News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Switzerland County High School held its commencement exercises last Sunday afternoon for 92 graduating seniors. Tehya Allen is the Valedictorian of this year’s class and Katie Riley is this year’s Salutatorian.
Amy Turner, daughter of Randy and Donna Turner of Vevay, has earned a $500 Masonic scholarship from the Scholarship Board of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, Free and Accepted Masons.
Melinda Jo Miller, daughter of Ramona Miller of Allensville, was one of 172 graduates from Franklin College recently.
Adam Cole, son of Dennis and Donita Cole of East Enterprise, has earned membership on the dean’s list for the spring semester of Wabash College.
Members of the VFW and American Legion posts in Switzerland County held Memorial Day observances on Monday at the Veterans’ monument on the lawn of the Switzerland County Courthouse.
15 YEARS AGO
Boyd and Lucille Smith of Coleman Road near East Enterprise will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary May 29th. They were married in Covington, Kentucky. They have resided in Switzerland County since 1970.
Kristin Sigmon, an honor student at Switzerland County High School has been selected to participate in the Indiana University “Exploration of Careers in Science” Summer Institute. The program begins Sunday, June 14th, and continues until Saturday, August 8th.
20 YEARS AGO
Wayne Browning was sworn in as the new Switzerland County Deputy Tuesday morning, June 2nd. He has been a special deputy and served as a jailer dispatcher in Switzerland County. He was also a deputy from 1970-1972 under the previous sheriff Tom McKay. He will attend the police academy in Plainfield for 12 weeks starting in September.
An accident this past weekend took the life of Marvin Covington of route 3, Vevay. A passerby noticed the Switzerland County Sheriff’s Department about 11:01 a.m. Sunday that there was a vehicle in the river. The body was found in the truck. The truck was traveling east on State Road 156 about two miles east of Florence when it left the roadway and traveled approximately 209 feet prior to landing in the river. An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be drowning.
Kenneth Ronald Lock, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Lock, route 3, Vevay, was a member of the 1987 graduating class of Hanover College, Hanover. He received a bachelor of arts degree in communication.
The Madison Courier marked its 150th year of publication this past month. In celebration of this major birthday, the Courier printed several sections, including a history of the paper, researched and prepared by Don Wallis, Jr., former editor for Vevay Newspapers. The Courier staff will be holding an open house Sunday, June 7th, of their plant.
Mr. and Mrs. Roger H. Reed, route 3, Vevay, will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house at their home on Sunday, June 7th.
Carl Brown of Vevay is leaving the service of the Town of Vevay after 41 years.
Mr. and Mrs. William E. Owings, route 1, Vevay, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary May 17th.
30 YEARS AGO
Harold C. “Red” Benedict of Vevay was elected president of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association last Thursday at the IRTA’s 12th annual statewide Representative Assembly in Indianapolis. Mr. Benedict, who is currently serving as IRTA’s first vice president and its legislative chairman, will begin a two-year term as president September 1st.
Carla Jo Harsin of Vevay is entered in the 1977 Miss Madison Regatta beauty pageant, to be staged in the down-river city June 25th. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Craig.
Kathleen Cord, the wife of Richard Jay Houghton, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Cord, of route 4, Vevay, was awarded the degree of Juris Doctor from the Law School of the University of Louisville on May 15th.
40 YEARS AGO
David “Butch” Johnson became Switzerland County’s first 1967 highway fatality last Thursday as his auto crashed head-on into State Road 56’s Indian Creek bridge, 1 1/2 miles west of Vevay. Johnson lived with his father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. Claud Johnson in Vevay.
Don Smith, Vevay chief of police, suffered severe injuries and was hospitalized Sunday following an automobile accident on state road 156 at Airport Road, 1 mile east of Vevay.
U.S. Army Private Larry G. Rayls, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmo Rayls of route 2, Vevay, has completed a cooking course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
Mr. and Mrs. Carl F. Shoemaker of Mehoopany, Pennsylvania, have announced the engagement of their daughter, Gail Diane, to Bob Robinson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Robinson of route 3, Vevay.
50 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Hansel Graves of Patriot have announced the engagement of their daughter, Glenda, to Mr. Basil Armstrong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Durward Armstrong of route 1, Florence. The wedding will take place Saturday, June 1st, at 7 p.m. in the Patriot Baptist Church.
John A. Danglade, principal at Saluda High School in Jefferson County, and former principal of Vevay High School, has announced his retirement from teaching, effective at the end of the school year. Mr. Danglade has been an educator for 32 years and was principal at Vevay High from 1929 to 1945. He was principal of North Madison High from 1949 until the school was closed in 1950.
Miss Mary Ruth Brett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Brett of Mount Sterling, and Clyde Poling, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Poling of Florence, were married in a double ring ceremony Saturday at the home of Reverend Fred Griffith, the officiating minister. They were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Littrell of Vevay.
60 YEARS AGO
A seven pound son, Gerald Francis Ramseyer, was born Sunday, May 25th, at King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison to County Assessor Gerald Ramseyer and Mrs. Ramseyer (nee Evelyn Jennings) of Vevay.
Miss Carolena N. Hart and Layman Cloat were united in marriage Thursday evening, May 22nd, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Cloat, the groom’s parents in Indianapolis.
George D. McKay, one of our best known amateur farmers, has now established a record of having the first Karakul sheep in the county and probably in the state on his farm below Vevay.
Minor Hudson, former resident of Vevay, was killed in a head-on automobile collision at Elizabethtown, Ohio, Friday night. His son, Minor Hudson, Jr., of Lawrenceburg was injured in the crash as were three Switzerland County boys – Ray Ward Poston, Robert Buchanan, and Kenny Morton, who were cut and bruised.
Wilby L. Simmons and Miss Doris Conover, both of Madison, were united in marriage Saturday, May 24th, at the home of the Reverend L. S. Courtney.
Announcement is being made of the marriage of Miss Delores Diaz Cicon and Pfc. George M. Morris which took place Saturday, May 10th, in Manila, Philippine Islands. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Morris of this county and is at present stationed at an army base near Manila. Mrs. Morris is employed in a government personnel department at present. They are expected to return to the states sometime in the fall.
Charles Romans has purchased the filling station located at the corner of Ferry and Seminary streets from Mrs. Ella Means.
Lucian “Shorty” Lampton of Vevay, who is employed at Dallas Motor Sales on Liberty Street, sustained a badly lacerated hand while at work Friday. An oil barrel started to overturn and – in trying to stop its fall – a spout on the barrel was forced into his hand.
George Furnish, Sr., of Vevay sustained a broken knee cap in a fall at the S. & O. Beverage storeroom on Ferry Street Friday evening.
A marriage license was issued Saturday, May 24th, by Clerk Melchior DuPlan to Robert F. Leive and Elizabeth J. Reed. Miss Reed is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ivor Reed of Canaan and Mr. Leive is the son of Frank Leive of near Canaan and is employed in Lawrenceburg.
Eugene Chaskel and son Jimmy will attend the Speedway races in Indianapolis on May 30th. Jimmy has been appointed as one of the timers in the Memorial Day classic.
70 YEARS AGO
Charles Krummel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Krummel of Vevay, narrowly escaped fatal injury about 8 o’clock Tuesday morning on his father’s farm near Long Run, when a tractor turned over and pinned him to the ground.
Clarence Roberts and H. D. Bruner, who for the past few yeas have conducted a combination hatchery, grocery, and feed store, have dissolved partnership.
80 YEARS AGO
Miss Lucille K. Sanders and Ernest M. Rand were married Saturday by the Reverend W.S. Lowe. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Sanders of near East Enterprise. The room is a native of Lawrenceburg where they will reside.
Postmaster James S. Wright Monday received instructions to accept the bid of the American Legion for the use of the Legion building as a post office. The bid was $970 per year, heat, light, and all fixtures furnished.
John H. Brindley, aged 73, was seriously injured last Friday night when he was knocked down by an automobile driven by Mrs. Raymond Detraz. The accident occurred at the corner of Main and Ferry streets.
90 YEARS AGO
Harry Siefert of this city and Frank W. Cole of Bennington left Monday afternoon for Colorado, where they go on a prospecting trip.
Mr. and Mrs. Dick Boyd and Mr. and Mrs. John Peters of Tapps Ridge were all slightly injured in an automobile accident Saturday afternoon.
100 YEARS AGO
Miss Lulu Henry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Henry, and Harry Corns of Lawrenceburg, were married at the home of the bride’s parents in this city last Sunday evening at 8 o’clock. They will reside in Lawrenceburg.
Harry D. Stow of East Enterprise has gone to Las Vergas, New Mexico, to spend a season for the benefit of his health. He was accompanied by his aunt, Miss Minnie Stow.
Invitations announcing the approaching wedding of S. Ely Howe to Miss Blanche McNutt, have been received. The wedding takes place in Indianapolis Wednesday, June 19th, at 8 o’clock.
The new Red Men building, which is underway of completion at Allensville, is going to be one of the best equipped “wigwams” in the county.
William Pavy, engineer and fireman at the Union Furniture Factory, met with a rather serious accident last Thursday. Glass from the engine lubricators bursted and a piece struck him in the eye.
Married at the residence of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Levi Orem, near Bennington Sunday, June 2nd, Verlin Cassady and Miss Olive Nettie Orem. They left immediately after the ceremony for Terre Haute, where they will reside.
120 YEARS AGO
Last Thursday night the barn of John Lester near Mount Sterling was destroyed by fire supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. The loss is estimated at not less than $2,000.
Last Sunday morning Joseph Bosaw, residing near Plum Creek, was drowned in the river.
Cards are out for the marriage of Andrew J. Porter and Miss Mary E. Thiebaud, daughter of J. L. Thiebaud, next Wednesday evening, June 8th.
Charles D. Knox and Miss Eloine Patton, both of Vevay, were married in Cincinnati Tuesday morning, May 31st.
While Milford Paugh was attending a festival at Pleasant Grove Church in Pleasant Township last Thursday night, someone stole his horse and buggy. It was recovered a few days later near Moorefield.
A daughter was born Tuesday morning to Duncan Brown and wife in Craig Township.
I. P. Loring and Walter Armstrong have taken charge of the store which they purchased from Julius Blach & Sons. Edward Mead is salesman.
130 YEARS AGO
Last week while Simon Turner was assisting in raising a barn belonging to William T. Detraz in Craig Township, a piece of timber struck against one of his legs, breaking the bones in two places.
Hiram P. Dean of Clark County and Miss Hattie H. Wells of Switzerland County were married May 30th at the residence of the bride’s sister at Jeffersonville.
Amount of toll collected at the gate near Vevay on the Vevay-Mount Sterling and Versailles turnpike for May totals $206.35.
William G. Smock of East Enterprise has removed his wagon shop to Patriot.
At a meeting of the city council Monday night, a fee of $75 for liquor license was decided upon. Alexander Edgar was unanimously reelected for school trustee for the coming year.
140 YEARS AGO
Young chickens have made their appearance in our market, retailing at 20 cents each.
Four new houses are being built in this place.
Ghent College will be completed in a few weeks.
A ship yard is to be established in this place.
Switzerland County Concert Band is the name of a brass band organized by young men of this place.