News compiled by Ginny Leap
from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Deaths this week: Norman J. Brown, Cora Duvall, Steve Tilley, Jim Thomas, Emerson P. Lasseter, Helen L. Demaree.
Switzerland Countians were saddened early this week with the passing of longtime businessman and community servant Norman Brown. He has owned and operated Brown’s Farm Equipment in Moorefield for 64 years. He passed away at Jewish Hospital in Louisville after suffering from heart problems. He was 83 years old.
An open house in honor of Mary VanTyle’s 90th birthday will be held from noon until 2 p.m. (slow time) on Sunday, June 19th, at the Rising Sun Community Center on South Mulberry Street.
Donald and Lulu Belle (Powers) Thomas were married on June 11th, 1955, at the Florence Baptist Church.
“Vevay Main Street, Inc.,” has begun a beautification project in the town of Vevay. The group hopes to complete the certification process to become a member of “Indiana Main Street” which promotes economic development through downtown programs. Large pots of flowers have been placed around town, and volunteers are being sought to help care for the plants.
20 YEARS AGO
Switzerland County lost yet another element of the fondly remembered “good old days” recently when “Red” White of Vevay retired from his milk route – bringing to an end the career of possibly “the last true milkman.” For over 40 years, William “Rd” White has been delivering ilk to residents of the town of Vevay. He served as many as 150 customers on his route, and left behind about 100 patrons when he retired.
The McCormick Tavern, one of the oldest buildings in Vevay, is in the center of controversy concerning whether or not it should be torn down. As final plans are made for the closing of the sale, a demolition crane has been moved into the backyard of the property, although new owners, Hilbert and Roberta Scudder say that no definite plans have been made at this time.
Lori Covington, daughter of Paul and Peggy Covington of near Pleasant, has earned recognition at Indiana State University by being named to the dean’s list. To earn the honor, a student must obtain a grade point average of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
30 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Furnish will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on June 16th. Their children will be honoring them with an open house at the Furnish home on route 3, Vevay.
Michelle Archer graduated from Indiana State University Southeast on May 6th with a grade point average of 3.49. She was one of only two students in the graduating class receiving two degrees. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and in psychology.
Switzerland County High School graduated 97 seniors in ceremonies held in the gymnasium this past Sunday. The warm weather made things a bit unbearable for those in attendance, but the graduation went off without a hitch.
40 YEARS AGO
This is THE weekend for “Sooner,” Switzerland County’s homecoming party for the movie filmed here last summer – the world premiers showing of “A Girl Named Sooner” – is all set up and ready to happen Saturday night and Sunday afternoon in the Switzerland County High School Gymnasium in Vevay.
50 YEARS AGO
Gamma Chi chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa Sorority held pledge services June 2nd at the home of Mrs. Lucille Roberts with Mrs. Martha Cole as co-hostess. Five pledges – Judy Roberts, Judi Smith, Paula Harris, Donna Cole, and Betty Haskell – were welcomed.
The Patriot Telephone Exchange is scheduled to be converted to a dial system June 22nd.
Private Robert L. Slack, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert “Ben” Slack of Cotton Township and a 1961 graduate of Vevay High School, is now stationed with the U.S. Army as a military policeman in Bremerhaven.
Ivan Allen rolled one of his highest series in Ohio Valley Lanes history Friday night as he rolled 256, 201, and 200 games for a 657 series in couples bowling.
60 YEARS AGO
Miss Lulu Bell Powers and Donald Thomas, both of the Florence community, will be united in marriage in the Florence Christian Church Saturday morning, June 11th, at 10 o’clock. Reverend Tinsley will officiate.
Graveside services were held in Vevay Cemetery Saturday afternoon for Reverend William E. Rix, 75, father of Paul Rix of Vevay, who passed away Thursday morning at the home of his son, Walter, in Dayton, Ohio.
Joseph H. Kiesel, 83, of Vevay, passed away unexpectedly Monday morning in a nursing home in Milan following a paralytic stroke.
70 YEARS AGO
Clarence Eugene Lock, 14-year-old son of Albert and Shirley Leatherbury Lock, was fatally injured Tuesday afternoon when a team of horses the boy was driving, hitched to a hay rake, became frightened. In their plunging, the rake was overturned, throwing the lad under it. Severe head injuries resulted in his death a half hour later.
The marriage of Miss Velma Williams and Arthur Clay Park, Jr., was solemnized Tuesday evening at the home of the bride’s parents at Lamb by Reverend Walter Peters.
80 YEARS AGO
Joe Danner and Perce Buschmann, two of Switzerland County’s most popular rural mail carriers, will be retired from the service June 30th and their places will be taken by Robert Noble of Dillsboro and Guy H. Trester of Aurora.
Edna Peterson and Curtis Montayne, both of Vevay, were married in Versailles Saturday morning.
Funeral services were held Friday for Donald Truitt, who drowned while playing with three companions in a creek near Rising Sun.
The home of Ethol Scott, east of Vevay, was entered Monday night and a number of household articles taken. The loot included a room size rug and five smaller rugs.
William Marshall McKenzie, son of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest McKenzie of Vevay, has the unique honor of having neither absent or tardy during the completed eight year common school attendance.
Mrs. Carrie Brown, wife of Stanley Brown, died at her home in Florence Thursday evening following childbirth.
A baby daughter was born Decoration day to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Dickason.
Born, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Stevens of Center Square.
Born, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Scudder of East Enterprise.
Miss Lauretta Works and Ralph Baatz, both of his county, have announced their marriage which occurred at the Methodist Church in Carrollton, Kentucky on April 20th.
90 YEARS AGO
Paul Parker, aged 29 years, of Patriot, was instantly killed Wednesday afternoon when tons of gravel caved in on him in the driveway of a gravel pit.
Darwin Fallis of Chicago and Miss Margaret Bascom of Aurora were married in Aurora last Friday. Both are former residents.
The government has rented the Ferry Street store room formerly occupied by O. S. Johnson and Company and it is being made into an armory to house the Vevay unit of the 150th Field Artillery.
Miss Helen Lock and Jesse Lock, both of near Bennington, are announcing their marriage which took place in Lawrenceburg Wednesday, May 20th.
100 YEARS AGO
Harry Hiener and Albert Ellerhorst of Cincinnati arrived in Vevay Tuesday to be the guests of Earl S. Brown. They made the trip in their canoe, paddling from Aurora Tuesday.
Ernest Griffith and Miss Adelaide Kiesel were married yesterday at the Baptist parsonage by Reverend Seeley.
E. E. Scudder was elected school trustee by City Council, to succeed Pem D. Pleasants.
Born, a daughter to Ike Pate and wife, of Bascom.
Born, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Smith, of Posey Township.
Born, a son to Charles Gribbens and wife of Bascom.
110 YEARS AGO
Miss Clairbel Cotton of Center Square and Frank Waldo of Lapel, Indiana, were married June 7th at the home of the bride’s father, Webster Cotton. They will reside in Lapel.
Frank Peter Brockschlager died June 4th at his home on Pike Street after a long illness. He was born in Bavaria but came to Vevay in 1865.
E. S. Adams has leased the room on the northwest corner of Main and Ferry streets, formerly occupied by the R. F. Grisard grocery and he will conduct an up to date music store. He will also handle a full line of sewing machines.
Rice’s floating palace is at the river tonight.
120 YEARS AGO
At a meeting of the City Council Monday night Mr. William Tait was elected school trustee to join the board, now made up of Dr. A. G. Craig and Emily Danglade.
Miss Lena Knox and Mr. Lewis A. Mills, both of Vevay, were married at the Gibson House in Cincinnati yesterday.
Licensed to marry: William Horstman to Lena Martin.
Died in Aurora at the residence of her son Friday, May 31st, Mrs. Henrietta Harwood Brown, native of Vevay.
Died near Mt. Sterling Saturday, June 1st, Mrs. Anna McMakin Dickason, wife of Perry Dickason.
Died in Vevay Monday, June 3rd, Andrew, son of Charles Elder and wife, aged 7 years and 7 months.
140 YEARS AGO
Vevay has a splendid Woolen factory, employs a large number of persons and makes excellent goods. Vevay is a lively place and the woolen factory is one of its live institutions.
J. P. Marsh of Bennington has sold his store to J. B. Lewis. Price: 15 acres of land.
Mrs. E. Thiebaud has laid off a portion of her farm adjoining Vevay Cemetery into lots and added them to the cemetery. Heretofore it has been too small and its enlargement was necessary.
The Good Templars of Vevay will have a social at the residence and grove of S. E. Pleasants near Vevay. Ten cents admission will be charged.
When James Gurley and Miss Belle Hamilton were returning home from the fish fry Saturday evening their horse got frightened and threw them from the buggy, breaking Miss Hamilton’s ankle.