News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Tonya Archer was honored with the Paul Ogle Community Service Award for her work in the community at the Switzerland County Chamber of Commerce annual dinner. She is the eighth winner of the award and the third woman to win the award in the past four years. Past recipients include Dr. Robert Findley, Art Castor, Joe Ricketts, Bill Horton, Martha Cole, Jack Sullivan, and Martha Bladen.
Tobacco sales were averaging about $1.85 to $1.86 per pound on the markets at Carrollton and Madison this week. The volume of the crop is higher than expected but still far smaller than last year. Production for the eight-state Burley Belt is forecast at almost 500 million pounds.
15 YEARS AGO
Over 60 people turned out last Thursday night for the Switzerland County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas party held at the Ogle Haus. The coveted Paul Ogle Service Award was presented at the dinner to Joe Ricketts. Libby Ray was also recognized for her service to the community.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sigmon of Madison recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family get together. They are the parents of Paulina Scudder of East Enterprise.
Two Vevay children, Gerri Jean and Jessie Duane Covington, fared very well in the December 2nd Sunrise Pageant held in Florence, Kentucky. Gerri won in the 11-13 years Junior Teen Queen Beauty Division and in the Sportswear Model and Photogenic divisions. Jessie won runner-up in the Photogenic division and won the Baby King title for children 0-36 months.
Shawn Caplinger and Liz Simon, members of the Switzerland County FFA, received special recognition during the Indiana FFA Winter Greenhand camp held December 7th-9th. Shawn received the honor of being chosen one of the top 16 leaders. Liz placed third out of eight finalists in the Extemporaneous Public Speaking contest.
20 YEARS AGO
Brian D. McSwain, a chemical engineering major at Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana, has been named to the President’s List for the fall quarter. Brian, a 1982 graduate of Switzerland County High School, is the son of Russell and Vera McSwain of Vevay.
Private Eddie Ballard is in Korea in the U.S. Army and will not be home for Christmas.
Peggy Henderson is home until about the middle of December and then will be in England for about two years.
Well, this weather sure is strange. It seems none of us are sure how to dress. One minute it’s cold and the next it’s hot.
30 YEARS AGO
Switzerland County’s tobacco farmers have given up the ghost of a hope they had for awhile that this year’s market might be all right after all. Prices were sinking this week on both markets that sell Switzerland County tobacco. At Carrollton, the average price for Monday’s sales was $108. 17 per pound, but by Tuesday the average was dropped all the way to $105.71. At Madison, Monday’s average price of $102.00 declined to $101.78 on Tuesday.
Switzerland County’s newspapers were honored Saturday with 1975 state awards for Best News Reporting, Best Editorial Page and Community Service. The awards were presented to The Vevay Reveille-Enterprise by the Hoosier State Press Association during its annual News Seminar Convention in Indianapolis. The Switzerland Democrat, companion paper to the Reveille-Enterprise, shares in the awards, as the award-winning material appeared in both newspapers.
Mr. and Mrs. Ora Gullion will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary Thursday afternoon (today) from 2 to 4 p.m. at their home on Pike Street in Vevay.
40 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. John Holdcroft of route 2, Vevay will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday at their Allensville home.
Marine Private Dennis J. Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. James R. Brown of Vevay, completed individual combat training December 1st with the Second Infantry Training Regiment at the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton.
Frank Bittle has been employed and appointed as executive director of Switzerland County Area Planning Commission. The commission will open an office beginning January 1st in the old county infirmary building. The office will be open at least every Tuesday to transact business, receive applicants, and issue permits for buildings, etc.
Phyllis Ray was crowned Vevay High School basketball queen Saturday night in the VHS gym as the Warriors met Southwestern. Eleven girls were entered in the pregame coronation ceremonies. Kenny Turner, team captain, crowned the queen, while Coach Jim Mitchell presented the queen’s flowers. Vevay then won a thrilling 80-71 victory over the Rebels.
50 YEARS AGO
The Ted Watters General Store at Patriot was robbed Monday night by a person or persons who broke glass in a window and slipped the catch on the frame.
Two important changes in Vevay business houses were made this week when Mr. and Mrs. John Middleton sold their hardware and appliance store on North Ferry Street to Clarence Roberts, owner of the Roberts Lumber Company. Mr. Middleton, in turn, purchased a half interest in the Vevay Auto Company from R.D. Slawson, owner.
60 YEARS AGO
Injuries which he received May 16th, 1945, in Germany, when he was crushed against a tree by a medical corps truck, resulted in death for Private Leon VanTyle Monday morning at Nichols Hospital, in Louisville. The young man was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Omer VanTyle of near Bennington.
Reverend Fred S. Griffith of Vevay has received a call to the Coffee Creek Association in Scott County as pastor of the Bethany and Elizabeth Baptist Churches.
Miss Julie LeClerc Knox spent Friday and Saturday in Indianapolis where she attended an Indiana History Conference sponsored by state historical organizations. On Friday Miss Knox presided at the afternoon session, the only woman so honored at the conference.
Born Tuesday, December 11th, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Webster of Plum Creek.
70 YEARS AGO
John S. Benham, former Congressman from the old Fourth District, and well known in this county, died at his home in Batesville, Indiana Wednesday.
Cecil Level of near Aberdeen and Miss Marie Sigmon of Florence were married by reverend F.E. Hammel at his residence here Saturday afternoon.
Fire destroyed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Bunger near Quercus Grove Sunday morning and their two-year-old sleeping daughter was carried to safety by her father just before the house collapsed.
Born December 6th, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller of Patriot.
The first day for buying 1936 automobile license plates brought a record number of vehicle owners to the license bureau when 422 applications were made. Last year on opening day 120 persons appeared.
Ralph J. Yocum and Katie Ruth Dunn, both of Kentucky, were married by Reverend L.S. Courtney last Thursday.
80 YEARS AGO
The opening of the Vevay Auto Company’s new garage on Ferry Street Saturday, December 19th, promises to be a big affair. Dancing will take place from 8 o’clock until midnight and prizes will be awarded to the best Fox Trot and Charleston Dancers. Soft drinks and sandwiches will be sold.
Miss Jane North of Rising Sun has been elected librarian of the Switzerland County library, succeeding Miss Mayme Snipes, who resigned.
John A. Weaver, aged 65, died Saturday afternoon at his home in Ohio County. Mr. Weaver was a native of Switzerland County and had resided here the greater part of his life. At one time he was in the coal business in Vevay.
90 YEARS AGO
Fire which started in the Driskell Brothers Drug Store Wednesday night threatened to wipe out the town of Ghent, Kentucky, and resulted in a loss amounting to more than $32,000. An appeal for help was made to Vevay citizens and every available skiff was loaded with volunteers and rowed across the river. The steamer City of Cincinnati arrived a few minutes later and ferried more men across.
Robert Estes and Miss Cora Smith, both of Pleasant Township, were granted a marriage license in Vevay Saturday.
Clyde Brindley last week resigned his position as sexton of the Vevay Cemetery and Frank Rosenberger has been appointed to succeed him.
Born December 9th, a daughter, Eleanor Louise, to Mr. and Mrs. Prior Smith of Fairview.
Born, a daughter, Martha Louise, to Mr. and Mrs. S.V. McHuron of Patriot.
Ora Gullion of Markland and Miss Mayme Peters of Plum Creek were married at Carrollton Saturday.
100 YEARS AGO
Married at the Metropolitan Opera House here, Miss Lena LeClerc of Rising Sun and Ralph Holland, a member of the Playing Company.
The home of Joe Brown on the river road below Vevay was destroyed by fire.
Married near Vevay, Miss Ola Tinn to Omar Butler of Ghent.
Vevay needs a large wharfboat to accommodate its business.
Frank Shirley sold his barber shop here to Charles Brett.
110 YEARS AGO
Married by Reverend E.G. Seymour at his residence near East Enterprise, Indiana, Sunday, December 8th, Jacob C. Stephenson and Miss Emma Elliott, all of Switzerland County.
Licensed to marry, George Brown and Mariam N. Scott.
Married December 12th at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick L. Grisard: Miss Emma H. Grisard to Michael A. Baker of Hannibal, Missouri. The couple will live in Hannibal.
Banjamin S. Davis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin M. Davis of near Fairview, killed himself with a pistol Saturday while at the home of George W. Livingston.
E.E. Kelso, county clerk, has moved his family to Vevay.
Mr. George Scott, having purchased the livery stable of Mr. John T. Smiley, has removed from York Township to Vevay.
130 YEARS AGO
Ben M. Plew, 15, was accidentally wounded by Buck McMakin while hunting. He died shortly after and McMakin was exonerated in his death.
Matthew Worstell has been put in charge of the County Poor Farm.
Virginus Garnet and Step Gordon were run over and drowned by the towboat John Dippold at Patriot.
Ben F. Keeney has sunk a well on the Elza Abbett farm that is 134 1/2 feet deep.
Married November 30th by J.W. Shirey, Esquire, James H. Gauler and Miss Terrisa Lampton.
Married December 1st, Sarah Searcy to Wooster Carpenter.
Married December 2nd, by Reverend Robertson, Miss Charlotte Buckley and John Aiken.
140 YEARS AGO
Last Wednesday night someone entered the Vevay wharfboat and stole about $60 worth of goods.
Many reports are in circulation about oil being discovered in this place. We have endeavored to learn the truth in regard to these rumors and can find no truth in them.
Married on December 9th at the residence of the bride’s father by John Kerr, Esquire, Mr. Moses Haligarth and Miss Melvinia Paugh.
Harvey Myers started a boat for the South last week. This is the first boat that has left this place for the Mississippi River since the Southern Rebellion commenced.
Last Tuesday Major William Patton started a flat boat loaded with hay for New Orleans and T.L. Pleasants leaves with a flat boat load of hay for New Orleans today.
152 YEARS AGO
The Methodist Church is in an uproar over the Northern and Southern Churches. More than $120,000 is involved.
Nearly all of the columns of this paper are taken up by the speech of Franklin Pierce, President of the U.S. on States’ Rights.
Joe Peelman has the contract for the new jail and Sheriff’s residence. G.H. Kyle will be Superintendent.
George G. Knox, President of the Town Board, announces the election of seven Trustees on the first Monday in January of 1854.
Licensed to marry this week, Mary Skidmore and James McCorkhill, Susan Brandon and James Curry.