News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Employees of Vevay’s Nine West plant were informed at a group meeting Tuesday afternoon that the company is restructuring its domestic manufacturing capabilities, and that will result in the downsizing of the local facility.
Ronald and Marianne Lock of Vevay will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, November 25th. The couple was married at Switzerland Baptist Church on November 25th, 1948, by Reverend V.E. Squibb. Marianne Lock is the former Marianne Dickason.
Rebecca J. Myers and Gregory W. Curlin were united in marriage on Saturday, October 24th, at the Aberdeen United Methodist Church.
Navy Seaman Apprentice Richard A. Thomas, son of Daniel and Audrey Barton of Tague Road near Mount Sterling, recently completed Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois.
15 YEARS AGO
Molli Bovard, daughter of Earl and Jerilyn Van Winkle of Vevay, is leaving for Atlantic City, New Jersey to compete in the American Dream Calendar Girl Challenge at Trump’s Castle to be held November 14th-21st. She will be among 50 world finalists in the competition.
Charles Green of Lake Geneva recently had success on a fishing trip in Key West. He earned a citation from the Key West Fishing Tournament for catching a 16-pound blackfin tuna.
Kali Rachelle Carfield was born Monday, November 8th, at Dearborn County Hospital in Lawrenceburg. She weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long. She is the daughter of Joe and Michelle (Leap) Carfield of Vevay.
Deaths this week: Cleone (Leap) Martin, Ashael Black, and Albert G. Lucas.
20 YEARS AGO
Ron and Bootie Thornton of Vevay announce the approaching marriage of their son Greg to Renee Copeland. Renee is the granddaughter of Webb and Ada Smith of Madison. The wedding ceremony will be held Saturday, November 26th, at Vevay United Methodist Church.
Final standings for cross country teams in the Ohio River Valley Conference have been announced. Shannon Anders, Beth Thomas and Todd Bear were named to the all-conference team and Anders was named as the Most Valuable Runner in the girls competition.
Doug Ray received a 25-year Service Award from Vevay Postmaster Gerri Lynn Dickerson last Friday. Ray has been the carrier for route 4 Vevay and Bennington since the postal system in the county was reorganized.
40 YEARS AGO
Despite a Democratic sweep in every other race Tuesday, Richard M. Nixon became the first Republican presidential candidate in 40 years, and only the third in the 20th century, to gain an election majority in Switzerland County. Nixon polled 1,515 votes to outdistance Democrat Hubert H. Humphrey’s 1,466 by 49 votes to become the first Republican since Herbert C. Hoover in 1928 to carry the county. The G.O.P.’s Warren G. Harding carried the county in 1920.
Switzerland County’s recent rash of burglaries and break-ins continued the past weekend with three more break-ins reported. This time, in one instance, all the burglars took was a burglar alarm.
Prizes for the ugliest, most original, and best dressed costumed individuals and couples were awarded last Wednesday evening at Vevay’s annual Halloween parade on Main Street. Vevay Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored the annual event which featured the usual flock of masked goblins plus floats, new automobiles, horses and riders, and assorted entries. Don Flinn was chairman.
50 YEARS AGO
The dedication of Pleasant Township School will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. The formal dedication activities are open to the public and patrons and friends of the school are cordially invited to attend.
A do-or-die spirit and eagle-eyed shooting very nearly led the Vevay Warriors to an upset of the favored Madison Cubs, Friday night, but the host squad edged out the locals 58-57 in a thrilling four quarter battle.
The sum of $250 has been raised by the Busy Homemakers Home Economics Club of East Enterprise. This money is to be used towards construction of a basketball court (preferably asphalt), at the Cotton Township Consolidated School. The Busy Homemakers have previously purchased a group of eight swings and a slide for the school.
Brenda L. Noble of Vevay is among nearly 300 Indiana University first year students who have been rated as superior on the basis of scholastic testing in English composition, literature, foreign languages, chemistry, government, and mathematics.
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Ferguson have a daughter born Monday, November 17th, at King’s Daughters’ Hospital who weighed 7 pounds, 4 1/2 ounces. She has been named Elizabeth Ann. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Romans and Mrs. Opal Ferguson.
60 YEARS AGO
Visitors to Madison will no longer see the wooden cigar store Indian which for the past 30 years has stood before the Geile brothers cigar store and news stand on Main Street there. Old Chief Red-In-The-Face has been “sold down the river,” to Louisville, Kentucky, where he has been re-christened Geronimo and where he will serve as a symbol of the “Braves” basketball squad of Flaget High School there.
Vevay’s Warriors lost their second game of the season to Madison’s Cubs at the Brown gym in Madison Friday night by a score of 69-20.
The new street signs, long awaited here, are now being placed in position at the various intersections of the town. The signs made of steel and with large black letters on white enamel are one of the finest public improvements made here in a long time.
A garage belonging to Virgil Phillips on Union Street was totally burned late Monday afternoon. For a time the Phillips cottage and the home of Town Clerk Roy Branham were in great danger because of the intense heat from the burning building which contained lumber, several barrels of fuel oil, tools and other items.
The Patriot Trojans chalked up their second win of the week, when they defeated the Moores Hill team at Moores Hill Friday night by a close score of 32-30.
70 YEARS AGO
Two barns on the Frank Weaver farm near New Hope were destroyed by fire Friday evening with a complete loss of all feed, tobacco, two horses, two calves and many items of farm machinery. No exact cause of the fire is known.
The home of Herbie Whitham near Aberdeen was badly damaged by fire about 8:30 Friday morning.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Wafford (nee Jeanette Holdcraft) November 9th, a baby girl, Kay Caroline.
80 YEARS AGO
The Tri Kappa sorority will present a musical comedy “Sweetheart Town” at the Hoosier Theatre Monday and Tuesday.
H. D. Green of Rising Sun has established a passenger bus line from Vevay to Cincinnati along the river route.
Fire of unknown origin Friday night gutted the two frame buildings on Ferry Street occupied by Tilley’s tobacco store and Cook’s barber shop.
90 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Bakes celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary Saturday with a family dinner.
A son was born last week to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schirmer of Patriot.
100 YEARS AGO
At a recent Banker’s Association meeting, J. M. Scott was elected vice president at large for the state. J. R. Voris of Bedford, Indiana, and a former resident of Switzerland County was elected president.
C. S. Tandy is erecting a new building on the lot between Rook’s residence and the Douglas Hardware Company’s store and when completed it will be occupied by Mr. Tyson of Ghent, Kentucky who will install a line of jewelry.
Dick Ridgeway, veteran riverman, had a narrow escape from death Saturday when he fell from his boat while tracing his trot lines.
The Dorothy Stock Company arrived in Vevay Monday for a week’s stand and on Monday night presented “The Convict’s Daughter.” The play has been seen in the Vevay Opera House at least six times and did not make much of a hit with the audience.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. William O. Protsman on November 14th, a daughter.
R. L. Slate had his hand badly injured Wednesday while trying to crank his automobile.
A girl was born November 13th to Raymond Jarvis and wife of near Fairview.
110 YEARS AGO
Glenn, the small son of Elza Waltz and wife of Mount Sterling, is dangerously ill.
A nine pound son was born to John Baird and wife October 27th.
120 YEARS AGO
The Republican glee club of Vevay will conclude the campaign with a banquet tonight at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Pleasants. Seventy-five covers will be laid.
C. C. Shaw has removed his family into the handsome new two story residence he recently erected on the corner of Market and Vineyard streets.
B. F. Bigs of Guandottee, West Virginia, is in the dental office of Dr. William Johnston assisting him.
George W. Haskell is now engaged in the undertaking business and has purchased a fine hearse.
130 YEARS AGO
Amount of toll collected at the gate near Vevay on the Vevay, Mount Sterling and Versailles turnpike during the month of October was $271.11.
Ward and Benedict’s new wharfboat, the “Hawk Eye,” will arrive at Markland the latter part of the week.
George C. Protsman is clerking for Harwood and Stratford.
Last night about 9:30 the two story frame house occupied by George P. Anderson was discovered to be on fire. The house was totally destroyed but nearly all household goods were saved. There has been no fire in the house for several days so the fire was undoubtedly the work of an incendiary.
140 YEARS AGO
Three prisoners escaped from the jail Friday night.
Work on the Vevay and Moorefield turnpike is progressing slowly.
David Schoonover is building a ten pin alley on Ferry Street.
The members of the Masonic lodge at Bennington have erected a handsome building at that place.
150 YEARS AGO
Last night the huge flour mill of Shrewsbury and Price at Madison known as the Palmetto Mills burned to the ground causing a $50,000 loss.
152 YEARS AGO
Reverend H. Wason, who has been the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in this place for many years will move soon to northern Indiana.
The steamer Lady Pike has resumed her trips as a regular packet between Madison and Cincinnati. Captain David and Clerk Taylor will fill their old places.
The free schools of Vevay are now in full operation. The teachers are Hiram Froman, John P. Rous, Mrs. C. A. Henderson and F. W. Baxter. In addition to the free schools there are two or three private schools in the town.
At Evansville a shaft has been sunk to a vein of coal and as a consequence the price of coal in that city has been reduced to 9 cents a bushel.