News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Karen Miller will take over as president of the Vevay Deposit Bank on Monday, November 3rd. She becomes the first woman to ever hold the presidency of the bank – now in its 105th year in Vevay – and also became the first woman ever elected to the board of directors. Karen Miller’s appointment comes with the retirement of Ralph Tilley from the presidency that he has held since 1970. He had announced earlier that he would retire as of the end of the year, but decided to give up the title of president now so that the transition could run more smoothly.
Gina Simon, daughter of Dale and Mary Ann Simon of near Fairview, has earned a spot on the Franklin College dance team.
Dr. Bernard Bray, son of Earl and Helen Bray of Vevay, was one of two professors from Talladega College in Alabama who attended a seminar this past summer in Salzburg, Austria. Bernard Bray spent the month of May as a session entitled “Race and Ethnicity: Models of Diversity.”
15 YEARS AGO
Bev Lock and Bertie Detraz won top honors at the Bennington Homecoming. Mr. Lock was named the Bennington Mayor and Mrs.. Detraz was named Mrs. Bennington.
A 50th anniversary open house was held for Mr. and Mrs. Harold Smith of Cross Plains at the home of their daughter, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Hankins. It was also Mrs. Smith’s birthday.
David Wagner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Wagner of Vevay, has completed his 156 weeks of Marine Corps basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina.
20 YEARS AGO
Troy D. Smith graduated from the U.S. Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois August 28th. He is now stationed there taking a 42-week course in advanced electronics. Troy is the son of Rhonda Cutter of route 2, Vevay.
Dr. James Larry Miller was recently promoted to lieutenant commander in the Navy Reserve. He and his wife Donna reside n Tullahoma, Tennessee. He is the son of Carrie Miller of Switzer Square, Vevay, and the late James Ed Miller.
30 YEARS AGO
Eight hours of courtroom arguments divided between two days this week marked the end of the condemnation hearing suit filed by Indianapolis Power and Light Company (IPALCO) and against Mexico Bottom landowners Charles Tillotson and Carroll Detmer Tuesday, October 25th, in Switzerland County Court. Special Judge Samuel Gwin of Clark County has taken the evidence presented by the opposing sides under advisement and will hand down his decision in 30 days.
Mr. and Mrs. George F. Kloss of Vevay announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Brenda Gail, to Charles R. Booker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Booker of route 4, Madison.
Yolanda Jo Shuler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bud Shuler of Lamb will be leaving October 28th for a team of duty with the United States Navy. A 1977 graduate of Switzerland County High School, Ms. Shuler will be stationed at Orlando, Florida for basic training as an E01 fireman.
Mr. and Mrs. Mac L. Sullivan of Indianapolis announce the engagement of their daughter, Nancy Ann, to Dr. Thomas Simonet. She is the niece of Jack Sullivan and the granddaughter of Mrs. Isabel Sullivan, both of Vevay.
40 YEARS AGO
Larry R. Curts, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford D. Curts of York Avenue, Vevay, has been promoted to the rank of Specialist Fourth Class in the U.S. Army.
Gary C. Boyd, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hollis Boyd of route 2, Vevay, has been promoted to the rank of Specialist Fourth Class in the U.S. Army.
Eddie C. Purnell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie B. Purnell of route 3, Vevay, has been promoted to the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Army.
One year, five months, and 16 days following the election, the final chapter in the Norman W. Earls – James M. Wiley school trustee election and recount was closed by Indiana Supreme Court. The court dismissed Wiley’s recount appeal last Thursday to confirm Earls’ election and exhaust the last legal channel through which Wiley could appeal his case.
Mike Danner, Lloyd Farrar, and Joe Ricketts attempted to figure out the intricacies (for non-commercial purposes, we hope) of a wine press recently purchased by Switzerland County Historical Society. Built by Benjamin Detraz (husband of Aunt Lucy Detraz) around 1830, the press was purchased by the society from the Louisa Fox estate for display in the county museum.
Sue Sieglitz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Worth Sieglitz of Vevay, was married at her parents’ home Sunday afternoon to Gary Landau, Indianapolis attorney and son of Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Landau of Indianapolis.
A 5-pound, 8 1/4-ounce baby girl was born to Mrs. Kent Hadley at Hendricks County Hospital in Danville Friday. The infant has been named Sheril Ann. Mrs. Hadley is the former Judy Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Smith of Vevay.
50 YEARS AGO
Aunt Jemima, assisted by Vevay Kiwanis president Joe Ricketts and members of the club, fried and served pancakes to over 400 persons at the group’s recent fund raising event. Aunt Jemima pancake flour was furnished by the Quaker Oats Company, and other trimmings were donated by manufacturers. The menu included pancakes, sausage, fruit juice and coffee. The food was served on an “all you can eat” basis, and the official record for the day was made by Clarence Wiseman of Vevay who consumed 14 pancakes! Profits from the affair will be used by the Kiwanis Club for Little League promotion and aid to underprivileged children.
A 22-year-old flyer, 2nd Lt. Richard Lloyd Hudson of Louisville, was killed Wednesday night when his Kentucky Air National Guard plane, crashed into a farm yard on Tapps Ridge. The F-86 jet fighter disintegrated into thousands of pieces, when it struck the ground near the Blanton Darbro farm about 8 p.m. The body of the pilot could not be recovered, but his identification papers were found scattered in the wreckage.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hatton of Rising Sun announce the engagement of their daughter, Mary Ann, to Mr. Carroll Hufford, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Hufford of Patriot.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Konkle will observe their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house next Sunday, November 3rd, at their home on Vevay route 4.
Mrs. Earlene Leap, proprietor of Earlene’s Klip and Kurl Salon in Vevay has been named president of the Switzerland County Mental Health Chapter.
The first death from influenza is reported this week. Cora Jane Turner, 11-year-old daughter of Lloyd and Pauline Brown Turner of Patriot, died suddenly Saturday from a brief illness diagnosed as influenza and croup.
Mrs. Josie Shaw quietly celebrated her 90th birthday October 25th at her home here.
60 YEARS AGO
A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. William C. Deister Jr. (nee Mary Edith Flinn) October 15th at Bethesda Hospital in Cincinnati. He has been named William Carl Deister, III. He is the grandson of Otho Flinn of near Fairview.
Mrs. Julia T. Claghorn, 83, a native and former resident of Switzerland County, passed away at her home in Indianapolis Sunday, October 19th.
A four-pound daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. James Sides at their home on Market Street Friday, October 17th.
Mr. and Mrs. James Scudder have bought the farm of Leon Tapp located on Popcorn Ridge through the Richards & Courtney Real Estate Agency and will take immediate possession.
Miss Anna Jean Knox and Roy Lee Beatty were united in marriage at the home of Reverend Frank Reed in Vevay October 18th.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank S. Ricketts of Madison announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Dora Grace, to Lester Coleman Lee, son of Lester T. Lee of Tell City.
Miss Juanita Koons and J. W. Hunt, both of the Patriot community, were united in marriage Saturday, October 18th, at the home of the officiating minister, Reverend W. S. Lowe in Patriot.
70 YEARS AGO
Gladys Humphrey Cole, native of this county and a former resident of Vevay, passed away at her home near Aurora Saturday.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon in Vevay for Marguerite Bennett, 15, who passed away at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati Thursday morning, October 21st.
Stephen D. Jones, a well-known resident of Vevay, passed away at his home here Sunday night, October 24th, after a brief illness.
Mrs. Laura Craig quietly celebrated her 90th birthday Friday, October 22nd, at her home on West Market Street.
Frederick J. Knigga, a well-known farmer residing about one mile east of Bear Branch, died at his home there early Wednesday evening, October 20th, following a long illness.
Major William H. Kyle, a native of Vevay, died at his home in Washington, D.C., October 13th.
R. D. “Dode” Murphy for many years a resident of Vevay, passed away at his home in Champaign, Illinois October 10th.
On Monday, November 1st, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Shaw will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
80 YEARS AGO
Charles Ethridge, aged 12 years, died at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Ethridge in Markland, Tuesday night after an illness of several days.
Miss Mildred Bliss of Vevay and Orville Detraz of Chicago were married last Wednesday afternoon in Indianapolis.
Mrs. Scott Griffith died last Wednesday evening, October 19th, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Harris Webber, Ghent, Kentucky, after a lingering illness at the age of 68 years.
Felix Grenat, 76, died at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati October 20th. He was born at Patriot and spent his younger days in this county.
Mrs. Thomas Gordon, aged 72 years, died Tuesday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wilbur Bear in Glendale, California after a few days illness.
90 YEARS AGO
Marion Turner, one of Switzerland County’s respected citizens, died at his home in Markland Wednesday morning.
Roy Bennett, son of Mrs. Mary Bennett, living near Markland, and a sophomore in the Vevay High School, accidentally shot himself in the foot while hunting Saturday.
Word has been received by friends here of the marriage of Miss Ruth Kelso and Emmett M. Johnson, both of Indianapolis. The wedding was solemnized Thursday, October 18th.
Mrs. Mamie Clements and Alvin Adams, well known Switzerland County couple, were married in Madison Saturday, September 20th.
The marriage of Miss Alma Houze to Robert J. Emerson took place at the home of the bride’s parents at East Enterprise Wednesday, October 24th.
100 YEARS AGO
A very pretty wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Harris at Quercus Grove last Sunday when their daughter, Leora, was joined in marriage to Paul Hutchinson of Sanford, Florida.
Mort Brooks and family left last Saturday for Los Angeles, California where they will reside.
A son was born October 24th to Charles Driver and wife of Quercus Grove.
A son was born last Thursday to Mathew Ralston and wife of Scotch Settlement.
Tom Danglade, 17-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Danglade, died yesterday evening after a two-day illness of rheumatism.
Harry Briggs of Pleasant and Miss Luella Brindley were married Wednesday evening at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Brindley of Moorefield.
120 YEARS AGO
Last Sunday afternoon the roof of a house belonging to Mat Brown and occupied by Peter McMakin near the woolen mill building caught fire but the blaze was soon extinguished.
Last week George Dow of Parks Ridge fell from a load of hay and broke one of his arms.
Dr. William Freeman has moved to North Madison having purchased property there.
Tomorrow morning D.B. Lee will take possession of the Clerk’s office. Mr. Lee has employed as his deputy, Alfred Rouse.
George Clendening has moved from Markland to Vevay.
William L. Mennett and Miss Rillie Norisez were married Wednesday evening at the home of the bride’s parents near Vevay.
130 YEARS AGO
S.R. Heath and Miss Flora S. Gibbs were married in Fairview Sunday evening, October 28th.
J.D. Harwood and J. M. Stratford have formed a partnership and will devote their time exclusively to the purchase and sale of country produce.
The Vevay Chair factory has been running steadily for the past two weeks having a contract for several hundred dozens of chairs.
J. J. P. Teats has retired from the firm of Thiebaud & Teats and J. W. Gibbs has succeeded him.
Sarah Ann Griffith, aged 12 years, died October 27th of typhoid fever.
Joseph E. Hart will commence a private or subscription school at the academy in Moorefield the first Monday in November.
140 YEARS AGO
Gordon and Tague have begun the manufacture of cider vinegar on an extensive scale.
William Kiesel has finished a two-story house near the head of Main Street.
Dr. T. M. Danglade has erected a new house on Union Street and is building an office on Ferry Street.
Daniel Cole has a stalk of hemp 20 feet high growing in his garden.
150 YEARS AGO
Last Wednesday Drs. Gale and Davidson performed an important surgical operation when they amputated the foot and ankle of Edward Gerrard, a youth employed in the Reveille office. The ankle had been strained two years before and through neglect, amputation was necessary.
A fellow calling himself Isaac J. Clark, who has been obtaining money under false pretenses, has been arrested and placed in jail here.
Married October 27th, Stephen C. Rogers of Madison and Miss Susan Lee of Carroll County, Kentucky.