News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Don Allen of Vevay has received word that he will receive the prestigious 33rd Masonic degree during ceremonies that will be held next September in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He will be one of only 24 Masons from Indiana to earn the degree, and it is believed that he is the first person from Switzerland County to ever be honored. Don Allen was recommended for the degree by a fellow Mason. Tradition dictates that the nominator remain anonymous, but whoever it is – Don Allen wants to say thank you. Right now he is on cloud nine.
Simply put, it was a shocking decision. In a 5-1 vote of the Indiana Gaming Commission last Friday afternoon, the commission decided to delay the awarding of the final Ohio River riverboat gambling license until their January, 19997, meeting. The move sent groans through the packed auditorium in the Indiana Government Center, as supporters from Switzerland and Crawford counties searched for answers.
Bob and Mary Lou Furnish will celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary Saturday, September 21st, with an open house in the solarium of the Ogle Haus Inn. The event will be held from 2-4 p.m.
Richard Allen Scott, a graduate of Switzerland County High School, was among 930 students who completed their degree requirements and earned their diplomas from Purdue University during the summer semester. He is the son of Tom and Linda Scott of Moorefield.
15 YEARS AGO
Vevay Kiwanis Club donated $1,000 to the fund for a new ambulance for Switzerland County Emergency Unit.
Luther and Florence Penick of route 2, Rising Sun will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception Sunday in Rising Sun.
Hope Rebekah Lodge No. 851 in Bennington will celebrate its 50th year Sunday, September 22nd.
Private Darrin S. Atwood has completed basic training at Fort Dix in New Jersey. He is the son of Linda Drake of Bennington.
20 YEARS AGO
Joe Roberts of Vevay recently received a letter of commendation and a cash award from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Louisville for sustained superior performance in his duties as lockmaster at the Markland Dam. Roberts has been employed at the Markland Dam since 1976 and has served as lockmaster since 1983.
Tony Spoores and Michelle Green were two out of 16 southeastern Indiana students chosen to Darrin Alford and Rob Furnish will receive the highest degree in FFA, the American Farmer Degree. Darrin is the son of Eslie and Gladys Alford of near Fairview. Rob is the son of Robert and Virginia Furnish of near Fairview.
30 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph McKay of route 3, Madison celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary recently with family members and friends. They enjoyed a pleasant dinner at the Belle of Madison restaurant in Madison.
Janice Elaine Davis, daughter of Everett and Mary Davis of Bennington was married September 4th in the Bennington Methodist Church to Mr. Gary Mason Hancock, son of Robert Hancock, Muncie, Indiana, and Rosemary Keys, Indianapolis. The couple will reside in Vevay.
Rodger Weaver of route 1, Bennington, is competing in the 1976 state Young Farmer contest sponsored by the Indiana Farm Bureau. Judging will be September 24th. Weaver will receive special recognition at the District 10 Farm Bureau meeting scheduled for November 8th.
40 YEARS AGO
Switzerland County stands in position today to begin definite plans for construction of a new county high school, having gained state approval of a $171,821 additional appropriation to apply on construction. A public hearing was held in Switzerland County Courthouse Monday with Gordon McIntire of the State Board of Tax Commissioners reviewing the request.
A son was born Sunday to Mr. and Mrs. Norman McElroy of Cannelton. The 8-pound, 12-ounce baby was named Lantz. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Park Byram of route 1, Vevay and Mr. and Mrs. Murray McElroy of Cannelton.
A “perfect marriage” was the term one speaker used as Vevay welcomed The Randall Company into its midst Tuesday during special dedication ceremonies opening Randall’s new manufacturing plant in the Switzerland County community.
60 YEARS AGO
Clifford Cosby of Jefferson County and Decota Mae Tyree of Madison obtained a license to wed Wednesday at the office of the clerk of Switzerland County.
Born, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Beutel of Quercus Grove.
Born, Monday, September 17th, a son to Mr. and Mrs. William White of Florence.
New sound equipment and a new projector were installed in the Hoosier Theatre over the weekend. Additional improvements in the form of a new curtain and draperies are also to be fitted to the stage.
70 YEARS AGO
Sam Huff claims the record for hard luck in bunches: Last week his houseboat sank in the river. Later he burned up the motor of his automobile. Still later his radio burned out and on Tuesday morning while going into a restaurant on Ferry Street he fell and broke his left arm.
A recent announcement was made of the marriage of Miss Dorothy Brown to Isaiah Wolf, both of this county, which was performed last May.
Florence Rayles and Russell Curlin were married Saturday afternoon by Reverend Leland Courtney at his residence in Vevay.
Born, Saturday, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Chester Scudder of East Enterprise.
Miss Helen Webber has brought to this office an elongated egg which is supposed to contain three yolks. A great number of people had told us there never was an egg containing three yolks and to decide the matter we finally broke it. It contained two perfect yolks.
Born, a daughter, Wilena Ann, to Mr. and Mrs. Scott Carlton.
Switzerland County stepped out at the Dillsboro fox dog races on Wednesday when “Sampson,” belonging to E. R. Bliss of route 3, Vevay, won the first heat, scored 90 points, and came out a winner.
80 YEARS AGO
Eliza Handlon and Nelson Emery Jr., both of Madison were married here Sunday by Reverend A.K. Johnson.
Mrs. James Stewart, Sr., aged 72, mother of Sheriff George Stewart, died Sunday morning at her home near Pleasant.
E. T. Coleman has been elected president of the First National Bank to fill the vacancy caused by the death of C.S. Tandy. L. E. Smith was elected vice president and Chester Kiesel, cashier.
Carroll S. Tandy, 70, prominent Vevay banker and lawyer, died suddenly from apoplexy Sunday at his home. At the age of 28 he was elected president of the First National Bank here, succeeding his grandfather U. P. Schenck, and was the youngest president of a national bank in the U.S.
Miss Bernice Wiley of Florence was married in Indianapolis on September 15th to Ralph Flanagan of Indianapolis.
Mrs. Elizabeth Dibble of Posey Township celebrated her 99th birthday September 16th.
A son was born Tuesday to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stoops.
Ralph Marvin, little son of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Iddings, is ill with pneumonia.
Miss Beatrice Seymour has enrolled at Butler College in Indianapolis for a four-year course.
90 YEARS AGO
Married in Vevay September 26th by Reverend Hammel, Beulah Myrtle Ryle and George William Smithe.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lockwood of Enterprise on September 17th, a baby son.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Potter of Enterprise on September 15th, a daughter.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Elza Ellis on September 23rd, a daughter.
Miss Mary Tandy left Saturday for Boston to enter Simmons College.
Miss Charlotte Pleasants, Miss Aldeen Copeland and Miss Helen Protsman left last week to enter Indiana University.
Joshua Griffith died at the home of his niece, Mrs. William Bennett, last Friday after a two-week illness. Mr. Griffith was born in Craig Township and had lived in the county all his life. During the Civil War, he served in Company H, 6th Indiana, and in a battle at New Hope, Georgia, he was shot under the left eye. A companion, Ed Martin, of Vevay, saw him fall and when he did not answer roll call, Martin reported him killed in action. Mr. Griffith was found by the Confederates and taken to a hospital and later to a prison where he remained until the end of the war. In all those years he was believed to be dead and no one knew better until he stepped off the boat at Vevay one night after the war had ended.
100 YEARS AGO
Dr. Hugh S. Espey of Rising Sun is locating in Vevay for the practice of dentistry.
Announcement is made of the marriage on August 23rd of Miss Golda Goodman to Esau Farrell of Pleasant Township.
Married near Moorefield on September 25th by Reverend Jerman, Miss Jett Turner to Clyde Drake.
Married in Patriot September 23rd by J. W. Johnson, Miss Myrtle Douglas to Pryor Scott.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Sam Peters of Plum Creek on September 22nd a baby girl.
An 18-piece brass band was organized in Vevay Tuesday night. Professor Gregory Klein of Madison is instructor.
110 YEARS AGO
Captain James B. Ash has just launched a new ferry boat at Lamb. It is named “Leon” for his only son and is 50 feet long with a 14 foot beam and gas engine. It will hold three wagons or carry an excursion party of 200 persons. Captain Ash was the architect and chief carpenter in the construction of the handsome craft.
Luther H. Hotchkiss and his bride are visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Luther M. Hotchkiss at Jay. They were married last week in Urbana, Ohio, the bride being Miss Anna Maude Arrowsmith. They will reside in New Albany.
Miss Evelyn M. Craig has returned from a trip to Europe and has resumed her studies at Vassar College.
Misses Edith Shaw, Lela Barnett, Nellie Protsman and Grace Griffith left Sunday for Bloomington to enter the state university.
Licensed to marry: Thomas Hughes and Lizzie Pickett.
A hot shovel held over varnished furniture takes out white spots.
140 YEARS AGO
While returning from the East Enterprise fair last week a horse driven by Mrs. Violet Hoffman of near Vevay became frightened and ran away, wrecking the buggy and badly bruising Mrs. Hoffman. The Hoffman buggy was dashed against the vehicle of George Newbold and wife. Their horse became unmanageable and smashed their fine, new buggy – bruising Mrs. Newbold.
Andrew Schman, 57, of near Vevay was found murdered Monday and his purse containing about $300 was missing. A gardener, he apparently was called from his house on the pretense of selling onions to the murderer and while stooping down to measure them in a peck measure – found near his body – he was struck on the head.
Miss Josie T. Boerner and Jasper W. Faulkner were married September 27th in the Presbyterian Church by Reverend Thomas Whallon.
Miss Welthy A. Cross and John L. Jack were married September 26th by Reverend David Lee.
Miss Belle McDonald and William Foree were married September 28th at the Russell House by Reverend W. Whallon.
B. F. Schenck has left to spend the winter in Florida.
152 YEARS AGO
Married September 20th by Reverend E. W. Burruss, Mrs. Eunice H. North of Switzerland County and Elezer Cole of Dearborn County.
Additional prize winners at the county fair were:
Joseph W. Hall, William T. Pate and Amasa Hyde tied for the best arranged and cultivated farm. Other classes were as follows: Stalions, Cornelius Powell, James Morrison, William Blen; Brood mares, C. Schmidt; Other horses, Jacks, Jennies and mules, G. A. Jackson, Albert Vandever, R. Jackson, J. McMakin, James Brown, Richard T. Goddard, T. B. Dunn, Joseph Malin, David Henry; Cattle, G. A. Jackson, Hiram Froman, U. H. Stow; Yorke work oxen, Bennet Phillips; Cows, Martin Picket, L. Roberts, T. VanOsdol. H. McMakin had the best beef fatted in the district. U. S. Stow exhibited a deer.
Sheep, Richard T. Goodard. Crops, Wheat, Thomas P. North. Hay, U. H. Stow. Oats, Samuel M. Smith; Onions, Joseph Bosseau; Fruits: peaches, H. H. Hatch; apples, Constant Golay; Best plow, Joseph Jagers; Best horse shoeing, H. H. Hatch; Best steamboat Yawl and flat boat skiff, S. T. Golay. Best wagon, Shuff and Anderson; Best sign painting and graining, A. Stow; Best willow baskets, Mrs. Lydia Jennings; Best hay press, L. W. Beal; Best painting, Mrs. I. R. Dumont; Best pair chairs, L. Munson. Best flour barrel, T. Lezenbee; Best screw cutter, H. Keeney; Best apple paring machines, William Glenn; Best hoop splitting machine, J. W. Chittenden; Best flowers, Miss Mary A. Beatty.