News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
There are many occasions that people consider to be “Once in a lifetime opportunities.” For one Switzerland County High School student, next Thursday will truly fulfill that statement. Seth Jones, of Vevay, who is finishing his junior year at SCHS, has been selected to carry the Olympic torch as it makes its way toward Atlanta.
Switzerland County High School will hold commencement exercises or the Class of 1996 this Sunday, June 2nd, beginning at 2:30 p.m. the gr%aduation will take place in the high school gymnasium.
Sarah Wallis graduated with honors from Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota during commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 25th. She majored in Russian and Central and Eastern European Area Studies, and plans a career in international relations. A Switzerland County native, Sarah graduated from Yellow Springs (Ohio) High School. She is the daughter of Don Wallis of Vevay and Arida Emrys, Springwater, New York; and the granddaughter of Mary Goode Wallis of Madison and Catherine Sieglitz, Fort Myers, Florida.
15 YEARS AGO
The holiday weekend claimed the lives of three people in the Switzerland County area. One young man killed graduated earlier Friday evening. Steven D. Curlin, 23, of route 3, Vevay was killed on Tapps Ridge Road Friday. Chad K. Valentine, 17, of route 1, Vevay, died in another accident Friday night. The third fatality was a boating accident Sunday when a Springfield, Ohio, man, Jeff Englemeyer, 21, was killed.
The Vevay High School Class of 1921 met last week at the Ogle Haus to reminisce about their school days. Celebrating their 70th class reunion wee Elizabeth Geiger, Harold “Red “ Benedict, Mildred Detraz, Hazel Ellison, Raymond Osborn, and Nell Archer.
20 YEAS AGO
Steven Konkle was among 30 graduates to receive their bachelor of science degree in physical therapy at ceremonies held at the Indiana Hoosier Dome May 11th. His official pinning ceremony was held on May 10th at Indiana University in Indianapolis. Seven, the son of Eddie and Jo Konkle of Vevay, is a 1982 graduate of Switzerland County High School and a 1984 graduate of Vincennes University.
Jeffrey Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell E. Smith of route 1, Bennington, has graduated from Franklin College, majoring in journalism. Jeff was among 105 graduating seniors at its May 24th commencement exercises.
The top 10 seniors at Switzerland County High School this year are: Noeline Galang, Barbara Firth, Julie Johns, Kim Hutcherson, Darin Gullion, Greg Sloan, Sherry Rowlett, Jeff Weales, Mike Rayles and Louann Bosaw.
Melinda Gaither of Bennington and Danny Lacey of Vevay are among the 59 students who have been named to the Dean’s List for academic achievement in spring quarter classes at Indiana Vocational Technical College-Southeast.
30 YEARS AGO
Posey Township is busily planning its Bicentennial celebration, scheduled for Saturday, July 3rd from 10 a.m. until dark in the Patriot Ball Park. Ray Walton, the widely-known auctioneer, will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.
Cotton Township will kick off Switzerland County’s Bicentennial celebration Saturday, June 19th, with a noon-9 p.m. observance at the Switzerland County Saddle Club Grounds in Fairview. Cotton Township’s history will be especially celebrated June 19th. Copies of the history, which dates back to 1817, have been compiled and will be sold at the Celebration, with all proceeds to be donated to the Switzerland County Emergency Unit.
Julia Lee Janes and Eldric Howard Hazeldean were united in marriage Saturday evening, June 5th, in the Switzerland Baptist Church in Vevay. Parents of the couple are Mrs. Marian J. Janes of Vevay, Vincent Janes of Aurora, and Mr. and Mrs. Eldric E. Hazeldean of near East Enterprise.
Kimberly Scudder and Rick Curry were married Friday evening in a double-ring ceremony performed in the Fairview United Methodist Church. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Kelly of Madison and the groom’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Dale V. Curry of near Moorefield.
Relatives and friends will be interested to learn Mrs. Etta Bennett celebrated her 98th birthday for two days, June 6th and 7th. A cake serving 50 with ice cram for all was provided by Jack Sullivan and family of Vevay on Sunday to the complete staff and residents of Agua Caliente Residential Home in Sonoma, California.
Sheila Ann Deaton of Vevay, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Deaton of Vevay, received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Hanover College’s 143rd commencement today. She majored in mathematics at Hanover and is a graduate of Switzerland County High School.
40 YEARS AGO
Mrs. Linda Boyd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Loren E. Roberts, 306 West Market Street, Vevay, who graduated from Indiana University Monday, has been awarded the $800 State Tri Kappa fellowship for graduate study.
Fred G. Adams, 70, former agent for Bakes Insurance Agency in Vevay, passed away Tuesday morning at Ludlow Hill Clinic in Lawrenceburg.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dages, Montgomery, Indiana, announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Clara, to Loren Alan Briggs, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alan H. Briggs of near Vevay.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Swanson, Jr., of rural route 1, Bennington, have announced the marriage of their son, Donald E. Swanson, and Miss Barbara Jean Haddock in Darien, Georgia, June 9th.
50 YEARS AGO
A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Otter, Jr., at their home in Vevay Monday, June 11th. The little girl weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and has been named Katherine Ann.
Mrs. Velma Park of Lamb and Frank Dunn Jr., of Madison, were married Friday evening at the Baptist parsonage by the pastor Reverend Omer Fisher.
Mr. James Ward, vocational agriculture instructor at Vevay High School, has resigned his position there to accept a similar one at New Albany High School. Ward has taught at Vevay for the past two years.
Miss Evelyn Koons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Koons of Patriot, and Mr. Don Turner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Turner of Patriot, were united in marriage Friday evening at the Patriot Baptist Church.
60 YEARS AGO
Miss Nelda Clara Wilson and Thomas H. McKay, Vevay, route 4, were married June 18th, at the home of the bride at Quercus Grove.
Miss Minnie Romerill of Lamb was united in marriage to Maurice Beguin, a student of theology, Hartford Seminary, in a ceremony performed in the seminary chapel.
Miss Mayme Lillian Schirmer of Carrollton, Kentucky, and Edwin R. Wiseman of Vevay were united in marriage Thursday, May 30th, at the home of the bride, Reverend Karl O. Potts officiating.
Miss Bessie Payne of Patriot and Glenn Robert Turner were married Saturday, June 8th, at the home of Reverend Campbell in Rising Sun.
Born June 10th, a daughter Sharon Elizabeth to Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Swanson of Searcy Ridge.
Born June 9th, a daughter, Rozella to Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Wilhoite of Splinter Ridge.
Born, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Russell Thornton of Long Run.
Born Wednesday a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Truitt.
70 YEARS AGO
W. M. Green, a native of Posey Township, died at his home in Rising Sun last Wednesday. He was one of the organizers of the Ohio River Telephone Company.
Julius Teats, retired farmer, was the victim of a horrible accident Tuesday afternoon when his clothing became ignited at his home in Vevay, burning him so badly that death resulted within a few minutes.
Edward T. Riggs, prominent Vevay business man, died at his home here Tuesday evening after a long illness at the age of 71 years.
Miss Helen Protsman of Aurora and Lester Peelman of Indian Creek were married Saturday in Madison by Reverend B. T. Vincent.
The barn and two outbuildings on the farm of Wilbur Wade in Posey Township burned to the ground Saturday evening. The cause is unknown.
80 YEARS AGO
During a severe storm Monday afternoon a White Star bus was struck by a falling tree a few miles west of Vevay. The tree was twisted off four feet above the ground and toppled over on the hood of the bus. The bus was not damaged and no one was injured.
Harvey J. Zearing of Jefferson County and Mrs. Aldine Zearing of Switzerland County were married Thursday by Reverend J.W. McKinney at his home in Rising Sun.
Miss Della Oakley and Leon Sullivan, both of the Center Square community, were married in Vevay Saturday by Reverend F.E. Hammel.
Miss Evalena Smith and Halden H. Clements were united in marriage June 9th in a ceremony performed at the home of the bride’s parents by Reverend E. D. Koeth.
The Ford automobile recently stolen from Ross Hatch has been found in Princeton, Illinois.
Rats made a raid on a flock of 65 three-week-old chickens belonging to H.E. Cole and carried off 60 of them.
Born June 10th, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Green of Plum Creek.
A marriage license has been issued to John Carrigan of Aberdeen and Miss Bernice Dorrell of Rising Sun.
90 YEARS AGO
The shipment of street oil arrived the first of the week and Walton Schoonover started oiling the streets on Tuesday.
The Royal Theatre, owned by C. Demman, has been leased by Opp Sieglitz and Milo Gaudin and they will take possession June 24th.
Charles L. Kincaid Monday closed a deal with William O. Jaynes whereby he became the owner of the Jaynes greenhouse and all fixtures. Mr. Kincaid will move the greenhouse to his home in the west end of town where it will be added to the one he already owns.
Miss Anna McFarland and Paul Hankins were married in Madison last week.
Born, a son, Leon Frederick, to Fred Grieve and wife of Goose Creek.
Mrs. Isaac Hanna of near Markland last week received four dozen pigeons from a firm in Massachusetts. She plans to start a pigeon farm and will raise squabs for the Cincinnati markets.
Born, a son to George Neal and wife of Quercus Grove.
Born, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Campbell.
100 YEARS AGO
Mrs. Grammer of the New National Hotel had a weird experience recently. Her husband went to a grocery to get her a dozen eggs with which to bake a cake. Noticing that one egg was pipped a little she placed it in a cup of warm water and out popped a chicken. The grocer is now trying to collect 25 cents extra for the chicken!
Lamont Brothers Circus showed to capacity crowds here Thursday.
Miss Catherine Platt of Quercus Grove and Guy Walden of Fresno, California, were married Tuesday at the Quercus Grove Methodist Church.
Reverend Christensen has resigned as pastor of the Presbyterian Church to accept a charge at South McAllister, Indiana Territory.
Captain Haz Albro shipped as pilot on the New Era Floating Palace at Warsaw Monday.
110 YEARS AGO
Miss Netti Northcott, who has been teaching in Anderson, has returned home.
A surprise party was given for Will Bradford of Center Square on his 21st birthday.
R. K. Thompson and F. E. Townsend of Hamilton, Ohio, arrived in Vevay Tuesday night on their bicycles. They left Covington, Kentucky that morning.
Miss Lillie Adams of near East Enterprise was married June 10th to Dilver Douglas of Quercus Grove at the home of the bride.
Miss Katie Couch and Frank Cook of Patriot were married Wednesday.
130 YEARS AGO
James H. Smart, Superintendent of Public Instruction, has written a letter to Professor P.T. Hartford in which he states that graduates of the Vevay High School will be entitled to enter the freshman class of the State University at Bloomington.
The Trustees of Vevay met last Monday night, all members being present. John Holdcraft was allowed $25 for winding the town clock for one year, $31 for services as Marshal, Lamplighter, and for burying dogs. William Smith was reelected Superintendent of the cemetery, salary $75 per year. In response to a petition of citizens, the slaughterhouse of William Northcottt was declared a nuisance and was ordered to abate it.
A two limbed hog strayed into the festival given by the Presbyterians last Tuesday night and stole a large glass jar filled with strawberries.
140 YEARS AGO
Professor John P. Rous, former superintendent of the Vevay Public Schools, is residing in Indianapolis.
Last Tuesday night the steamers “Wagoner” and “Rebecca” got aground while attempting to land at the Vevay wharf.
W. B. Owen has retired from the dry goods business and purchased an interest in the wharfboat.
We notice that Dr. E. R. Mullet is preparing to go into the picture business in connection with the dentistry.