News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Kenny Craig of Vevay had earned a special commendation ribbon with metal pendant while serving with the U.S. Army in Korea. It was special to him, until one day it disappeared. Now, more than 15 years later, Kenny Craig’s medal has been returned, but the path it traveled to make its way back to Vevay is an interesting one. It all started when Kenny Craig’s grandson Jeremy Harsin, now 21 years old, decided to take his grandfather’s prized medal to school for show-and-tell. The medal never made it home. That all changed three weeks ago, when Kenny Craig got a telephone call from officials at Fort Knox, Kentucky. They informed Kenny Craig that an unidentified man had recently purchased a used car in Indiana, and that while cleaning it out he had run across an army medal. He took it to Fort Knox, and through the use of the enclosed serial number, they traced the medal to Kenny Craig. Now, over 15 years later, the mysterious disappearance of Kenny Craig’s medal has been solved. Happy Veterans Day.
15 YEARS AGO
A year ago – on November 13th, 1990 – Jordan Hewitt was born, and nearly died. He was born with a strep B infection. Nobody knew it until, three hours after his birth, Jordan showed signs of breathing difficulties. After spending the first six weeks of his life in the hospital, Jordan Hewitt came home a normal, healthy child.
The U.S. Shoe Corporation celebrated its 60th birthday Monday. A birthday party was enjoyed by the Vevay plant’s 405 employees, plus the 17 who work at the company’s facility at Florence – and 22 retired Vevay employees, who were bussed to the company’s headquarters in Cincinnati for some birthday partying.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Higgins observed their 65th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, November 13th.
20 YEARS AGO
Vevay Newspapers, Inc., has named Mary Kathryn Schwanholt as its new editor, She began her duties this week. She is the daughter of Walter and Irene Schwanholt of Cross Plains. She will be relocating to Switzerland County from Madison in the near future. Mary Kathryn will be working closely with retiring editor Michelle Archer for the next two weeks.
The 59th National FFA (Future Farmers of America) Convention took place in Kansas City, Missouri, November 13th-15th. Three young people from Switzerland County were honored at the convention. Rob Furnish, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Furnish, and Darrin Alford, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eslie Alford, received the highest FFA degree of membership – that of American Farmer. Connie Furnish, sister of Rob, was chosen as one of approximately 100 band members in the state of Indiana to play in the FFA National Band at the convention.
Sheri Alexander, a 1983 graduate of Switzerland County High School, is a senior member of the 1986-87 Ball State University women’s basketball team. Alexander is one of two returning starters back on this year’s squad. Last year she finished with 3.4 points per game and 3.1 rebounds per game.
30 YEARS AGO
Deer season began with a bang! Saturday. Among the bigger kills was that of Preston Shackleford and his grandson John who live on Tapps Ridge, and bagging his first buck ever was teenager Doug Lane of near Vevay.
The Switzerland County Emergency Unit’s application for a $46,590 grant to finance purchase of two new life squad ambulances has been given preliminary approval. Now the application goes to the State Board of Health for final approval or disapproval.
Mr. and Mrs. Dale Stevenson of route 1, Canaan, will celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary Saturday evening with an open house at the Brushy Fork Baptist Church in Pleasant from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Vevay and Switzerland County star in a 30-minute made-for-television documentary that focuses on the community, its present reality and its future possibilities. It was “premiered” here Friday night, as part of a program staged in the Courthouse by the Switzerland County Arts Council (the other part was a concert by an Indiana University music group called Pro Arte Consort.)
40 YEARS AGO
Henri Chase, Vevay High School’s all-time cross country star, has been turning in superior performances this fall while running for Vincennes University’s cross country team. As the Blazers prepare for the National Junior College meet in Pensacola, Florida, Henry has been one of the team’s mainstays, finishing first in two meets and tying for first on three other occasions.
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Hatton of Florence have announced the engagement of their daughter, Deanna, to Lloyd A. Christman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Basil Christman of Pleasant. Both are graduates of Vevay High School. No date has been set for the wedding.
Mrs. Frank Silver of Patriot has announced the engagement of her daughter, Bonita Elaine Froman, to James Edward Reynolds, son of Mrs. Rodger Satterfield of East Enterprise.
Mr. Howard Dunning of Vevay and Mrs. Eva Cranford of Camilla, Georgia, have announced the approaching marriage of their daughter, Judy Dunning, of Vevay and Mrs. Eva Cranford of Camilla, Georgia, have announced the approaching marriage of their daughter, Judy Dunning, to Earl Dean Elston, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Elston of Madison. Friends and relatives are invited to the wedding to take place at 8 p.m. December 23rd at Vevay Christian Church.
50 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace White of Markland have bought the grocery store on Ferry and Pike streets owned by Mr. and Mrs. Everett Jackson and they took possession Monday. The sale was made necessary by the ill health of Mrs. Jackson.
Mr. and Mrs. Amie Noble (nee Mamie Miller) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their home in Miami, Florida, on November 30th.
Miss Brenda Lee Noble, a junior at Vevay High School, has been named winner of the annual Vevay Jaycee Voice of Democracy contest.
Robbery of about $50 in cash from the LaVelle dry cleaning plant in Vevay was reported to law officers last week. The money was stolen during the night of November 28th, according to Sheriff Ora Scudder.
60 YEARS AGO
Born Thursday, November 21st, a son Dennis Ray, to Mr. and Mrs. Dale Blodgett of Bennington.
Born Monday, November 25th, a son, to Mr. and Mrs. Howard Seal of near Brooksburg.
Mrs. Mildred Hazeldean of East Enterprise and J. V. Hill, of Harrisburg, Illinois, were married Sunday, November 17th, in Battle Creek, Michigan, by Reverend Shaffer.
Lewis D. Jaynes of Vevay and Miss Ethel Howard of Greensburg were married Wednesday evening, November 20th, in the Vevay Baptist Church by Reverend R. C. Briggs.
Mrs. Laura Jean Seavers and Arthur Browning, both of Vevay, were united in marriage Saturday afternoon, November 23rd, at the home of the officiating minister, Reverend Fred S. Griffith.
Mrs. Evalena Bakes of Vevay and Ross Hatch of Greensburg, Indiana, were married Sunday evening, November 24th, in the Vevay Christian Church by Reverend S. E. Wells.
Maurice D. North of Posey Township and Miss Helen N. Sciarra of Seymour were married Sunday afternoon in Seymour.
Mrs. Aldean Pate has resigned as Bennington postmistress, the office has been moved to the Sample Store and Howard Sample is now serving as postmaster.
70 YEARS AGO
Marshal Charles Seymour of Vevay was painfully injured Sunday evening when he was reported to have been struck several times by a young man he had just arrested and was escorting to jail.
Twin daughters were born Thursday to Mr. and Mrs. James Sides of Vevay.
Fire caused by a short circuit in a fuse box caused minor damage at the Odd Fellows Lodge room Friday evening.
Miss Lelia Griffith of Vevay and Raymond Roberts of near Braytown were married in Vevay Thursday by Reverend Leland Courtney.
Buddy Reeves received a deep gash across his nose Saturday when a butcher knife in the hands of a playmate slipped and struck him while Reeves and three other boys were building a play house. After his injuries were dressed an argument arose over which boy had wielded the knife which caused the wound and a fight finished off the episode.
80 YEARS AGO
Daniel Bliton of near Moorefield was painfully cut about the face last week when he was struck by a sledge hammer which fell into a stone crusher and it was thrown back into his face.
Mrs. Amy Detraz has opened a beauty parlor in the Siebenthal home on Market Street.
The Vevay Masonic Lodge has rented the second floor of the building on the corner of Ferry and Pike streets where their lodge is located. It will be used for entertainment purposes.
Miss Mildred Poston is home from Hanover College for a vacation.
The Reveille-Enterprise has enlarged its newspaper to a seven column wide page.
The word “Vevay” has been painted in large white letters on the Chatline warehouse on Ferry Street to guide airplanes carrying mail.
Miss Nattie Phillips of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and Charles Casey of Louisville were married here November 20th by Reverend F. E. Hammel.
On November 24th Miss Cora Breeden of Bear Branch and Robert Banes of route 1, Vevay, were married by Reverend Frank Reed.
Miss Edith Gerard and Oral Stockdale, both of Posey Township, were married Thursday afternoon, November 25th, at the home of Reverend R. C. McNeeley.
On Wednesday evening, November 24th, Norman Sheldon and Miss Nora Smith were united in marriage at the home of Reverend W.T.S. Lowe in Patriot.
The wedding of A. L. North and Mrs. Verona Gockel, both of Patriot, was solemnized Thursday morning, November 25th, at the home of Mr. North’s daughter, Mrs. John Edwards, New Castle, Indiana, Reverend Edwards officiating.
Leslie Silvers of Bennington and Miss Myrtle Selick of Poplar Ridge were married in Madison Wednesday, November 24th.
90 YEARS AGO
Thomas E. Shelley of Craig Township was married last week to Miss Lillian Taylor of Henry County, the ceremony being performed in Carrollton.
Born November 19th, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Allen of Tapps Ridge.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Barker of East Enterprise celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on November 22nd.
Born November 24th, a daughter to Dawson Liggett and wife of East Enterprise.
Louis Searcy of Posey Township and Miss Minnie Moredock of Kokomo were married November 18th. The steamer Island Queen went into winter quarters at Carrollton last week.
Preparations are being made for Vevay’s first municipal Christmas tree. Various committees are busy preparing a program, presents, etc.
Sam Lock is now the owner of the soft drink concession in the New National Hotel.
Married in Madison by Reverend R. E. Antrobus, Miss Elizabeth Westrick and Perry Morton.
Lucille and Louise, twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Uly Gray of Parks Ridge are very ill with pneumonia.
100 YEARS AGO
Announcement is made of the approaching marriage of Miss Polly Green to Kinsey L. Hastings.
W.J. Manning, R. F. Grisard and Harry Knox have transformed the third floor of the Grisard Hall into a ball room.
E. T. Riggs is moving this week to his new grocery store on Pike Street.
Married in Indianapolis November 18th, Mrs. Rinnie Golay to George Adams.
A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Cole on November 25th.
Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Danglade have bought the Hird farm located just below town.
Married in Warsaw November 24th, Miss Nettie Packenham and Fred Moore, both of York Township.
110 YEARS AGO
Clarence Stevens of Vevay was married at Crawfordsville November 24th to Miss Fannie Binford.
Married in Covington, Kentucky, November 18th, Miss Josephine Schlhorst to Harry Shuff of Vevay.
Aunt Betsy Banta celebrated her 87th birthday on November 17th.
Married in Vevay November 19th, Alex Harper and Freddie Miles.
Licensed to marry: Sidney Carr and Mahala May; Lud Brown and Bettie Dean.
Married in Vevay, November 18th, Miss Isadore L. Shadday and Robert Tait.
The Reveille office is brilliantly illuminated with electric lights which are appreciated by the printers these short cloudy days.
130 YEARS AGO
On Tuesday evening when Dr. E. M. Cheever of Quercus Grove went out to catch his horse to make a professional call the animal perked away and kicked him breaking several ribs.
Married in Florence November 23rd by Reverend John Mullen, Miss Melvina Gullion of York Township and Martin E. Courtney, formerly of Kentucky.
Last Tuesday Mrs. C. O. Thiebaud received from New York City a new piano.
Miss Lottie Ogle will read an essay at the close of Sunday School at the Baptist Church Sunday.
J. D. Harwood of Vevay has recently sold to a firm in New York City about 6,000 barrels of apples to be sent to England.
William Graham has purchased six acres of ground a short distance below Vevay and is building a house on it.
Walter S. Francis of Pleasant has returned home from New Orleans.
Hay is still dull, selling from $6 to $8 per ton in Vevay.
York Township teachers’ institute was held November 18th with the following teachers in attendance: Reverend John Mullen; John H. Daubenheyer, J. T. Marsh, W. R. Gardner, T. W. Northcott, Miss Arletta Keeney, Lou McCuloch, Mrs. Lucinda Miller, J. R. Harris.
140 YEARS AGO
Jerry Newkirk died at his home near Bennington after sleeping five days and nights. He retired October 31st in his usual good health but the following morning failed to awaken.
There are nine barges and flat boats lying at the levee.