and for three years prior to that was a member of the commission board of directors.
20 YEARS AGO
Charles Knox and Gretchen Carlton Knox will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, April 13th. They were married April 13th, 1943 in the Switzerland Baptist Church at Vevay by Reverend Burns. No formal celebration is planned.
Ron and Pat Baker of near Allensville will have a reception in celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary on Saturday, April 10th, at the Wesleyan Church Fellowship Building at East Enterprise from 6 to 8 p.m.
Jennifer Brindley was the winner of the second annual Queen of Hearts pageant on Tuesday, March 30th, at Switzerland County High School. The contest was sponsored by the Switzerland County American Heart Association. Jennifer, a sophomore, won over five other contestants.
30 YEARS AGO
Darin Gullion received his Eagle Award from Tim Montgomery last week during a Kiwanis Club meeting. Darin, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Gullion, earned the award, the highest ranking award the Scouts give, for completing 21 areas of study, called merit badges and also had to complete a major project. Darin’s project consisted of replacing the floor of the Courthouse bandstand.
Vice President/Dean Horner B. Smith this week released the winter quarter Dean’s List of Ivy Tech student. From Switzerland County they are: Charles Piepmeier of Vevay in computer programming and Sondra Keith of Florence for secretarial (administrative and legal).
In Switzerland County the unemployment figures showed 70 people out of a work force of 3,,390 were out of jobs. Those figures calculate into 22.5 percent unemployment, one of the highest in the state.
40 YEARS AGO
The Gross Brothers music group from near East Enterprise will be appearing at King’s Island Amusement Park north of Cincinnati. The brothers have signed a contract for a series of 24 appearances at the huge entertainment and amusement complex. Their first show will be staged April 28th.
Someone’s shooing deer at night in the hills above Florence, and last week they apparently mistook one of William Wallbrech’s calves for one. Conservation officer Joe Backer,
50 YEARS AGO
Two more Switzerland County teaching positions were vacated this week with resignations of Ronald J. Osborn as coach and Hubert Jaco as acting principal at Patriot-Posey High School.
From Lamb, to Pleasant, to East Enterprise, to Patriot, interest is snowballing toward the July 14th-20th celebration of the Vevay-Switzerland sesquicentennial. In addition to the more serious activities, social fun is being planned by the celebration’s publicity and social organizations – Swiss Belles and Brothers of the Brush.
60 YEARS AGO
Switzerland County was again given supreme recognition in Indiana fraternal circles Saturday when Professor Guy S. Harris of Patriot was unanimously elected Grand Chancellor of the Indiana Knights of Pythias. The last and only other citizen of Switzerland County to hold the office was t he late Harry Sullivan of Vevay.
Professor Guy Harris was retained as Superintendent of the Patriot-Posey schools for a term of two years at a recent meeting of the school board there. Professor Harris, eligible for retirement, had resigned but was persuaded to accept appointment for the additional tenure.
George B. Hall, 57, brother of Mrs. Gretchen H. Cole, of Vevay, has been appointed a Deputy Attorney General of Indiana and is in charge of Veterans Affairs in the Gross Income Tax Division. Mr. Hall lived in Vevay for many years of his life.
70 YEARS AGO
William Edward VanOsdol, farmer who lived near Markland, died suddenly of a heart attack March 31st. He had been plowing in a field near his home and had gone to the garage to rest when he was stricken.
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Leatherbury have purchased the Weales garage on upper Main Street, with immediate possession.
William H. Brown, Postmaster at Patriot, and one of Posey Township’s best known citizens, died suddenly at his home Monday night.
80 YEARS AGO
The giant dirigible Akron of the U.S. Navy plunged into the ocean off the New Jersey Coast Tuesday morning after being struck by lightning. Only four members of a crew of more than 77 were reported saved. Robert Copeland, son of Perry Copeland of Cross Plains, a radio operator, was among those who lost their lives.
As the angry waters of the Ohio River receded, close investigation has revealed that the old Graham homestead, known as the Ferry House, was badly damaged by wind, waves, and floating debris.
90 YEARS AGO
Detraz Beach, which has been the mecca for campers and swimmers for several years, will take on the appearance of a summer resort this spring. Four cottages are being erected for rent by the week or month and improvements are being made to the beach.
Ernest F. Griffith opened his new shoe store in Vevay Saturday.
A double wedding of Switzerland County people was solemnized in Madison Saturday afternoon when Miss Ruby Harper became the wife of Casper Brindley and Miss Arvina Pryor became the wife of Ernest Washmuth. The ceremony was performed by Reverend W. C. Marshall at his home.
Frank S. Ricketts and Miss Lelah M. Hooton, both of near East Enterprise, were married at the residence of Reverend R. C. McNeely in Patriot Saturday afternoon.
100 YEARS AGO
The high stage of the Ohio River has temporarily put the Union Furniture Company out of business.
Lewis C. Tyler, aged 26 years, a son of Charles Tyler of East Enterprise died at his home there Sunday evening after an eight days’ illness of pneumonia.
Born March 25th a son to Mr. and Mrs. Everett Downey of Fairview.
120 YEARS AGO
The residence of David Purcell in the western part of the city was totally consumed by fire last Thursday afternoon.
Married April 2nd at the residence of the bride’s mother, Mrs. Riley, Mr. Lytle R. Wiley and Miss Belle Riley, both of Switzerland County. M. Long Duplan, J.P., officiating.
Married in Florence April 2nd by M. Long Duplan, J.P., Harry M. McCreary to Miss Eliza J. Cooper, both of Switzerland County.
Married by Reverend E. G. Seymour at his residence near East Enterprise Sunday, April 2nd, Harry E. Walker and Emma Williamson, all of Switzerland County.
140 YEARS AGO
David Miller was tried at the recent term of court for the killing of P. Meyers at Patriot on January 8th. The wounds were inflicted with a shoe knife. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty and the prisoner is now at liberty.
James William Johnston, aged 18 years, died in Vevay April 3rd.
Elkanah F. Rogers, aged 23 years, died April 1st at his home in Vevay.
F.J. Hollcroft and Miss Ella Jagers, both of Vevay, were married March 27th.
John S. Olmstead, aged 79 years, died March 15th at his home in Pleasant Township after a five-day illness of pneumonia.
150 YEARS AGO
A Union mass meeting will be held at Odd Fellows hall April 4th. Speakers will be Colonel Scott Carter, Honorable B. L. Robinson, Reverend R. M. Barnes and Major Charles Lemmon of Company C, 34th Indiana Cavalry.
A case of smallpox at Mount Sterling is believed to have exposed nearly everybody in he community before the character of the disease was known. Dr. Murphy, who attended the family first afflicted with it, now has the disease. Everybody is being urged to get vaccinated.
Mrs. V. Woods, formerly of Vevay, will open a school in one of t he rooms of the new school buildings on April 6th.
Married April 1st by J. H. Titus, Esquire, Albert Tompkins and Mrs. Aurelia I. Foster of Vevay.
The Knights of the Golden Circle exists in Vevay and Craig Township, beyond the shadow of a doubt. In Vevay persons are initiated almost daily. The headquarters are known. One young man who was “taken in” in Vevay says he was obligated to resist the draft and vote the Butternut ticket.