News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
The Switzerland County School Board honored four retiring teachers at Monday night’s meeting. They are Denny Brown, Mel Belew, Donna Dougan and Beverly Houze.
Jonnie S. Hankins of Vevay has earned her registered nursing degree from Ivy Tech State College in Madison. She graduated summa cum laude, and was selected to be on the 1998 Academic All-USA team. She is currently enrolled at Ball State University, and is working toward a bachelor of science degree in nursing.
Crista Elaine Judy of Vevay earned her associate degree in physical therapy assistance from the University of Evansville on May 9th. She was named to the dean’s list for the spring term with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Adam Cord, son of William and Jill Cord of Vevay, has been selected by the Edwin C. Danner Post #185 of the Vevay American Legion to attend the 1998 Hoosier Boys State.
15 YEARS AGO
Switzerland County High School’s FFA and agriculture program has been named the Outstanding Agriculture/FFA program in District 12 in the State of Indiana. SCHS agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Greg Curlin has been named the Outstanding Young Agriculture Teacher in the district.
Grant Pavy, son of former Switzerland County residents Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth C. “Bucky” Pavy, will graduate Saturday, May 22nd, from Holy Baptist Christian School near Savannah, Tennessee. Grant, 19, plans to attend college in the fall with a major in communications. He also intends to continue preaching the gospel and singing songs he has written.
20 YEARS AGO
Eleven students in Cynthia Griffith’s Social Studies LEAP class at Switzerland County Elementary School were awarded a first place rating at the Young Scholars Conference at Southwestern School. The competition was held on Saturday, May 14th. Students earned the top rating in the Performance Category. Students performed a play titled “Teacher on the Roof,” an adaptation of The Hoosier Schoolmaster by Edward Eggleston. The play was written and directed by Mrs. Helen Parks, sixth grade teacher at Switzerland County Elementary.
40 YEARS AGO
William Max Werner, former star athlete at Vevay High School and a member of Eastern Kentucky University’s baseball team, drowned Saturday afternoon in the Kentucky River near Boonesboro, Kentucky. The 20-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Cletus M. Werner of route 1, Canaan, was participating in an annual raft race of students of the Richmond, Kentucky university when the accident occurred.
The resignation of Marty Echelbarger as Vevay High School assistant coach was accepted Monday night by Switzerland County school board at its regular monthly meeting.
Pfc. Floyd R. Whitham of Vevay has been selected as battalion guardsman of the month by the 1st Bn. (M) 151st Infantry of Indiana National Guard.
U.S. Army Specialist Five John D. Kirkendall, Jr., whose father lives on route 1, Vevay, was assigned as a clinical specialist in the 84th Engineer Battalion near Qui Nhon, Vietnam April 23rd.
A suit totaling $25,150 has been filed against Switzerland County School Corporation by Mrs. Gretchen Cole for services rendered while she was attorney for the corporation’s board of school trustees.
50 YEARS AGO
Clair A. McKay, student of Vevay High School, has been named winner of a certificate of honor from the Indiana Society of Professional Engineers, and a part of that group’s annual scholarship program. McKay plans to enter Purdue University to study scientific engineering.
Donald Leap, who placed second in the Vevay Jaycee Teenage Road E. O. contest, placed 7th in state competition at Logansport May 3rd.
Miss Augusta Stevenson, former resident of Patriot, now living at the Hotel Continental in Indianapolis, has been presented an award by the English department of Indiana University in recognition of her distinguished career as a writer of children’s books.
Evelina Coker and Brenda L. Noble of the graduating class of Vevay High School have been named winners of state scholarships to Indiana University.
Fire believed to have been caused by a defective flue totally destroyed the home of Mrs. Carrie Cole of near East Enterprise Wednesday evening.
60 YEARS AGO
Members, friends and neighbors of the Bethel Methodist Church on Bethel Ridge came on Sunday to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the old church. Sunday School service was held in the morning followed by preaching. Brother Sims had charge of the service.
Mr. and Mrs. George Auxier are the proud parents of a baby boy born May 2nd at Bethesda Hospital. The little fellow has been named Timothy Ray.
The mammoth new shoe factory, to employ several hundred people, is now a reality, according to the sponsoring Civic Group of Vevay and will probably be completed within 90 days from the time plans are completed.
Mrs. Carl Powers sustained first degree burns on the face and second degree burns on her left ear, in a fire that destroyed their home on the old Siebenthal farm near Florence Monday morning. A daughter sustained first degree burns on her arm. The fire started from an explosion in a kitchen stove when kerosene was used to kindle a blaze.
70 YEARS AGO
Cloren Phillips of Tapps Ridge suffered a wrenched back and hip injuries when he fell from a scaffold while working at the farm of David Heath Monday afternoon.
A plan is being made to present a historical pageant in Vevay on July 3rd and 4th, 1939. The various clubs and organizations have pledged their interest and support. Mrs. A. J. Williams has been named chairman for the event.
Dr. James J. Sharp suffered partial fracture and multiple bruises of the left shoulder Monday when he tripped over a rope, used to tie a young colt he was doctoring.
Switzerland County ranked third from last in the total Indiana unemployment list of figures released this week by the Unemployment Census Bureau of Washington.
Population based on the 1930 census showed a total of 4,326 males and 4,106 female residents. The 1937 report listed 106 males and 46 females as totally unemployed.
Another report taken from reports obtained by assessors in 1937 reported that in the 743 farms listed, there were 264 radios, 91 owners who used power line service, and 22 with home lighting plants. Two had water piped into the kitchen and two had it piped into a bathroom. Fifteen had furnace heating.
Mr. Silas Furnish celebrated his 79th birthday Sunday.
80 YEARS AGO
Born May 8th to Mr. and Mrs. Clyde McKay of Five Points, a son.
Born, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Hickman of Moorefield on May 13th.
A baby girl was born Thursday morning to Mr. and Mrs. John Partain. They have named her Mary Jane.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stoops May 13th a baby boy named Daniel Detraz.
The Atlantic and Pacific grocery company has rented the room now occupied by the Reveille-Enterprise and will open one of their chain stores here some time in July.
90 YEARS AGO
Thomas Montanye, 77, a Civil War veteran, died Thursday night at his home in Mount Sterling after an illness of several weeks.
Switzerland County’s war chest organization was perfected at a meeting held Thursday night. The purpose of the organization is to provide funds with which to meet assessments made upon the county for war charities.
The sum of $117 was realized from the benefit Red Cross entertainment held Monday night.
The Vevay Flour Mills has just completed shipment of 250 barrels of flour to the U.S. government.
Gaylord Brinson,10-year-old son of Cory Brinson of near Bellview, formerly of Pleasant Township, fell across a rod on a disc harrow and one leg was so badly injured that it was necessary to amputate it below the knee. The accident happened when a three horse team he was driving to the harrow ran away.
John F. Brockschlager went to Louisville Thursday to enlist in the army. He was sent to Fort Thomas, Kentucky for training.
The Switzerland County boys at Camp Sevier, South Carolina have been sent East preparatory to sailing “over there.”
Kirby Danglade writes from France he has found a Eugene Detraz running a planing mill.
100 YEARS AGO
The battle against the saloons in Jefferson Township is on.
Last Saturday night, night riders destroyed several tobacco beds belonging to farmers in Ohio County, and dug a grave beside one of the beds, leaving a notice which read, “Unless you heed this warning, we’ll put you in here.”
Frank Bear, who has been employed in the Democrat office for a year or so, has resigned his position to take a better one with the Courier at Madison.
Robert O. Sheldon of Patriot graduated from the Indianapolis Dental College Tuesday at the head of his class. Robert intends to take up his profession in Indianapolis.
110 YEARS AGO
Miss Glazer closed her kindergarten class Monday.
Lieutenant John S. Grisard, formerly of this city, but now of Tampa, Florida, last Saturday was promoted to Adjutant of the Regiment.
A son was born to Marshal Morris and wife of Cole’s Corner May 8th.
Wheat sold as high as $1.30 per bushel here last week.
120 YEARS AGO
The first strawberries of the season grown in Tennessee, appeared in Vevay last Saturday, selling for 20 cents per quart or two for 35 cents.
About eight men are working on Delaney’s new building and about 25 are standing about to see that the work is well done.
On the evening of Wednesday, May 23rd, there will be a festival under the auspices of the “Ever Readys”, the young people’s club of the M. E. Lyceum at the residence of William Protsman, Esquire on the hill.
130 YEARS AGO
Last Saturday afternoon Solomon Froman and his daughter, Mrs. David Hayden, who reside near Mount Sterling, were severely bruised when a buggy in which they were riding upset against a telephone pole.
The colored people will give an entertainment Friday night at the Presbyterian church.
The new store at East Enterprise has accommodations for loafers, a shed having been erected in front of it and seats provided. We suppose pines will be furnished to those who want to whittle.
140 YEARS AGO
John Robinson’s circus will exhibit in Vevay next Monday.
On next Saturday a grand excursion and basket picnic will be given on the steamer General Buell, the proceeds being donated to the Patriot lodges of Odd Fellows and Masons who recently lost their halls by fire.
Will M. Smith of Vevay is a candidate for nomination before the approaching Union Republican Convention for office of prosecuting attorney of the Circuit Court.
152 YEARS AGO
A few days ago a Bible Society was formed at Jacksonville to serve the Jacksonville and Center Square school districts and $30 was subscribed. The Sabbath School at Jacksonville has been in existence about 20 years.
The steamer Telegraph continues a popular favorite with the traveling public. Following the recent death of Captain McLellan, Captain Hildreth of Switzerland County succeeded him and has become quite popular with boat patrons. He purchased a home below Vevay some time ago. Carplinal Byington, also well known on the Mail Line, is clerk.