News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
He was a Republican sheriff in a heavily Democratic county in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In spite of that, Vevay’s Ralph Brown was dearly loved by the people here, and news of his death last Thursday brought a sadness over the entire community. Ralph Brown was first elected Switzerland County sheriff in 1965, serving a four-year term before deciding not to seek reelection in 1969 due to ill health. Four years later, fully recovered, he challenged Democratic incumbent Tom McKay for the sheriff’s job and won. He served another four-year term as county sheriff before stepping down in 1977.
The deadline for applying for the position of superintendent of Switzerland County schools passed last week. The school board must now begin the task of searching through the job applications it has received with the hope of finding the right person to lead the school system. One name on the list is familiar to the school board while another name that some members of the community had hoped would appear is absent. Current high school principal John Thomas has applied for the job while current interim superintendent Chester Meisberger did not.
At one time they were one of the most important pieces of machinery on the family farm. Now, they’re simply pieces of rural American history. It is that history that Vevay’s Dalbert “Dabby” Whitham hopes to share with those people who attend the Indiana State Fair this weekend. He will participate in the Pioneer Farm and Home Show this weekend.
15 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry R. Raisor of Vevay have announced the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Melody Lynn, to William Joe Cutter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carroll W. Cutter of Dillsboro. The wedding will take place at the First Baptist Church in Dillsboro Saturday, September 7th.
Henri Chase, son of Donald and Vivian Chase of Tapps Ridge, has been assigned as the Executive Officer of the U.S. Navy ship USS Conserver, stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. He will report for duty September 1st.
Stan Steury, former Switzerland County and Jeffferson County Soil Conservationist, was honored for his outstanding work by Historic Hoosier Hills at the organization’s annual meeting. Steury is moving to a new job in northwestern Ohio, after residing in Switzerland County for the past 20 years. He is married to the former Carrie Canada, daughter of Floyd and Shirley Canada of Vevay.
20 YEAS AGO
Vevay will have a veterinarian of her very own, beginning August 18th, when his office first opens. Up until now, residents of Vevay and Switzerland County had to travel some distance to take their animals to a DVM. Enter John Petscher, Madison. Dr. Petscher will open an office at 311 East Main Street, Vevay, called The Animal Clinic of Switzerland County. He says the main reason is because he has clients here who have expressed the need for a vet in town.
Hazel Brown of Vevay grew a two and one-half pound Delicious tomato that she grew in her garden. She stated that she has had large tomatoes this summer, but none bigger than this two and one-half pound whopper.
Mr. and Mrs. William Simpson, route 1, LaSalle, Illinois, announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Paula Jean Simpson to Raymond Lance Roberts, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Roberts, Columbus. The bridegroom’s grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Raymond C. Roberts of Vevay and Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Hall, Sr., of Lamb.
30 YEARS AGO
Dorothy Boulton knows how to grow corn. Impatient with having to husk each ear, she worked out a way of growing two ears to each husk. “I wish that was true,” says Mrs. Boulton, “but the fact is, the corn pulled this trick by itself. I’ve raised a lot of corn in my life, but I’ve never seen anything like this,” Dorothy and her husband George Boulton grew the double-eared husk of corn on their Green Valley farm.
Two of Vevay’s more senior of senior citizens celebrated their 90th birthdays, marking that mile-stone enjoying good health and full lives that folks many years younger might envy. Mrs. Anna Allen of Greeley Avenue and Miss Clara Swaezey of Main Street observed the 90th anniversaries of their births. Mrs. Allen was 90 years old on Thursday, August 5th, and Miss Swaezey’s birthday was Monday, August 16th. Both ladies were born in 1886.
Debra Sue Covington, graduated from Southeastern Community College at Whiteville, North Carolina recently as a registered nurse. The daughter of Pauline Covington of Vevay and Broadus Covington of Ghent, Kentucky, Miss Covington is a 1973 graduate of Switzerland County High School. She’s employed as a nurse with the Lumberton, North Carolina hospital.
40 YEARS AGO
Stewart Brown, 25-year-old assistant coach at Vevay High School the past school year, signed a contract last Thursday afternoon to become new head coach at the Switzerland County High School. The county school board voted unanimously last Wednesday evening to offer the position to Brown. He succeeds former head coach Jim Mitchell who resigned the post last week.
Staff Sergeant Harry C. Bond of Patriot was among more than 700 U.S. Air Force reservists reporting August 13th for 15 days active duty with the 930th Troop Carrier Group of the 434th Troop Carrier Wing at Bakalar Air Force Base in Columbus.
James K. Danglade, curricular advisor at Ball State University, has been promoted from instructor to assistant professor effective September 1st, it was announced by Dr. John R. Emens, president of the university. A native of Vevay and a graduate of Vevay High School, he is the son of the last Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Danglade, publishers of the Vevay newspapers for many years.
Miss Roberta Koons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Koons of Patriot, was one of 16 graduates last Friday night from New Albany’s School of Practical Nursing. She is a 1965 graduate of Patriot High School.
50 YEARS AGO
The 94th birthday of Mrs. Abbie Danglade was quietly observed Sunday at the Brown Restaurant in East Enterprise where Miss Annette Danglade was hostess to a dinner.
An automobile wreck claimed the life of 17-year-old Carroll Douglas “Doug” Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Brown of Vevay, Sunday night on State Road 156 west of Markland.
Miss Patricia Ann Boggs, daughter of James A. Boggs of Aberdeen and Robert Earl Evans, son of Robert Evans of Rising Sun, were married in Vevay Saturday.
60 YEARS AGO
Ora Scudder, Vevay restaurant owner and former County Highway Superintendent, was appointed Town Marshal of Vevay by he Town Board, at a special meeting held here last week. Mr. Scudder takes the place of William Bowen. Cecil Peters will assume the position of Deputy Marshal for night duty and fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Fred Jennings, Jr.
Miss Norma Lowe of Vevay and Thomas Earls of near Vevay were married in Carrollton Saturday afternoon by Reverend C. P. Roem, pastor of the Christian Church.
Miss Mary K. Gullion of near Fairview and R.W. Scudder of Florence, were married Tuesday afternoon, August 20th, at the Methodist Church in Vevay with Reverend B.M. Winter performing the ceremony.
Miss Thelma Ford of Vevay and Howard Robinson of Rising Sun were married Saturday at Covington, Kentucky by Reverend H.M. Massie.
Born Wednesday, a son, Stephen Merle, to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lock of Bennington.
Born August 17th, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Scudder of McCreary’s Ridge.
Born, August 19th, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Hankins of near Bennington.
Born, August 15th, a son to Mr. and Mrs. James Sides. He has been named John Kenneth.
The Howe Brothers Store at Carrollton, Kentucky, was robbed of merchandise valued at more than $3,000 on last Thursday night.
Born Thursday, August 13th, a daughter, Ella Louise, to Mr. and Mrs. Hosa Brooks of Spring Branch.
Paul Rix has resigned his position as manager of the Indiana Ideal Ice Cream Store in Vevay and accepted a position in this newspaper office. His brother, George Rix, will take his position with the ice cream company.
Fred Newton and son, Henry and Ralph Reeder are operating a lunch stand on a fair circuit. They are now at Mooresville, Indiana.
Harley Patterson and Kathleen Patterson, both of Jefferson County, were married at the Court House, Saturday by Reverend L.S. Courtney.
Orville Jenny of Rising Sun and Betty Straub of Kenwood, Ohio, were married here Saturday by Reverend L.S. Courtney.
70 YEARS AGO
The ferry Boat “Robert T. Graham” was disabled last Friday at noon by the breaking of the wheel shaft.
Mrs. Mollie Scott of near Vevay and Eli Haskell of Craig Township were married at the home of Mrs. Scott Tuesday afternoon by Reverend Marshall.
Born August 18th, a son to Denver dunning and wife of Quercus Grove.
Mrs. W. E. Rix has gone to Marion, Indiana to join her husband for residence.
Mrs. Mort Bennett underwent surgery in the Madison hospital this week for an injury to her shoulder and arm which she sustained some time ago in a fall.
Carl Miles of near Bennington received a fractured hip in an automobile accident near Indianapolis. Mr. Miles was accompanied by Wayland Hartman of near Moorefield who was en route to an Indianapolis hospital to give blood for a transfusion for his mother, Mrs. Fay Hartman. He suffered shock and bruises.
Harvey Smith of near Quercus Grove received a fractured jaw when he was knocked from his motorcycle after it struck the bicycle of Chester McAllister of Grants Creek as he was pushing onto the highway. Smith’s view was obstructed by parked cars. McAllister suffered a broken nose.
80 YEARS AGO
Work on the fill for the new bridge over Indian Creek, west of Vevay, began Monday morning.
Work on the new addition to the Vevay Auto Company on Ferry Street was started Thursday. The addition is 30×60 feet and will be used for the repair department by Gray and Brown.
Lawrence Lozier and Jesse Tague were injured while riding a bicycle on the Trafelet hill. A wheel dropped off while they were coasting down the hill and both small boys were thrown off.
Work of rewiring Vevay is almost completed, under the supervision of J. L. Detraz, and on Thursday and Friday the current will be turned off during the day while the new wires are connected at the light plant.
90 YEARS AGO
A barn belonging to Dick Boys near Vevay was struck by lightning and burned Sunday evening with the loss of hay, farming implements, etc.
Mrs. Lyde Myers of Vevay and Gabe Robinson of Carrollton were married in that city this week.
Dr. Daniel Scudder of Patriot and Miss Cora Mae Woodard of Dayton, Kentucky, were married in Rising Sun this week.
Miss Lela Webb has completed her school training at Moores Hill and has returned home.
George Krummel escaped serious injury Tuesday when his wagon was struck by an automobile near Markland and he was thrown into the road.
100 YEARS AGO
The Grand Army of the Republic in Switzerland County held a two-day meeting in Vevay last week. The Jaynes Military Band furnished music and on Thursday night campfire talks were made. Among those registered were one Mexican War soldier, 164 Federal Civil War veterans, 1 confederate soldier. Also present was Thomas O’Day, one of the survivors of “The Light Brigade.” D. M. Haskell of the 3rd Indiana Cavalry, one of the bravest of the brave, was able to attend one of the sessions and while there disposed of a number of the new histories of the 3rd Cavalry, a book of much interest to Switzerland County where the Third was so largely recruited.
Lewis Demick Ward, 19, only child of Dr. and Mrs. John P. Ward, died last week at the family home on Main Street after a brief illness of appendicitis. an operation was performed there by Dr. Thomas B. Eastman of Indianapolis and the young man was apparently recovering when he suffered a relapse. After graduating from Vevay High School in 1905 he attended Culver Naval School that summer and then entered Indiana University. The remains were taken to Princeton, Indiana (former home of the Wards) for burial.
Loren Dufour and Miss Hattie Bliss of East Enterprise were married Thursday by Reverend J.N. Jerman.
A daughter was born Saturday to Mr. and Mrs. Tom Protsman of Drake’s Ridge.
Knox Jamison of Scotch Settlement has been engaged as teacher in the academic department of Kentucky State College at Lexington.
A baby girl was born last week to Mr. and Mrs. Tilden Rayles of Aaron.
110 YEARS AGO
Over 400 soldiers attended the district meeting of soldiers which was held in Aurora last week. The group voted to hold next year’s meeting in Vevay.
Sixteen of the 26 stockholders of the First National Bank are women. Of the 80 stockholders of the Vevay Deposit Bank 20 are women. All are in moderate circumstances and have most of their incomes invested in this business.
The Vevay Driving Club held its first meeting August 27th and staged running, trotting and pacing races together with foot races, bicycle races, and baseball.
Napoleon Miller has arrived in Vevay from Washington State where six years ago he settled on government land and obtained title to it.
130 YEARS AGO
Married at the residence of the bride’s mother in Vevay Wednesday evening, August 23rd, by Reverend Thomas Whallon, Dr. John H. Shadday to Miss Josephine M. Detraz.
There has been a sudden advance in potatoes. They are now in demand at 40 cents per bushel.
The Christian Church of Vevay has been recognized with 31 members.
A number of garments were stolen from the clothes line of Samuel Shuff in Vevay a few evenings since.
Last Wednesday afternoon Grant Pickett, son of Frank Pickett, got one of his fingers cut off in a “cutting box.”
The body of a drowned boy was found floating in the river near Big Bone Island recently.
Lewit T. Carr and Dellia Stevens were married August 5th at the residence of D. Schemid of Patriot by Esquire J. W. Shirey.
140 YEARS AGO
Captain A.J. Schenck of the steamer Argosy presented us with a bundle of late southern papers.
Watermelons are plentiful. Ten cents is the price of a big one with chills and cholera thrown in.