News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
The North Central Association’s evaluation of Switzerland County High School was the easiest assessment that the NCA committee chairperson had ever experienced, high school principal Joan Keller told the school board Monday night. The NCA committee said they saw a well-behaved group of students who had pride in their school. The official report will be sent to the school in a few weeks.
Katina Rochelle Carter and Eric Leon Ray have announced their engagement and approaching marriage. The couple will be married in the Mount Sterling Baptist Church this Saturday, December 21st. Parents of the couple are James and Evelina Leap of Vevay and Ronald Carter of Connersville, and William and Barbara Ray of near Mount Sterling.
Megan Lohide, daughter of Mark and Lee Jaye Lohide of near East Enterprise, recently competed in the Indiana State Gymnastics Championships in Indianapolis. She competed in level five for nine year olds, and placed second in the all-around competition. There were 73 athletes competing in the meet. Megan’s all around score of 36.40 was less than one-quarter of a point behind champion Samantha Ma of Valparaiso, and just ahead of third place winner Kayla Weinzapfel of Evansville. She earned her second place placing as the state champion in her division with a score of 9.6 on the balance beam. She also finished fourth in the floor exercise; 10th on the uneven bars; and 11th on the vault.
15 YEARS AGO
Joanne Keith and Neal Curran were married in a lovely ceremony performed November 16th, 1991, in the Brushy Fork Baptist Church, with Reverend Mike Cantrell officiating. Parents of the couple are Sarah Keith and Hilbert Keith, both of Quercus Grove, and Eric and Marilyn Christman of Pleasant, and Bob Curran of Versailles.
Katherine Ann Kurdys and Christian Powers Burton were married November 16th at Truth Apostolic Church in Vevay. The bride is the daughter of Marilyn Fancher of Vevay and Kenneth Kurdys of Madison. The bridegroom’s parents are Debbie Dicks of Cincinnati and Gerald Burton of Vevay.
30 YEARS AGO
As the American Bicentennial comes to a close, Vevay Newspapers offers a look backward at a significant moment in Switzerland County history – the publishing of this community’s first newspaper. It happened 160 years ago with the publishing of The Indiana Register soon after approval of it was officially given from Washington by James Monroe, then Secretary of State and later President of the United States.
The Indianapolis Power & Light Company Wednesday morning filed suit to condemn about 500 acres of Mexico Bottom farmland it wants to use as the site for a $347 million coal-fired power plant. IPALCO’s suit was filed in Switzerland Circuit Court against landowners Charles Tillotson and Carroll Detmer, who together own about half of the 1,000 acres the company needs for its power plant and who have refused to sell their property.
Margaret Ann Varble and Kenny Riley were united in marriage in a double-ring ceremony performed by Reverend Ronald Sandidge December 18th in Ruter Chapel of the United Methodist Church in Vevay. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Fred Varble of near Moorefield and Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Riley of Long Run.
Switzerland County native James R. Landry has been honored with a national award from the U.S. Air Force maintenance officer in the United States. He is director of the Directorate of Maintenance of the Air Logistics Center at Warner Robins. The major responsibility of Colonel Landry’s unit is to test air force technology employed in defense of the United States. More than 6,500 technicians work under Colonel Landry’s command. He is the son of Leona and Maurice Sullivan of Vevay.
A daughter was born Monday afternoon to Suzanne and Don Morrison of near Five Points. Named Mary Elizabeth Morrison, the infant weighed 8 pounds on arrival at Saint Anthony Hospital in Louisville.
35 YEARS AGO
Wilford Buchanan has been reelected to Switzerland County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation (ASC) Committee by delegates to the ASC county conventions held December 15th at ASCS offices in Vevay. Delegates also selected Raymond Barnes and Harry Renyer as vice chairman and regular members of the three-member county committee with Buchanan continuing as chairman.
Miss Bonnie Debra Leep, 19, has enlisted in the U.S. Women’s Marine Corps and is taking basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, where she will graduate June 19th. She is the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary T. Leep of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Leep of 407 Union Street, Vevay. During the Korean Conflict, Miss Leep’s mother served with the WAVES and her father was in the U.S. Army.
Norton G. Roberson, 45, of route 3, Vevay, died early Sunday morning when his pickup truck slipped off the shoulder of state road 56, flipped, and struck several objects 1 1/2 miles east of Madison at Bee Camp.
The Mardi Gras fund reached $1,500 Monday for Switzerland County High School band’s trip to the New Orleans parade February 13th with major contributors the past week including Paul W. Ogle of Silgas, $100, and Ralph Lewis, $110.
45 YEARS AGO
Davis Jones led all Switzerland County farmers this year in corn production to win the junior five-acre corn contest. Don Jennings, county agricultural agent, announced this week. The senior five-acre contest was topped by James R. Shaw and Lawrence Shaw. The Shaws won grand champion honors with 176 bushels per acre.
A Lancaster man died Saturday afternoon after being thrown from his pickup truck which skidded off a slippery Switzerland County road. The man, Chester T. Jett, 56, route 6, Madison, was pronounced dead when police arrived at the scene on the Mount Sterling-Bennington Pike near the Josh Howard residence.
Benita, five-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Coy of route 1, Florence, is recovering in King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison from second and third degree burns on her body received last week when her clothing caught fire from an electric range.
Switzerland County Public Library board met Tuesday evening for its regular monthly meeting, and regretfully accepted the resignation of Wilbur Houze, who has been president of the board for the past 11 years.
55 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Seaver of Vevay were notified December 7th by the War Department that their son, Norman, had been wounded in action in Korea November 25th. Later in the day they received a letter from their son, dated November 30th, which gave them details of his injuries.
In a letter dated November 9th, 1951, from the 1st Cavalry Division, it was announced that Private Albert Powers of route 1, Florence, had been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. Young Powers is a member of the Fifth Cavalry Regiment.
An abandoned house on a farm owned by Garvey Robinson, located on the old detour below Vevay, was destroyed by fire of undetermined origin on December 2nd. The house which had been used for the storage of hay was vacant at the time. A portion of the building was a very old log structure.
William “Billie” Reed, son of Gaylord G. Reed of Crestwood, Kentucky, formerly of Switzerland County, joined the U.S. Navy, June 20th, 1951. After his boot training at Great Lakes, Illinois, he was assigned to duty on the battleship USS Wisconsin which is now in combat in Korea.
65 YEARS AGO
Chester Callis, Vevay attorney, has been appointed Switzerland County Civil Defense Director by Governor Henry F. Schricker and the Indiana Defense Council.
Lockmaster Thomas Bennett of Dam 39 received orders last week to establish a civilian guard for protection of the locks.
The annual Community Christmas Tree party will be held in the courtroom here December 23rd.
Merrie Webster of Long Run has had the third cow in his herd go mad.
The Switzerland County Rural Youth Club held a box social at the Moorefield Academy December 12th.
Born, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kelly of Hominy Ridge.
A daughter, Mary Sue, was born Tuesday to Mr. and Mrs. Ben F. Yount of Patriot.
Miss Mary Castner and George Sering of Advance, Indiana, were married at the Tyson Temple in Versailles Wednesday, December 10th.
Married Saturday, Miss Charlotte Coy and Stanley Purnell of Bethel Ridge.
Born, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Brown of Braytown.
Born, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Curry of Greenbriar Ridge.
Charles Garvey of Craig Township had the misfortune to lose the thumb from his left hand while at work at the Charlestown Powder Plant.
75 YEARS AGO
Wilford L. Joyce, 22, of Vevay was killed almost instantly in an automobile wreck December 10th near a bridge about two miles north of Manville in Jefferson County.
At the close of the November term of the Switzerland Circuit Court last week many testimonials to retiring County Clerk, Eugene T. Broadwell, were given by members of the court, members of the bar and officials.
A wheel was torn from the automobile of County Treasurer, C. E. Pangburn, Saturday evening when it was struck by the auto of Fred Todd, Sr., of Norwood, Ohio, near the Mennett home on State Road 56.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Lewis of Pleasant Ridge have announced the engagement of their daughter, Miss Ida Florence, to Mr. Lewis Ramseyer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Ramseyer of near Vevay.
Success again crowned the venture of a local group of men in their effort to determine the gas possibilities in Switzerland County, when their third well on the Wiseman farm at Long Run came in this week with a flow, which has since developed into a capacity of nearly two million cubic feet.
95 YEARS AGO
Thursday evening, December 14th, Clair Andrew and Miss Katie Pickett were married at Madison by Reverend Hood of that city.
Clarence Otter and Eugene Broadwell have signed pitching contracts with the Indianapolis American Association baseball team for 1912.
Last Monday night petty thieves entered a number of business establishments in Patriot, making off with considerable loot.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Osborn of Aaron, a son, Ralph Normal.
Born to Perry Lockwood and wife of East Enterprise, a daughter.
Born, a son, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Marsh of East Enterprise.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Moore of East Enterprise, a daughter.
Edward Pickett and Mrs. Dessie Reed, both of Vevay, were married Sunday evening by Squire R. N. Smith.
115 YEARS AGO
Licensed to marry: James H. Bibb, Jr., and Emma B. Snodgrass; Lewis Cole and Sarah J. Anderson; Jasper Robinson and Iva Lay; Simmie Wainscott and Esther Lay; John Martin and Laura Myers.
A meeting was held in Vevay this week for the purpose of considering the matter of starting a Bank of Deposit and Discount under the state law.
Boone McHenry and wife of Cross Plains have a new daughter.
Married December 23rd by Reverend Albert Oyle, Miss Anna Protsman and Reverend George H. Jaynes.
Licensed to marry: Elmer E. Protsman and Vestra Clevenger; Taylor Swango and Matilda Swango; Homer McFavid and Ella Webster; John A. Robinson and Liddie Smith; Thomas M. Lanham and Afra A. Tilley; J. E. Tilley and Eva Haynes; Oscar Smith and Susie Scroggins.
135 YEARS AGO
William Patton is able to be out after a severe illness.
Married November 29th, Miss Catherine Howard to Joseph B. Ramseyer. At the same time Miss Sarah Howard was married to Fleming B. Siebenthal. Reverend J. D. Griffith performed the ceremony at the home of the father, John W. Howard.
Married December 14th by Reverend M. D. Steen, Mr. Victor Norisez and Miss Julia A. Stow, both of Vevay.
145 YEARS AGO
Captain Klein’s cavalry company, recruited principally in Switzerland County, has gone to Kentucky to join in the grand march for Nashville. This company belongs to the 3rd Cavalry, 45th Indiana, the headquarters of which are at Washington.
Four companies of Wallick’s German Indiana regiment were attacked on December 17th on the south side of Green River, opposite Mumfordsville, Kentucky, by Colonel Terry’s regiment of Texas Rangers. Wallick was reinforced and drove the rebels back with a loss of 33 killed, including Colonel Terry, and 50 wounded. We lost 8 privates, 1 lieutenant and 16 wounded. We are in receipt of a soldier of the 39th Indiana camped at Camp Wood on the banks of Green River. At the time they had not yet engaged in combat.
We have the news of the destruction of much of the city of Charleston, South Carolina by fire. Thousands of persons were turned into the streets and the Charleston Courier states the loss at from $5 to $7 million dollars.
Ten thousand soldiers have left Indiana for Kentucky.
The post office address of Captains Ruter and Stepleton’s companies now is Otterville, Cooper County, Missouri.
Trade is reviving in Vevay and Switzerland County. Heavy Sales of produce and the continued receipts of money from the army gives a decided activity to business. From now on, during the continuance of war, from $5,000 to $8,000 a month will come to this county from the army.
On Saturday price of hay advanced to $71 a ton in Vevay. Potatoes are selling to dealers at 25 cents per bushel, hogs $3 per hundred weight, chickens $1.00 per dozen, butter at 12 1/2 cents pound, eggs scarce at 10 cents dozen.
In contracting for the erection of the new school house the trustees F. L. Grisard, S. B. Miller and I. Stevens, did not include the building of a cupola. As the building progressed they wisely concluded that a bell would be needed on the building and consequently a place to put the bell. In view of these facts they have just contracted for a suitable cupola. The school house is now ready for its roof and carpenters are busily engaged putting it on. In order to secure means to pay this extra outlay for the cupola the ladies of Vevay and vicinity will give a supper at Odd Fellows Hall on New Year’s Eve. Admittance at the door will be one dime.
On Saturday the steamboat Dr. Kane was at Vevay taking on hay all day. She took aboard 36 bales. It was bought for the government at $12 per ton. It goes up the Kanawha River.
Notwithstanding the times, some building has been going on in Vevay this fall. B. F. Schenck has a dwelling underway on the corner of Pike and Main Cross streets. J. K. Pleasants is building a dwelling in “the orchard”, or more properly in Perret Dufour’s addition to Vevay.