News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Edsel and Bonnie Detraz of Vevay will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary on Saturday, February 7th, with a reception at the Ogle Haus Inn.
Megan Meadors, a freshman at Northern Kentucky University, has earned a place on t he dean’s list for the fall semester. She is the daughter of Tom and Janice Meadors of Patriot and is a 1997 graduate of SCHS.
Navy Lt. Commander James Waltz, son of Janice Waltz of Vevay and the late David Waltz, is currently halfway through a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea with Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group Two, on the aircraft carrier USS George Washington.
Two years ago, Christopher Callis, 15-year-old son of Ken and Becky Callis of near Fairview, found out that his sisters were about to begin gymnastics lessons in Cincinnati. When his father told Christopher that he would be accompanying the family to the lessons, he decided on the spur of the moment to try his hand at gymnastics classes as well. Two years later, in his first year of competition he is now competing against other gymnasts who have been performing in meets for more than six years.
15 YEARS AGO
The building at 723 East Main Street in Vevay was the site of a grocery store for many years. Today, it doesn’t look anything like a grocery store. Today, it’s a place where young children go when their parents are at work. The building is now the site of Switzerland County’s first day care center, Tots `R’ Us.
Raymond Earl Furnish of Vevay was among approximately 2,260 students who received degrees during Purdue University’s winter commencement. He received an associate in applied science degree in mechanical engineering technology.
All three Switzerland County schools have won monetary awards from the Indiana Department of Education for demonstrating improvements in their educational performance. A total of $14,770 was presented to the Switzerland County School Corporation for the three schools – Switzerland County High School received $7,096, Switzerland County Elementary School received $4,981, and Jefferson-Craig Elementary School received $2,693.
20 YEARS AGO
Alice Wood, age eight, route 1, Vevay, received Honorable Mention in the November 1987 “Cricket League” international art competition sponsored by “Cricket” magazine. Alice is the daughter of Steve and Barbara Wood.
Michael Stahl, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Stahl, Rising Sun, graduated from Purdue University on December 20th, 1987.
Carl Brown, of Vevay was honored by the Switzerland Baptist Church Sunday, January 23rd, with the title of Deacon Emeritus. Pastor Larry Michael presented Mr. Brown with a plaque recognizing his years of service.
40 YEARS AGO
Robert D. Jones of route 1, Florence, and Douglas C. Leatherbury of Main Street, Patriot, have completed requirements for the doctor of jurisprudence degree from Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington. Jones received the bachelor of arts degree in government from IU in 1965, while Leatherbury received the bachelor of arts degree in history in 1964.
Robert D. Jones of route 1, Florence, is a member of a team of Indiana University law students winning the Harrison Tweed Bowl in National Moot Court competition. The team, the first from IU to be represented in the national competition, argued an appeal presently before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Miss Linda Brown, a 1967 graduate of Vevay High School and daughter of Mrs. Etta Brown of Vevay, has completed a course in beauty culture at Central Beauty College in Indianapolis. She plans to work at a Vevay beauty salon.
50 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Griswold, Jr., of New Albany, are the proud parents of a baby girl born January 20th. She weighed 7 pounds, 13 1/4 ounces and has been named Deborah Lynn. Mrs. Griswold is the former Rosemary Wentworth, and grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Robert Griswold, Sr., of near Bennington, and Mr. and Mrs. Allen Wentworth of Moorefield.
Donald B. Bosaw, inter communications electrician third class, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Smith of Pike Street, Vevay, reenlisted for six years December 20th. He is serving with the Engineering Department of the Florida Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Green Cove Springs, Florida.
A son was born Wednesday, January 22nd, at King’s Daughters’ Hospital, Madison, to Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Eaglin of Fairview. He has been named Roger Dale.
A United States Army NIKE, guided missile station will be constructed at Dillsboro, as a part of the defense system for Cincinnati, it was announced in Washington Tuesday afternoon. Three Indiana counties, Switzerland, Ohio and Dearborn, were originally considered for the location, but the announcement Tuesday pinpoints the location at a place near Dillsboro. The missile base is to be ready by early 1959.
60 YEARS AGO
Truman Woodruff and wife who have been living on the Cogley Cole farm have bought the Clarence Skirvin farm on Indian Creek.
A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Tyler (nee Ethel Mae Cole) of East Enterprise at Milan Hospital Saturday, January 24th. He weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces and has been named Thomas Wayne.
70 YEARS AGO
Robert Higgins, 20, son of Pete Higgins, former resident, now residing on route 2, Brooksburg, was drowned in Eagle Hollow Creek near Madison early Sunday morning.
Edwin E. Long, a native and former resident of Vevay, and for many years a well known steamboat man, passed away at his home in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, Saturday.
Professor Ulysses S. Griffith, native of Switzerland County, died this week at his home in Alva, Oklahoma. A veteran of the Spanish American War, he located in Oklahoma following his service and for the past 20 years had been head of the English department at Teachers’ College at Alva. The remains were brought to Vevay for funeral and burial services.
Mrs. Ernest Peters of Tapps Ridge became ill suddenly Sunday and was rushed to Madison for an emergency appendicitis operation.
A 7 1/2 pound son was born Thursday to Mr. and Mrs. Karl Bennett of York Township.
Between 400 and 500 pounds of wheat were lost by fire Monday night when the smoke house of Fred Dickerson at East Enterprise burned.
80 YEARS AGO
An attempt to rob the office of Dr. F. C. Bakes Monday afternoon was frustrated by Mrs. Cogley Cole while Dr. Bakes was absent. Two men pretended they were waiting for the doctor when Mrs. Cole found one of them opening an instrument case. They left the office next door to that of Mrs. Cole’s and later two small vials of morphine were missed from a satchel.
Dave Gleason, 67, former river boat mate, died Monday at his home on Tapps Ridge after a long period of ill health.
Fire Saturday destroyed one of the county’s oldest landmarks, a log house on the Ivor Newbold farm in Egypt Bottom. It was occupied by Everett Roswell and family who lost all their possessions.
“Mad Cody” Flemming who has staged street carnivals in this city several times and who is well known here, had a hair raising experience Saturday when he was attacked by a 25 foot python at Muncie where his carnival aggregation is in winter quarters.
90 YEARS AGO
Captain Charles Bettens, 83, retired steamboat pilot died Tuesday in his rooms at Pickett Hotel following a stroke. He was the oldest Odd Fellow in this area.
Charles Vinup, living near Fairview, last week sold to Samuel Lock, a hog weighing a little over 600 pounds and bringing him over $90. Some sausage.
Mrs. Mary A. Mennett quietly celebrated her 96th birthday Tuesday at her home here.
The ice gorge from Cincinnati to Lawrenceburg gave way as we go to press and is carrying everything in sight with it. The ice surrounding the Vevay wharf and John Heady’s gasoline boat were dynamited Tuesday and everything possible is being done to save them. About 3 o’clock Tuesday morning the ice broke at Carrollton when the gorge in the upper Kentucky let loose with a terrifying roar. All boats harbored near the mouth of the river were caught in the path of destruction and to date only the convict ship, Success, the wharfboat and ferry Mary Joe are believed safe. The Island Queen, Princess, Katherine, Lucille, and Dana Smith were partly sunk.
An oil lamp in the Sieglitz Jewelry store exploded Sunday night. William Pleasants was standing on the Butler Hotel corner and discovered the blaze. He gave the alarm but before firemen arrived the oil had spread over the top of a large iron safe and burned out.
The quarantine was lifted Monday from all cases of scarlet fever and measles and school opened Monday after being closed three weeks.
A great deal of relief was afforded from the car of coal which was secured last week. About 108 families were allowed 10 bushels at a cost of 45 cents per bushel, the actual cost to the city.
In an article published in the Indianapolis Star, the cost of the Army draft in the counties in the state were given and Switzerland topped the list at $18.16 per man. This was due in great measure to the fact that we have no railroad and the men were ordered to report the evening before starting for camp in order to catch the early morning training at Sanders, Kentucky. Expense included $14 for ferriage, transportation to Sanders, $85, boarding and lodging $40. A total of 17,510 men were sent from Indiana at an expense of $109,961.14.
Medical examination of the first class of men in the second draft will begin February 4th, and the first 26 men will be called February 15th.
Dr. R. M. Copeland has German measles.
All persons in the county selling flour have been notified that with every sale a like quantity of some cereal, corn meal, barley, etc., of some kind must also be sold. Anyone who sells flour alone is liable to prosecution.
In commenting on the record cold Uncle Joe Froman says, “Well, I’ve been here long enough to see 65 summers but only one winter.”
100 YEARS AGO
Boston Geary, well known in this city, escaped from jail Friday night and has not been seen since.
A son was born January 16th to Mr. and Mrs. John Pelsor.
Å son was born January 15th to Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Walters of Long Run.
Mr. and Mrs. Theodore McKay have gone south to benefit their health.
Thomas Furnish and family of Long Run have gone to El Campo, Texas to make their home.
E. P. Danglade on Tuesday sold to Robert Scott of Moorefield, his 30 acre farm in the river bottoms.
The gymnasium of Hanover College was burned to the ground last Thursday night about midnight. It is not known how the fire started.
A son was born to Jesse Sprague and wife of East Enterprise January 27th.
A branch of the State Grange was organized at Moorefield last week.
Vevay is to have a new electric theater. F. J. Brockschlager will be the proprietor.
110 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. James Waltz of Moorefield are entertaining a baby daughter.
The Ladies of the Baptist Church have presented to the church a beautiful electroiler for the auditorium.
Mrs. David Mottier and young son have returned from Germany. Professor Mottier will return in August and will again occupy the chair of Botany at State University in Bloomington.
120 YEARS AGO
The Government Big Four Railroad Company and city are in partnership in building a levee at Lawrenceburg. The work is progressing rapidly.
Fire broke out Friday morning in Marsh’s store and spread to four adjoining buildings which were soon destroyed. Cause of the fire is unknown. The probabilities are the entire burned district will soon be covered by substantial brick buildings with iron fronts.
Several ladies of Vevay have organized a society called Orphans’ Friends, the purpose of which is to have established an Orphans’ Home in Switzerland County.
McGregory is a new post office in Jefferson County.
James Cowan of Craig Township fell on the ice Wednesday and broke his collar bone.
John Patton of San Diego, California, formerly of Vevay, has been appointed deputy county clerk at a salary of $75 per month.
Tuesday night a son of Joseph Hart of Vineyard, suffered a dislocated shoulder when he was thrown out of a sleigh.
The baby of Mr. and Mrs. C. V. Thiebaud is very ill with diphtheria.
Andy Carnine of Bennington has gone to California to seek his fortune.
130 YEARS AGO
William Waltz, who has been down the river with a flatboat loaded with notions, has returned home.
F. L. Duback and wife left last night for their home in Hannibal, Missouri.
Dr. James F. Lamb has returned from school in Cincinnati from which he graduated with highest honors. He will locate at Cross Plains with Dr. Sweezey.
140 YEARS AGO
In consequence of the river being full of floating ice, navigation has been suspended and we have no mail for three days.
Last Saturday night while John Kirtley was driving his team of horses along the river road, he accidentally drove off the road over the bank, falling about 15 feet, killing one horse, smashing the wagon, and wounding himself.
At a recent meeting of the stockholders of the First National Bank the following directors were elected: U. P. Schenck, F. L. Grisard, S. E. Pleasants, David Armstrong, and J. B. Tandy.
150 YEARS AGO
The Kate French left Madison yesterday with 90 bales of hay, 134 barrels of whisky, 1,000 sacks of corn, and 117 bags of meal.
Benjamin F. Furnish will commence school February 14th at the lower district schoolhouse in Vevay, teaching all branches pertaining to an English education. Terms, $3 per scholar for 65 days.
Markets: Wheat, 65 cents per bushel; lard, 8 1/2 cents per pound; butter, 15 cents per pound; eggs, 7 cents per dozen; potatoes, $1.00 per bushel.