News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Senior Alice Wood has returned from taking part in the National Teen Institute, where she served as one of only three students from across the country on tyhe conference’s planning board.
This year’s Christmas tour sponsored by the Switzerland County Historical Society will take on a different look, with the tour featuring not homes but churches.
There was some serious “trash talking” done at last Wednesday night’s Vevay Town Council meeting, but it had nothing to do with anyone getting insulted. Instead, the board heard input from citizens on what to do when the town’s trash contract runs out next month, and what will happen to the recycling program when a new contract is awarded.
The Switzerland County School Board will host the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new middle school this Sunday, October 29th.
15 YEARS AGO
The Hoosier Theater in Vevay received a generous $15,000 donation from the Philip Morris Tobacco Company to support local presenting of excellent community theater. The tobacco company hosted a reception at the Ogle Haus last Friday evening to help celebrate the occasion. Scott Fisher, regional manager for Philip Morris, presented the check to Denver Markland, president of Historic Vevay, Inc.
County Auditor Kathy Kelly, who has served since January of 1984, has announced her resignation from office effective December 31st. She announced her decision in a letter addressed to Switzerland County’s Democrat Central Committee and Election Board.
October 16th was Hoosier Spell Bowl time again for area junior and senior high school teams. For the second year, the Switzerland County High School team has placed first in the Class III competition at the Area Hoosier Spell Bowl meet. This year it was held at Lawrenceburg High School. On the same night, the junior high team competed at Greendale Middle School in Lawrenceburg and placed fourth in very stiff competition.
20 YEARS AGO
Kirk Works, a senior at the University of Evansville and the son of Tommie and Rita Works of East Enterprise, is the second recipient of the Wilma P. Benedict Memorial Scholarship. He is a computing science major and a business administration minor at Evansville and is a graduate of Switzerland County High School. Making the presentation of the scholarship were Linda Bond and Martha Cole, the presidents of the two Tri Kappa sorority chapters in Switzerland County.
The annual “Harem-Scarem” Halloween parade is set this year for Thursday evening, October 31st. The event this year has been set to coincide with the town of Vevay’s trick-or-treat night which will begin immediately following the parade.
Donald and Gertrude Voris of Vevay announce the marriage of their daughter, Mary Robin, to Jacob Matthew Rader, son of John and Eunice Rader of Vevay. The ceremony took place at Shepard Air Force Base, Texas, on August 31st.
Tammy Allison, daughter of Jim and Shelby Allison of route 1, Florence, has been named to Franklin College’s Student Admission Corps for the 1985-86 school year. Members of the SAC work with the admissions office, giving tours, hosting prospective students, and aiding in recruiting efforts.
30 YEARS AGO
Dr. and Mrs. James G. McCrory, of Berne, Indiana, announce the engagement of their daughter, Cassandra, to Richard Cole, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cogley Cole, Jr., of near Vevay. The couple plans to marry December 27th in the First Mennonite Church at Berne.
Former Switzerland County High School athlete Joe Seaver is continuing his scholastic sports career at Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, Kentucky, where he led this fall’s baseball team in hitting. Seaver, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Seaver of Vevay, battled a sizzling .351, the only hitter on the Wesleyan team over the .300 mark. He led the team in hits, doubles, and fewest strikeouts, was second in runs batted in, and was also the team’s top fielder.
Duncan MacLeod has joined Vevay Newspapers as advertising director for Switzerland Courtney’s two weekly papers, The Vevay Reveille-Enterprise and The Switzerland Democrat. MacLeod, 28, has been in newspaper advertising for five years. He’s a graduate of the University of Arizona, is married, and is the father of three children.
Brenda Kay Hysell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lyonall Hysell, and David McClure, son of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson McClure, were married Saturday in a ceremony performed in the Macedonia Baptist Church.
Miss Cindi L. Smith and James E. Garland were married September 13th in a double ring ceremony performed by Reverend Jerry Wheeler in the United Methodist Church of Rising Sun. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harland Smith of Rising Sun. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Garland of route 1, Bennington.
40 YEARS AGO
Charles Martin of Vevay suffered compound fractures below his hip and also below his knee Saturday evening when he was struck by an automobile.
The sun shining through a glass jug is believed to have started a fire which destroyed the front seat of an automobile owned by John A. Danglade of Vevay.
Cecil L. Green, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Green of Vevay, has enlisted in the United States Air Force. He is to report at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas November 12th.
Although disappointed at not qualifying for the state meet, Vevay High School’s cross country team took fourth place in the 13-team regional meet in Bloomington Saturday. Only three teams from each of four sectionals qualify for the state.
50 YEARS AGO
October 23rd marked the observance of the 100th year in the present building for the Fredonia Baptist Church on Tapps Ridge.
The old adage that “troubles never come singly” was borne home forcibly last Thursday to Chester Griffith of near Bear Branch who sustained the loss of his right eye and a broken nose when he was kicked in the face by a mule. Mrs. Griffith has been critically ill in a Cincinnati hospital. She underwent surgery for a ruptured appendix and peritonitis and for a time her life was despaired of.
Miss Joan Brooks will reign as queen of the Halloween parade which will be held in Vevay Saturday night under the sponsorship of the Junior Chamber of Commerce.
James Bladen has brought the grocery store on Pike Street owned by Mr. and Mrs. Howard Wentworth and he took possession Saturday.
60 YEARS AGO
Miss Lorraine Pickett and Private Charles E. Barker, both of this county, were married Saturday morning at the home of the officiating minister, Reverend Paul Hedden, of Kent, Indiana.
Work of completing the reconstruction of the burned out Swiss Inn was underway this week when a crew of men under the employ of the Barnhart Contracting Company arrived to take over the job.
Albert Conner, merchant of East Enterprise, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Turner Olds, in Vevay, Thursday evening, after an illness of about 10 weeks.
Thomas Earls of Madison has rented space in the rear of the Ohney Peelman shoe repair shop on Ferry Street and is opening an electrical repair shop there.
Miss Freda M. Francis and Wilber R. Houze, Jr., both of Vevay, were married Monday afternoon, October 22nd, at the home of the officiating minister, Reverend R.C. McNeely, in Patriot.
Born Wednesday, October 17th, a son, Gary Lee, to Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Bolden of Markland.
70 YEARS AGO
Dr. and Mrs. George Ellerbrook and Mrs. Emma Courtney were robbed of many valuable articles at the Courtney home in Vevay Sunday evening. The Ellerbrooks lost a fur coat, never worn, a dress, a suit of clothes and some firearms. Mrs. Courtney lost 14 bed sheets several towels and pillow cases.
Born, Tuesday, October 15th, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Turner of Tapps Ridge.
Born, a son, David Earl, to Mr. and Mrs. Rowlette Satchwell of Moorefield.
Born Saturday, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brett of Jacksonville.
80 YEARS AGO
Professor James K. Pleasants, aged 63 years, died in Cincinnati Wednesday after an illness of more than a year. Professor Pleasants was a musician of outstanding ability, having studied the piano at Buchtel College, Akron, Ohio, and for 10 years was a student under the best teachers in Berlin, Germany. He returned to Vevay and engaged in teaching until about a year ago.
The new Christian Church at Center Square was dedicated Sunday and subscriptions amounting to $900 received toward the indebtedness.
Born, a son, William Nelson, to Mr. and Mrs. William Fulton.
Judge F.M. Griffith moved his office Tuesday to the rooms in the Shadday building, corner of Pike and Liberty Streets. Judge Griffith has been located in the First National Bank Building for 39 years and moved to his new location so that he could be on the ground floor and also near the courthouse.
90 YEARS AGO
Mr. Peter Grailley and two other deputy state game wardens were here the latter part of the week investigating some complaints which have been filed against violators of the game laws. They seemed especially interested in tracing evidence regarding some ferrets which they say have been lately shipped here.
In honor of the election of James S. Wright to the office of Great Junior Sagamore of the Imperial Order of Red Men of Indiana, Pokonoket Tribe No. 328 of Vevay has announced one of the greatest celebrations ever held in Vevay. Invitations are now being mailed to every tribe in the state.
A son was born to Eugene Lock and wife of Craig Township Monday of this week.
Born a son, Spencer Ellsworth, to Mr. and Mrs. John Seavers of Craig Township.
Starting last Monday night, the new Lyric Theatre is showing only three nights a week.
Miss Jeanie Mead of near Patriot and Mr. Casel DeWehe of Detroit, Michigan were married in Detroit Tuesday morning by Reverend C.B. Cargo of that city.
100 YEARS AGO
Married in Indianapolis October 17th, Miss Clara Wanamaker of Chicago and Will H. Demann of Vevay.
Edward Patton resigned his position as mail carrier on Vevay Route 4 here.
Dr. Beck is locating in Patriot.
Patriot is with out a hotel for the first time in its history when Robert Vogt sold all the furnishings.
110 YEARS AGO
Born, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Jack MacIntyre of Center Square.
The cessation of the publication of the Vevay “Twice a week” last Saturday in Vevay completes another chapter in Vevay journalism. The newspaper was started two years ago by Mr. T.D. Oakley and Mr. C.J. Reinicke, Mr. Oakley later buying the controlling interest. With already three papers in a town not large enough to properly support more than two, there is no room to properly establish another paper in so small a field.
Licensed to marry: William Hudson and Ella Rider; Daniel E. Grimes and Mary J. Ricketts; Elisha F. Bryant and Alpha B. Caplinger; Prestice E. Waltz and Minnie D. Pate; John W. Neal and Susie Bear; Eugene Lamkin and Nettie G. Mellen; Oliver Jones and Mattie Justice; Leonard Lostes and Fannie L. VanDorin; Cornelius H. Abbott and Jennie Cayton; Albert T. Leary and Minnie D. Edwards; Edward R. Welch and Nannie Hill; Thomas Roswell and Sallie O’Banion; Robert E. Tilton and Nannie E. Rous.
Married at the residence of the bride’s parents Thursday, October 17th, by Reverend L.A. Retts, Mr. Julian F. Lamson and Miss Isabel D. Dupraz.
Married at the residence of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. Hilderbrand, Thursday evening, October 17th, by Reverend W.E. Morris, Mr. Frank Trafelet and Miss Ella Hilderbrand.
140 YEARS AGO
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings from daylight to 8 o’clock are the times for holding markets in Vevay. We hope our country friends will bring their butter, eggs, etc., to market. These articles would meet with ready sale at good prices.
At the annual meeting of the Switzerland and Ohio County Agricultural Society held at the Fair Grounds, October 17th, the following officers were elected: President, Benjamin North; vice president, Martin R. Green; secretary, Lemuel Bledsoe; treasurer, John W. Wycoff.