News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Lee Hamilton was in Vevay Saturday to speak with Randall employees. The congressman pledged the full support of his office in helping workers find new jobs, and bring other industry to Switzerland County.
Cool weather and breezy conditions held down the crowd a bit at this year’s Bennington Homecoming, but everyone who did attend enjoyed all of the many events that have made the Homecoming a county favorite.
Ron Ackerman, a former resident of Switzerland County, has announced his retirement from Woodward and Lothrop, a large east coast department store chain headquartered in Washington, D.C. He retires as the senior vice president of information technology, and has been with the company for the past eight years. He previously worked 23 years for Federated Department Stores in Cincinnati.
Bill Roberts has been hired to be the county’s first middle school principal. the hiring became official Monday evening at the Switzerland County School Board meeting. He currently serves as the assistant principal of the Junior-Senior High School, a position he has held since 1980.
15 YEARS AGO
Navy Seaman Jason F. Hall recently graduated from Recruit Training Center in Orlando, Florida.
What started out as a rainy, dreary day Saturday morning turned into a beautiful fall outing as hundreds of folks arrived in Bennington for the 17th annual homecoming. Folks from Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Virginia and Washington state visited during the event.
Ginny Reeves, Library Media Specialist for Switzerland County School Corporation, has been chosen as a delegate to Governor Bayh’s White House Conference on Library and Information Services. The conference will be held November 16th-18th, in Indianapolis at the Holiday Inn in Union Station.
Navy Seaman Recruit John P. Jewell, son of Valerie J. Jennings of route 3, Vevay, Vevay, has completed recruit training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois.
20 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Varble would like to announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Georgette, to Barry L. O’Neal. He is the son of Kay O’Neal of Vevay and Tommy O’Neal of Manchester, Indiana. The wedding will take place at the United Methodist Church in Vevay on Saturday, October 19th, at 6:30 p.m. slow time.
The Switzerland County School Board Monday evening hired a new teacher to assume a created position within the system. Miss Patricia Huff of Rising Sun was hired as the resource teacher for the Gifted and Talented program at Jefferson Craig and Switzerland County Elementary schools.
It’s Harem-Scarem time in Vevay, Indiana! On Thursday evening, October 31st, the streets of Vevay will again light up to the sounds of ghosts and goblins as the Switzerland County tradition returns for yet another year.
30 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Sullivan were honored for their many years of service to the Mental Health Association of Indiana. Mr. Sullivan was awarded a pin denoting his 15 years of work for mental health in Switzerland County and southeastern Indiana and Mrs. Sullivan was honored for her 15 years of service as president of the Switzerland County Mental Health Association. The Sullivans live in Vevay.
A whoppin’ big gar over four feet long was pulled out of the Ohio River at Markland Dam recently by Curtis Birge, of Dupont, who had the able assistance of his grandfather, Thiebaud Browning, of Plum Creek. Their huge catch was four feet two inches lung and 20 pounds heavy.
Miss Karen S. Ford and Mr. Gary M. Wentworth were united in marriage Friday, September 5th, at the Mt. Sterling Baptist Church. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Marjorie Ford of route 3, Vevay and Mr. Harold Ford of route 2, Vevay. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Wentworth of near Bennington.
Switzerland County High School’s Danny Flood proved Friday he’s the best long distance runner in the Ohio River Valley Conference. Flood kicked into high gear toward the end of the 2.5 mile course during the ORVC’s season-ending conference meet Friday and posted a four-second win over his nearest competitor.
40 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Swango of route 1, Bennington, have announced the engagement of their daughter, Patricia Ann Swango, to Donald E. Chase of Aurora.
Fred F. Storey, 86, of Florence, one of the oldest practicing barbers in the state of Indiana, died Saturday at King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison.
Miss Judith C. Parker and Paul R. Kemp, both of North Madison, were united in marriage Saturday afternoon at the home of the officiating minister, the Reverend Fred S. Griffith.
Troop No. 300 of East Enterprise Volunteer Fire Department was the top winner in the council “Do of Die Camporee” held at the Boy Scouts of America camp in Dupont last weekend. Participating were 858 scouts from the Southern, Grouseland, and Laughery Valley District in survival tests and scouting skills.
50 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Harris, formerly of Egypt Bottom and now of Winona Lake, Indiana, where they have lived for the past 27 years, observed their golden wedding anniversary October 11th.
Mrs. Bessie Branham, Miss Kathleen Allen and Josh Howard went to Carrollton, Kentucky, Sunday to attend the funeral of their uncle, Josh Howard Sr.
The 93rd birthday of Mrs. Jeanetta Furnish was observed Sunday at her home in Vevay and friends and relatives gathered for a pitch-in dinner at noon.
Mr. and Mrs. Willis Jackson will quietly celebrate their 54th wedding anniversary Thursday.
60 YEARS AGO
Charles Robert Leap has purchased from Casper Leap the pool room on Main Street which the latter has operated for the past 18 months.
Giltner A. Hambrick of near Vevay and Miss Geneva F. Craig of Madison were married last Wednesday in Madison by Reverend Ralph E. Gronseth at the Baptist parsonage.
Born, Monday, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Tapp of Tapps Ridge.
Born, Wednesday, October 17th, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Bolden of Markland.
Marriage licenses have been issued to Perry Adams of Brooksburg and Georgia Firth of route 4, Madison and to Sam Browning of Vevay and Mary Louise Cunningham of Rising Sun.
70 YEARS AGO
Cleveland N. Niemeier, World War veteran, died at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Niemeier, of Quercus Grove Saturday morning at the age of 48 years.
Don Stepleton left Monday on his sailboat for a trip down the Ohio River with New Orleans as his destination.
Born, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. David Blodgett of Drakes Ridge.
80 YEARS AGO
The largest undertaking ever attempted by Vevay business firms in an attempt to stimulate trade is now in full swing. Forty firms have banded themselves together and have purchased $1,000 worth of prizes to be given away on the afternoon of December 24th.
Emmett Jayes sold his Madison-Vevay freight truck last week to Dan Raisor of Brooksburg.
Clyde Griffith of Vevay had a miraculous escape from death last Thursday when he fell 30 feet from the top of the new tobacco barn on Vevay Island.
Charles E. Cheever has repurchased the Stoll Oil business from Elmo Shadday and will conduct the business the same as before.
The pastors of the Vevay churches have organized the Vevay Ministers Association with Reverend A.K. Johnson as president and Reverend O.W. Nelson secretary.
90 YEARS AGO
James S. Wright was elected Great Junior Sagamore of the Grand Lodge of Red Men of the State of Indiana at its meeting on Tuesday.
Switzerland County’s bumper apple crop is having its effect upon the cider business and it looks now as though more cider will be made in this locality than ever before. The Ogle mill which started but a few days ago has already turned out 4,500 gallons of apple juice.
The steamer City of Louisville, in trying to make a landing, bumped the Vevay wharfboat, breaking several timpers on the outside of it.
The new fire bell tower at engine house No. 2 has been completed and is quite an improvement.
100 YEARS AGO
Abraham Johnson’s leg was broken in two places when he fell from a barn roof in Bennington.
Wallace Cotton won his fourth nomination for Mayor of the city here.
York Township teachers are Phil Markland, Paul Greenleaf, John Bennett, Laura Clendenning, Carrie Culbertson and Nora McVey.
Married in the Concord Church October 11th, Miss Avis Buck and Vinton North, both fine young people of that community.
Little Chester Hardin of Florence was accidentally hit in the eye with a baseball.
Hully Griswold is building an addition to his house near Bennington.
110 YEARS AGO
Lucien Harris of Patriot is attending law school in Indianapolis.
The steamer B. S. Rhea broke two flanges and a cam rod when she grounded near Cincinnati Monday. The Lizzie Bay is running in her place.
Joe Gilbert has added steam power and other machinery to his laundry.
Professor O.M. Given last week moved his family from Florence to Patriot where he is superintendent of schools.
Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Baird, John Patton and M.C. Walden have just returned from attending a convention of Indiana Editorial Associations which combined for a trip to Atlanta, Georgia.
With a view to getting electric lights for Vevay, J. P. Carter has been canvassing the business houses to ascertain how many lamps could be sold at 25 cents per light per month. To date 314 have been subscribed.
130 YEARS AGO
The Samuel Hyde Store in East Enterprise was robbed of about $1,400.
A broom factory is being started in Bennington.
Married October 7th by Esquire David Lee, Miss Mary Cooper and Andrew J. Goodner.
Married October 12th near Center Square by Reverend T. Warn Beagle, Miss Mollie McCullouch to Lewis A. Clark.
William, son of Carter Smiley of Vevay, committed suicide by hanging himself on Vevay Island.
152 YEARS AGO
O. Rous has started his skiff shop on the Market Square here and will make them as cheap as any in the Western Country.
Van Amburg’s “floating menagerie” is here with “ferocious and terrific beasts” and “rare birds that fly in the air.”
U. P. Schenck wants to buy 20,000 bushels of onions.
The free schools of Vevay have been in session four weeks and have nearly 400 pupils in attendance.