News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers.
10 YEARS AGO
As officials and employees of Belterra Casino Resort prepare for the VIP session on Monday, officials from the Coast Guard are at the site testing the riverboat’s crew and others on a wide range of procedures and drills. Officials from the Indiana Gaming Commission will join a host of county officials and other invited guests on Monday morning as the Belterra Casino Resort prepares to open to the public. Mary Beth Wilkes said that everyone is working hard and is excited about the festivities on Monday, which could lead to the complex being opened to the public next Thursday, October 26th.
Under warm and sunny skies, “Storyfest 2000” was a hit with elementary school students from around the area last Thursday and Friday in Vevay. Storyfest is a day long field trip that is offered to students in grades 1-6. By experiencing stories through the use of music, dance, and oral tradition, children realize the many ways to relate a story; and also about the evolution of stories. The event is sponsored each year by Historic Vevay, Inc., and receives assistance from the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service and the Vevay Kiwanis Club.
Bethany Robinson, a student at Indiana University in Bloomington, was recently named as an assistant coach of the Bloomington South High School girls varsity basketball team. She is majoring in physical education teaching and sports broadcasting and communications at IU. She will also earn a coaching certification. Bethany Robinson is the daughter of Donna and Jeff Faber of Florence and Eddy Robinson of Patriot. She is a 1999 graduate of Switzerland County High School.
20 YEARS AGO
Switzerland Countians are still shaking their heads in wonder over why Jerry R. Sample, 48, of route 3, Vevay allegedly destroyed part of the playground area and put several holes in the side of Jefferson-Craig Elementary School in Vevay over the weekend.
Cody Jones, 2, wasn’t smiling a few weeks ago after he put his father’s car in gear, hit the gas, and drove it into the front of a building on Main Street in Vevay. His parents, Joe and Pristine Jones of Lake Geneva, wanted to warn people to never leave a child in a car left running without an adult. Luckily Cody only received a bruise in the accident.
30 YEARS AGO
Linda Higgins was presented the Wilma P. Benedict Memorial Scholarship on Monday by two former presidents of Tri Kappa, Martha Cole and Irene Cheever. The $500 check was presented to Miss Higgins who is in her second year at Vincennes, majoring in elementary education. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Higgins, route 1, Bennington.
There will be a Halloween parade and costume contest this year in Vevay. There had been some concern because the group that sponsored and organized the event in past years has been disbanded, however, the Swiss Alpine Festival committee has decided to organize the annual “Harem Scarem” Parade.
40 YEARS AGO
Edward James, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chester James of Main Street, Vevay, has been named to the moot court board at the University of Kentucky College of Law after two years of elimination competition. A graduate of Vevay High School and Eastern Kentucky University, James is among 24 senior law students accorded the honor from a class in excess of 100 students.
Harold C. “Red” Benedict, retired Switzerland County and Vevay school administrator, has accepted the post as general chairman of the 1971 Swiss Wine Festival next August. Benedict will serve as the festival’s top officer with the board of directors serving as a broader work force to prevent the full burden of responsibility from falling on one man’s shoulders as it has in past festivals.
Randy Ricketts, 11-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ricketts of Vevay, was dwarfed beside big Frank Howard, 6-foot, 7-inch 260-pound home run hitting outfielder for the Washington Senators, after getting the slugger’s autograph at Sunday’s World Series game between Cincinnati and Baltimore at the Reds’ new Riverfront Stadium.
50 YEARS AGO
One hundred and forty-five years ago a newspaper was born in Switzerland County. Destined to be, in 1960, the oldest weekly newspaper west of the Allegheny Mountains. The name of the newspaper? The Vevay Reveille-Enterprise! Ninety-three years ago another newspaper was born to the citizenry of Switzerland County. The Switzerland Democrat! These two newspapers, through thick and thin, floods and depressions, boom-times and wars, have continued to give the people of Switzerland County the history of their citizens as it unfolded day by day. One year ago, Vevay Newspapers, Inc., accepted management of the two famous newspapers. In honor of the triple occasion – actually three birthdays – a birthday party was held Tuesday evening in the main dining room of the Swiss Inn.
The late Omer Harlow and Mrs. Harlow of the Center Square community donated 22.7 acres of land from their farm for use as a camp. The Whitewater Christian Service Camp was developed by Churches of Christ. The Switzerland County couple has made the privilege of spending happy and healthful days in camp each summer a reality for boys and girls throughout the area.
More than 50 persons from the community of Patriot, made publicly known Friday at 9 a.m. that they protest the issuance of an Alcoholic Beverage Permit recently requested by an applicant. Clarence Brown, Jr., a 29-year-old Patriot, route 1, farmer appeared before the Board requesting an Alcoholic Beverage Permit. His intentions are to start a business consisting of restaurant and of the retail of beer and wine on the Main Street of Patriot. The Board postponed the issue so the applicant could check names on a petition opposing the permit.
60 YEARS AGO
The Kiwanis Park was practically filled to capacity Sunday to witness the Second Annual Horse Show sponsored by the Switzerland County Saddle Club. The perfect fall weather was ideal for the outdoor event and the performance of these beautiful animals was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Earl Huffman of Aurora was the genial and capable master of ceremonies and Gilbert Storie of the local club, served efficiently as usual in the capacity of ring master.
An event which rarely comes to the average family was celebrated Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Miller of Pleasant Township who observed their Golden Wedding Anniversary with a basket dinner and open house. Golden Weddings are common enough but few couples have their parents spared to them and present to help them celebrate the 50 years of wedded life. Such however was the happy fortune of the Millers who had as special guests Mr. and Mrs. Francis Miller who on August 25th observed their own 73rd wedding anniversary.
70 YEARS AGO
Miss Bernita Hickman and Elvin Barnes of Pleasant Township were united in marriage Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky, by Reverend Harold Fickett.
An eight-pound daughter, Brenda Lee, was born Friday to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Noble.
Miss Mary Martha Furnish of Vevay and William Cole of Mount Sterling were married at the bride’s home Saturday morning by Reverend S. E. Wells.
Mrs. Ella May Gilchrist, a native of Cotton Township, passed away in Indianapolis Saturday at the age of 83 years.
Vevay’s sewage system is showing progress with a total of 85 men employed on the project.
Fred T. Livings, native of Vevay, died in Santruce, Puerto Rico, October 7th, from the effects of pneumonia.
Eight hundred and twenty-five young men of the county registered Wednesday to be on call for any necessary military training that might be required by Uncle Sam.
Robert Johnson of Mexico Bottom and Miss Ann Huff of Hamilton, Kentucky, were married in Newport, Kentucky, Sunday, October 13th. Miss Martha Curtis and Herbert C. Driver were married at the home of the bride in Aurora Thursday, October 10th, by Reverend Frank Reed of Vevay.
80 YEARS AGO
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Lauschner, wife of Samuel Lauschner, passed away at her home in Vevay Sunday after an illness of some four years.
John W. Johnson, aged 64 years, a resident of Patriot, died Wednesday night while participating in a meeting of the I.O.O.F. lodge in that town.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Cleghorn of Five Points, October 6th, a son, George Hoover.
The home of Everett Smith, Brooksburg, route 1, was burned to the ground Monday morning.
90 YEARS AGO
Married in Carrollton, Kentucky, October 16th, by Reverend Savage, Miss Grace Tilley of that city and Ulysses E. Butters.
Died at Dayton, Ohio, James Lanham, aged 77 years. The widow, two sons and daughter survive.
Married October 16th, by Reverend John Asher, Miss Matah I. Seavers and LeRoy B. Pavy of Bennington.
Died in Ghent, Kentucky, October 17th, Mrs. Ella Rice, 46. The parents and a sister survive.
Born, a 10-pound boy to Mr. and Mrs. Bery Cole of East Enterprise.
Born, a son, on October 19th to Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Sullivan at Cincinnati.
James Richards last week disposed of his interest in the Griffith-Richards coal yard, selling to his partner, Forrest Griffith.
Married October 15th, by Reverend John Asher, Miss Aldean Lakeman and Wilbur Works, both of Allensville.
Married October 19th, by Reverend John Asher, Miss Anna Webster and Clay Osborn.
The Vevay basketball team defeated Rising Sun, 42-16 in the first game of the season.
A large tobacco barn on the farm of Fred Riley, below town, was consumed by fire of unknown origin Tuesday afternoon. Crops and farm implements were destroyed.
100 YEARS AGO
Mrs. Eliza P. Leap died at her home near Long Run Monday following a stroke of paralysis suffered just a week ago.
John A. Keith, aged 67 years, resident of Florence, died of a heart attack Monday while working on a barn at the home of William Sweazy.
An infant child of Prentice Conkle and wife died last Friday.
Born to Harry Scudder and wife of East Enterprise, a girl.
Born October 12th, to Virgie Johnson and wife of Aaron, a daughter.
120 YEARS AGO
Frederick W. Rous, son of Mr. and Mrs. John P. Rous, is one of the teachers in the school of music at DePauw University.
A. C. Downey is erecting a handsome home near Fairview.
Judge Lucian Shaw, formerly of Vevay, has been renominated as superior judge of Los Angeles County, California.
Licensed to marry: Frank Walbridge and Sophia Henry, John R. Bair and Maria Jane Curlin, Jefferson D. Littrell and Deloria Anderson.
Died at Canaan, October 9th, Mrs. Lydia Warfield Land, wife of Alexander Land.
Died at Moorefield, October 15th, Mrs. Hattie Miles Culbertson, wife of James Culbertson.
140 YEARS AGO
Louis A. Clark, who lived near Center Square, died Tuesday from injuries which he received at the flour mill here when a bag of shipstuff fell upon him from the third story.
The telegraph office has been discontinued here.
The Good Templars have fitted up a hall over the McAdams tin shop.
The Adams Express Company has discontinued its office here, since no agent could be found.
The barn of Paul Clark at Mount Sterling was destroyed by fire Monday. It contained a hay press, wheat, etc. It was insured for $2,180.
Died October 20th, Nanette B. Danglade, wife of John L. A. Danglade, aged 70 years.
John D. Works has moved from this place to Versailles.
Died October 18th, by Reverend Harvey Harris, Mr. Frank Eaton to Miss Nancy Sate.
L. W. Stoops of Hillsboro, Iowa is visiting his parents in Florence.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pleasants have returned to New Orleans after a visit here.
150 YEARS AGO
The barn on the farm of Moses Cole, near East Enterprise, burned with 90 tons of hay last week. It is believed that someone set it on fire.
Married October 7th by Reverend D.A. Robertson, Dewitte Mitchell and Miss Sarah L. Cole.
Married October 7th by Reverend D. G. Adkinson, William McHenry and Miss Elizabeth Conner.
Francis S. Lindley has grown two of the largest ears of corn seen here this year.
152 YEARS AGO
The officers of the Reliance report that the Owensboro packet, Hazel Dell, sank at the Haunted House when she struck the same log that wrecked the R. M. Patton.