News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
The future of the historic City Roller Mills property in Vevay may be in doubt now that the Vevay-Switzerland County Foundation has donated the property to the Switzerland County Commissioners. Whether the building will be renovated and preserved or torn down and another building built on the site will be discussed a great deal over the coming months.
The burley tobacco market has entered its second week, and both growers and buyers are continuing to see steady prices if the tobacco is stripped into three grades. Wet tobacco has been a problem all around the area, as cooler weather has kept the crop from drying properly.
Someone is walking around with a “Power Ball” lottery ticket with the number 15-23-34-40-46 on it, and they are $100,000 richer. But who is it? Eddie Haskell of the L & L Kwik Stop store at the Markland Dam has been informed by lottery officials that someone purchased a Power Ball lottery ticket in his store that matched those five numbers and is a $100,000 winner. But as of Wednesday morning, no one had come to the store to claim their prize.
15 YEARS AGO
Marine Sergeant Stephen A. Miller, son of Kenneth and Carolyn Miller, of Vevay, was recently promoted to his present rank while serving with Marine Corps Security Force Command in Keflavik, Iceland. He joined the Marine Corps in February, 1989.
In a tragic Thanksgiving Day accident, a 16-year-old girl from Michigan who was visiting her grandmother, Katherine Perkins in Switzerland County, was killed in an accident here. Amy K. Kitchen, 16, of Holly, Michigan, died of injuries suffered Thursday evening when she was hit by a passing pickup truck car while walking on state road 56 one mile west of East Enterprise.
20 YEARS AGO
A one-car accident Tuesday morning, December 8th, took the life of Switzerland County physician Dr. Donald F. Roney. Dr. Roney touched the lives of many area residents and contributed much to the health and well-being of those in the community.
Vonetta Ann Roberts, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Roberts, Lakeland, Florida and formerly of Vevay and Hanover, became the bride of Keith L. Radford on August 15th. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ervin Radford of Bartow, Florida.
The Switzerland County Commissioners met Monday, December 7th, in regular session. The main topic of business for the commissioners was the closing of the purchase of the Blair building.
30 YEARS AGO
Former Vevay High School track star Henri Chase is still toeing the mark and off-and-running as he took top honors in his age category at the Turkey Day Road Race sponsored by the Elks Clubs of Cincinnati. Chase achieved the quickest time in the trek from Covington to the Queen City competing against other runners in the 30 to 39 year age category. A 1966 graduate of VHS, Chase is currently living in Crawfordsville, Indiana where he teaches high school and coaches the school’s track team. His parents, Donald and Vivian Chase, reside in Switzerland County on Tapps Ridge.
Fire destroyed the home of George and Mary Jane Hankins at Bennington Monday afternoon. The fire was discovered by their son Billy who had just returned home from kindergarten and his grandmother, Nancy Kelley.
What started out as an outing last Thursday in Switzerland County for three Greenfield men turned into a tragedy. The three men were boating on Indian Creek just north of Vevay when the boat overturned and only one survived. William R. Isaac, 43, route 1, Greenfield, and Raymond Hall, 35, Greenfield, both drowned. Their buddy, Gerald Frye, also of Greenfield, managed to avoid the undertow and swim to shore.
40 YEARS AGO
Harold A. “Tony” Williamson, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Brady and Mrs. Naomi Williamson of Vevay, has enlisted in the U.S. Army and is stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia, for basic training.
Richard S. Cole, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cogley Cole, Jr., of Vevay is on the list of some 2,500 fall graduates at Indiana University in Bloomington. Cole is to receive a master of science degree in education.
“I just feel like I want to go back,” was Sergeant Robert “Bobby Joe” Williamson’s answer to a question as to why he has volunteered to return to U.S. Army combat duty in Vietnam after already serving 26 months in the war theater. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Brady of Vevay and is one of three Williamson brothers now serving with the United States’ armed forces.
Marine Corporal Floyd W. Bond, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry R. Bond of route 1, Patriot, was graduated from the Marine Officer Candidate Course at Quantico and commissioned to his present rank.
Robert D. Jones of route 1, Florence, is a member of a three-man team of Indiana University law students which will take part for the first time in the National Moot Court competition.
A 21-year-old Oakland City woman has been contracted to serve as elementary music teacher for Switzerland County School Corporation. She is Miss Mary C. Dyson who received her bachelor of science degree from Oakland City College this year.
50 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Poling of Florence announce the engagement of their daughter, Freda, to Harry Walker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Favre Walker of Rising Sun.
Glenna Sue Gayle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Gayle of Greenbriar Ridge near Moorefield, was chosen basketball queen at Central High School in Jefferson County.
60 YEARS AGO
Miss Jean Humphrey, only daughter of Mrs. Flora Humphrey of Vevay and the late Howard N. Humphrey, and William M. McClure, son of Mr. and Mrs. Shirley McClure of Logan, were married Friday night, November 28th, at Vevay Methodist Church.
Ed Boggs, trustee of Craig Township, was painfully injured Monday night when he fell on a basement stairway at his home and struck his leg on a tub with such force that an artery was severed.
Lou Kelley, foreman of Vevay Auto Company body shop which is housed in a room adjoining the Bruner Grocery, was painfully burned Wednesday morning when a fuel oil heater exploded.
Possibility of a shoe factory for Vevay loomed Wednesday following a conference with a committee from Vevay Civic Group and Nathan Stix and Bradford Berry of Harrison, Ohio, heads of the United States Shoe Corporation.
The marriage of Miss Margery Furnish of Vevay and Virgil Kappes of Waldron was solemnized Friday afternoon, November 28th, by Reverend R. C. McNeely at his residence in Patriot.
Miss Geraldine Banta, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Banta of Craig Township, and Charles S. Humphrey of Madison were united in marriage Friday evening, November 28th, at the home of Reverend Vincent in Madison.
70 YEARS AGO
George A. Finnup, 71, Switzerland County native died Sunday, November 21st, at his home in Garden City, Kansas.
Mrs. George Banta of Louisville, Kentucky, announces the marriage of her daughter, Dorothy C. Banta, to John C. Wells, which took place November 24th.
Joe Bliton of the Caledonia neighborhood suffered the amputation of the second finger of his left hand Wednesday morning, due to infection of a cut received while working with some hogs.
Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Clark, who reside with their daughter, Mrs. Lona Harper, Richmond, celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary November 18th.
The new modern diesel ferry boat, “Ohio” owned and operated by the McKay brothers is now in operation between Lamb and Carrollton, Kentucky.
80 YEARS AGO
Dr. Joseph William Eggleston, aged 83, last of three brothers born in Vevay, who afterward were nationally known, died last week at his home in Richmond, Virginia.
An attempt was made to steal an automobile belonging to A. W. Dibble last week but the thief fled after backing the car into a telephone pole.
Miss Nell Griswold of Bennington and Herbert Archer of Moorefield were married in Vevay last Wednesday evening by Reverend F. E. Hammel, the ceremony being performed at the pastor’s residence.
Miss Geneva Curry and Stanley Smith were married Wednesday evening at the home of Reverend F. E. Hammel.
Perry Dickason, 77, of Vevay now holds the honor of being the oldest hunter in Switzerland County.
Mrs. Tone Johnson, aged 71, died last Wednesday afternoon at her home in Cross Plains.
Reverend James B. Lathrop today observed his 102nd birthday anniversary here. The event was observed quietly at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John S. Shannon, with whom he lives.
90 YEARS AGO
The many friends of Professor Ernest Gray will regret to learn that he has resigned as instructor in the Vevay Public Schools to accept a similar position in the high school at Washington.
Margaret Morrison and Frank McHenry of East Enterprise were married in Rising Sun this week.
After a lingering illness Mrs. Elizabeth Rayls, aged 80 years, died at the home of her son, Frank Peelman of Vevay Sunday, December 2nd.
Mrs. Florence Tyson of Ghent and Captain John L. Graham of Vevay were married here Saturday evening by Reverend Dart.
Bige Myers, aged 74 years, died at his home here Monday from a complication of diseases.
100 YEARS AGO
Carl Murphy and Miss Maude Fulmer were married Sunday morning at the bride’s home in Champaign, Illinois. The groom is a former resident of Switzerland County.
The Plum Creek bridge is making good progress toward completion. The work daily attracts a host of visitors and Joe Cox has established a “sight seeing omnibus” which takes passengers the round trip for 10 cents.
Ethol Scott and Miss Flora Kiesel were married Thursday evening at the M. E. parsonage.
Abel Stout of near Fairview and Miss Vera Gray of Moorefield were married Wednesday night at the home of James M. Scott in this city.
A daughter was born Friday to William Benedict and wife.
Thomas R. Gockel accepted the position of assistant cashier at the Patriot Deposit Bank and began his duties Monday.
A son was born Wednesday to Joe Cox and wife.
120 YEARS AGO
Reverend William Pinkerton, retired clergyman of the Christian church residing at Ghent, died suddenly Tuesday evening.
Last Tuesday evening the residence of Elijah Day near Sugar Branch was totally destroyed by fire. The family was absent when the fire started and its origin is unknown.
The residence of Isaac Paugh in Pleasant Township was recently destroyed by fire.
Lee Seymour of Sugar Branch accidentally shot himself in the wrist while handling a revolver last Wednesday.
130 YEARS AGO
Adolphus W. Hyde and Mary B. Armstrong were married November 15th at the home of James Gerard.
Rufus P. Ramey and Miss Mollie E. Cotton were married November 28th by Reverend Harvey Harris.
An ordinance was passed by city council Monday night creating a public market on Market Square making it a penal offense to sell wood, fodder, loose hay or loose straw at any other place within the city, unless previously contracted for. An ordinance was also passed authorizing the marshal to use ball and chain upon prisoners at work whenever in his opinion it is necessary for their safekeeping.
140 YEARS AGO
James H. Titus died here Monday.
Vevay markets: Wheat, $2.40 bushel; rye, $1.10 bushel; corn, 80 cents bushel; onions, $1.00 bushel; potatoes, 90 cents per bushel; eggs, 30 cents dozen; flour, $10 per bushel.
150 YEARS AGO
Married December 3rd by Esquire Pleasants, Samuel Ridgway and Eliza Babb.
Colonel Kelso of Lawrenceburg, well known here, having been elected from Switzerland County to the Senate in 1842, died November 25th, after a long and painful illness.