News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Applications are now available for a new and unique scholarship that has been established in memory of Bryant butler. The scholarship will be granted to a student at Switzerland County High School who wishes to enter the building trades program at the Southeastern Career Center. The scholarship will cover the cost of a first-year student’s needed tools and tuition to enroll in the course.
Lois and Max Rosenberger of Vevay were crowned as the Queen and King of the annual seniors prom held last week in Madison. The couple is very active with the Area 12 Council on Aging’s Vevay Mealsite, and Lois recently retired as the director of the Switzerland County Libraries.
The Patriot Alumni Association will hold its 103rd annual meeting at the Switzerland County Elementary School on the evening of Saturday, May 25th. Last year’s 102nd meeting was attended with over 300 members and guests registering. The first graduating class from Patriot High School was in 1884 with four members. There were no more commencements until 1892. Mort Houston was elected president of the first Alumni Association in 1893. The Patriot Alumni has remained the most active alumni group in the state through the years.
15 YEARS AGO
A head-on collision on Bradford Road in rural Switzerland County Sunday claimed the life of a local businesswoman and injured two others. Laura C. Smith, 36, of route 1, Bennington died in the accident.
The Switzerland County Council has opened the way for Plastic Moldings Corporation located in East Enterprise to expand its facility. The move came about as the result of the closing of the Osgood b ranch of the plant.
Dr. Robert Findley is serving as a delegate to the Indiana Dental Association Annual Session this weekend, May 2nd-4th, at the Indiana Convention Center and Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis. He will join over 3,000 dental professionals for educational sessions, scientific programs, and participation clinics featuring current issues and trends in dentistry.
20 YEARS AGO
The Switzerland County Republican Party held a reception for Governor Robert Orr Monday, May 5th. Also he was the distinguished speaker after the Republican Lincoln Day Dinner that evening. At the reception before the dinner, Governor Orr presented Paul Ogle with a Sagamore of the Wabash citation.
William and Geneva Dick, who live near Pleasant, went on an exciting African safari in early April. they went on tours of national parks in Kenya. It was a Christmas gift from their son, Bill. Mrs. Dick stated that she and her husband are both retired and plan to do a lot of traveling in the future. This trip was just the beginning, she said.
30 YEARS AGO
Bill Olds was elected county chairman for Switzerland County’s Republicans and Millie Coy was named county chairman for the county’s Democrats in party elections held Saturday. By law, the parties are required to elect their leaders following each primary election.
Jessie R. Curtis, son of Mrs. Gladys J. Kincaid, 504 Walnut Street, Vevay, graduated Sunday from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. Mr. Curtis graduated from Vevay High School in 1948. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1971.
Renne Dunn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Ricketts of Vevay, has been accepted in Indiana University’s School of Optometry optometric technician program. Miss Dunn will begin her studies in the program this fall when she begins her sophomore year at IU.
The Delta queen Steamboat Company has been purchased by Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York. The sale was completed April 23rd, but not announced until Monday. The Overseas National Airways, a charter airplanes company based at JFK Airport, was the owner of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company.
40 YEARS AGO
George Edward James of Eastern Kentucky State College will receive one of the United States Shoe Corporation’s John F. Kennedy Memorial Scholarships, the company has announced. The scholarships, given to sons and daughters of U.S. Shoe employees each year, consist of a $500 cash award. James is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Chester R. James of Vevay and is now studying pre-law at Eastern.
Gerald Shadday, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Shadday of rural route 1, Vevay, has been accepted to the Indiana Bar and was sworn in Wednesday in Indianapolis. Formerly probation officer of Jefferson and Switzerland counties, Shadday will locate in Vevay June 1st.
A 26-year-old Elkhart County man has been selected as the new county administrator for Switzerland County’s extension service office. Victor Virgil has accepted the position and will take over his duties as county agent in early June.
Mr. and Mrs. Hobert Kelley have announced the approaching marriage of their daughter, Geraldine, to William Godsey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Godsey. The wedding will take place at 8 p.m. May 28th at Bennington Methodist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. McKay, route 4, Vevay, announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Amy Delores, to Guy Clifton Konkle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Estle Konkle, Muncie, Indiana. the wedding will take place at 7:30 the evening of June 11th at the Braytown Christian Church, route 4, Vevay.
A daughter was born Friday to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Christman of Bennington. The infant, named Melissa Ann, weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce at birth.
50 YEARS AGO
Lloyd Farrar, past president of the Vevay Jaycee Club, and present vice president of the Indiana Jaycees for the 10th district, received high recognition for his services to the organization last week when he was awarded honors as the outstanding Jaycee state vice president.
Jefferson Proving Ground will observe an “open house” to the public in observance of the 7th annual Armed Forces Day Sunday, May 20th, according to an announcement by Colonel H. G. Hamilton, commanding officer of the post.
A baby daughter was born Wednesday, May 16th, to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Tilley. The baby weighed 8 pounds and 4 ounces at birth. Mrs. Tilley and her new daughter are in the hospital in Scottsburg, Indiana.
Cliff Lash, his piano and orchestra, will furnish music for dancing at the Patriot High School Alumni meeting Friday, May 25th.
60 YEARS AGO
Dr. L. H. Bear, County Health Officer, stated this week that all citizens are urged to obtain vaccination against small pox to prevent any possible epidemic that may result from the pestilence of this disease now apparent on the West coast.
Work on the new Apostolic Christian Tabernacle to be located on the corner of Pike and Silver streets here, was started Monday.
Charles Scott, pioneer of Vevay’s airport, has leased the field belonging to Clair Andrew on the river side of the road above Vevay on state highway 156.
Roy D. Gullion of Moorefield and Miss Wanda Brown of Kent, Indiana were married Saturday.
Born Monday, May 13th, a daughter, Wanda Ann, to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Cole of near Moorefield.
70 YEARS AGO
An old time fiddlers contest will be held in the high school auditorium in Vevay Tuesday night, May 26th, under the auspices of the local Knights of Pythias Lodge.
Switzerland County World War Veterans will start looking for their bonus bonds on or after June 15th.
Citizens of Rising Sun by a vote of 351 to 178 have decided to return their town to a city status and will elect city officers in 1938.
Paul Dean Keith, the 16-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Keith, died Thursday night at the home of the parents near Allensville. Death was caused by pneumonia with which he was ill only a day.
Mrs. Ellen Cheatum, colored, for more than 50 years a resident of Vevay, died at her home here Saturday afternoon after a long period of illness. She was born into slavery in Gallatin County, Kentucky about 90 years ago.
80 YEARS AGO
Charles Wesley Elder, 23, former Vevay boy, was fatally injured last Wednesday near Pontiac, Michigan, when he fell from a freight train.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Oatman near Aberdeen was destroyed by fire last Wednesday evening. The fire was supposed to have been started by mice nibbling matches.
The Kern Bakery truck was stolen one night last week from in front of the home of David H. Kern and was found later abandoned at Lamb.
Joseph Bennett, aged 58, was accidentally unowned in Indian Creek last Thursday night and his body recovered Friday morning.
Born, May 11th, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Perry Morton of Pleasant.
Joe Breeck and Miss Mayme Banta of Lamb were married in Madison Saturday.
Miss Faith Walker of Quercus Grove and Harry Adams of Dayton, Ohio, were married Saturday at Dayton.
90 YEARS AGO
A dog belonging to James Rook went mad last Friday and after attempting to bite its owner was killed.
The body of a man found floating near Florence last Wednesday afternoon was identified as Frank Emerson, age 50, who was drowned while crossing the river at Patriot last December.
Leslie Kern, of Pleasant and Miss Bertha Holmes, of Moorefield wee married in Vevay Wednesday by Reverend F.E. Hammel at his home.
Several workmen are this week installing the new marble front at the Sieglitz building on Ferry Street. The entrance to the doorways has been laid with new marble tiling and when the work is completed the building will be greatly improved in appearance.
Miss Alma Askins of Madison and Leon Ash of Lamb were married last Saturday evening in Madison.
100 YEARS AGO
The 40th annual commencement of Vevay High School was held Thursday with the following graduates, Mayme A. Bakes, Landon J. Brindley, Fanny J. Culbertson, Helen J. Grammer, Gretchen Hall, Myrtle M. Jaynes, Hattie A. Means, Lillian Scott, Clifford Thiebaud, William F. Wahl.
Perry K. Cotton, 72, died at his home near Moorefield after a month’s illness from heart trouble. He was one of the county’s most prominent farmers.
The annual banquet and reunion of the Vevay High School was held in Metropolitan Hall Friday evening with 250 members and their families and friends attending. Toasts were given on assigned subjects by Mrs. Josephine Shadday, 67; William J. Griffith, 03; Mrs. Isalene Mills, 90; George S. Pleasants, 71; Frank Detraz, 81 and Gretchen Hall, 06.
French’s New Sensation Show Boat will visit Vevay this week.
110 YEARS AGO
Married Wednesday, May 6th, at the residence of the bride’s parents near Vevay. Miss Harriet Seymour and Frank M. Murphy, Reverend C.W. Lee, officiating.
Miss Ida McKay and C. E. Manford were married Wednesday evening, May 6th, at the home of the bride’s sister, Mrs. W. S. Cooper and Mr. Cooper, on Parks Ridge, by Reverend A. M. Anderson.
Licensed to marry: Ulie Grant Brown and Nettie Lathridge; Jasper S. Records and Rachel Froman.
Professor E. M. Smith is teaching normal courses at Bennington.
130 YEARS AGO
We have been requested to announce that the Ladies of the Presbyterian Church will give a Strawberry Festival as soon as the berries are ripe.
Last Sunday, four of the eight children of Chris Ervin, of Ghent, were drowned when the skiff in which they were crossing to Vevay sank.
We learn that a vocal music class has been formed at Mount Sterling. Mrs. R.D. Black has consented to be their teacher.
Captain Ira N. Malin, son of Judge Joseph Malin, died of pneumonia in St. Louis last week. He was a native of Vevay and for many years was engaged in merchandise here.
The body of a dead man was found in the river at the mouth of Indian Creek. He was identified as a resident of Petersburg, Kentucky.
John Gill, Jr., of New York City is in Vevay.
140 YEARS AGO
Married April 30th, William J. Mansfield and Mary A. Peak, both of this county.
The mail will now be carried by “The Lightning Line,” which underbid the regular mail line company.
The county jail on Pike Street here is now empty and work has started on the new one at Pike and Liberty streets.
The new three dollar gold pieces are appearing in the county.
Vevay wants a new butcher to provide some “meat that you can eat.”
Chickens are selling here for $1.75 per dozen.
Ferdinand Zeumer has again opened his fine bakery on Main Street here.
Married April 27th by Reverend J. D. Griffith, T. T. Netherland and Mary Jane Taylor.
Richard Gaines of near Vevay was severely beaten and left for dead by a band of thugs. He is offering $100 reward for their conviction.