News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
After 30 years with the Switzerland County School Corporation, middle school principal Bill Roberts will retire at the end of the current school year. The announcement was made at Monday night’s meeting of the Switzerland County School Board. Bill Roberts came to Switzerland County in the 1969-70 school year as principal of the junior high school that existed while Vevay and Patriot High Schools were being consolidated. From 1970-1975 he served as principal of Switzerland County High School. He returned to the classroom in 1975, teaching agriculture and machine shop until 1980, when he returned to administration as the high school’s assistant principal. He served for a time as the high school athletic director.
When middle school teacher Judy Roberts came to Switzerland County six years ago, she began teaching remedial reading to eighth grade students. She began to look for a way to encourage reading among the students, and settled on a unique plan that would not only help her students, but also encourage others to read. Once every six weeks, Judy Roberts takes her classes through the halls and into Jefferson-Craig Elementary, where the students are paired up with an elementary student for a time of reading.
George and Lee (Mitchell) Hensley of Red Hog Pike are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary today (Thursday).
15 YEARS AGO
The Distinguished Hoosier Award was presented to Ralph Tilley of Vevay at the annual Christmas dinner of the Vevay-Switzerland County Foundation, held Thursday evening at the Ogle Haus Inn. The award was presented to Mr. Tilley by State Representative Ed Goble. Award recipients are named by the leadership of Indiana’s House of Representative.
Marian Janes of Vevay has received special recognition for her 26 years of service to the Head Start program in Switzerland County. Her award was presented to her by John Crawford, a member of the SIEOC board of directors and president of the Switzerland County Chamber of Commerce.
Richie Scott of Moorefield has joined an elite group of FFA achievers. He received the highest degree of membership awarded by the National FFA organization – the American FFA degree. He was presented with a certificate and gold key in recognition of the honor.
20 YEARS AGO
Robert S. Dunevant is stepping down as president and chief executive officer of P.T.C. Bancorp and People’s Trust Company, effective December 31st. James L. Saner, Sr., has been named Dunevant’s successor.
John Rederick, Florence, was among those to receive a service appreciation pin from the Area 12 Council on Aging recently. He has worked with the Vevay Senior Citizen’s meal site in Vevay for the past three years.
Andre LeClaire has opened a new electronic service company in Vevay. LeClaire Electronics is located at 113 West Main Street in the same building with Riverscape Realty.
35 YEARS AGO
Dennis Knotts of Vevay has been assigned assistant recruiter for the U.S. Army in Switzerland, Jefferson and Carroll (Kentucky) counties. Knotts has been in the Army for five years and has completed two tours of duty in Vietnam, as well as six months duty in Germany. His overseas duties were with the military police. He holds the rank of sergeant.
Ken Devers, a high school student from Quercus Grove, attained the highest honor in Boy Scouting last week when he was promoted to the rank of Eagle Scout. Devers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Deward Devers, is a member of Boy Scout Troop 714 of Vevay. The troop honored him in a Court of Honor ceremony Tuesday night at the old gymnasium on Seminary Street.
John Ashcraft of Vevay waited 84 years to take his first airplane ride. And, he says, it was well worth waiting for. Mr. Ashcraft, who is 84 years old and a member of the Switzerland County Council, flew to Arkansas last month to visit some relatives he last visited 25 years ago.
45 YEARS AGO
Christmas is virtually upon us and to mark the arrival extensive celebrations are being planned locally, highlighted by a visit from Santa Claus, a $1,000 giveaway, and a lighting contest.
Maggie Brown was crowned 1963-64 Vevay High School basketball queen during ceremonies before the Warrior-Aurora battle Friday evening at the local gym. Warrior Pat Collier crowned the queen. The smiles continued through the evening as Vevay scored an 87-66 victory.
Mr. and Mrs. Dilver Clark of Fairview will observe the 50th anniversary of their marriage with open house at the IOOF hall in Bennington Sunday.
Stanley W. Hewitt, 52, a resident of Posey Township, was found dead about 10 o’clock Sunday morning in a building used for a garage. Death was attributed to carbon monoxide from a tractor.
Harry L. Washmuth, 60, a well known and respected resident of the county, passed away at his home near East Enterprise early last Wednesday morning, December 11th, after an illness of about 10 days.
55 YEARS AGO
Snow, which measured nearly three inches, fell over Switzerland County Monday night and deep drifts which were whipped over county highways by winds have made transportation difficult in many areas.
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wright of near Moorefield are the proud parents of a daughter born December 10th in the Milan Hospital. The new arrival weighed in at 8 pounds, 11 ounces and has been named Brenda Sue.
William B. Hulley, 78, a prominent citizen of Switzerland County, passed away at his home near Bennington last Sunday evening.
Reverend E. L. Householder, formerly of Rector, Arkansas, has accepted the pastoral duties of the Church of Jesus Christ on Main Street here in Vevay.
Mrs. Ella Chittenden will quietly observe her 91st birthday Sunday at her home in Vevay where she resides with her daughter, Miss Muriel Chittenden.
Jacob Krumel, a native and member of an old Vevay family, died suddenly last Friday evening in his hotel room in Charlestown, West Virginia.
65 YEARS AGO
Christine, five-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Seymour, died early Sunday morning, December 19th, at her parents’ home near Patriot.
Mrs. Lyde Bright Griffith, widow of the late Dr. T.J. Griffith and a former resident of Vevay, died in a Washington, D.C. hospital following an illness of lobar pneumonia.
Mrs. India Shaffer, a native and nearly all her life a resident of Craig Township, passed away at her home in Madison Saturday morning following an illness of several months.
Born a daughter December 12th to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Graves of Humphrey’s Corner. She has been named Normalene.
Born Wednesday a daughter Phyllis to Mr. and Mrs. Everett Jackson of Vevay.
Mrs. Emma Carolyn Powell will quietly celebrate her 100th birthday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William Bodey, near Patriot Wednesday, December 29th.
75 YEARS AGO
Dr. Hugh M. Thiebaud, one of Vevay’s best known physicians, passed away at his home here Monday evening following a several months period of ill health. He was 70 years of age and had practiced medicine in Vevay for many years.
Miss Tressah Brown and Raymond Cole of Moorefield were married Sunday at the home of the bride’s parents by Reverend Mosley.
Ora Nave opened his new grocery store in Patriot for business Saturday.
Born, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Charley Lucas of Dry Fork.
Born, a daughter Audrey Ray to Mr. and Mrs. Welby Jester.
Born, a daughter Mary Florence to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Moody.
A live pig will be given to the person holding the lucky ticket at the square dance at the Armory hall in Vevay on Saturday night.
85 YEARS AGO
Leland S. Courtney last week purchased a half interest in the Urma grocery from Clarence Roberts and will take an active part in the business.
Miss Ethel F. Sullivan of Center Square and Leland O. Dunning of East Enterprise were married in Vevay Saturday by Reverend F.E. Hammel.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Lauschner in Vevay was robbed last week of $60 in cash. Approximately $120, all in half dollars, was stored in a box in a wardrobe and the thief took about half the money from the box.
Opp Sieglitz, optometrist, has opened his offices in the Vevay Deposit Bank building and has equipped them with more than $2,000 worth of the most modern instruments.
Born, a son to John Walston and wife of Posey Township.
Born, December 6th, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Brack Johns of Patriot.
Dr. Fred Bakes, eye, ear, and nose specialist, has opened offices in the Sallie Pickett hotel in Vevay.
J. P. Curry shipped a pen of Rhode Island Red chickens to a customer in Oakland, California Tuesday. The birds were prize winners in the recent Vevay show.
The first snow of the season fell on December 13th and thermometers registered as low as 18 degrees.
95 YEARS AGO
The failure of contractors to submit bids last week for the construction of lock and dam 39 to be erected in the Ohio River near Markland resulted yesterday in a recommendation to the War Department in Washington that the work be done by hired labor.
James Kern and his son George who have been living in Connersville for several years past have rented a farm near Pleasant and are moving back to Switzerland County.
The People’s Coal Company, formerly owned by C. R. Anderson and William Heady has been sold to a company managed by George Clendenning.
Born, a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. John Gullion of Scotch Settlement.
Born, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hart of near Moorefield.
Born, December 7th, a son Franklin Lee to Mr. and Mrs. Chester Osborn of Center Ridge.
Born, December 12th, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. William Oatman of Bear Branch.
Born, December 9th, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gurley of Posey Township.
Mrs. Sarah Bradley died Friday, December 12th, at the home of her son Harry Bradley on Bryant’s Creek after a lingering illness of several months’ duration.
105 YEARS AGO
Died in York Township December 7th Francis M. Scott, pioneer resident.
Married at the bride’s home in Vevay, Miss Nora Lewis and Frank Dupraz.
The high school senior class has organized a club to meet each Friday evening.
The fatal shooting of Miss Elizabeth Gillespie in Rising Sun remains a mystery.
115 YEARS AGO
Mr. Aldred B. Shaw, Jr., of Vevay and Miss Lillian M. Palmer of Elkhart, Indiana were married in that city Thursday, December 14th, by Reverend Lowery.
The steamer U. P. Schenck was wind bound and did not reach Vevay until Saturday morning, 24 hours behind time. She was unable to turn and backed from Rising Sun to Vevay where the steamer Hattie Brown assisted in turning her downstream. She was loaded down to the guards.
Died in Moorefield Sunday, December 17th, John M. Crandell, 70 years of age.
Died near Florence Thursday, December 14th, Mrs. Anna Craig Cunningham, wife of Oliver D. Cunningham.
Born, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Abijah Humphrey of upper Posey Township.
Died, Eleanor, little daughter of Sol and Mattie Pangborn, on December 7th.
125 YEARS AGO
Died in Vevay December 15th, the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.Z. Taylor.
Frank and Melander Riley of Mount Sterling purchased a new mill at Patriot.
Married in Quercus Grove December 13th, Mary E. Moore and Jacob H. Keeney.
135 YEARS AGO
John VanNuys, aged 71 years, died December 17th at his home in Pleasant Township.
William M. Brown and Miss Elizabeth Jackman were married December 11th at the residence of the bride’s parents in Vevay.
Alexander Washer of Jefferson County and Miss Nancy Ann Hankins were married December 11th at the bride’s home in Pleasant Township.
Last Friday John Sullivan of Tapps Ridge had a narrow escape from death when lightning struck in the yard tearing up the ground in seven places, one place five feet from the door bursting it open, breaking out window lights and filling the room with smoke.
145 YEARS AGO
Civil War news: Yesterday’s papers contain the gratifying intelligence that General Burnside has captured 5,000 of Longstreet’s forces and that General Foster was in pursuit of the fleeing rebels. General Meade has had an engagement with Lee’s forces and the rebels were forced to retreat.
On Friday night last, General John Morgan and six of his captains escaped from the Ohio Penitentiary. One thousand dollars is offered for the arrest of Morgan. Of course, negligence was the cause of his escape.
General Foster arrived at Cumberland Gap on Monday on his way to Knoxville to relieve General Burnside. The government had better keep General Burnside where he has done so well.
Both houses of Congress were promptly organized on Monday last in the presence of crowded galleries. In the house, Mr. Colfax of Indiana was elected speaker by a decided majority. The president will communicate his message at half past 12 o’clock Wednesday.
General Sherman has been placed in command of east Tennessee under General Grant.
The Cavalry Company being formed in Switzerland County under ex-sheriff Mead now numbers 70 men.
The rebels under Longstreet are retreating toward Virginia, pursued by Union troops. The rebel campaign to regain east Tennessee is a miserable failure.