News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
A man who has lived in Switzerland County for the past year was arrested Wednesday and faces charges of first degree murder and robbery in the death last week of a Trimble County, Kentucky woman. Richard T. Strode, 24, who lived in a rented house on Braytown Road in Craig Township, was arrested in Springfield, Ohio, at about noon Wednesday.
Later Wednesday afternoon, FBI agents arrested Mark William Downey, 25, of Madison in a motel room near Springfield, Ohio. He and Richard Strode face charges of murder, a capital offense, attempted murder, a class B felony; and first degree robbery, a class B felony. They are suspects in the shooting death of Sharon S. Fink of Milton, Kentucky, and the robbery of $300,000 worth of cash and jewelry from Mrs. Fink and her husband, Joseph Fink, Friday of last week.
The past week has produced a flurry of activity in the office of Switzerland County Clerk Darlene Haskell and as the May 7th primary draws closer, it looks as though this election will see one of the largest voter turnouts here in many years.
15 YEARS AGO
A silo on North Bend Farms was destroyed during storms Tuesday afternoon. The top of the silo was blown off the building and landed in the roadway, blocking traffic until it could be removed.
The Vevay Town Council voted Wednesday night, April 3rd, to table a decision on taking the town’s water utility out from under the jurisdiction of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. A huge crowd turned out to object to the change.
Brian W. Browning, an employee of the Vevay Police Department, is now attending the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy for 12 weeks. He is a graduate of Vincennes University with an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement. He has also worked for Switzerland and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Departments in various on-the-job raining while attending Vincennes University.
20 YEARS AGO
Michelle Raisor was named most valuable participant of the South Dearborn Invitational track meet Saturday. She won the 100-meter low hurdles in 16.56, the long jump at 15-5.75 and the 300-meter low hurdles at 48.97. Lynn Bovard also accomplished something major. She tied the school record for the high jump with a jump of 5-5.
The Switzerland County Extension Homemakers Clubs held their annual Achievement Day at the Ogle Haus Inn on April 10th. This was a day for the ladies to step back and take a look at what they’d accomplished. There were approximately 160 ladies present, many of them guests.
The Switzerland County High School 1986 Junior-Senior Prom will be held at the Ogle Haus Inn this year on Saturday, April 19th. A buffet dinner will be provided along with music by the group known as “Rosa.”
Mr. and Mrs. John Mills, route 2, Rising Sun, and Mr. and Mrs. Gary Robinson, Cincinnati, announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter Iva Robinson, to Lester Hornsby, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lomon Hornsby, route 2, Rising Sun.
30 YEARS AGO
The Vevay Town Board has gone on record as supporting fully the efforts of the City of Madison to convince federal authorities that the Jefferson Proving Ground should not be closed down. Such a closure would eliminate jobs for many persons in southeastern Indiana, including about 28 Switzerland Countians, who make up about 5.7 percent of JPG’s work force. Overall, JPG employs 490, with an annual payroll of $7 million.
Switzerland County’s librarian, Lois Rosenberger, has recently been awarded her official Indiana state certificate, earned by passing a series of state-administered examinations on library science.
Brian Kloss, a senior at Switzerland County High School, has been selected to represent the school in The Society of Distinguished American High School Students, a national honorary organization. Brian is the son of Fred and Wanda Kloss of Vevay.
May 3rd-8th has been designated “Clean Up Week” in Vevay, the Town Board has announced. All residents are urged to make special efforts to clean up their properties during this week. The town’s sanitation crew will make daily pick-ups of all trash, debris, etc., piled in front of local homes and businesses.
40 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Swango will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary May 1st. The couple has 10 children and 29 grandchildren.
Private James K. “Kenny” Riley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Riley of route 1, Vevay, has been elevated to the position of colonel’s orderly in the U.S. Army.
A franchise, grant, and contract to provide a supply of natural gas to homes throughout the Town of Vevay was agreed to this week by Vevay Town Board. Vevay Silgas, Inc., was named recipient of the franchise following a house-to-house survey to determine the potential desirability of such a service system.
Marine Corporal Gordon G. Scudder, son of Mrs. Agnes K. Scudder of route 1, Patriot, met movie star Pat O’Brien at the Naval Hospital in Great Lakes, Illinois, where he is a patient.
50 YEARS AGO
Tragedy again struck in Switzerland County Thursday when James Russell Osborn, 3-year-old son of Chester Leon and Barbara Pate Osborn, drowned.
Relatives and friends here have received announcements of the birth of a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Byers, nee Betty Porter, April 15th at the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
Little William Robert Lamson, 17-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. William Lamson of route 4, Vevay, is recovering from the effects of kerosene which the youngster drank Friday morning.
A daughter, weighing 7 pounds, 6 1/2 ounces, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence W. Dickason (nee Clara Davis) April 11th in Norfolk, Virginia. The baby has been named Deborah Mae. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Davis are maternal grandparents.
60 YEARS AGO
A son was born Wednesday to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Griffith of Indianapolis.
Miss Norma Jean Christman of Pleasant and Maurice R. Werner of Cincinnati were married at Olean, Indiana, April 20th, by Reverend Ray.
Born, April 10th, a daughter, Darlene Sue, to Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Tucker of Plum Creek.
A wedding of unusual interest occurred Saturday, April 20th, when Louis Hon of Florence was united in marriage to Miss Gloria Williams of Hereford, England by transatlantic telephone.
70 YEARS AGO
Miss Theora Frances Rector and Wilbur Niccum, both of Florence, were married by Reverend L. S. Courtney here Saturday.
Miss Pearl Mae Spencer of near Pleasant and William T. Jenkins of Jefferson County were united in marriage in Indianapolis on April 4th.
80 YEARS AGO
Miss Nettie Lanham and Claude Brown, both of Vevay, were married in Cincinnati last week.
Dilver Clark, proprietor of a garage at Fairview, was painfully hurt last week by the explosion of a gasoline tank which he was repairing.
The Royal Theatre, after having been remodeled and improved, will be taken over by Mr. John A. Lackman of Cincinnati May 1st.
Born a son, Gerald Douglas, to Mr. and Mrs. Ray Lauderbaugh of Five Points.
90 YEARS AGO
Miss Vivian Althoff and Benjamin Cutter, both of Craig Township, were married Saturday at the home of the bride’s parents near Cole’s Corner.
Mrs. Frank Hammel has opened a dry goods and notions store in Vevay in the Shadday building on Ferry Street.
100 YEARS AGO
Mrs. J. Wahl is now occupying the new store room on Ferry Street which has just been remodeled.
Manuel Byram was critically injured Monday when he fell from a barn which he is building for Eugene Lester on Plum Creek.
Ernest Griffith of Berkeley, California, has notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Griffith, that he escaped injury in the earthquake at San Francisco, just across the bay.
Judge Lucian Shaw of San Francisco telegraphed relatives that his family was saved and that he had been reunited with them after having been absent in Los Angeles at the time of the quake.
Many other Switzerland County people reside in the stricken city and communities near it.
Miss Eva Wright and Irvin Bromwell of Florence were married at the home of Thomas Land Sunday.
110 YEARS AGO
James W. Bailey and Stella M. Andrews were married Saturday, April 18th, by Reverend E. G. Seymour at his residence near East enterprise.
F. P. Dupraz has had water pipes extended from the city mains to his residence and barns below Vevay. J. K. Pleasants has also had water piped to his home adjoining the Dupraz farm.
Mrs. Scott Carter broke her hip last week in a fall at her home here.
Licensed to marry: George W. Baxter and Della Wortman; Willard Wiseman and Corda Ellis; Henry Lock and Bessie M. Scudder; Lemuel H. Francher and Anna Ricketts; Lewis Cayton and Eva Moore; Andrew Sigmon and Susie Park; Forrest A. Griffith and Lucy A. Richards; G. B. Bruce and Flora Ray; John Jackson and Jennie Gibson; Henry Steele and Anna Brown; Thomas A. Peters and Bertha Lauderbaugh; A. R. Wade and Lottie Starker; Wilson Huston and Julia Aldridge; George Cutter and Amelia Buening; Callis J. Miller and Susie B. Hewitt; Clay R. Tevis and Lulie Demaree.
130 YEARS AGO
One day last week a tramp entered the residence of Mrs. Euphemia Lindley, a short distance above Vevay and stole $30 from a bureau drawer.
Addison Works has resigned his position with the Niagara Insurance Company and will remain in Vevay.
Married at the residence of the bride’s parents April 23rd, 19876, by Reverend T. Warn Beagle, Mr. Franklin Allen and Miss H. A. Leap.
Vevay is badly governed or rather it is not governed at all. Quarreling, fighting, drunkenness and rowdyism are common.
The 56th anniversary of the founding of the Odd Fellows Lodge was suitably celebrated by the Vevay chapter last Wednesday.
Last Tuesday Elmer Palmer of Posey Township sold a mule for $120. When he retired that night he placed the money under his pillow and during the night some person stole the money.
140 YEARS AGO
Married in Center Square April 21st, Mrs. Esther B. Stout to John Jacobs, Jr.
Married by James Brown, Esquire — Miss Margaret McMakin to William J. Burns.
Professor John P. Rous has resigned as Superintendent of the Vevay grade schools and has removed from this place.