News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Around the state of Indiana, there are approximately 2,200 elementary schools. Each year, a small percentage of those schools earn the distinction of being a “Four Star” school. To have one Four Star School in a corporation is quite a accomplishment – there are less than 100 this year. Switzerland County has two. Superintendent Tracy Caddell has been informed by the Indiana Department of Education and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed that both Switzerland County Elementary School and Jefferson-Craig Elementary School have earned the four star designation for the 2003-2004 school year.
Sydney Pike was selected as this year’s Edelweiss Teen Princes at last Thursday’s pageant that opened the Swiss Wine Festival. First runner up is Katie Wright, second runner up is Ashley Bright, third runner up is Jill Hazeldean, and fourth runner up is Kylie Floyd. Miss Congeniality is Brittany Hall.
Julie Spurlock and Brian Craig have announced their engagement and approaching marriage. The couple will be married Saturday, September 25th, at the Rising Sun Church of Christ.
Three generations of Scott men welcomed a fourth recently. Clinton “Scotty” Scott, Jr., and son Rick Scott, live in Rising Sun. Rick’s son Chad Scott and his son, Carson Joseph Michael Scott live in Vevay. Carson was born on August 17th, weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces.
20 YEARS AGO
Tracey Brookbank of Vevay was among those graduating from Ball State University this summer. She earned a bachelor of science degree in legal administration. Tracey resides at Center Square and is the daughter of Suzanne Rayls.
The long awaited dedication of the new town park at the foot of Ferry Street in Vevay will take place this Saturday afternoon. “The Paul W. Ogle Riverfront Park” dedication ceremonies will begin at 1 p.m. at the park. The Switzerland County High School Marching Band under the direction of Tammy Beitzel will open the festivities with “The Star Spangled Banner.”
The Switzerland County Council met last Wednesday evening in the courtroom of the Switzerland County Courthouse to evaluate the three companies who have applied to the Indiana Gaming Commission to put a riverboat casino in Switzerland County.
30 YEARS AGO
Trees all over Switzerland County are suffering under an insect plague. Local residents say that infestations of the fall webworms seem to prefer such trees as persimmon, black cherry, black walnut, sycamore, hickory and red bud.
Tragedy was averted Saturday afternoon at the Markland Dam when two fisherman from Cincinnati were rescued by the Markland Lockmaster and two of his assistants from the churning water spilling through one of the dam’s gates.
Conservation officers Paul Bykowski and Steve Gerber confiscated four wild turkeys that were among those released by the state in hopes that they will settle in this area. It is illegal to hunt these birds at the present time and offenders will be prosecuted. The birds had been brought to this area by the State of Indiana in an exchange program with the State of Missouri in the hope these birds would settle and populate this region.
40 YEARS AGO
Deward Devers of Quercus Grove was appointed Switzerland County Deputy Sheriff Wednesday morning by the Sheriff’s Merit Board on the recommendation by the Sheriff Tom McKay. Devers will replace deputy Johnny Huston who resigned August 18th.
Judy Harmon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Harmon of near Five Points, was united in marriage to Steven Auxier, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Auxier of East Enterprise, in a wedding ceremony performed August 10th in the Aberdeen Methodist Church by the Reverend Dorothy Hinds.
Jama Aldred of Switzerland County was among the entrants in the annual Canaan Fall Festival Indian Princess Contest, Friday, September 13th. Jama is the daughter of James and Lois Aldred of Route 2, Vevay. She is a student as Switzerland County High School.
In appreciation of the kindness shown him by Mrs. Isabel Sullivan of Vevay, film director Delbert Mann – who shot much of his movie “A Girl Named Sooner” in Mrs. Sullivan’s Market Street Home – sent her a memento of the occasion. A photograph of Mrs. Sullivan with Susan Deer (the movie’s girl “Sooner”), along with Mrs. Sullivan’s stepson, Jack, actor Richard Crenna, actress Lee Remick, and director Mann, Mrs. Sullivan’s porch served as the backdrop for the photo, which, incidentally, was shot by nationally famous portrait photographer Arnold Newman of Chicago, commissioned by IBM, sponsors of the film, to photograph the “Sooner” shooting her in Switzerland County.
Miss Sherri Theresa Koselke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Koselke, Jr., of DeMotte, Indiana, and Mr. James Douglas Farrar, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Farrar of Vevay, were married Saturday afternoon, August 3rd, in St. Augusta Catholic Church in Lake Village, Indiana.
50 YEARS AGO
A 12-year-old Vevay youth stole the show completely from older and more experienced gun experts Thursday in Vandalia, Ohio by winning the junior title and finishing in a six-way, first place tie in adult preliminary handicap competition of the 65th Grand American Trapshoot. Johnny McKay, son of Dr. and Mrs. Robert McKay of 205 East Main Street, Vevay, busted 99 of 100 clay birds to match five adult experts among a long list of over 2,000 challenges in the preliminary handicap round.
Four Vevay go-kart drivers came home with a lion’s share of trophies Sunday in competition at the Madison track, Bill Olds, Bruce Olds, Raymond Nally and Gareth Furnish between them captured seven trophies. Bruce won the track’s summer junior lightweight championship. Raymond won the track’s summer junior heavyweight championship. Gareth was second in the track’s lightweight summer competition and was third in the open competition as he set a track record and Bill won the track’s summer heavyweight championship and set a track record.
Jesse J. Riley is now officially a member of the board of trustees of Switzerland County School Corporation, having received the oath of office Saturday before Lois Rosenberger clerk of the county circuit court.
Noel Houze of Vevay has recently completed eight weeks of training at Indiana University for Indiana State Police Service. He has been assigned to the Connersville police post to continue his training for the next four months before beginning an assignment of his own.
60 YEARS AGO
Dr. and Mrs. Noel S. Graves are the proud parents of a baby daughter who was born by Caesarian section at the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on Wednesday morning. The little girl weighed 6 pounds, 1 ounce, and has been named Ann. David, the three-year-old son of Dr. and Mrs. Graves, is visiting relatives in Muncie during the absence of his mother.
In a private sale which was made this week, the home of the late Mrs. Elizabeth Tilley on Main Street was sold by her sons, J.B. and Ralph W. Tilley, to Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Culbertson who expect to occupy the property when they move from the house on Main Street which they sold recently to Dr. and Mrs. Noel Graves.
70 YEARS AGO
Another Switzerland County boy, Pfc. Gerald L. Leap, 25, was killed in action on the Normandy Front. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Casper Leap of the Parks Ridge community and was born near Vevay, September 27th, 1918. He had been in the Army almost two years. With his parents he leaves two sisters, Betty and Peggy; and two brothers, Albert J. and William F., at home and three brothers in service. Seaman First Class Leon T. Leap with the Navy at Westerly, Rhode Island; Sergeant Joseph E. Leap of Camp Gruber, Oklahoma and Corporal David L. Leap, now in the European fighting. The telegram concerning Gerald Leap’s death came from the Adjutant General in Washington and stated that he had been killed July 4th in the fighting.
Sergeant Raymond Gaudin has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for “extraordinary achievement.” Sergeant Gaudin is already holder of the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
Mr. and Mrs. William Koons of Posey Township received a war department telegram Monday stating that their son, George, had been killed August 6th in the invasion of France.
Harry Rochat, merchant of Quercus Grove, died suddenly Tuesday afternoon in the DeCourcy Clinic in Cincinnati. Mr. Rochat had been in poor health for some time.
Born, September 5th, a son to Ensign and Mrs. Glenn Searcy of Posey Township.
Mrs. Ollie Susan Redman and George Houze were married by Reverend Leland S. Courtney Saturday afternoon, September 2nd.
80 YEARS AGO
The Patriot-Posey Chautauqua which was held last week in Patriot was well attended each of the five nights.
The Rebekah Lodge entertained on Monday evening in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Banta who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on September 7th.
A disastrous fire broke out in Bennington late Sunday evening destroying the store and home of Raymond Osborn, including the post office at that place and the blacksmith shop of Hulley Griswold.
Nelson Haskell, member of the undertaking firm of Haskell and Morrison, left Tuesday for Indianapolis where he will take a nine months funeral and embalming course.
Miss Pearl Wolf and Cletus Werner of Avonburg were married Saturday.
Ralph Pelsor, formerly of Vevay, now a resident of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, was united in marriage last week to Miss Mary Alice Yocum, also of that town.
90 YEARS AGO
Miss Match Benedict and Mr. Julius Baatz were married Tuesday of last week in Madison.
Miss Helen Brooks of Craig Township and Wayand Hartman were married last Friday afternoon at Warsaw, Kentucky.
Ed Smith is moving from Vevay to Center Square where he will conduct a blacksmith shop.
Born, August 31st, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. John Olds of Center Square.
Born, Monday, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Harold McNeely of Posey Township.
100 YEARS AGO
There were 3,000 people who attended the Moorefield Celebration.
Married in Carrollton, Leonard Ricketts and Alma Rayls, both of York Township.
Married in Vevay by Reverend Machlan, George Broadwell and Alice L. Herrick, both of Patriot.
Married on Bear Creek by Squire Livings, Cleve Bell of Friendship and Mabel Hatfield of near Bear Branch.
The Patriot Deposit Bank filed a suit asking the court to appoint a receiver for the Patriot Canning Company.
Married in Vevay by Reverend Hammel, Ernest Schoffner of Plum Creek and Miss Beatrice Curry of near Mt. Sterling.
E.E. Krom is clerking in the Knox Clothing Store.
George Krummel, Jr., resigned his position at Dam 39.
Married in Madison, August 26th, Wilmer Shadday and Miss Lelia Richards, both of this county.
Alex Green, William Reeves, John Brockschlager and Thomas Pickett are squirrel hunting on Laughery Creek.
George Lohide is building a new bridge at Bascom.
The Mt. Sterling M.E. Church gave a “necktie and nut” social (whatever that was).
George Armstrong sold out his store at Mt. Sterling.
Hiram Bakes Jr., resigned his position at Dam 39 and entered Purdue University as a senior.
W.I. Nave will build a new garage on Third Street in Patriot.
110 YEARS AGO
Edward E. Kelso of Vevay was appointed a member of the State Committee of the Lincoln League.
Charles Noble, prominent physician, is contemplating moving from Vevay.
Columbus C. Stapleton was sworn in as Marshal of Vevay.
Miss Evelyn Craig is entertaining for her guests, Mr. and Mrs. Watson Judy (formerly Laura Boone) of North Middleton, Kentucky and Mrs. Justine Zook.
120 YEAR AGO
The “Old Reliable” mail line is having trouble keeping up its Cincinnati and Louisville packets, owing to low water. The Sherley and Belleview run from Cincinnati to Gunpowder Bar and there transfer to the Carrollton at Craig’s Bar. The Hattie Brown is also pressed into service when necessary.
Last Monday the county commissioners contracted with Joseph McKay to build a barn at the county Poor Farm for $447.50.
Mr. Bunger of Antioch has his sorghum mill in full operation.
Farmers of Lamb are very busy harvesting water melons.
Married by Reverend E.G. Seymour at his residence near East Enterprise, Monday, September 3rd, 1894, John H. Daubenheyer and Emma Porter, all of Switzerland County.
Licensed to marry: Eugene Goddard to Stella Parker; William L. Gardner and Eliza Lotheridge.
140 YEARS AGO
Amie Golay and Miss Sophia Dickason were married Wednesday evening, September 2nd, at the home of the bride’s parents in Vevay.
Beecher Slawson of Bennington is very ill of typhoid fever.
W.H. Wallick has opened a book and news store in Vevay.
150 YEARS AGO
The city council has appointed Abraham Plew marshal of this place. Remember that there is a city law in this place inflicting a fine of $3 against those who hitch a horse to a shade tree.
Civil War news: John Morgan, the prince of horse thieves, was killed at Bull’s Gap, East Tennessee, on September 4th.
We are permitted to copy the following extract from a personal letter written by Isaac Humphrey, now in a southern prison. The letter was mailed by a soldier being exchanged. “I am not inside the prison, I have a detail clerk and am keeping a register of the deaths of prisoners. Five thousand prisoners have died since I came here. The mortality is truly frightful. The following are the names of those who have died of our little band: George Martin, died June 1st of scurvy; Ed Kelso, died June 15th of scurvy; Martin P. Higgins died July 1st of scurvy; Isaac Lewis, died July 8th of scurvy; Walter Fuget died July 12th of scurvy. Those remaining are John Lee, Albert Godden, Wesley Greenwood, John Higgins, and William Hoeving. They are well and hearty.”