News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
In a Thursday accident on Main Street in Vevay a semi owned by Sterling Express lost a roll of steel weighing 42,800 pounds. It came loose and landed right on top of a 1992 Nissan owned by Carla Hackney, who lives in the apartment building at the corner of Walnut and Main streets, where the accident happened.
For most college students, the search for a summer job often leads to cooking fast food or other such routine tasks. Not for Vevay’s Jared Hill. He’s about to begin a summer job that most young men would line up for. He has been selected as the official escort for the queen of the Indiana State Fair.
Switzerland County’s Jim Cole will begin his duties this week as the person responsible for one of the most important livestock activities at this year’s Indiana State Fair. He will be in charge of over 800 head of open show carcass hogs entered into the fair during its 12-day run. It’s his responsibility to see that all of the data gleaned from that carcass show is quickly and properly reported back to the breeders.
Steve Niemeier and his wife moved to Mount Sterling about three months ago, and is looking forward to bringing his honey bees here from his home near Cincinnati. Beekeeping has been his hobby for 20 years.
15 YEARS AGO
Everybody loved the “Always A River” exhibition. Nearly 10,000 people came to Vevay to experience it. They praised it highly. It was excellent – fascinating, informative, educational and entertaining.
The River Belle contest last Thursday night drew quite a crowd and lots of positive comments from those attending. Winners of the contest were Mary Anne Hawk of Rising Sun, Irene Cheever of Vevay, and Juanita Baer of Florence. The ladies all dressed in costume and told of their river memories.
Marlene Weaver, daughter of Roger and Phyllis Weaver, was named the winner of the 1991 “Outstanding Dairy Exhibitor Award” for Switzerland County. The award was sponsored by Associated Milk Producers, Inc., Morning Glory Farms Region, Shawano, Wisconsin.
20 YEAS AGO
The 986 Swiss Alpine Festival in Vevay saw large crowds and many activities July 31st-August 3rd. Sherry Rowlett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Rowlett, route 1, Vevay, was crowned the 1986 Edelweiss Princess.
The marriage of Miss Dianna Chase and Mr. Jerry South was performed on June 27th at St. Mary’s Church in Aurora. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Chase, Jr., of Attica and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert South of East Enterprise.
30 YEARS AGO
Jerry McIntyre is resigning as principal of Switzerland County High School, to become principal of Clarksville High School.
Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Nowakowski are well known in Switzerland County, having lived for 10 years in Florence before moving to Madison a little over a year ago. They return often to visit friends and see the pretty village of Florence again. Last weekend, Mr. Nowakowski was back for a visit with a special guest, his brother, who had come from his home in Poland to see Antoni for the first time in 36 years.
Thieves hit the Richard Benton residence on Searcy Ridge last weekend and made off with a bush hog, 4,500 tobacco sticks, a posthole digger and 300 gallons of gasoline.
40 YEARS AGO
A 41-year-old Greensburg native who taught the past eight years at Lawrenceburg High School has been contracted as the new principal of Vevay High School. He is Clifford Keihn, who taught English and served assignments in special administrative capacities at Lawrenceburg. The Vevay post will be his first principal’s position.
Vevay’s Steve Tilley has won a scholarship to Culver Military Academy for the academic year 1966-67 and will enroll there September 6th. The 14-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Tilley of Main Street, Vevay has attended Vevay elementary and junior high school and will be a freshman as he enrolls at Culver.
Jim Mitchell has submitted a letter of resignation as head coach at Vevay High School after coaching three years at the local school.
Switzerland County’s newest industrial facility was officially opened with considerable fanfare on Thursday, July 14th. Several hundred business and industrial leaders, from Cincinnati, Detroit, Milwaukee and other Midwestern cities, were guests of the Hilltop Concrete Corporation at the all-day open house celebration.
50 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Francis Miller of near Pleasant in Jefferson County who will attain their 79th wedding anniversary on Saturday, August 25th, have received a message of congratulations from the President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mr. Miller will be 105 years old in October and Mrs. Miller is 100 years old – an imposing array of figures which undoubtedly sets a record.
Mrs. Gretchen H. Cole of Vevay was reelected president of the Switzerland County Welfare Board at its regular session on Monday. She has served in that capacity since 1949. Albert McAllister of near Patriot was elected vice president.
Stanley L. Turner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Turner of Florence and Miss Margaret Otter, daughter of Royland Otter of Five Points and Mrs. Daisy Otter of Madison, were married Saturday afternoon at the Baptist Parsonage by Reverend Omer Fisher.
60 YEARS AGO
Deputy Marshal Fred Jennings, Jr., who has been head of the night police here for several months past, quit his job last week. Squire John Baird is serving temporarily in the position.
Born, Thursday, August 8th, a son, George Jr., to Mr. and Mrs. George Wood of near Center Square.
Born, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Clair Detraz of Bennington.
Born Monday, a daughter to Raymond Knigga and wife of Bennington.
Born, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Alford of Bear Branch.
70 YEARS AGO
At a meeting held last week the Ohio River Telephone Company, commonly known as the “Green Line,” reached an agreement with the Southern Indiana or “Farmers” Company, whereby they will take over the lines and equipment and incorporate them into their own system.
Born, August 3rd, a daughter, Roberta Jean, to Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Scudder of Posey Township.
A Vevay boy was honored last week while attending the Citizens Military Training Camp at Fort Harrison, Indiana. Dumont Wright had the honor of being the first cadet to receive a special citation for “outstanding soldierly qualities.” [Editor’s Note: Dumont Wright went on to graduate from West Point and while serving as a Captain in World War II was killed in action.]
80 YEARS AGO
A 10-pound son was born Sunday to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Rosenberger.
George Brindley of this county, who has been manager of the Western Union Telegraph office in Decatur, has been transferred to Aurora.
Andy Konkle of Craig Township was overcome by heat near his home Wednesday. James Miller of Vevay was overcome by heat Thursday while working in a hay field.
A large barn on the farm of Amie Dugan on Tapps Ridge burned to the ground late Saturday after being struck by lightning. Hay, grain, tools and one calf were lost in the blaze, with a loss of $8,000.
In a near cyclone which swept over portions of Switzerland County Wednesday night considerable damage was done. Trees were blown over and lightning killed a cow at the farm of Linza Wigal at Florence. Lightning also killed a cow at the George Stewart farm near Pleasant.
Born, August 3rd, a daughter, Roberta Jean, to Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Scudder of Posey Township.
90 YEARS AGO
A large barn belonging to Amie Dugan on Tapps Ridge was burned to the ground late Saturday after being struck by lightning.
Work on the new addition to the Vevay Auto Company’s building was started last week.
Work of repairing the National Bank Building, damaged by fire several weeks ago, is progressing rapidly.
Mrs. John Brockschlager has bought the confectionery on Main Street which was formerly owned by Avery A. Graham.
Mrs. Sarah O’Neal, 75, died Sunday at her home in Markland. She was a charter member of the Markland Baptist Church and her husband, the late John I. O’Neal, founded the Markland Roller Mill, which is now operated by his son, Arlington O’Neal.
Henderson Webster, carpenter and builder, has bought the old Christian Church property for $500. He has not yet decided what use to make of the building.
Miss Isabelle Tardy has returned home from Danville where she has been attending normal school.
Don Ryan of Pleasant Township has a position at the new Masonic home in Franklin.
Douglas North of Rising Sun, formerly of Patriot, has purchased the Patriot and Rising Sun Star Mail Route contract from Jacob Smith. He also bought Mr. Smith’s large touring car and will haul mail and also passengers.
100 YEARS AGO
Oren L. Lemmon, who toured the country in the early 90s as a clown with John Robinson’s Big Shows, is living in retirement in Vevay.
George L. Humphrey has resigned as editor of the Switzerland Democrat to become superintendent of schools at Ghent. John F. Patton, deputy county clerk, will succeed Mr. Humphrey.
A station for the Standard Oil Company will be established in Vevay and Curry and Shull, wharfboat proprietors, will be the local agents. Oil and gasoline will be brought to Vevay in iron drums from Madison towed by a gasoline boat and will be distributed to stores in outlying communities. Deliveries will be made weekly in a tank wagon which will be a great convenience to our citizens.
Professor T. W. Bush, 55, the dancing master who had just closed his school here and had gone to Madison, died there Sunday at a hotel after a heart attack.
Licensed to marry: Edgar Siebenthal and Alice English; John S. Cunningham and Carrie Sedam.
110 YEARS AGO
Joseph Burrows of New York has returned to his old home here for a visit with relatives and friends.
Licensed to marry: George Tandy and Mellie Nettles; William Koons and Kate Chase; Ira M. Turner and Della J. Bliss; Walter Gibson and Maggie Hanks; Albert Lewis and Noah Noel; Will Salyers and Emma Dunlop.
Last Saturday evening the house of Murray Jackson near Lamb was destroyed by fire together with most of its contents.
the school trustees of Vevay, Dr. A. G. Craig, Emlin Danglade and William Tait have decided to have the Vevay Public Schools open September 14th.
Dr. George Copeland of Canaan, Indiana, has formed a partnership with Dr. D. N. Haydon at Sugar Branch and moved there.
130 YEARS AGO
While Mr. A. Lindeuschmidt was driving toward Vevay Friday evening about 8 o’clock in his peddling wagon, he was beset by two men who threw stones at him, striking him on the forehead, and fired five shots, one of which lodged in his arm. Mr. Lindeuschmidt, who was accompanied by his small son, shouted to his horses and their running probably saved his life.
The Vevay Furniture and Chair Factory is running this week. The Union Furniture Factory will commence operating next Monday.
F. A. Boerner and wife, Misses Tete and Lena LeClerc will start for the Centennial Exposition in a few days.
Last Thursday night a man set a ladder against the house of William Hart on Ferry Street and was in the act of ascending when discovered by Mr. Hart. He put the ladder on his shoulder and walked away.
During the present season David Ward has sold 746 gallons of blackberries in Vevay.
A lot of meat was stolen from the slaughterhouse of Charles Grammer last Monday night.
140 YEARS AGO
Married in Madison by Reverend F. D. Bland, Miss Laura Hardy to Dr. J. C. Henry.
Married in Madison, August 1st, Miss Louise B. Bowman to William P. Baird.
Married in Vevay by Reverend W. F. Saunders, Ulysses Borel to Mrs. Martha Schmead.
150 YEARS AGO
The American Barbeque at Warsaw, Kentucky, last Thursday, passed off finely. Thousands of people were present.
Died in Vevay July 29th, Anthony Henry Tardy. He immigrated to this country from Switzerland.
152 YEARS AGO
It is gratifying to be able to announce that the work of raising and widening the grade at the foot of Ferry Street has been commenced.
The cholera has made its appearance at Versailles, Ripley County. There are some eight or 10 cases and three deaths.