News compiled by Ginny Leap from past
issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
David Steele has been named as the new director of the Switzerland County YMCA. He comes to Switzerland County from Lebanon, Ohio, where he has worked with YMCA programs for 18 years. He began his duties here on July 1st.
The Pavy-Smith reunion was held Sunday, July 11th, at the home of Don and Linda Pavy in East Enterprise, there were 70 family members present who enjoyed the bountiful meal, games for children, and catching up on the family events since last year.
Bob Brown celebrated his 85th birthday.
Jimmy W. Sedam was named to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges” at Campbell University in North Carolina.
The Florence Regional Sewer District has been selected to receive a Region 5 Operation and Maintenance Excellence Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The district earned first place honors in the small advanced category for 2004, and is one of 10 entries earning an award this year.
Sergeant first class Charles Honeycutt has left for duty in Afghanistan. He has been in the Army and the National Guard for 23 years, and is the husband of Tammy Allison Honeycutt and the son-in-law of Jim and Shelby Allison of near Florence.
20 YEARS AGO
Sixteen-year-old Ryan Scott Black of Vevay was killed last Wednesday evening, July 20th, when he lost control of his car on Highway 156 just east of Vevay. According to Switzerland County Coroner Roger Nay, Ryan Black’s vehicle skidded on wet pavement and spun in the road around 6:15 p.m. The car was struck in the left rear side and crushed by a vehicle driven by Wane Walker of Texas.
Seven Switzerland County High School students recently were a part of the Indiana Teen Institute Conferences held over the summer on the campus of Vincennes University. They were Ryan Griffin, Adam Cole, Rodney Vann, Alice Wood, Brack Rayles, Michelle Donnell, and Seth Jones.
If it looks like there is a lot of activity going on around the Markland Dam and Locks these days, that’s because there is. The locks are in the middle of being checked, inspected and cleaned, according to equipment repairman Dennis Crawford at the locks.
30 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Althoff, route 1, Vevay, announce the engagement of their daughter, Carla, to Shane Armstrong. Shane is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Basil Armstrong, route 1, Patriot. Carla is a senior at Switzerland County High School and is employed by Ronald Hocker, Attorney at law. Shane graduated from SCHS with the class of 1984 and is currently a student at Lincoln Technical Institute in Indianapolis.
In conjunction with the Swiss Alpine Festival, and in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the filming of “A Girl Named Sooner,” Vevay Newspapers will show the film on Saturday evening, August 4th, at 8 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Switzerland County Courthouse.
Mr. and Mrs Fred Lockwood of East Enterprise will celebrate their 69th wedding anniversary on July 28th. They have lived in the same house for the past 67 years and Fred was born not far from where he lives today. Fred, 91, married the former Opal Scudder on July 28th, 1915. Opal was born near Markland, and will celebrate her 87th birthday on July 27th. The couple were the parents of two sons, both deceased.
40 YEARS AGO
Lee Remick and Richard Crenna weren’t needed. They could take a break, or take a nap, or whatever. The attention, instead, on the set of “A Girl Named Sooner” in Vevay Monday afternoon was being focused on the young “stars” from Switzerland County. The five youngsters are Andre Brown, Jill Demaree, Tonya Scotti, Mark Morton, and Steve Harrell.
Mark Archer’s fine-looking Grand Champion steer sold for a sky-high $1.90 a pound at this year’s Switzerland County 4-H Fair Livestock Auction. Top bidder for the champion was Kenneth Pavy of the Cross Plains State Bank. Total price paid was $1,824.
Vevay’s American Legion baseball team took a sparkling 15-3 won-lost record into post-season tourney play, scheduled to begin Wednesday evening at Batesville.
50 YEARS AGO
Chester Kiesel, 77, who had served as president of the First National Bank of Vevay for the past 44 years, died early Wednesday morning at his home at 404 Walnut Street.
Robert Aldred escaped injury Friday evening when his 1964 automobile sheared off a utility pole along state road 129 near the Sharp Farm, one and one-half miles south of Moorefield.
James Curry of Indianapolis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harland Curry, left Tuesday for Parris Island, South Carolina, where he joined the Marine reserves.
The first horse show sponsored by the newly organized Switzerland County Saddle Club proved successful as 200 persons attended the Sunday event.
Mrs. Delbert Scudder was taken to Dearborn County Hospital last Sunday night and had her appendix removed and returned home Friday.
Stanley Phillips was a member of the Pee Wee and Little League teams which attended the Reds-Phillies game on Saturday.
Coo-Par has completed construction on its new concrete mixing plant in northwest Vevay, Oscar Cook and Tom Parker announced this week.
Mrs. Clarence Holdcroft of near Vevay fell in the kitchen of her home last week and dislocated her left wrist.
Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Bowling (nee Mary Ann McCreary) of Hamilton, Ohio, are proud parents of a baby girl who was born July 20th. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. James McCreary of near Bear Branch and great-grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Charley Whitham of near East Enterprise.
A real test of Floyd Thompson’s honesty confronted him las week when he found a purse containing $5,010 while he was visiting in Shepherdsville, Kentucky.
The body of a man which was found last Friday in the Ohio River, near Patriot, was identified Wednesday as that of William Donald Hall, 53, a former convict whose last address was given as Cincinnati.
A basket dinner was served at the home of Mrs. Nora Scott near Florence celebrating her 80th birthday Sunday, July 18th.
Charley Tyler, who has recently undergone major surgery in the Madison hospital, was able to return to the home of his mother, Mrs. Mary Tyler at East Enterprise Monday.
Ira and Della Turner, one of the county’s finest couples will quietly observe their 58th wedding anniversary at their home in Florence on Sunday, August 1st.
70 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Chaskel of Florence have received word that their son, James O. Chaskel, now fighting in France, has been awarded the Purple Heart for “wounds received in action against the enemy.”
Fire of undetermined origin completely destroyed a large stock barn, corn crib and tool shed on the Tandy farm east of Patriot Monday evening.
The Riggs Grocery in Vevay will close business on Saturday evening according to Mrs Gertrude Riggs Miller and H.B. Riggs, daughter and son of the founder. The business, one of the oldest in the county, was founded 42 years ago by the late Edward T. Riggs.
Miss Effie Lena Beard of near Mount Sterling and Private Ralph T. Cook also of this county, were married at Covington, Kentucky, July 20th by Reverend E. M. Rose.
Switzerland County lost another boy in the war Tuesday when word was received by Mrs. Lydia Curlin at Rising Sun that her son Cortland Curlin, had been killed in action July 6th in France.
80 YEARS AGO
Sheriff Aaron Scott was seriously injured last Wednesday afternoon when his car turned turtle on state road 250 in Cotton Township. The sheriff was alone in the car when the accident occurred and it is thought an exploding tire caused the vehicle to turn over.
Leon Grieve was drowned in the Ohio River near Patriot July 18th while swimming with a group of companions at Egypt Bottom.
Born, a son Joseph Gayle, to Mr. and Mrs. Loren Lamson of route 4, Vevay.
W.G. Stewart of Posey Township has a new colt at his place which is attracting much attention. The forelegs are shorter than usual and the hoofs are cloven like those of a cow.
Carl Peelman of Vevay and Miss Mabel Banta of Indianapolis were married July 18th in Indianapolis.
Born, a son, Roland George, to Mr. and Mrs Eugene Voris of Bear Branch.
90 YEARS AGO
A county historical society is to be organized in the assembly room of the library, Friday evening, July 25th.
Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Slate have opened their new restaurant on Ferry Street and their new business is quite an addition to Vevay.
Born June 14th, a daughter Edan Couch, to Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Tyson of Warsaw.
100 YEARS AGO
A barn belonging to Ted Carver of Florence was destroyed by fire.
Misses Juanita Palmer, Ethel Bunger, Eva Sallick, Ezra Palmer and Albert Beckman were badly shaken in an auto accident during an explosion of gasoline.
A collision between a bicycle ridden by Herman Hankins and a motorcycle driven by K.L. Hastings resulted in injuries to both.
Riley Land’s home in Vevay was struck by lightning.
William H. Pleasants purchased the Pleasants home west of Vevay for $5,250.
Mrs. A.J. Siebenthal and daughter Pauline have moved to Vevay from Bloomington and may reside here permanently.
Forty cars paraded in the Studebaker auto show of Protsman and O’Neal in Vevay.
John B. Andrew fell from a load of hay and was painfully injured.
Married by Reverend Machlan in Vevay, Henry Ford of Mount Sterling and Miss Elsie Gibbs of Fairview.
Everett Hastings of Tapps Ridge lost two fine cows by lightning.
John Danglade was given a job under his uncle Ernest Danglade, in government service.
Ira Nave and wife of Posey Township have moved to Patriot.
Guy Harris of Patriot has been appointed Superintendent of the Bellview, Kentucky, schools.
Lightning killed a mother turkey and many little ones belonging to Olive See of Egypt Bottom.
120 YEARS AGO
Mr. Robert Fisk of Vevay and Miss Pruitt McDonald of Ghent were married in the Baptist Church in Ghent Wednesday, July 25th.
Mrs. O.S. Clendenning will open a Boot and Shoe store in Vevay, having leased a room in the Delaney House.
140 YEARS AGO
A horse valued at $150 was recently stolen from Asa Newton in Craig Township.
Reverend John Mullen of Florence was painfully injured last Friday when he was thrown from a cart.
Last Wednesday about 11 o’clock a man entered the home of George Willis in Pleasant Township for the purpose of stealing. Mrs. Willis ordered him to leave when he struck her, knocking her down. He escaped and parties are searching for him.
A boiler explosion occurred July 20th at Johnson’s starch factory in Madison. Three men were fatally injured and a boy was hurled 100 feet and badly injured.
150 YEARS AGO
U.P. Scheck and son announce that they have taken into partnership with them Andrew J. Schenck.
Nathaniel Scudder has lost a horse and like a sensible fellow advertises for it.
Twenty or 30 students from localities outside of the district, will be admitted to the High School Department of the Vevay Public Schools by application to the trustees.
Civil War News: In a letter, dated “Federal Prison, Camp Sumpter, May 1st, 1864,” and postmarked Old Point Comfort, July 18th, Elliot Driver of the 3rd Indiana Cavalry, writes, “There are 15 of my company in the camp, all well viz: Ed S. Kelso, H. B. Sparks, George Martin, I. Humphrey, I. Lewis, M.P. Higgins, J. W. Higgins, Charles W. Allen, R. Dillender, W. Kana, A. Godden, John Lee, W.G. Fuget, W.W. Greenwood and myself. Weather uncomfortably warm, officers treat us bully at this place.”
Dispatchers from Washington state that reports to the government represent that a great battle was fought at Atlanta on Friday, resulting in horrible slaughter and a complete repulse of the enemy at every point.