News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers.
10 YEARS AGO
It’s here. After months of overcoming problems dealing with a collision on the Mississippi River, the “Miss Belterra” riverboat casino made its way past Vevay, through the locks at the Markland Dam, and into its permanent docking harbor near Florence on Wednesday. It was just about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday morning when a large crowd of well wishers a t the boat ramp in the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park caught their first glimpse of the majestic riverboat as it moved upriver. The riverboat sounded its horn in celebration as it approached the park, and the people who had gathered waved to crew members and welcomed the riverboat “home” with cheers and whistles. With “Miss Belterra” now safely at its dock, the real work now begins as the casino resort prepares for its projected opening to the public on October 26th.
The Vevay Park Board had had a new gazebo constructed at Jennings Park in Vevay. The gazebo was built with materials purchased locally at McKay Lumber, and was constructed by local contractor Jerry Wickey. Funds for the gazebo were through the Community Foundation of Switzerland County. Vevay Park Board members are Jack Nimersheim, Walter Cotton, Mike Danner and Kip Meherhoff.
20 YEARS AGO
Yvon Bordet of Vevey, Switzerland, Tuesday afternoon phoned the newspaper office from Switzerland to acknowledge receipt of the many letters and signatures from area residents in support of The Swiss Center. He said officials in Switzerland were very impressed with the enthusiasm shown by the letters. Bordet added that he was very pleased with the job Barbara Ray did in collecting over 500 names from Switzerland County residents on a petition in favor of The Swiss Center.
Michelle Moll of Switzerland County was crowned Queen of the 1990 Versailles Pumpkin Show Wednesday, September 26th. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Moll of Vevay.
30 YEARS AGO
Bill Roeschlein has been with Switzerland County schools since 1963 when he was principal of the then Patriot High School. Now of course, he’s back in the principal seat again, as the newly appointed principal of Switzerland County Junior-Senior High School.
Nine people working under the CETA program found themselves without a job at the close of the day Tuesday. The program they worked under was due to be renewed on Wednesday but the money to pay them is not scheduled to arrive until the end of this month.
40 YEARS AGO
Questionnaires on student feelings toward a hair and dress code at Switzerland County High School were scheduled to have been passed out Wednesday at the local secondary school. The school’s student council is conducting the surgery which is an outgrowth of several students’ objections to a dress code imposed by school administrators at the beginning of the current school year.
Cliff Raisor of route 3, Vevay, has received word that his son, Lance Cpl. Bruce Raisor, has been wounded during combat in Vietnam.
Harry Renyer was elected Friday to Switzerland County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation (ASC) Committee by delegates to the ASC county convention at the county ASCS offices in Vevay. The delegates also selected Wilford Buchanan and Raymond Barnes as chairman and vice chairman of the three-member county committee.
50 YEARS AGO
Mrs. Mary Lou Chase of route 1, Florence, was mighty glad that she was a six-footer last Thursday. She was crowned “Queen for a Day” by host Jack Bailey, star of the ABC-TV show. “Queen” Mary Lou was given her height measured in 50 dollar bills which totaled $600. The tall Texas-born Queen’s wish was for a Braille typewriter and brace for her eight-year-old son, Steven, who is blind and crippled by cerebral palsy. She is the tallest Queen ever to be crowned on the program, now in its 16th year.
Miss Julie L. Knox, only surviving charter member of the Julia L. Dumont Club, one of Indiana’s oldest women’s clubs, was honored September 28th at the 75th anniversary dinner of the organization, held at the Hillside Hotel in Madison.
Don Allen, Vevay Jaycee President, has announced that the Seventh Annual Halloween Parade will be held in Vevay Monday, October 31st, at 7:30 p.m. A queen for the parade will be selected by the Jaycees on Tuesday, October 25th, at the Jefferson-Craig school.
60 YEARS AGO
Three students from Switzerland County were among 10,444 enrolled at Purdue University during the regular registration period for the fall semester which opened on September 18th. They are Juanita Faye Bennett, Vevay, freshman in home economics; Mildred C. Pohlkotte, Patriot, senior in home economics; and Ramona I. Rose, Vevay, junior in science.
The portrait tapestry weaving done by Miss Jennette Tandy of Vevay which has received national recognition, was the subject of a feature article which appeared Sunday in the magazine section of the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Another war casualty for Switzerland County was received this week when Mr. and Mrs. Sammy Leap of Craig Township received a letter from their son, Corporal Gary P., that he had been wounded in the Korean fighting on September 21st. Cpl. Leap was struck in the neck by shrapnel and his letter was written from a first aid station the day afterward.
70 YEARS AGO
The new tube fire escape has been affixed to the east side of the old grade building and several drills have already been held.
John W. Brown, lifelong resident of Craig Township, passed away at his home near Spring Branch Friday morning, having been in ill health for some time.
Mrs. Ella McClanahan, native of Craig Township, died at her home near Deputy last Saturday.
William L. Leatherbury, who had passed most of his life in this county, died at the county infirmary Sunday following an extended period of ill health.
Mrs. Ida Belle Kent, widow of Thomas Kent, formerly of Patriot, passed away at the home in Greensburg September 24th.
Taken from our Aberdeen column: Aberdeen, a village over 10 years old, on highway 56, has a population of 61. Thirty-five males and 26 females. This is not official, but correct. There are two general stores, one garage, a Farm Bureau cream station and one church, Methodist. Its streets are clean, its people industrious, and seemingly happy.
Born to Arthur Romans and wife of Aberdeen September 27th, a girl.
80 YEARS AGO
A new business firm, the Vevay Produce Company, under the management of Carroll E. Butler, will be open to the public for business October 4th.
Jeroma B. Franklin, aged 78 years, a retired farmer and native of this county, died at his home in New Richmond, Indiana, September 13th.
A daughter was born Monday to Mr. and Mrs. Lee Knaus of Bethel Ridge.
Missers Haskell and Morrison are moving their undertaking establishment into new quarters in the Opp Sieglitz building on Main Street.
Mrs. Clarence Carter and Mrs. John Heady will move their dining room from the Heady filling station below Vevay to the home of Mrs. Carter on Main Street and will serve meals by appointment only.
For the first time in several years cooking will be taught in the Vevay High School.
The Indiana, first electric river towboat, passed Vevay last Friday afternoon.
90 YEARS AGO
Married in Jeffersonville, October 3rd, Myron Shirley of Carrollton, Kentucky, and Miss Ruth Sebrey of Prestonville, Kentucky.
Died in Warsaw, Kentucky, October 2nd, Lemuel Furnish who has been working on several farms in this county.
The “John Brown Park” has been formally dedicated with appropriate speeches and due ceremony.
Eugene Broadwell, Oriole pitcher, pitched a 6-0 shut-out against the fast Osgood team at Brindley’s park Sunday. He allowed 6 hits and struck out 13 men.
Died in Vevay October 4th, Mrs. Mary Dittgen, wife of Frank Dittgen. Three daughters, three sons, brother and sister survive with the husband.
Died near Bennington October 3rd, Silas Silvers, 66. Two daughters and the aged mother survive.
Died near Aaron October 2nd, John S. Cole, 79. A sister, two daughters, and four sons survive.
Married in Vevay by Rev E. Hammel, Mrs. Mary E. Reynolds and Bruce B. Banta.
Married in Carrollton, Miss Clara Belle Griffith and Beecher Weaver of Moorefield.
Born, a baby daughter, October 5th to Mr. and Mrs. Festus Flinn of near Fairview.
Raymond Detraz underwent an operation for removal of tonsils in Cincinnati last week. He was accompanied by Clarence Detraz.
100 YEARS AGO
Amie M. Golay, one of the county’s best known residents, died at his home near Vevay September 30th. He was 67 years of age and had been in failing health for some time.
Miss Vira Peters of Vevay and Morton Tompkins of Parks Ridge were married in Carrollton Saturday afternoon.
Born, September 30th, to Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Snyder of Markland, a daughter.
120 YEARS AGO
Too much rain is ruining the crops in this county.
Died in Cleves, Ohio, Mrs. Ancil D. Graham, aged 66 years.
The weather has turned considerable colder.
John Sturgeon suffered painful injuries when he fell from a coal barge.
Died near Vevay September 24th, Mrs. David Hatch, aged 31 years.
Died in Moorefield September 26th, Miss Mary Gardner, aged 28 years.
Charles Hilderbrand is assisting D. B. Lee in the clerk’s office.
152 YEARS AGO
Died in Hunters Bottom, Kentucky, Margaret Hoyt, 114 years old. She was the first white woman in Cincinnati.
Married September 22nd by Reverend F. D. Bland, Soloman Hubert and Miss Laura Lancaster.
Married September 22nd, by Wade H. Jack, Esquire, Mr. Ethol B. Lyon and Matilda Carpenter.
Oliver Ormsby is clerk of the circuit court and Harris Keeney, sheriff.
Officers of the Vevay-Mount Sterling and Versailles Turnpike were elected as follows: Frederick Grisard, president; Perrett Dufour, secretary and U. P. Schenck, treasurer.
Reverend E. G. Sites is pastor of the Free Will Baptist Church at Mount Sterling.
Fruit trees are selling in Vevay for $20 per hundred by John Dumont.