News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers.
10 YEARS AGO
Switzerland County senior cross country runner Carly Campbell made history Tuesday night in Milan when she captured the individual conference championship of the Ohio River Valley Conference for a fourth straight time. She and her teammates dominated t he meet to claim the team championship. Tim Swango is the team’s coach.
Local artist Ann Farnsley will be featured in an abstract art show in Rising Sun which opens this Saturday, October 14th, at the Solar Flair Co-Op Gallery. In addition to Farnsley’s work there will be new art on display from 11 other artists.
20 YEARS AGO
The Moorefield Community Fire Department has received a $50,000 challenge grant from the Indiana Department of Commerce through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that will permit them to construct a new fire house behind the current building on State Road 129.
Jesse and Mavis (Brandon) Edwards will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on October 14th at Ruter Chapel United Methodist Church in Vevay from 2-4 p.m.
Dr. James “Larry” Miller, son of Carrie Miller of Switzer Square, spent 17 days during August treating dental patients in remote parts of Guam. He is a dentist in Tullahoma, Tennessee and is a lieutenant commander and dental officer for a U.S. Navy Seabee battalion headquartered in Huntsville.
30 YEARS AGO
According to John Keeton, county agricultural extension agent, this should be a good year for soybeans, corn and tobacco, as well as livestock.
It was a cold, cloudy day on Saturday , but still about 1,000 people turned out for the Bennington Homecoming Bash. There was a lot of good food to keep everyone warm, provided by the Bennington United Methodist Women and the Hope Rebekah Lodge. And a few campfires were lighted to warm cold bones. Ruby Welch received a trophy and other materials necessary to carry out her role as “Miss Bennington.” Leon Lock who grew up in the town and now lives in New Mexico, was named Mayor for a Day.
40 YEARS AGO
Young Wesley Allen Poling helped his grandfather Denver Rayls display the three giant sweet potatoes Rayls got from a single hill in his Vineyard Street, Vevay, garden. The largest of the three weighs 4 pounds, 8 1/2 ounces.
Jimmy Hughes, 16-year-old junior at Switzerland County High School, died Wednesday morning following a heart attack suffered in a classroom at the school. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Hughes of route 1, Vevay.
Leonard Wayne Lock, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Lock of route 3, Vevay, is enrolled as a junior in a landmark year of Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. The 105-year-old school is instituting a new program with emphasis on student participation in the educational process. Lock is a graduate of Vevay High School.
Rodney Leatherbury of Switzerland County has been elected president of the freshman class at Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Leatherbury.
50 YEARS AGO
Vevay Newspapers, Inc., publishers of The Vevay Reveille-Enterprise and The Switzerland Democrat, marks its first anniversary with today’s issue. The first editions of these two papers was published and printed under new management October 8th, 1959. Since that time 52 issues have been printed and circulated, we have taken no vacations! We invite you to take a healthy puff at that one candle and make a wish with us for our continued success.
Well-balanced meals and well-fed boys and girls now are two new sure-fire guarantees at Pleasant. That is the word from Pleasant Township School as of last Monday, October 3rd, and the participants in a new lunch program there will agree. Since that time – just 10 days ago – the Pleasant Township School has joined the ranks of the many schools that take part in the National School Lunch Program.
“Live the best life you know how.” Take that for what it is worth to you. Also keep in mind the fact that a lady who soon will be 98 years old produced the statement. The lady is Mrs. Jeanette Furnish, 110 Market Street, Vevay, who will celebrate her 98th birthday this Sunday, October 16th.
“Oh – my no,” Aunt Jemima quipped, “I’ve never counted the number of pancakes I’ve cooked in one day.” That was her reply when asked if she ever kept a tabulation of the pancakes she cooks for the hungry faces that always show up at Pancake Day held in Vevay and in many other places throughout the country each year.
60 YEARS AGO
A souvenir to stop all souvenirs was brought to this office Tuesday when Roy Brown brought to this office the shrunken head of a member of a Jevoro Tribe in Ecuador in South America. The gruesome but interesting object was brought home this week by Meridith W. Brown, World War II veteran from the Canal Zone where he is employed in the U.S. government service.
Flying Saucers, Russians, or whatever else caused a big stir at Patriot Wednesday afternoon when Mrs. Marguerite Wilson, operator of the telephone exchange there, reported that the sun appeared to be whirling in different directions and all surrounded by beautiful colors. The report of Mrs. Wilson was shortly verified by a report from citizens in Ohio and Dearborn counties, several of whom had witnessed the spectacle. In Patriot the school pupils were permitted to view the unusual sight, but as we go to press it seems that Vevay was outside the limited area in which the phenomenon was visible.
E. H. Potter this week sold his grocery store on the corner of Seminary and Main Cross streets to James Bladen. The store adjoins the property of Mr. Bladen who formerly owned the grocery and who took immediate possession.
70 YEARS AGO
Miss Mary Virginia O’Neal of near Vevay and Arthur Scott of North Madison were married in Carrollton October 2nd.
Wednesday, October 16th, several hundred young men will register for possible service of one year in the United States Army. The County Selective Service Board is composed of William Reeves, Howard Torrance and Hayes Ricketts.
Mrs. Pauline Rogers who has been an infantile paralysis patient in Robert Long Hospital in Indianapolis for the past several weeks was returned to her home Sunday. She is showing slow but steady improvement.
Ernest Lee Christman and Miss Beryl Gullion have announced their marriage which took place July 12th at Jeffersonville.
Miss Juanita Konkle and Lemuel Brindley of Long Run were married September 28th.
A daughter was born Saturday to Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Sullivan of Center Square.
80 YEARS AGO
Mr. William H. Crum, aged 74 years, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Leni Bliss, near Cross Plains Thursday evening.
Mrs. Louis Dennis, aged 65 years, died Tuesday at her home near Bear Branch following a week’s illness of asthma and complications.
The burned wreck of the Steamer America was recently sold as scrap for the sum of $300. Her famous bell was damaged beyond repair and it is reported $500 has been offered for her whistle. The whistle has three notes, the low note demanding 3,000 pounds of steam. It has never been given its full tones while on the America on account of the low pressure of the boilers.
Miss Garnett Liggett and Russell Wolf were married October 4th at the home of the bride’s parents in Fairview by Reverend Frank Reed.
Dr. and Mrs. C. W. Shaw have moved to Cincinnati from Patriot for residence.
Albert Wayne Keith, five-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Keith of Fairview died Wednesday after a brief illness of influenza.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Clements September 30th, a daughter, Virginia Lee.
Born October 5th, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Fenton Bunger of Quercus Grove.
90 YEARS AGO
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Barney Peppersack, San Antonio, Texas, a baby girl.
James Harvey Stewart, young son of Mr. and Mrs. William Stewart of Posey Township, broke his arm one day last week while cranking an automobile.
Married in Lawrenceburg on September 21st, Miss Ollie Brunton, Ghent, Kentucky, and Mark Weaver, Vevay.
Died in Indianapolis October 11th, Frank Miller, 77, former resident. Four sons survive.
Died near Florence October 8th, John Elsrod, 81. The widow, a sister, two sons and two daughters survive.
In a 13 inning game the Vevay Orioles were defeated 3 to 2 by the Dam 39 team Sunday at the latter park. Broadwell fanned 13 and allowed 4 hits.
Died October 11th, Mrs. Mary E. Stewart, 78. Three daughters, a son and three sisters survive.
Born, a son, October 6th, to Mr. and Mrs. Dale Seymour of Aaron.
Three truck loads of bonded whiskey passed through town last week, en route from Milton, Kentucky, to Cincinnati, and caused a mild sensation among the male population when they stopped at a garage. They were amply protected by four gentlemen, who followed closely in a touring car.
100 YEARS AGO
Miss Jane Dupraz and James S. Wright were married yesterday October 12th, at the home of the bride’s mother, Mrs. Julia Dupraz, by Reverend John Asher.
After an illness of several months, J. E. Williams, aged 61, prominent businessman of Vevay, died at his home here October 10th. He had been in failing health for some time.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bakes of Center Square October 10th, a daughter.
Elmer O. Chandler and Miss Emma L. Goodner of Bascom, were married at the Baptist parsonage October 1st, by Reverend E. W. Reinhart.
Clarence Otter and Miss Scenie Watson were married in Madison by Squire Chapman.
A daughter Roberta Lee was born October 1st to Earl Jackson and wife of Goose Creek.
Mrs. Margaret Ann White, aged 66 years, wife of R. I. White, died at her home in Patriot October 6th.
120 YEARS AGO
Licensed to marry: G. D. McFarland and S. B. True; Jerome Way to India Corbin; Harry Marsh to Margrette Hays; G. W. McPherson to Neva Chandler; Charles Hilderbrand to Estella Oakley; John Bach to Martha Jones.
Died on October 1st, William Faulkner of injuries received while at work in his planning mill on Pike Street.
Died at Sugar Branch October 4th Miss Temperance Likely, aged 24.
Died at East Enterprise October 4th, Mrs. Elizabeth Chandler.
Married in Vevay October 7th by Reverend C. L. Bovard, Charles Hilderbrand and Miss Estella Oakley.
140 YEARS AGO
Eugene LeClerc, surveyor of the Vevay and Moorefield Turnpike, says that some mischievous chaps amuse themselves by pulling up the stakes he places along the road.
Oliver Cain grew a sweet potato this year that weighed 4 3/8 pounds. He raised it on his Craig Township farm from a Bermuda plant.
Married September 22nd, Reverend Jeremiah B. Long of Tekamah, Nebraska, to Miss Mary J. Demaree of Pleasant.
Married September 28th, Edwin F. Long to Miss Kate Gill, both of this county.
F. J. Waldo has returned from a 10-day trip to Massachusetts.
Colonel W. D. Ward of Ripley County has been delivering Republican speeches in the county this week.
Reverend A. Ogle of Mitchell, Indiana has been visiting relatives here.
150 YEARS AGO
The collecting agents for the “Ladies” Washington Monument Society” are Posey, Mrs. Martin R. Green; York, Mrs. Thomas Armstrong; Cotton, Mrs. Joseph Malin; Craig, Mrs. John W. Wright; Jefferson, Mrs. T. O. Neal.
A new steamer, “Captain David”, will be entered in the Cincinnati-Madison trade in opposition to the “Prioress.”
A rousing republican meeting was held at the Courthouse Monday night. Speakers were Richard Gregg, John S. Roberts and Henry McMakin.
152 YEARS AGO
The “Rising Sun Visitor” records death of Mrs. Mary Monroe, who committed suicide on her farm above Patriot by slashing her throat with a razor.
Mr. John Allen died suddenly at Patriot.
A man from Kentucky was arrested this week for stealing the saddle and bridle of Charles Dibble, below Patriot.
There are 18 inches of water in the Louisville canal.
Married in Vevay September 30th by Reverend Bland, Mr. J.P. Ship, Des Moines and Miss Julia D. Campbell.