News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Paul and Ruth Higbie will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, August 21st. The couple currently resides in Marysville, Indiana. The reception will be held at Clifty Inn in Madison.
Air Force Airman Jonathan B. Barnhill, has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Pam Kilburn of Patriot.
The Florence Regional Sewer District has earned an award from the national Environmental Protection Agency. Excellent pollutant removal is one of the reasons the Florence Regional Sewage District earned a first place “Region 5 United States Environmental Protection Agency Operation and Maintenance Excellence Award.”
The Town of Vevay is building a new laboratory building as part of its state grant to upgrade the wastewater system in town, and at Monday night’s meeting of the Vevay Town Council, everyone was updated on the progress of that construction.
20 YEARS AGO
Adam Rose, a local youth, has a wonderful opportunity. He has been chosen as a Young Hoosier Pianist to perform at the Indiana State Fair. He was among 57 young people who auditioned for this honor and 37 were chosen to play.
Vevay High School’s Class of 1959 recently celebrated its 35th reunion at the Ogle Haus.
Christy Brindley and Lance Kleopfer were united in marriage June 25th, at the Hanover United Methodist Church.
Brenda Elliott and Randall Stewart will be united in marriage on September 17th in a private ceremony.
30 YEARS AGO
“I consider myself a ‘kid principal,’ I am the type of principal who enjoyed relating to the students and things that are important to them.” That is the way that David W. Griffith began when asked about his views on how Switzerland County High School should be run. He has assumed his new duties as Principal of SCHS and is busily preparing for the upcoming year.
It was announced that Bob Martin of Vevay was one of two finalists in the Indiana Young Tobacco Farmers Awards. In being named as a finalist, Bob was awarded $100, and the Young Farmer’s trophy. He is now eligible to compete for $1,000, and a trip to Richmond, Virginia.
For the first time in anyone’s memory, Switzerland County will have a voting delegate to the National Republican Convention, which convenes next week in Dallas, Texas. Fay Olds, county chairman and secretary of the 9th District, will be leaving for Dallas on Saturday. She was elected in the District caucus by her fellow party member.
40 YEARS AGO
The late father of Vevay physician Dr. Diego C. Valenzuela has been honored by the government of the Republic of the Philippines for his heroic service to his country’s people. Dr. Valenzuela’s father, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, is pictured on a special commemorative stamp issued by the Republic of the Philippines on his 105th birthday anniversary, July 22nd.
Diane Gridley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Gridley of route 2, Vevay, and Rick Cole, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Cole of route 2, Dillsboro, were married in a candlelight ceremony Friday evening, July 26th, in the Center Square Baptist Church.
The Swiss Valley Lanes bowling alley will be reopened in October by two Switzerland County men who recently purchased the business. Ken Pavy of near Fairview and Hilbert Keith of near East Enterprise are new owners of the Lanes building located on Main Street in the east end of Vevay. It was purchased from Bob Slawson of Vevay.
Russell Jackson, 60, of Vevay died last Tuesday night at Veterans Hospital in Louisville of injuries suffered that morning in an accident while working in Vevay.
A reception for Governor Otis Bowen will be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Olds in Vevay immediately following the Swiss Wine Festival parade Saturday morning. The governor will meet briefly at the reception with interested persons from the local community. Mrs. Olds, vice chairman for the Switzerland County Republican Party, is hosting the reception.
50 YEARS AGO
Floyd Snider, Patriot-Posey High School principal last year, has been moved to fill the position of Vevay High School principal, recently vacated by the resignation of Harvey Bastin, Jr.
Five Switzerland County 18-year-olds took armed forces classification physical examinations, in Louisville last Wednesday. The first of this year’s crop of 18-year-olds to take the exam were Jerry L. Sigmon, Everett J. Burnett, Harold E. Brady, James E. Reynolds, and Gary L. McAllister.
A delegation of officials and businessmen from Harrison, Crawford, Perry, and Spencer counties visited Switzerland County Saturday. Arranged by Mac Adams, overall economic development plan consultant, and M.F. Goode, area extension agent, the tour group included men active in development of southern Indiana.
60 YEARS AGO
Miss Melba Alford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Alford of near Fairview, was united in marriage Thursday evening, August 12th, to Charles Lovins, who is stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
Sue of Hill Haven, fine five gaited horse owned by Dr. C. O. Sieglitz of Vevay, was awarded second place in stiff competition at the Carroll County Fair horse show in Carrollton Friday night.
Corporal Donald C. Tucker returned home Wednesday afternoon after 19 months service spent in Korea and Japan with the 5th Cavalry.
A son was born August 15th to Mr. and Mrs. Emory Hastie at their home near Florence.
A carport adjoining the Swiss Inn on Main Street is under construction.
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Boyd of near Markland are the proud parents of a daughter born Tuesday morning at the Milan hospital.
Mr. and Mr. Millard Sloan and three sons returned last Tuesday from a visit to the Corporal and Mrs. Paul R. Sloan now stationed at the Craig Air Force Base, Selma, Alabama.
Charles Haskell, Jr., who last Thursday afternoon fell from a load of hay and broke his back, was brought to his home on route 2, Vevay Tuesday from the Madison hospital and he is now slowly recovering.
70 YEARS AGO
The marriage of Miss Evelyn Hazeldean and Private Freeman Hill was solemnized at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Ross in Indianapolis Saturday, August 12th.
Fire destroyed the repair shop of the Madison-Louisville Transit Company in Madison Sunday night with an estimated loss of $10,000.
Born Friday, August 11th, a son to Lieutenant and Mrs. Harry Truitt in Richmond, California. Lieutenant Truitt is at present serving in France.
Private Russell Koons of Patriot and Miss Muriel Rice of Lawrenceburg, North Carolina, were married Saturday, August 5th.
Born, a son, August 6th, to Edwin F. Orr and wife at Pensacola, Florida. He has been named Charles Edwin.
80 YEARS AGO
Last Friday afternoon Vevay and vicinity was visited by a terrific wind and thunderstorm that did considerable damage.
Gilbert Lyons, aged 17 years, young man of the Canaan neighborhood, died in the Madison Hospital Sunday afternoon following a major operation.
Hubert P. Gilliam, born in Switzerland County in 1894, died at his home in Greendale last Saturday as the result of an accident suffered over a year ago.
Charley Hardin has received his notice of appointment as postmaster at Florence in relief of William Brameier.
John W. Collins, age 14 years, was killed and William McKendree, age 8 years, probably fatally injured by the explosion of several sticks of dynamite Saturday afternoon. The boys found a box of the explosives which had been hidden by highway workmen in Craig Township and are thought to have lighted the sticks with a match.
Born, a daughter Velma Jean, to Mr. and Mrs. Brett Scudder of Posey Township.
Born August 14th, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hutcherson of Patriot.
Born, August 12th, a son, Robert Bruce, to Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Hall.
90 YEARS AGO
The tenth annual Chautauqua which closed Friday was not a success financially. The exact loss has not yet been tabulated but it will amount to several hundred dollars.
The Old Settlers meeting in Griswold’s Grove at Bennington Saturday was well attended by a large crowd of people. The chief address was made by Honorable Ed Jackson, Republican candidate for governor.
Vevay rural route 1 has been extended up the Long Run Pike one and one fourth miles, giving service to 12 families.
John Uhlman and Miss Coral Acre were married by Reverend Josie Campbell at the parsonage in Cross Plains on Saturday, August 9th.
100 YEARS AGO
Mrs. Elizabeth Froman, Vevay’s oldest resident, died last week at the age of 98 years.
Earl S. Brown, city editor of the Reveille, is in Rising Sun, issuing a daily paper for the Rising Sun Recorder in honor of the Centennial Celebration.
Rainfall starting Monday night and falling until Tuesday noon, amounted to 3.60 inches. It broke a drought which had extended over the county for the past five weeks.
Robert Goff has been appointed postmaster at Patriot and it is understood that H. Samples will be appointed at Bennington.
A large two-story frame building on Ferry Street owned by Mrs. Emily Adams was badly damaged by fire last Thursday.
Our sister city of Rising Sun is carrying on a Centennial Celebration and hosts of visitors are attending from all parts of the Union.
William E. Ogle of Jefferson Township is announcing his candidacy for the nomination of sheriff, subject to the will of the Republican convention.
Allen Seymour of Fairview and Miss Alice Roger of near Bennington, were married last Friday in Vevay.
120 YEARS AGO
Licensed to marry: Edward F. Spencer and Lulu Belle Ward; John W. Ricketts and Ada M. Brown.
Born, a daughter to Hugh Pickett and wife of Sugar Branch.
The post office at Center Square got loose again last week. It can now be found at the store of O.P. Courtney.
Farmers all over the county are busy threshing.
140 YEARS AGO
S.O. Lowe is managing the Patriot Distillery during the illness of Mr. Pate.
Beuford and Joe Harrell started a shoe shop in Cross Plains.
Carrollton has three new smokestacks going up in the town.
The house of Phillip Boswell in Vevay was destroyed by fire Thursday about 11 o’clock in the morning. A portion of the household goods were saved but the loss was $200.
The telegraph line between Vevay and Rising Sun is almost completed and will be in operation in a few weeks. Subscriptions will be taken among Vevay citizens.
David C. Kinney of Patriot was one of the victims of the Pat Rogers disaster.
150 YEARS AGO
Ghent, Kentucky, across from here, has two wharf boats and both are fighting for business.
The Vevay Post Office, now collected more than $100 per year, has been furnished with marking and rating stamps free by the government.
Jacob Harris and E. M. Cheever were appointed president and secretary respectively of the Posey and York Townships United Sunday Schools.
The Institute of Patriot, Mr. F. Jackson, principal, closed July 28th, and will reopen in the fall.
General T. T. Chittenden is in Vevay in the interests of the proposed Cincinnati-New Albany-Railroad.
This week we have set our paper in smaller type than formerly in order to give our readers as much reading matter as possible.
Last Saturday night, Mr. John Danglade missed two of his horses and felt they had been stolen. With several others he set out in pursuit of the thieves and pressed one of them so close he was compelled to abandon his horse and take to the woods to save himself from being captured by William Norisez and Mr. Danglade followed one of the thieves until the next day and overtook the thief and horse near Rising Sun, Indiana. They lodged him in the Rising Sun jail on Monday evening. On the same evening that these horses were stolen, someone also stole one from Marion Reeves and at last accounts he had not recovered it. From what we have learned we are satisfied that there is a regularly organized band of these villains in the county.
Civil War News: Last week, 27 members of Company E, 50th Indiana, under the command of Captain Rous, reenlisted and returned home on furlough.