News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Switzerland County’s middle school project has become much closer to a reality with the state’s approval of a $6 million loan to fund the project and the school board’s hiring of an architect to design the school. The school system has also received a $40,000 Technology Loan from the state to provide equipment for the middle school.
Burley growers will be planting more tobacco for the first time in three years this spring. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman has increased the burley quota — the amount of tobacco the government will let farmers grow and sell — for the 1995-96 marketing season by 1.2 percent.
The cloudy, confusing scenario for possible riverboat gambling in Switzerland County should get a bit clearer when the Indiana Gaming Commission meets Friday in Indianapolis. They have told both Switzerland County applicants — Par-A-Dice Gaming Corporation of Illinois, and Pinnacle Gaming Corporation of Colorado — that any more changes in their rapidly changing applications for a Switzerland County casino license must be made prior to the Commission’s meeting at 11 a.m. tomorrow.
20 YEARS AGO
A long season for the Switzerland County Lady Pacers basketball team came to an end last Wednesday evening in Lawrenceburg, when Switzerland County lost in the first round of the Sectional to Rising Sun, 60-34.
Heavy snows and slick streets failed to keep a large crowd from attending the annual Soil and Water Conservation District banquet held last Thursday evening.
When President Ronald Reagan was sworn in for his second term two weeks ago, Switzerland County was represented at the occasion. Fay Olds, Republican chairman in the county, attended the Inauguration ceremonies in Washington, but found that the most important article that she took with her was not political connections, but rather her long johns. “It was cold,” Fay said after arriving back in the county, “We followed snow plows on the Pennsylvania Turnpike that were three across. The snow was so bad that you just had to stay behind the plows.”
30 YEARS AGO
A new doctor is coming to Switzerland County. By June 1, Dr. Garre Blair, now of Muncie, plans to open his practice in Vevay. The addition of Dr. Blair will give Switzerland County’s 6,000 people two local doctors. At present, Dr. Diego Valenzuela is the only physician in the county, and Switzerland County is officially recognized as a National Physician shortage area.
The FBI was back in Switzerland County this week, in full force, combining the area, interviewing people, looking around — and getting nowhere. The FBI was looking for Raymond McClellan, the former Vevay resident who is charged with the robbery last month of the East Enterprise State Bank. McClellan had been free on $10,000 bond but when, or if, McClellan is apprehended, his will be jailed without bond.
Mark your calendars folks, “A Girl Named Sooner” — that movie Switzerland County starred in last summer — is going to be shown on nationwide television the night of June 18th, at 8 p.m. And it may be shown here before it makes its nationwide debut.
Paul Covington Jr., of route 1, Vevay spied a coyote on the farm of his father-in-law, Leonard Thieman, Sunday and brought the animal down with his hunting rifle. It was the latest of several coyotes killed in Switzerland County during the past several months.
The wedding of Miss Deborah Rush and Marvin K. Powers, both of Patriot, took place December 21st at the Concord Presbyterian Church near Patriot. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hufford of Patriot. Parents of the groom are Mr. and Mrs. James S. Powers, also of Patriot.
40 YEARS AGO
Plans for a new building supply business to be located in Vevay’s growing east end business districts are being made and a request for a variance in the county’s zoning ordinance is being studied. Backing the venture Ralph Ritch of route 2, Vevay, and Kenneth G. Lee of Detroit, Michigan. Lee is formerly of this county, owning real estate in Fairview. His mother, Mrs. Nellie A. Lee, lives near Fairview.
Two Switzerland County young men have enlisted in the U.S. Navy, it was announced this week by the Navy recruiting station in Aurora. They are Johnnie Fields, son of Mrs. Evelyn Fields of rural route 4, Vevay, and Gary McAlister, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chester McAlister of 514 Ferry Street.
Miss Carolyn Sue Jones and James Richard Brown were married Saturday evening at 8 o’clock at the home of Reverend Fred S. Griffith, who performed the ceremony. The couple will reside in Vevay.
John P. Danglade has been named assistant to the executive secretary of Casket Manufacturers Association of America. He joined the staff of the national trade association in 1964. Danglade formerly published the newspapers in Vevay and edited a newspaper and periodical in Wisconsin. He is a graduate of Vevay High School.
Miss Donna Blodgett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Blodgett of route 1, Vevay, has graduated from Spencerian College, Louisville, Kentucky, where she took an automation accounting course. Miss Blodgett is a 1964 Vevay High School graduate.
Pauline Turner, Vevay High School senior, has been chosen by the VHS faculty for the DAR citizenship competition.
50 YEARS AGO
C. Simmons of Aurora has rental room in the building on Ferry Street, which is owned by Miss Jeanette Tandy, and he expects to open a bakery there soon.
Miss Ann Woolums and Mrs. Marjorie Oakley have purchased the Alva Marlman Store at Center Square and will conduct a modern grocery. Both young ladies have had experience in this business and we predict a successful experience for them.
The 87th birthday of S.B. Boggs of Vevay was honored Friday evening with a pitch-in dinner by members of his family at his home here.
Robert Macrander, young Patriot High School Student, who was stricken with spinal meningitis last week is greatly improved and his complete recovery is expected.
Schools will be permitted to open Monday unless adverse reports on the youngster’s condition are received before that time.
Pfc. Oliver Smith of near Patriot has been reported killed in action in Belgium December 24th.
Fire totally destroyed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Archer in Bennington Saturday morning.
60 YEARS AGO
Born a son to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Furnish of Fairview.
Born February 5th, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Leslie McKenzie.
70 YEARS AGO
Miss Katherine Jones and Ryle Rider of Posey township were married Saturday in Lawrenceburg.
Born, February 3rd, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. William White of Posey township.
An examination for the postmastership at Bennington will be held in Madison February 21st.
80 YEARS AGO
Both Vevay banks have undergone thorough cleaning and painting and now present attractive interior appearances.
An epidemic of mumps has been sweeping over Switzerland County.
Howard M. Humphrey has been engaged to act as clerk on the Steamer “Cincinnati” when she makes the Mardi Gras trip to New Orleans.
90 YEARS AGO
William O. Protsman, editor of the Reveille, was seriously injured in a railway accident at Carrollton, Kentucky, Sunday when a railroad motor car from Worthville to Carrollton left the rails and rolled down an embankment.
The Steamer “Hattie Brown” was totally wrecked in a heavy wind storm Friday afternoon on the Kentucky shore about 4 miles below Vevay. The boat has been running on the Ohio River for nearly thirty years and has been condemned several times by the government inspectors.
The Steamer “Corker” enroute from Cincinnati to Louisville with fifty passengers aboard hit a tree in the middle of the Ohio River 6 miles below Vevay Sunday and was partially wrecked.
Dr. J.A. Muret was slightly injured Monday when his buggy became uncoupled, the horse trotting away with the front wheels. The buggy bed dropped slanting to the ground and the doctor was thrown out on his head.
Born Saturday, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hall of Scotch Settlement.
Daniel Sprague, 75, and Mrs. Olive Aldred, 68, both residents of this county, were married Tuesday in the Clerk’s office by Reverend Hammel.
Died in Bennington, Charles Young, well known merchant, (whose real name was Cornelius Bokstal.)
Louis Cole bought out the interest of Cliff Leatherbury in the Kincaid and Leatherbury Meat Market here.
Married in Vevay, Mrs. Ola White and Eliza McCulloch, by Reverend Wharton, Miss Bernadine McKay played the wedding march.
Miss Bernice Barkhan of the Vevay Schools, wrote a fine article on the organization of the Liberty Bell Bird Club here.
Julian Lamson has opened his new clothing store here.
Miss Elizabeth Porter was elected supervisor of Music here, will continue with her college studies and Miss Dorothy Schwartz of Granville, Ohio will take her place.
Died in Mt. Sterling, J.C. Weble, prominent farmer.
100 YEARS AGO
Drowned in the Ohio River about 7 miles below Vevay, Walter Patton, aged 18, while skating.
Mitchell Detraz of Craig has one of the new graphaphones.
Vevay has been given a rural mail route in Craig township.
A.T. Walters has been appointed Postmaster at Long Run.
W.N. Selmour of Mt. Sterling was painfully injured when he fell down the cellar stairs in the James Hitchens store here.
“Dock” McGuire has made a cake for the Eastern Star Lodge of Chilo, Ohio. It weighed 60 lbs. and was 2 and one-half feet high.
Married January 25th, near Moorefield, Miss Edith Clements to Fred C. Schirmir.
Married in Cincinnati, January 24th, O.J. Shehane of Allensville and Mrs. Anna Haven.
Little Cullie McGuire of Long Run is ill with pneumonia.
Rollin Roberts is building a new house on Parks Ridge.
110 YEARS AGO
The river is gorging at Sugar Creek near Patriot.
The City Council last Monday night adopted plans and specifications for water works. Bids will be received February 28th and the works will be in operation August 1st.
Reverend Bess has accepted a call to fill the pulpit at the Vevay Presbyterian Church.
140 YEARS AGO
Sixteen years ago, General Grant was setting type in an Ohio printing office.
The Senate has passed a resolution authorizing the President to declare the State of Arkansas no longer in insurrection and to relieve its people from restrictions upon their commercial intercourse with other states.
Those enlisting with Lieutenant Banta must be ready to leave Vevay on Tuesday evening next, as he is ordered to report his company at Columbus on the 16 instant.
The good people of Aurora, who never do anything by halves, propose to raise some $2,000 or $2,500 for the support of the families of their volunteers by means of a gift enterprise. Their scheme comprises forty-eight handsome gifts ranging from $100 to $500. Among them are a fine horse, a piano, a ladies gold watch, two sewing machines, books, and pictures.
George Paul and William B. Owens have formed a partnership in the Dry Goods and Grocery business.