News compiled by Ginny Leap
from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Matthew James Levell graduated May 9th with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from IUPUI in Indianapolis. Matthew and his wife Brooke, reside in Indianapolis where he is pursuing his master’s degree in children’s psychology and behavioral disorders.
Chris and Tammy Hayes of Moorefield announce the birth of their daughter, Hannah Alivia Kristine Hayes. She was born September 17th, 2003, at King’s Daughters’ Hospital. She joins big brother Hunter at home.
A small crowd does not dampen spirit of event, when this year’s Relay for Life raised $28,000 for cancer research.
Dale and Marylee Tolbert announce the birth of their son Colton Michael Tolbert. He was born on March 21st, 2004 at King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison. He weighed 5 pounds, 5 ounces at birth. He was welcomed home by his big brother Clinton.
Kendal Thornton was born on April 6th, 2004. She is the daughter of Jeff and Alisha Thornton. She joins big sister Bayley at home.
The Indiana Funeral Directors Association (IFDA) at its 124th annual convention held May 25th-27th, elected funeral director Rodney Nay of Vevay as secretary-treasurer.
20 YEARS AGO
L.J. Osborne has resigned as Switzerland County Treasurer, effective July 15th. Millie Coy, the deputy Treasurer, is also resigning, effective on the same date.
Ralph W. Tilley of Vevay was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash, the State of Indiana’s highest honor, at a surprise celebration held the evening on Wednesday, June 15th, at the Ogle Haus Inn. State Representative Ed Goble of Batesville presented Mr. Tilley with the Sagamore on behalf of Governor Evan Bayh and the State of Indiana.
Sherry Rowlett, daughter of Gary and Margaret Rowlett of Moorefield, participated in graduation exercises May 14th at Mississippi College in Jackson, Mississippi, where she received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.
30 YEARS AGO
An early morning fire on Sunday has claimed the life of a Patriot man and totally destroyed the home occupied by he and his family. Ronald Konradi, 27, was found by firefighters lying on the bathroom floor of the house. Mrs. Geraldine Konradi, the victim’s mother; and Rich and LuAnn, brother and sister of the victim were away from home at the time of the fire.
For the first time in many years, there will be a fireworks display on July 4th in Vevay. Thanks to Vevay VFW and the Vevay American Legion, we will again enjoy the tradition of fireworks to celebrate our independence.
40 YEARS AGO
Switzerland County has a new superintendent of schools. The School Board Friday night voted enthusiastically to hire Harold William Hall as superintendent of the Switzerland County School Corporation. And just as enthusiastically, “Bill” Hall accepted the job. Mr. Hall, 46 years old, is presently superintendent of Mechanicsburg, Ohio, Village Schools.
A bid was let Monday by the Switzerland County Commissioners for sand blasting of the exterior of the Courthouse – restoring it to its original red brick, which it was built with back in 1864.
Norman Earls and Arthur Crandell are Switzerland County’s representatives at Hoosier Boys’ State this summer, being held at Indiana State University as a citizenship training project of the Indiana American Legion.
50 YEARS AGO
Democrat Roger D. Branigin and Republican Richard O. Ristine will oppose each other to succeed Democrat Matthew Welsh for the office of Governor of Indiana on the November 3rd election ballot.
Ronald E. Reed, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Reed of route 4, Vevay, and Amber Duckworth, daughter of Mrs. James Bennett of route 1, Patriot , were united in marriage Friday evening, June 12th, at the home of the officiating minister, Reverend Yula Kennedy at Rising Sun.
Constance Brown of Vevay is among 232 students who graduated with scholastic honors at Indiana University’s 135th commencement June 8th. She received the bachelor of arts degree in English with high distinction.
After legal counsel has been sought to determine proper procedure, a movement will be launched toward possible disbanding of Vevay Civic Club and formation of a Chamber of Commerce for Switzerland County.
60 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Lock are the proud parents of a son, Perry Lee, born at Madison hospital Friday morning. He weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces. Mrs. Lock and young son returned to their home on Walnut Street Sunday morning.
Dr. and Mrs. Allen Wayne Aldred are the proud parents of a little girl who was born Saturday, June 19th, at the Coleman Hospital in Indianapolis. She tipped the scale at 7 pounds, 13 ounces and has been named Cathy Jean. Their little son, Steven Wayne, has been the guest of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Aldred, at Mount Sterling for the past three weeks.
Scott Furnish last week bought the Otter Grocery store on Ferry Street from Raymond and Charles Otter and he took immediate possession.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hyde were hosts Saturday evening to a picnic supper and watermelon feast at Dam 39 in honor of the 50th wedding anniversary of Bert and Alma Hyde.
Miss Connie Dunning, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Dunning of near Caledonia, was the winner in her group at a state United Presbyterian Church Bible reading contest which was held Saturday in Bloomington. Miss Dunning and Denny Hall, winners of a Bible reading contest which was conducted at the Caledonia Presbyterian Church the previous week, represented their church at Bloomington. Miss Dunning is now eligible to participate in such a national contest which will be held at Hanover College in July.
70 YEARS AGO
Staff Sergeant Hubert J. Hamilton, 23, waist gunner on a Flying Fortress, has been awarded his second Oak Leaf Cluster to an Air Medal.
Miss Wildas Curry and Corporal Arthur Green were married June 10th at Salinas, Kansas, by Reverend R.V. Kearn, Presbyterian minister.
Lieutenant Tom Bondurant and Technical Sergeant Raymond Gaudin have each been awarded the coveted Air Medal for outstanding service against the enemy in the European and Pacific areas.
Miss Thelma Romans and Clifford Keith were married June 17th by Reverend Irene King at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Werner in Cross Plains.
Jacob Barnhart, prominent Indiana contractor, arrived in Vevay this week and commenced the alteration of the old Swiss Inn which will be made into a modern hotel.
Golda Chapman, Jr., of the U.S. Army, resident of Patriot, and Miss Virginia Black of Akron, Ohio, were married Saturday, June 17th, by Reverend Tipton at Ludlow, Kentucky.
80 YEAR AGO
Paul Sullivan, who has been given an embalming license by the state board, will return to Vevay and be associated with his father, Harry C. Sullivan, and Ira Reed in the firm of Sullivan and Reed.
Clay Park has been reappointed to the position of assistant at the power plant by the town board, relieving Marion Benedict who has held the job for the past few months.
The annual Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodge picnic was held in the Court House yard Sunday and was attended by more than 200.
Stanley Andrew and Charles Campbell went to Purdue University at West Lafayette, Indiana.
90 YEARS AGO
The board of trustees of the Switzerland County War Chest organization Monday voted to turn over all the funds left in the treasury to the Wade H. Williamson Post, American Legion, of Patriot. The sum amounts to more than $1,900. Acting with the sanction of the trustees, the Patriot Post last week purchased the old Universalist Church building on Main Street, Patriot, for $1,200. The building will be paid for out of the sum to be turned over by the board of trustees and the balance will be used by the Patriot Post to repair the building and purchase necessary furnishings.
A purse containing a small amount of change belonging to Miss Martha Pangburn was stolen from the Pangburn home one night last week.
L.L. Welch was seriously injured and M. F. Gardner and Ben Banta were painfully bruised last Wednesday evening when a scaffold fell with them while they were at work on the new Bennington Methodist Church.
Miss Grace Lock and Harvey Petit of Bennington were married last Tuesday at Elwood, Indiana.
100 YEARS AGO
Defense attorneys Griffith and Hall filed habeas corpus proceedings to have Hilbert Gillum released. He is being held without bail on the charge of shooting Joe Higham.
William Rook was painfully injured when he fell from a scaffold while painting the L. W. Golay house on Main Street.
The Vevay Brass Band has a contract to furnish Fourth of July music in Carrollton, Kentucky.
Posey Township Sunday Schools held the 50th Jubilee Convention at Zoar Church.
Married in Madison by Reverend Boyer, Gerald Burton and Miss Myrtle Fallis, both of Vevay.
Tropique, the $1,800 horse owned by James Aldred of near Vevay, died.
The Farmers Telephone Company has installed a new switchboard.
William Myers of East Enterprise lost a new barn by fire.
Ed Cole has been promoted to Chief Electrical Engineer in the U.S. Army.
Will Wahl graduated from Purdue University.
John Todd of Craig Township has purchased a new Studebaker automobile.
Phil Markland was painfully injured when a horse stepped on his foot.
Harvey McClintock is building a new barn on his farm near Jacksonville.
H.J. Harris purchased the Universalist Church building in Patriot.
Edwin and Lucien Emerson purchased the L.H. Emerson grocery and confectionery in Patriot.
The following teachers have been chosen for the coming Patriot school year: Carolyn Williamson, Hazel Lowe, Hessie Gullion, Effie Hinman and O.L. Voris.
110 YEARS AGO
George Moredock of the International Harvester Company is in Vevay on business.
The Swallow and Markles Floating Palace will show “The Great Train Robbery” in moving pictures at the river June 24th.
Miss Anna Boerner received the Switzerland County World Fair Tour offered by the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune.
The following attended the Masonic Lodge at Ghent: W. F Goldenburg, E.E. Kelso, T.J. Curry, W. O. Protsman, John Weaver, John L. Graham, A. B. Douglas and Ivan Saberton.
John T. North of Markland graduated in law at Indiana University.
Lightning struck a tall pine tree at the home of E.W. Shaw in Craig Township.
Married June 19th by Reverend S. B. Buckner, Miss Kate Hyde to G. M. Dodd.
Wickman and Nave are remodeling their flour mill at Patriot.
John Green, manager of the mussel fleet at Patriot, found a large pearl button in a mussel. He first thought he had found a pearl of gigantic size.
120 YEARS AGO
Cards have been received by the Vevay friends announcing the marriage of Dr. Oscar C. Wainscott to Miss Lillie Perle Schenck at the residence of Mrs. Flora Schenck, Peru, Indiana, Tuesday, June 26th.
Late Tuesday afternoon, Mr. J.C. Kincaid expressed to Dr. Edward Eggleston an old fashioned brass door lock and latch taken from the residence of Mrs. Mary Miller on Main Street, the boyhood home of Dr. Eggleston. It will be placed on one of the doors of his county estate at Joshua Rock, Lake George, New York.
Mrs. Lunettie Marsh and Mr. Samuel Welch were married at the residence of the bride June 14th by Revered W. B. Seymour.
140 YEARS AGO
Hugh L. Norris and Miss Marinda Ford of Posey Township were married at the Baptist parsonage in Vevay.
John Clement and Miss Sarpeta McHenry of Switzerland County were married June 17th in Rising Sun.