News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Jason Wiesmann, son of Ron and Eileen Wiesmann of near Fairview, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Franklin College.
Renee Hoskins, a freshman at Purdue University, has been named to the dean’s list and cited for semester honors for the fall term. She is the first Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, which is awarded by the Community Foundation of Switzerland County. In her first term at Purdue, Renee Hoskins earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average. She is the daughter of Angela Hoskins and Billy Hoskins.
Nina Allen graduated recently from Vincennes University with an associates degree in commercial art/multimedia. She is the daughter of Rick and Toni Allen of Fishing Worm Ridge.
Three Switzerland County residents were among 2,585 students who earned degrees during commencement ceremonies held recently at Purdue University. They are Amanda Jo Deck of near Mount Sterling who earned a bachelor of arts degree in Liberal arts. She is the daughter of Joe and Sharon Deck. Maraiah Faith Russell earned an associate of science degree in veterinary science. She is the daughter of Laurie Barrett of near Vevay. Brian Wesley Craig earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. He is the son of Randy and Chris Craig of near East Enterprise.
20 YEARS AGO
The Switzerland County Soil and Water Conservation District held its 45th annual meeting Friday night at the Switzerland County High School. Raymond and Bertha Selmeyer were presented the Silver Star Award for their conservation practices over the past 35 years. Denver and Karen Coy were presented the Conservation Farmer of the Year Award at the annual dinner meeting.
Rick Lewis has been named the 1989 Swine Manager of the Year at the Indiana Pork Conference. He is in charge of the hog operation at North Bend Farm near Patriot.
Lori Allison, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Allison, route 1, Florence, will be serving Winter Term internship in science technology at the Eli Lilly & Company in Indianapolis.
30 YEARS AGO
Robert D. Coates, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Coates, has been recognized by the Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana, for his academic achievement.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Krall of Osgood will celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary with an open house at the Versailles Baptist Church Sunday, February 4th.
Mr. and Mrs. William Martin will quietly celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary at their home in Patriot Thursday.
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Claypoole of Vevay announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter Roberta Claypoole to Russell McKay. Russell is the son of the late Thomas H. McKay and Nelda McKay of Vevay. The wedding will take place February 9th at 7 p.m. in the Patriot Baptist Church.
40 YEARS AGO
U.S. Army Specialist-4 Robert W. Walcott left January 30th for Fort Lewis, Washington, after spending a 30-day leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Walcott, and other family members. Specialist-4 Walcott will leave from Washington for Korea where he is to spend his next year in the U.S. Army.
Pfc. Michael Stivers, son of Mrs. Marjorie Stivers of Vevay has been assigned to the U.S. Army’s 108th Field Artillery Unit near Dong Ha, Vietnam.
Engineers have submitted final plans for waterline extensions to Patriot Water Company and Patriot town trustees are reviewing the plans and expect to submit them to Farmers Home Administration in furtherance of an application for a new loan.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Green of Aurora have announced their purchase of the Vevay division of Orem Transfer Ready-Mix Concrete from Mrs. Lucian Orem.
50 YEARS AGO
Two of the triplet babies born to Mr. and Mrs. James David Heath on January 15th were brought to their home from the Madison hospital on Monday. They are Donald, now 6 pounds, and Diane, 5 pounds, 13 ounces. Little Doris remains in an incubator at the hospital and she is making such satisfactory progress that she is expected to be discharged soon.
Three Vevay High School music students won first place awards in the District Music Festival at Franklin Saturday. Winning the laurels in the solo competition were Carolyn Danner, Sandra Jo Stevens and Gerald Dorwood. Eugene Fredenburgh won second place in solo work.
Eileen Mary Furnish has been named 1959 Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow at Vevay High School. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Furnish.
A petition urging more extensive repairs on State Road 156 between Vevay and Markland is in circulation in the community and will be sent to the State Highway Department as soon as all interested persons have signed.
A baby son was born in the Madison hospital Tuesday night at 8:40 to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ricketts of Vevay. The baby weighed 9 pounds, 6 1/2 ounces but has not been named as yet.
60 YEARS AGO
Jimmy Hayes of East Enterprise will assume active management of the local telephone exchange there on March 11th according to the present plans. Mr. Hayes is a personable young man who will no doubt make a success of his new venture.
Mrs. Hazel P. Ellison has accepted a position as bookkeeper in the Stringfield garage and auto agency here. Mrs. Ellison was formerly manager of the Switzerland County Auto License Branch office.
The Historical Society has pictures on display in Sieglitz window and at the Swiss Inn of the first piano in Indiana brought to Vevay in 1817 from London, now the property of the society. Mrs. Wilbur Turner and her mother, Mrs. Berta Sullivan, have recently given the society an antique walnut drop leaf table that had been in Mrs. Sullivan’s family many years.
A bill providing for a separate Court Circuit for Switzerland and Ohio counties has been passed by the Indiana Legislature by a vote of 92 to 0, and has been sent to the Senate for probable action some time this week.
70 YEARS AGO
The Vevay Conservation Club was organized here this week with Russell Pickett as president. Other officers elected were William Trinkle, vice president, F. E. Brown, treasurer and R. E. Henry, secretary.
The Ohio River Telephone Company will begin the construction of new lines and other equipment here today for installation of the new battery type telephones.
Burley tobacco prices for 1938 sold at an average of from 19 to 20 cents.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles O’Day celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary Sunday, January 29th, at their home.
The new Holiness League Tabernacle on Pike Street is now being rapidly completed and the dates of the dedication service will soon be announced according to the pastor Reverend Homer Welch.
Born January 23rd to Mr. and Mrs. Fenton Bunger of Quercus Grove a daughter, Flora Jean.
A baby son Edward Wayne was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ire Turner of Markland last week.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hopper of Florence January 25th, a daughter Janice Rose.
Born to Reverend and Mrs. Ralph Blodgett of Wilmore, Kentucky on January 16th, a daughter, Vivian Sue.
80 YEARS AGO
Clifford Turner of Plum Creek had a narrow escape from death Thursday when his automobile was washed downstream in the flash flood of Plum Creek. He escaped from the car but lost his coat, groceries and other articles in the car.
Henry Tinker, 89, a veteran of the Civil War, died Wednesday at his home near Allensville.
James G. Bladen has rented the corner room of the C. O. Sieglitz building on Main Street and will open a grocery there soon.
Miss Emily Ford, former teacher in the Vevay schools has been named assistant to Professor Leland N. Myer, head of the history department of Georgetown (Kentucky) College. A resident of Georgetown she graduated from the college in 1916.
90 YEARS AGO
Dr. J. M. Langsdale, 71, died at his home in Florence Tuesday from heart trouble. He practiced medicine in Florence and also owned and operated a drug store there.
Mrs. Mary Mennet, the county’s oldest woman, celebrated her 97th birthday Wednesday at the home of her son, Grant Mennet on Main Street.
George Platt, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Platt of Patriot who was wounded in action in France has returned home.
Everett O’Neal and Wilbur McKay have just bought the livery stable adjoining their garage from the LeClerc heirs and two residences next to the stable from the heirs of Julius Dufour and plan to build an addition to their garage.
Joseph Gordon, 20, of near Pleasant sustained a broke leg and broken arm, cuts and bruises Friday when he was caught in a power wood saw.
Theodore Heath of Moorefield fell down the basement stairs in his barn and broke several ribs.
A daughter was born January 25th to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Peters.
100 YEARS AGO
Goldie Hillicord, 10-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hillicord of near Vevay died Thursday from the effects of burns which she received in the throat from lye when she was only a few months old.
A new state bank is to be started in East Enterprise in a short time, a meeting having been held by interested persons.
Earl Heath of Sugar Branch left Monday for Cincinnati to attend medical college.
The show at the lyric Theatre Saturday night was a big one. Several reels of pictures were shown and three illustrated songs were rendered at each performance. At each performance last night a fancy plate was given to each lady who attended.
A daughter was born Friday to Mr. and Mrs. Clair Murry.
A son, Meridith Russel was born January 11th to Mr. and Mrs. Milton Moreillon of Cotton Township.
A son Roy was born January 6th to Mr. and Mrs. Blanton Hatton of Plum Creek.
Twins, a daughter Wilma and a son James William were born to Mr. and Mrs. Levi Bliss of near Markland.
A daughter Rose Elizabeth was born January 3rd to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Lock of Pleasant Township.
120 YEARS AGO
Addison Works has written a bill for the appointment of an insurance commissioner and has asked Marion Griffith to introduce it in the Indiana Senate.
The Shadday building on Pike Street is being remodeled and when completed will be again occupied by Dr. William Johnston, dentist.
Mrs. John Thather of Quercus Grove, who has been ill with a fever for some time on last Thursday gave birth to three children, two girls and one boy. Two of the babies died. The mother is getting along alright.
Morton Nolan, grandson of the late Mrs. Sarah Heath of East Enterprise, was killed in the explosion of a boiler in a stove factory at Franklin recently. He was an engineer in the factory.
There was a grand entertainment at Grisard’s Hall Wednesday night given by John H. Lozier, chaplain of the 37th Indiana, who “can sing as sweetly as a nightingale, be as solemn as a bishop, witty as Artemis Ward.” He was introduced by Colonel W. D. Ward who for three years fought, marched and camped with him in the 37th.
The following are the newly elected officers of the Orphans Friends: Mrs. M. A. Robenstein, president; Mrs. J. Smiley, vice president; Mrs. Mary L. Kincaid, secretary; Mrs. Belle Teats, treasurer.
140 YEARS AGO
Three ruffians who beat up Mr. Marshall and Mr. Keith in Florence last week forced Mr. Rayles to pay each of them $5 and robbed another man of $83. The magistrate before whom they were arraigned was so terrified that he fined them only a dollar each.
The indignant people of York Township have organized a vigilance committee to protect their rights.
Joseph E. Walton of Aurora has opened a photography gallery in the rooms formerly occupied by W. H. Ruggles.
Alfred Stow has been appointed fire warden.
On Monday the ladies of the Baptist Church held a quilting bee at the Morerod home.
Merrit Aldrich sold a hog last week to O. S. Waldo which weighed 508 pounds at 13 cents per pound.
W. B. Douglas possesses an ear of white corn containing 1,320 good grains. It was grown in Mexico Bottom on the farm of Theodore Humphrey.
A masked ball will be given February 22nd at Grisard Hall.
150 YEARS AGO
The Methodist congregation of Vevay is going to erect a new church, the only one being entirely too small.
The following officers have been elected for the Good Templars’ lodge in Vevay: L. G. Adkinson, C. T.; Elmire Rous, V. T.; William L. Campbell, Secretary; J.P. Schenck, Treasurer.
Dr. Pope will preach at the Universalist Church Sunday.
About 13 months ago Darias McVerry, 12, son of James McVerry of York Township left home and has not been heard of since. His parents have been searching for him but no trace of the boy has been found.
Senator Robinson of this district has introduced a temperance bill in the legislature.