News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
The tobacco crop overall averaged $1.86 for the opening day, but many of the farmers in the warehouses were talking about the buyers’ decision to grade the tobacco in three types – tips, lugs, and trash. For the past few years, buyers have been purchasing tobacco on the sale floor in one or two grades – but Monday those same buyers were looking for three. This year’s basic quota set by the federal government is 3,748,574 pounds, a raise of 11 percent over 1996.
Navy Lt. Commander James D. Waltz, son of Janice Waltz of Vevay and the late David Waltz, recently participated in Exercise Bright Star ’97 while on a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington.
Sherry Houze says that she has finally found her “passion” in life – and she wants others to know that it is never too late to find their own. Sherry Houze is on track to graduate next June from Sullivan College’s National Center for Hospitality Studies in Louisville. After graduation, she hopes to continue on the path of becoming a full chef.
The Switzerland County FFA chapter was named as one of the top one percent of all chapters in the country at this month’s National FFA Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. The honor means that the local chapter is one of the 72 best in the entire country. Nationally, there are 7,241 FFA chapters operating. This high honor is just the latest in a series of accomplishments for the group, which finished 12th in state chapter judging earlier this year.
15 YEARS AGO
It took only 22 minutes for the tornado to pass through Switzerland County Sunday evening — from 5:05 to 5:27, the National Weather Service said — but that’s all the time it needed to destroy homes, trailers and barns of many residents living in the county’s eastern sector. The Florence area and the highlands above it were devastated by the storm. Volunteers worked to clean up the wreckage in the aftermath of the storm, which resulted in more than $1 million in damage.
Maribeth Witt, daughter of Donald and Mary Ellen Witt of Vevay, and Lieutenant (j.g.) Gregory Brian Duerstock of the U.S. Coast Guard were married September 5th at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Madison. The groom is the son of Marvin and Sabra Duerstock of Guilford.
Brian Smith, Vevay Newspapers editor for a brief period in 1978, has written an article about Vevay that will appear in the Chicago Tribune on Sunday, November 29th. Mr. Smith, now senior editor for “Indianapolis Monthly” magazine, occasionally writes articles for other publications. He said the article for the Chicago Tribune describes Vevay as “hidden treasure” that tourists often overlook.
20 YEARS AGO
Christi Graham Dixon was recently promoted to the supervisory staff of York, Neel and Company, Certified Public Accountants in Henderson, Kentucky. Christi, a native of Vevay, is the daughter of Nelson and Helen Graham of Vevay.
The Patriot Volunteer Fire Department recently purchased a new fire truck. The 1948 International truck was purchased from the Hogan Township Fire Department. It has the capability of pumping 500 gallons per minute with a 500 gallon tank.
Quite a few people gathered along the banks of the Ohio River last Wednesday afternoon to watch The Islands pass by Vevay. The pink, two-story restaurant, which had formerly been docked in Newport, was en route to its new home at Louisville’s Fourth Avenue wharf.
Tobacco markets opened across the eight-state burley belt Monday, and opening day in the Madison and Carrollton Markets brought a full day of sales. The average price paid for burley at the three local tobacco warehouses was $155.23.
30 YEARS AGO
Approximately 45 employees at Jefferson Proving Ground will be laid off by January 13th, 1978. The Department of the Army announced plans to conduct a reduction in force at Jefferson Proving Ground, despite indications that the workload at the proving ground is increasing.
The Switzerland County Counseling Team, an extension of the Community Mental Health-Mental Retardation Center based in Lawrenceburg, held an open house to celebrate a full year of serving the community yesterday afternoon.
I-275, the first piece of interstate highway to link Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, will be opened officially on Tuesday, December 6th, in Lawrenceburg. The dedication is open to the public and will begin at 1 p.m. next Tuesday midway between the I-275 Ohio River bridge and the U.S. 50 connector within view of the three states.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Bushman of Bear Branch announce the engagement of their daughter, LuAnne, to Terry Turner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Turner of route 4, Vevay.
40 YEARS AGO
Carlton Press, Inc., of Fifth Avenue, New York, has announced a book publishing agreement has been signed with Mrs. Lauretta Borgman for the publication of her book, Hoosier Breezes. Mrs. Borgman is a Switzerland County native living in Cotton Township and is Vevay Newspapers’ Allensville correspondent. Having written since she was a girl, the author also devotes time to handling an insurance agency and income tax service.
Army Staff Sergeant Ulia J. Cole, son of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Cole of route 1, Vevay, is participating in “Operation Wheeler” in Vietnam with other members of the 101st Airborn Division’s 1st Brigade.
A State Department of Education representative inspected Patriot school buildings last week as Switzerland County School Corporation officials began a study toward a possible construction program for the Posey Township school.
Airman John K. Sides, USN, son of Mrs. Edith Sides of route 1, Vevay, is serving with Attack Squadron 196 aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Constellation off the coast of North Vietnam.
The award of the Purple Heart for wounds received during combat has been awarded to U.S. Army Specialist 4 Donald R. Cole who was wounded October 8th during action in Vietnam. He is the grandson of Mrs. Lelia Cole Peters.
50 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Spencer spent Friday and Saturday in Indianapolis where Mr. Spencer was installed as one of 17 Lieutenant Governors of the Indiana District of Kiwanis International.
Reverend and Mrs. Charles Hinds of Vevay observed their 40th wedding anniversary on Thanksgiving Day with a family turkey dinner.
Mrs. Lou Haskell, 89, of Vevay passed away in King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison Tuesday.
The stock, fixtures and equipment of Bladen’s Grocery, on West Pike Street in Vevay, have been purchased by Loren Roberts, owner of Roberts’ Grocery. The materials and foodstuffs are being moved to Roberts’ Ferry Street location.
Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Griffith of Vevay announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Marie, to Private John Benson Weatherly, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Weatherly of Louisville. The ceremony will be performed on December 26th at 3 p.m. in the Switzerland Baptist Church by Reverend Sonny Hays.
Fire, believed to have been caused by defective wiring, destroyed the large feed barn on the farm of W. C. Smither on McCreary’s Ridge Thanksgiving afternoon. Mr. Smither’s crop of hay and some farming implements were also lost in the flames.
60 YEARS AGO
Miss Mary Agnes Stevenson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Stevenson of Canaan, and William E. Konkle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hanley Konkle of Pleasant were united in marriage Sunday, November 16th, at Brushy Fork Baptist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Levell of Tapps Ridge are parents of an eight pound boy born November 19th at Whitlatch Clinic and Hospital in Milan. He has been named William Everett.
The new feed mill of Clell Martin, located at East Enterprise, was totally destroyed by fire Monday afternoon with a loss of about $7,000.
George M. Buchanan, 84, well known retired farmer and for many years a resident of the Canaan community, died suddenly at his home in Brooksburg early Thursday morning, November 20th, from a stroke of paralysis.
Mrs. Geneva Gardner, wife of Charles Gardner of near Bennington, passed away at her home there Wednesday, November 19th, after a lingering illness of tuberculosis.
Ralph Horton, native of Switzerland County but for the past 10 years a resident of Indianapolis, passed away in a hospital there Monday morning after a lengthy illness.
Graveside services were held Monday afternoon in Vevay for Ruth Ann, stillborn baby daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wright of near Lamb.
Mrs. Ida Culbertson, 74, widow of the late Harry Culbertson, passed away at her home near Pleasant Sunday afternoon, November 23rd, after a lingering illness.
Vevay’s new dry cleaning plant, located on East Main Street here, opened for business this week with the proprietor, Howard LaVelle, reporting a good business.
90 YEARS AGO
Mrs. Lillian Cotton and John Jones of LeRue, Ohio, were married at the home of Mrs. Grace Curry Wednesday afternoon by Reverend Dart.
Mrs. Betty Smith, colored, better known as “Aunt Betty”, aged 80 years, died at her home in Vevay Sunday evening.
Jesse Corns has sold his tobacco to Fred Stucy at 30 cents per pound. The crop will total about 6,000 pounds.
William H. Scott, aged 74 years, one of Switzerland County’s most prominent farmers, died at his home near Quercus Grove last Wednesday evening, November 21st, after a prolonged illness of stomach trouble.
Clyde Culbertson, Jr., was painfully burned about the face Saturday when he experimented with some powder and found it would do all that it was supposed to.
115 YEARS AGO
Anson S. Browinski and Miss Leo Adcock were married in the Baptist church at Carrollton November 23rd.
Mrs. A. L. Ruther Dufour of Washington arrived Wednesday for a visit with Mrs. Lucy Detraz. Mrs. Dufour will accompany Mrs. William Rous to Lake Providence, Louisiana, where she will spend the winter.
M. D. Thiebaud of Anderson has been spending a week with his mother, Mrs. Justi Thiebaud here.
Hiram Ogle went South last Monday.
James S. Knox, first engineer on the bow boat Irene, narrowly escaped death last Friday night when the boat struck a rock and sank. Mr. Knox was asleep, the second engineer being on duty. When climbing to deck, his foot became caught and the second toe was mashed. He, with the crew, escaped in a yawl. After he reached shore it was found that partial amputation would be necessary. Mr. Knox arrived home Monday and a second operation was performed.
Miss Freddie M. Boerner, who has been visiting her brother, Charles and wife, at New Liberty, Kentucky, has returned home.
Elijah Rogers, 75, died near Brooksburg last week.
Licensed to marry: Lewis Smith and Zoda Travers; Clarence Culbertson and Anna Archer.
127 YEARS AGO
The young ladies of Ghent gave a Leap Year party one night last week. It was a grand affair.
James D. Williams, Governor of Indiana, died last Saturday.
Honorable E. D. Stratford of Kansas is visiting his brother, J. M. Stratford and other relatives.
Marriage licenses have been issued to Joseph Enoch Denning and Mary Ann Pavy, Jacob L. Pettit and Martha Jane Clark, Jonathan M. Clark and Estella Murphy.
Mrs. Mary A. Robenstein has moved from Craig Township to Vevay.
Professor C. G. Boerner informs us that last Friday morning the thermometer stood two degrees below freezing.
Two of the children of William McKay in Craig Township died of scarlet fever last week. Another one was dangerously sick but is recovering.
James Barton has lost three children by scarlet fever.
Married: William Roberts and Miss Phoebe Dunning, Lewis Abdon and Miss Catherine Rayls, and Larkin D. Sigmon and Miss Rebecca Lock, all on November 21st.
140 YEARS AGO
The Presbyterian Church will give a concert at the Grisard Hall on the evening of New Year’s Day.
Some rascal stole Daniel Wilcox’s horse last Thursday night and rode it until it was exhausted. The animal was found the next day.
J. R. Morerod had a fine young horse killed one day last week by a bull goring it.
Died, near Patriot, November 25th, Arthur Humphrey, aged 71 years.
The whole number of deaths from yellow fever in New Orleans, this season is 3,012.