News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Results of the ISTEP tests have been returned to the Switzerland County School Corporation, and those returns show that county school children are continuing to do a good job.
As the Switzerland County FFA chapter celebrates National FFA Week this week, it does so recognized around the state as one of the strongest chapters in Indiana. Over the past year, the chapter has produced a National Proficiency winner, Chad Hart. Natalie Gray was elected vice president of the state FFA organization, and April Welch and Katie Riley currently serve as district officers.
An open house will be held Sunday, February 23rd, in honor of Johney Darbro’s 94th birthday.
For the second year in a row, Vevay artist Jerry Wallin has been named an award winner by Gallery 15 – the art auction held annually by the PBS station in Louisville. Competing in the metal class with jewelers, silversmiths, and other iron workers, Jerry Wallin won “Best in Class” for his forged steel ‘paper bag.’
Norman “Dick” and Hazel Knaus of Popcorn Ridge were treated to a surprise 50th wedding anniversary party December 7th, 1996.
Switzerland County student Steve Turner won two medals recently at the Special Olympics ski competition held at Paoli Peaks. He won a gold medal in the slalom and a silver medal in the super glide. He was coached at the competition by Tony Spoores. He is the son of Steve and Sharon Turner of Patriot.
15 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Robinson, Green Valley, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this month. Their children are hosting a reception in their honor at the Grace Baptist Church in Madison Sunday, February 23rd.
Graham E. and Gertrude Mae (Harmon) Banta, Braytown Road, will soon celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. The Bantas will celebrate their anniversary with a private dinner at The Pines in Madison this Saturday.
Tina Sue McClellan, a junior at Georgetown College, is on the Dean’s List there. She is the daughter of Rick and Carolyn McClellan of Tapps Ridge.
20 YEARS AGO
A fire at the home of Ron Sandidge of Vevay caused about $50,000 in damages. The fire broke out around 12:30 p.m. Thursday. According to Vevay Fire Chief Larry Lock, the fire probably started in the electrical system in the attic. “We were lucky to save what we saved,” commented Lock. “One room was a total loss and the rest of the house has a lot of smoke and water damage.” the Vevay, Jefferson-Craig and East Enterprise volunteer Fire Departments responded.
Bruce Hutcherson of Patriot is making his trips to compete with some of the country’s top tractor pullers worth his while. He picked up 293 points in four recent events.
Claude D. Tolliver, son of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Tolliver of Patriot, recently enlisted in the U.S. Army’s Delayed Entry Program and will report for active duty April 17th.
40 YEARS AGO
Miss Bonita Froman, daughter of Mrs. Frank Silver of Patriot, and James E. Reynolds, son of Mrs. Roger Satterfield of East Enterprise were married the afternoon of February 4th at Patriot Methodist Church. The couple will reside in Vevay.
Switzerland County’s December sale of U.S. Savings Bonds was $3,609 compared with $2,839 for the corresponding period of 1965, the bonds division of the U.S. Treasury Department reported this week. Jack Sullivan, chairman of the county bonds committee, was informed by the division that 50 of Indiana’s 92 counties reported December sales gains.
50 YEARS AGO
James Dickerson of Vevay was elected commodore of the Vevay Boat Club at a special meeting of the group Monday night. Other officers chosen to serve in 1957 were Robert Ackerman, vice commodore, Paul Rix, secretary-treasurer, and Lee Nally, James Boulton and Paul White, directors.
Miss Doris Washmuth has taken a position with Trans World Airlines at the Greater Cincinnati airport, and assumed her new duties this week. Miss Washmuth was formerly employed in the business office of the U.S. Shoe Corporation factory in Vevay. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Washmuth of near Fairview and served as her father’s deputy while he was Clerk of the Switzerland County Circuit Court.
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Morrison of Vevay boarded the Matson luxury liner SS Lurine which departed from Los Angeles harbor January 28th for Hawaii. They will vacation there for several weeks.
A 10-pound son, William Michael, was born February 7th to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson McMakin of Lexington, Kentucky. Mr. McMakin is the son of Mrs. Elaine McMakin of Parks Ridge and Mr. and Mrs. Charles McMakin of Vevay are great-grandparents of the baby.
60 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Myers have sold their grocery store in the Riggs building on West Pike Street here to County Recorder and Mrs. Howard Wentworth.
Ralph Winslow, husband of the former Aldean Copeland of Vevay, has recently been appointed as public relations Director of the giant Kopper Furnace and Steel Company of Pittsburgh.
Mrs. Clarence Roberts who had been seriously ill for several weeks in Christ Hospital is now showing a marked improvement.
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Gulley are the proud parents of a new daughter born at their home on Pleasant Ridge February 5th.
Automobiles driven by George Furnish, Jr., of Vevay and Harold Beatty of Florence, collided on a street in Florence Monday evening.
The Trojans of Patriot eked out a two-point win over Vevay last Friday night on the local basketball court, the final score being 33-31.
John Burke, 69, one of the few Spanish American War veterans in Switzerland County, died Tuesday night at his home in Florence. Myers V. Burke of Vevay is a nephew of Mr. Burke.
Switzerland County’s oldest citizen, Mrs. Emma Powell, who on December 29th celebrated her 103rd birthday, passed away Tuesday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W.H. Bodey, near Quercus Grove.
Mr. and Mrs. Johney Darbro this week sold their house on West Pike Street to Mr. and Mrs. Herman Roland.
At a meeting of Switzerland County Library Board held here Tuesday evening, attorney James S. Wright was reelected as president. Other officers elected were Mrs. Olive Trafelet, vice president; and Miss Evelyn Craig, secretary.
Mrs. Mignon Gray of Indianapolis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Aldred of this county, recently underwent a major operation in Methodist Hospital.
Miss Joy Napier, 17, of Rising Sun, and Eldric Hazeldean, 24, of near Florence, were issued a marriage license Saturday, February 8th, by Clerk Melchior DuPlan.
Two former county boys, Reverend Armond Calvert and Reverend Douglas Slack, are prominent figures in a revival being held in the Church of the Nazarene in Rising Sun this week.
70 YEARS AGO
Mrs. John Tilley suffered a broken right arm and bruises about the head when she fell at her home on Walnut Street one night last week.
Dr. L. H. bear is suffering from an injury to his eye received Monday night when he ran into a wire hook in the basement of his home.
Mrs. John Bennett was injured painfully last Thursday morning when the car in which she was riding with her husband and Ward Scott collided with a truck driven by Lee Knaus.
Miss Sara Davis of Gary was married to George Huddleson Pride of New York City February 8th. Mrs. Pride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Davis (nee Mildred Loring) of Gary, who are former residents of this county.
80 YEARS AGO
The Burley Association house in Vevay took on new activity last week and in six days received approximately 160,000 pounds of tobacco.
James Seavers who resides on a Bennington route has in his possession a wine cask used near Vevay when the old Swiss settlers were at the height of their winemaking industry.
Lawrenceburg men were in Vevay last week seeking a location for the establishing of a garage where Oldsmobile cars are to be sold.
90 YEARS AGO
The coal yard on Liberty Street belonging to Mrs. Hannah Clendenning and formerly occupied by the Peoples Coal Company was sold last Saturday to Carl Culbertson for a consideration which remains private.
Calvin J. Bear, veteran of the Civil War, died at his home here Saturday evening after a few days serious illness of uremic poisoning. Mr. Bear was 73 years of age and was a native of Jefferson County but had made his home in Vevay for several years.
Miss Leila Thiebaud, a young woman who has had some years’ experience in banking institutions in her hometown, Vevay, and in Indianapolis, has been appointed an office assistant in the office of the State Treasurer.
John M. Tevis of Madison has sold his 100 acre farm near Pleasant to Harry Christman of Jefferson County for a consideration of $6,000.
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Lamson very quietly celebrated their 50th anniversary of their marriage Tuesday.
The Ohio River is again blocked with ice and there is no immediate prospect of relief.
A new company has been organized at Carrollton called the U.S. Cabinet Company. It will manufacture hotel cabinets and novelties.
Emma, youngest child of Julius Detraz, of Craig Township is very sick with pneumonia.
Irvin Shadday and Miss Indiana Coleman of Moorefield were married February 13th at the M. E. parsonage in Vevay.
Benjamin Bledsoe of Vevay is at Sterling, Kansas in the real estate business.
S. P. Moon of Defiance, Ohio, last Tuesday sold to C.V. Thiebaud the two-story brick building on Main Street, a portion of which was formerly occupied by the bank. Price: $3,100.
A son was born February 14th to George and Emma Dickason of East Enterprise.
100 YEARS AGO
Professor Charles W. Oldrieve, the only man who has ever successfully invented a contrivance which will enable a man to walk on water, arrived in New Orleans last Sunday morning, having completed his walk from Cincinnati to New Orleans in 39 days, 23 hours, and 15 minutes.
Everett Hatton, 17-year-old son of Robert Hatton and wife, while hauling logs on his father’s farm two miles north of Vevay, was run over by a loaded wagon Tuesday morning and received injuries which might have been fatal.
On Monday of this week the west end grocery which has been owned by E. P. Danglade for many years became the property of William I. Reed and family.
Miss Lola Gordan, daughter of Mrs. Vada Gordan, and Mr. Leonard Smith were married in this city February 13th.
130 YEARS AGO
An attempt was made Saturday night to burglarize W. F. North’s store in Patriot. An entrance was gained by the grating in the cellar window but they were evidently frightened away.
Frank Manford is making preparations to start a blacksmith shop at Moorefield in the spring.
Woodford J. Long and Miss Maggie Wiley were married February 8th at the home of the bride’s parents in Jefferson Township.
140 YEARS AGO
William Good, charged with horse stealing, was hung by a mob in Stanford, Kentucky Thursday night.
The largest fire that ever visited Covington, Kentucky, destroyed the woolen factory there Tuesday night. Loss was $225,000.
Senator Bellamy of this county is confined to his room by sickness in Indianapolis.
Taylor Stepleton of Company T. 3rd Indiana Cavalry, lost his discharge papers in Vevay last Thursday.
150 YEARS AGO
A counterfeit $20 note on the Bank of Kentucky has made its appearance.
Recent heavy rains and melting snows have caused much loss of property. Damage to the amount of $2 million was done at Albany, New York.
152 YEARS AGO
We are informed by the County Treasurer that most of the books composing the common school libraries have been received and are now ready for distribution among the people. Those belonging to this vicinity are at the Treasurer’s office in Vevay.
Otis S. Waldo has disposed of his interest in the Weekly Reveille to his brother, F. J. Waldo, who will continue to publish the paper.
Owing to the river being filled with ice, no steamboats have been running for several days and we have no mail.
Citizens are gathering ice for their houses. They get the ice from the Plum and Indian creeks from 3 to 6 inches thick.
During the last few days we have had excellent sleigh riding.