News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Dorothy Hon of Hominy Ridge, near Florence, was honored as Switzerland County’s first Senior Queen during ceremonies held during last week’s 4-H Fair. She was selected for her many years of service to the fair, and to the agricultural community in general.
Gladys Moreillon, a longtime resident of Switzerland County and now living in Indianapolis, will celebrate her 102nd birthday on Monday, July 22nd. Mrs. Moreillon moved to Indianapolis to be closer to her daughter, Hazel Ballard. Her other daughter, Helen O’Connor, lives in California, and will make the trip along with Gladys’ three grandchildren and their families to celebrate the occasion.
Angela Lynn Lock and Alan Ray Konkle were united in marriage on Saturday, April 27th, at the Bennington United Methodist Church. The Reverend Steve Lock officiated. The bride is the daughter of Phil and Jean Lock of Fairview. The groom is the son of Eddie and Jo Konkle of Mount Sterling.
15 YEARS AGO
Expertly utilizing CPR, Steve “Bear” Bladen saved the life of young Alex Reynolds who was struck by lightning near Five Points on the evening of July 2nd. Alex remains in a coma in Audubon’s pediatric unit in Louisville. [The boy eventually died of injuries suffered in the lightning strike.]
Switzerland County successfully renewed an old tradition, staging a popular parade and pitch-in picnic on Independence Day, the Fourth of July. Over 400 people turned out for the event, despite the threat of rainy weather. Folks lined Vevay’s Main Street well before the start of the parade, and cheered as the procession made its way from its starting point at Swiss Valley Lanes to the County Courthouse.
Lee Remick, age 54, died this week of cancer. She will be remembered here as one of the stars of the movie filmed in Switzerland County, “A Girl Named Sooner.”
Airman James E. Jackson has completed the B-1B defensive avionics system specialists course at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver.
20 YEAS AGO
At the Switzerland County 4-H Fair, Kim Hutcherson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hutcherson, route 1, Patriot, had the grand champion steer which sold for $157.50 per hundred pounds. The animal weighed 1,391 pounds. The reserve champion steer, owned by Sherry Rowlett, was sold to McAlister Excavating for $117.50 per hundred pounds. Sherry is the daughter of Gary and Margaret Ann Rowlett.
Ron Redmon, Vevay, was approved by the Switzerland County School Board Monday night to be head varsity boys’ basketball coach, replacing Otha Smith who recently resigned and has obtained a coaching position in Brownstown. Redmon will be entering his second year at Switzerland County High School, where he is a guidance counselor.
Monday night’s Switzerland County School Board meeting saw the swearing in of the new members, Bill Roeschlein and Ken Briggs. Kenny Griffin was elected president with former president Ralph Hughes serving as vice president. Floyd Knaus is the new secretary. The treasurer is not to be a school board member and Craig Bernius, last year’s treasurer, was elected again. Ron Hocker will again serve as the school attorney.
30 YEARS AGO
Switzerland County’s annual 4-H Livestock Auction set new records for animals sold and money paid at this year’s 4-H Fair. And one 4-H youngster may well have set some kind of record of his own for showing Grand Championship steers. He’s Mark Archer, 15-year-old son of John and Mary Archer of near Pleasant, who showed his third Grand Champion Steer in four years at last week’s Switzerland County 4-H Fair. This year, Mark’s fine 1,190-pound Grand Champ steer was bought by Vevay Newspapers for $1,249.50 — the newspapers’ bid of $1.05 having won the right to buy the champion. Vevay Newspapers also bought Mark Archer’s first Grand Champion steer — and the first Grand Champion steer ever sold at the Switzerland County 4-H Fair — back in 1973. That animal went for $1.15 per pound.
Folks, mark your calendars. The Bennington Homecoming is scheduled for October 16th, a Saturday. This year’s Homecoming will be Bennington’s third. Started in the Fall of 1974, the Bennington Homecoming is already regarded as one of Switzerland County’s finest events. A Bicentennial Homecoming will be staged by the Long Run Baptist Church July 25th.
Miss Sheila Deaton and Mr. Larry Gault were united in marriage on the afternoon of June 12th at St. Michael’s Church in Madison. Father Moll of St. Anthony’s Church in Canaan, Indiana performed the double-ring ceremony. Mr. and Mrs. Claude Deaton of Vevay are parents of the bride. The groom’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Harold Gault of near Greensburg.
40 YEARS AGO
Walter Lambert, Vevay High School’s first band director, has resigned after serving 10 years at that post and has accepted a similar position at Cannelton High School.
Carl W. “Billy” Cole, 16-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. William Cole of Mount Sterling, was reported Wednesday morning as being in satisfactory condition at King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison. The young was critically injured July 18th when the auto in which he and three other youths were riding crashed on state road 129 several miles northwest of Vevay.
Congressman Lee H. Hamilton announced the appointment of Larry Boggs to coordinate the “Hamilton for Congress” campaign in Ohio and Switzerland counties. Boggs is a tax examiner for Indiana Department of Revenue and will assist in organizing support for Hamilton in his bid for reelection.
Army Private James K. “Kenny” Riley, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse J. Riley of rural route 1, Vevay, completed a field communication crewman course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, July 14th.
Mr. and Mrs. Clair Smith, route 1, Vevay, announce the engagement of their daughter, Katherine Jean, to Larry Wilson Ellegood, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Ellegood, also of route 1, Vevay.
50 YEARS AGO
Lloyd Farrar, past vice president of Indiana Jaycees, representing the 10th district, was honored at a meeting of the New Albany JayCee Club last week when the evening was designated as “Lloyd Farrar Night.” Mr. Farrar was given this honor in view of his record of past service to the Jaycee organization, and was called the outstanding vice president of Jaycees last year.
A five-year-old child was saved from drowning Sunday morning on the Ghent Ferry landing, due to the heroic efforts and alertness of two Switzerland County men. Robert Bond, 32-year-old Florence resident, was credited with saving the life of the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Brightwell of Ghent when he pulled the boy from an auto submerged in the river. Ep Peelman, pilot of the Vevay-Ghent ferry, first learned that the boy was trapped in the car, and alerted Bond.
Army Private Carl W. Powers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Powers, route 1, Florence, Indiana, is scheduled to leave Fort Riley, Kansas, early next month to help provide support for teams firing in the national rifle and pistol matches at Camp Perry, Ohio.
60 YEARS AGO
Switzerland County aviation took a big boom here last week when the first 10 ex-service men applicants for basic air training were selected by Captain Charles Scott, owner of the local airport. Included among the former “GI’s” who are enrolled are Robert and Raymond Gaudin. Jack Sullivan, Jr., Paul Andrew, Darwin Clark, Robert Detraz and Robert Coates. Captain Scott is now giving instructions to several citizens whose ages range from 51 down to 12 years of age.
A family dinner, with open house during the afternoon, is being planned in celebration of the 100th birthday of Mrs. Charlotte Jackson of Posey Township when she reaches the century mark July 30th. Mrs. Emma Powell, 102 1/2, a close friend expects to help her celebrate.
Born, a daughter to Alfred Sommers and wife of Bear Branch.
70 YEARS AGO
Miss Thelma Bradford, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bradford of Rising Sun, was married at their home there Saturday morning to Robert Slawson of Vevay by Reverend J. T. Redmond.
Miss Marguerite Fredenberg and Edgar Ritchie, both of Craig Township, were married here Saturday by Reverend Leland S. Courtney.
Jack Kiesel of Vevay was married in Madison Saturday evening to Miss Helen Hill of that city.
Born July 3rd, a daughter, Louvetta Karenina, to Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Peak of Hominy Ridge.
80 YEARS AGO
Contract for the erection of a stone memorial to Switzerland County’s World War soldiers was left last week to K.W. Kassebaum and son of Aurora. This permanent memorial to Switzerland County boys is the result of united action on the part of various women’s clubs in Vevay.
The Mathias Minstrel Show went on the rocks in Vevay last week. One of the performers went to Louisville in the proprietor’s truck to obtain another actor and he sold the truck and disappeared with the money. The show struggled along for two or three nights then gave up the ghost. Part of the performers walked out of town and others pawned musical instruments and watches to get money for transportation.
90 YEARS AGO
Born, Friday, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Mart Rayl.
James Whitcomb Riley, Indiana’s famous poet, died suddenly Saturday night at his home in Indianapolis. Saturday night at 11 o’clock he asked his nurse to bring him a drink of water and when she returned the poet was dead.
Born, July 13th, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fox of Aurora, formerly of Fairview.
During a severe electrical storm Sunday afternoon, barns on the farms of Oscar Brindley in Craig Township, George Marker in Cotton Township and Samuel Kittle near Aberdeen were struck by lightning and burned, consuming much livestock, hay, grain and implements. A barn at Newland Brown’s home in Craig Township was damaged and six pigs were killed. Hail which accompanied the storm damaged crops.
100 YEARS AGO
The body of Patrick O’Brien of Switzerland County was found in the Ohio River near the upper grade Saturday. He was last seen alive Friday evening. A Civil War veteran, he was a native of Ireland and came to this county about 20 years ago.
Miss Carrie Brown, who has been the city editor of the Switzerland Democrat, has resigned.
The steamer Blue Wing, in charge of Captain Pullem of Madison, towed Weaver’s new elevator float and a barge of coal to their coal yard here this week.
Walter Kincaid lost the first joint of the middle finger on his right hand Friday while grinding sausage in the C. W. Kincaid meat market when his hand became caught in the machine.
Dale Hall of Scotch Settlement was severely injured Thursday by getting his arm caught in the belt of a threshing machine while replacing a belt.
George and Floyd Burroughs and Homer Bishop had a harrowing experience last week when they ran over a black snake with their buggy. The huge reptile coiled itself around the wheel and rolled up into the buggy seat. The boys rolled out fast and received minor injuries.
110 YEARS AGO
Licensed to marry: Philip Boncline and Callie Estus; Harry Damoth and Willie Bennett.
The ninth piano recital of music pupils of Miss Mollie Mottier was held last week at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Schenck. Participating were Mrs. Schenck, Misses Dora Phillips, Anna Webb, Nona Long, Etta Sullivan, Clara Robenstien, Helen Grammer, Jennie Dupraz, Edna Griffith, Emma Detraz, Florence Smiley, Masters George Robinson, Harry Shaw and Ray Johnson.
130 YEARS AGO
Married at the Baptist Parsonage in Vevay July 23rd by Reverend T. Warn Beagle, Mr. Johnson Brown and Miss Eliza C. Brag, both of Craig Township.
Joseph M. Clements, who resides near Moorefield, had his right leg amputated Tuesday morning, as the result of a bruise suffered several years ago.
Last Saturday night burglars entered the saloon of John Doan, Jr., and stole about $100 and several boxes of cigars.
The Vevay Furniture Factory ceased running last Saturday but will probably again commence work soon.
140 YEARS AGO
One night last week the steamer General Lytle ran into the wharfboat, damaging it to the extent of about $80.
On July 4th a destructive fire destroyed 20 buildings and contents valued at $80,000.
152 YEARS AGO
One night last week the store of William Barkis was entered and $18 and $20 worth of goods stolen.
The “Ben Courtin,” Captain J. P. Schenck, is about the only boat now making regular trips to Cincinnati.
The new M.E. Church at Pleasant Grove, on the Moorefield Circuit, will be dedicated next Sabbath morning. Sermon by Reverend E.G. Wood.
Marriages: August 1st, by Reverend Terrell, Edward Jones and Prudence Adams, both of Craig Township. On June 22nd, by Reverend J. B. Sparks, Emerson Morrison and Mary Campbell. July 13th, by the same, William P. Riley and Lucretia Cole.