News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of Switzerland County newspapers.
10 YEARS AGO
Joyce Fields has assumed the duties of Switzerland County’s Health Nurse, with the retirement of Jean Humphreys. She has completed her orientation and is now handling all clients.
Switzerland County High School’s basketball Pacers celebrated winning the championship of the 1995 Jefferson County Invitational Tournament.
Mike Jones of Florence, Switzerland County Democratic Party chairman and chairman of the 9th District party organization, has announced his candidacy to be the next chairman of the Indiana Democratic party.
The process of building a middle school for Switzerland County continues to move forward, according to school superintendent Mac Dyer. The school board has given preliminary approval for a middle school wing to be built onto Jefferson-Craig Elementary School. The new wing will house grades six, seven, and eight. A cafeteria in the middle school wing will also be used by Jefferson-Craig students, eliminating the need for a cafeteria at Jeff-Craig.
20 YEARS AGO
Going into the Jefferson County Invitational Tournament, coach Otha Smith’s Pacer varsity basketball team had compiled a 6-5 record. With some timely shooting and good defense, Smith’s Pacers pulled off big victories and captured the 1985 JCIT championship.
Directors Darrell Hansel and Martha promise excitement from start to finish this weekend as the senior class at SCHS presents the play “Meet Me at the Prom”.
Struggling through a difficult season up to now, coach David Griffith’s Switzerland County girl’s varsity basketball team is looking to change their luck this weekend when they participate in the Rising Sun Invitational Tournament.
“Crossroad Cookin’,” the Hoosier Hospitality cookbook, is still on sale at either the First National Bank or the Vevay Deposit Bank in Vevay. Just a few copies remain so be sure and stop by and pick up your copy soon. All proceeds from the sale of the cookbooks goes to the American Cancer Society.
30 YEARS AGO
The long-awaited, much anticipated bridge over Markland Dam should become a reality by April, 1977 — if not before. Construction contract bids for the bridge will be opened on January 30th, the U.S. Corps of Engineers announced this week. By March 30 and possibly before that date, the contract will be awarded the Corps said, and within two days, the construction will begin.
“You ever heard of pansies in the wintertime?” asked Eleanor Curry, as she brought her “Around the Town” news into the Vevay Newspapers office Monday. The cold blast that swept in over the weekend finally did the unusual flower in. Mrs. Curry says she figures the flower survived because of the relatively mild winter we’ve had— but still, it had to withstand plenty of killing frosts. It was one of two pansies in Mrs. Curry’s flowerbed that lasted well into the new year.
Robert (Petey) Browning, son of Mrs. Mary L. Browning of route 1, Florence, was recently promoted by the U.S. Army to the rank of sergeant and will leave next month for a tour of duty in Germany.
The wedding of Miss Martha Werner and Richard Blodgett, both of Vevay, took place December 21 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Olean, Indiana. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Cletus Werner, of Canaan, and the late Mr. Werner. Parents of the groom are Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Blodgett of Vevay.
40 YEARS AGO
Two Vevay High School graduates are starting their first winter term at Hanover College this month. They are Pat Collier, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pratt of 304 Walnut Street, Vevay; and Lynn Lamson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Lamson of rural route 4, Vevay.
Judith Peters of Vevay and Delberta Scudder of Patriot have been named 1965 “Betty Crocker Homemakers of Tomorrow” of their respective high schools.
Members of the Methodist Church choir entertained Sunday evening its a pitch-in farewell supper at the home of their director, Mrs. Herman Fox, in honor of Dr. and Mrs. W.R. Hatton who are moving to Aurora. Dr. Hatton has had an office in that city for several years and they now plan to reside there.
Switzerland County dug form under over two and a half inches of snow this week in the wake of a near blizzard which swept the Midwest, clogging traffic and communications throughout the area.
50 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Brown of Moorefield are the proud parents of a son born December 23rd at the King’s Daughters Hospital in Madison. He was named Gerald Norman.
Willie’s Store on Ferry Street is closing out its business this week and the owner, Willia Trennepohl will return to Lawrenceburg where he conducts a similar men’s clothing store.
Charles Otter, proprietor of the Otter’s Dry Good Store, on the opposite side of Ferry Street, has rented the store room to be vacated by Trennepohl and expects to move his stock of goods there about February 1st.
Despite failure of U.S. Army Engineers to recommend immediate construction of a new lock and dam at Markland. Congressman in this area have renewed the fight to have necessary funds appropriated by Congress. Instead the engineers recommended that an additional $125,000 be allowed for planning. This action will keep the issue alive until further action can be taken. Last year Congress voted $40,000 for planning.
60 YEARS AGO
Lieutenant Robert N. Torrance, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Torrance of East Enterprise, has been listed as missing in action over Germany since November 30th.
Born January 4th, a son, Michael Ray, to Sergeant and Mrs. Orville Leap.
Born a son, John Scott, January 13th, to Lt. and Mrs. Edward C. Wakefield.
Four more Switzerland County youths have been reported killed in action. Lawrence Donald Turner was drowned in Belgium on Christmas Day. Lawrence Hudson, former Vevay boy, was killed in action December 23rd, in Luxembourg with the fighting forces. Pfc. Oliver Smith of Patriot, was killed in action in Belgium on December 24th. Pvt. Leon LeClerc of Jefferson Township, was reported killed in action in Belgium on December 23rd.
70 YEARS AGO
The condition of John Henry, who is being cared for at the home of Mrs. Josephine Henry, remains about the same.
Harry Lamson is ill with influenza.
The Vevay Music Club will meet Monday night at the home of Mrs. Earl Sullivan.
A.V. Danner returned Friday from a visit of several weeks in Washington D.C., Florida, and the East.
Miss Jeanette Tandy, of Ghent, has come to spend the remainder of the winter with her mother, Mrs. C. S. Tandy and sister Julia.
Mr. and Mrs. John Heady and son George and Mrs. and Mrs. Joe Trinkle and son Billie Joe left Monday to spend several weeks in LaFeria, Texas.
Mrs. Tom Clements remains seriously ill at her home here.
Carl Matthews will hold a public sale at his home near Pleasant on Thursday, January 24th.
80 YEARS AGO
Mack Tucker, principal of the Vevay High School, and Miss Jessie Gill of Eckerty, Indiana were married Christmas Eve.
James Aldred and family are enjoying their new Super Heterodyne radio immensely.
Miss Lula Cutter and Roy Osborne were married in Vevay Saturday by Reverend F.E. Hammel.
Roy Brown and wife have moved to Vevay and are occupying the residence formerly occupied by A.V. Banta.
Ira Babcock of Paris, Kentucky spent the weekend here with his daughter, Mrs. James H. Sieglitz.
Mrs. T.D. Calvert is confined to her home in Brooksburg with injuries resulting form a fall Saturday.
90 YEARS AGO
A stock company is being formed to take over the City Roller Mills.
Harold Littlefield of East Enterprise is very sick.
Cleve Gulley of near Steeles Corner was bitten by a mad dog.
The Senior Class presented the high school with a book case.
John Miller was elected Noble Grand of the Patriot I.O.O.F. Lodge.
Miss Jane Corrans has returned to Vevay from Scotland.
Mrs. J.H. Barker is ill at Center Square.
100 YEARS AGO
The Heddon Brothers Department Store at New Albany was destroyed by fire with a loss of about $60,000.
The ferry-boat “Eva-Everett”, has been laid up here for two weeks on account of ice.
The remains of Mrs. Sol Wright were brought from Ghent to Vevay in a skiff.
The Star Mail route from Dillsboro was discontinued; also from Vevay to Aaron.
110 YEARS AGO
Lewis F. Mills has entered the firm of the U.P. Schenck and Sons as a partner.
John Patzie is a Republican County Chairman.
Licensed to marry: Uly G. Sigmon and Miss Inez G. Griswold; William Henry Wise and Miss Betty L. Green.
Matt Hardin moved from Patriot to Petersburg, Kentucky, to open a barber shop.
M.F. Gardner whose home was recently burned at Aurora, is erecting a temporary dwelling.
140 YEARS AGO
The steamer “C.T. Dumont” is still plying as a packet between Madison and Cincinnati. Our fellow townsmen John Hamilton is her captain.
As has been for some time so confidently anticipated by both the north and south, Savannah has fallen into the hands of General Sherman. Unfortunately, the capture is greatly lessened in the value by the circumstances that the rebel garrison had made its escape.
About 450 rebel prisoners captured at Vicksburg 17 months ago and who have been in Camp Morton ever since have taken the oath and been released.
Those of Company E, 50 Indiana, who have reenlisted as veterans, arrived home last night.
A movement is on foot in Ohio to present General Sherman with a homestead in that state.
F.L. Grisard took his son Rudolph into his hardware store as a partner.
Colin McNutt was appointed administrator of the estate of John Love, deceased.
James S. Jelly is practicing law at Rising Sun.