News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Switzerland County crowned its 1997 Fair Queen Natalie Gray, daughter of Leon and Alice Gray of near Pleasant, during festivities held Saturday evening. First runner-up was Cassie Ellegood, daughter of Wayne and Sandy Ellegood of near Markland. Misty Wegman was selected second runner-up in the queen contest. She is the daughter of Tammy Wegman of near Vevay. Third runner-up was Bethany Robinson, daughter of Jeff and Donna Faber. Miss Congeniality was Amanda Springer, daughter of Tim Springer and Kathy Robinson of near Vevay.
Hilltop Basic Resources last Thursday presented a check to representatives of the Switzerland County Fair Board. The $8,000 donation will be used to upgrade the electrical system in the livestock barns, as well as other improvements.
Danner’s Hardware in Vevay is 160 years old. It is the oldest retail business in Indiana that still operates at its original site, according to the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana.
The streets of Vevay were filled last Saturday, June 28th, as the annual Communitywide Yard Sale was held beneath sunny skies and hot temperatures. Organizers estimated that over 2,000 people were in town for the event.
15 YEARS AGO
Bridgette Miller didn’t know what her chances were of winning the Switzerland County 4-H Fair beauty pageant. She just decided to try, and she ended up being crowned the 1992 fair queen.
Marine Lance Corporal Clarence K. Haubner recently graduated from the Naval Academy Preparatory School. Mr. Haubner, son of Clarence L. “Sonny” Haubner, of Pleasant, is a 1989 graduate of Switzerland County High School. He joined the Marine Corps in May, 1989.
Airman Christopher D. Brown has been assigned to the 435th Security Police Squadron at Rhein Main Airbase in Frankfurt, United Republic of Germany. Airman Brown is the son of First Sergeant Lloyd D. Brown, Camp Casey, Korea, formerly of Vevay, and grandson of Etta Webster of Vevay.
20 YEARS AGO
A support group for the Switzerland County Animal Shelter has been formed, incorporating the former Switzerland County Humane Society. By reorganizing, the group hopes to be able to do more fundraising in order to expand the existing shelter and help with operation costs.
The Switzerland County Civil Defense Unit met Monday night for a short business meeting to discuss several organizational items. The unit is in the process of writing an ordinance which will outline the operational procedures for civil defense in Switzerland County. The state model ordinance is being used and adapted to the needs of the county. Once completed the ordinance will be presented to the county commissioners for approval and passage.
30 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. William Carrigan of Columbus, Mississippi announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter Susan Marie to Ronald D. Walker, also of Columbus. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chester James of Vevay and the late Henry Carrigan of Rising Sun. The wedding will be held the morning of July 9th in the yard of the bride-elect’s parents.
Joe Dickason of Vevay was awarded a 50-Year Service Pin recently from Switzerland County’s Masonic Lodge No. 122. The pin, recognizing Mr. Dickason’s half-century of contributions to the Masons, was presented by his son, Harold, of Martinsville, who is past master of Oakland Masonic Lodge No. 140, at Oaklandon, Indiana.
An open house to celebrate the 40th wedding anniversary of James and Mary Boulton of Lamb will be held July 10th at the home of their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. David Hankins of Vevay.
40 YEARS AGO
A Vevay boy, John McKay, was named Eagle Scout at an Eagle Court of Honor at Hanover Presbyterian Church June 26th. John, who is a junior at Vevay High School and son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Robert McKay, 205 East Main Street, had to prove his skills in many areas for the award. Most notably, he had to earn 21 different merit badges, work his way through the scout rankings, and display his leadership, attitude, and spirit in scouting activities.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Jones of route 3, Madison, announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Audrey, to Melvin Bosaw, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Bosaw of Vevay. The wedding will take place July 22nd at 8 p.m. at North Madison Christian Church.
Private David L. McFadden, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter McFadden of route 1, Florence, has completed his training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and is spending his leave with relatives and friends here before going to Vietnam.
Mr. and Mrs. Hobart Kelley of route 1, Vevay, announce the approaching marriage of their daughter, Evelyn Jean, to Daniel Gene Morris, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oral Morris. The wedding will take place July 14th at Bennington church.
50 YEARS AGO
A 9 pound daughter was born July 4th in the Madison hospital to coach and Mrs. Danny Kile of Vevay. The little girl has been named Amanda Claire.
The brick mansion on the corner of Main and Union streets in Vevay, formerly the home of Major Sam Woodfill, and once one of the town’s finest and most luxurious dwellings, is being torn down this week, to make room for a modern service station.
Mrs. George Krummel, 82, narrowly escaped drowning during the flash flood last Thursday night when she fell into water six feet deep in the basement of her home on Ferry Street.
Four to seven inches of drenching rain caused over a quarter of a million dollars worth of damage in Switzerland County Thursday night, and at least one person was injured and another narrowly escaped death in the resulting ground flood.
First Lieutenant James R. Landry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice G. Sullivan, Vevay, is now in basic multi-engine pilot training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma.
Private Eugene Heath, U.S. Army, has been assigned to Ft. Carson, Colorado for training duty, and would like to hear from friends.
Don Bosaw of the U.S. Navy is spending a 30-day leave with his mother, Mrs. Ed Smith and family in Vevay. Bosaw is stationed at Green Cove Springs, near Jacksonville, Florida.
60 YEARS AGO
Miss Norta Florence Burroughs and Robert E. Brown, both of this county, were united in marriage on Saturday, June 28th, by the Reverend Walter Moseley in Uniontown.
Announcement is made of the engagement and approaching marriage of Miss Doris M. Peters and Stanley C. Anderson. The wedding will take place Sunday, August 3rd, at Scott Memorial Baptist Church in San Diego, California.
Miss Thelma Marie Emery and Paul E. Wallick of Posey Township, were united in marriage Saturday, June 28th, at the home of the Reverend W.S. Lowe in Patriot, who read the double ring vows.
Mrs. Ursula Perham has sold her home on Pike Street to Dr. and Mrs. Robert Stout of Versailles and possession was given this week. Dr. Stout, a veterinarian, is moving his family here this week.
The Reverend and Mrs. B. M. Winter and family left Tuesday to take up their new residence in Elletsville where the Reverend Winter will serve as pastor of the Methodist Church.
William Carlton, veteran of World War I and for many years an invalid, died at his home in Vevay shortly after midnight Tuesday following a paralytic illness that had extended over a period of many years.
Nelson Wentworth, son of County Recorder and Mrs. Howard Wentworth, sustained a broken arm in a fall at Lake McCoy near Greensburg last Wednesday.
70 YEARS AGO
Raymond Hatton and Evelyn G. Slack, both of near Vevay, were united in marriage July 5th at the home of the Reverend Fred S. Griffith, who officiated.
Miss Mary Jane Lock and James Boulton were united in marriage Saturday evening, July 3rd, by the Reverend W.S. Lowe of Patriot.
George Bressert and Miss Evelyn Richards, both of the Bennington neighborhood, were united in marriage July 3rd at the Methodist parsonage by the Reverend A. R. Daes.
Raymond Dickerson and Gladys M. Walston, both of Dillsboro, were married here Thursday, July 1st, by the Reverend F. E. Hammel. The Reverend Hammel also officiated at the ceremony of Robert Ritch and Ella Louise Ashcraft of Glencoe, Kentucky, July 2nd.
Miss Corda Danner and Charles Wiseman were united in marriage Wednesday evening, June 30th, by the Reverend Arthur R. Daes at the M. E. parsonage here.
80 YEARS AGO
Scott Cole, well known Switzerland County farmer, had his right leg badly broken last Friday evening near the hip.
Miss Marie Miller and Eldo Lauderbaugh were married at the home of the bride’s mother, Mrs. Gertrude Miller, June 29th.
Chicken thieves were busy on Tapps Ridge last week, raids being made on flocks belonging to Joe Markland and Clorn Phillips. Nine bushels of potatoes were stolen from the cellar of the Guy Tapp home and a quantity of potatoes were stolen from William Knaus.
The one-story residence of Paul Offutt near Markland was burned to the ground Tuesday at noon from fire of unknown origin.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Culbertson on north Ferry Street was the scene of a small blaze Monday morning which was extinguished with little loss.
Miss Gertrude Scudder of Florence and Charles J. Kittle of Ohio County were married in Vevay Saturday by the Reverend F.E. Hammel.
Rex Peabody sold his grocery store on West Main Street Thursday to Mrs. Jody Floyd, who was a former owner of the store.
90 YEARS AGO
Joshua Floyd Wright, residing in Craig Township, dropped dead of cerebral apoplexy, while working in his barn Friday evening.
Will G. Klein was called to Madison Tuesday by the death of his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Klein, the wife of Major Klein, aged 88 years.
Work was started upon the high school buildings Monday by Contractor Jasper N. Good of Columbus and the original plans of repair and addition will be carried out.
100 YEARS AGO
The Reverend Nathan B. McClung and Miss Anna Manford were married Wednesday, June 26th, at the home of the bride’s parents near Caledonia.
Harry Clark, 18-year-old son of Harry Clark of Rising Sun, was drowned in the river Monday evening while in bathing. The body has not yet been recovered.
James A. Bailey of near Mount Sterling and Miss Gretna Gold of near Center Square were married Saturday at the M.E. parsonage in this city.
Will Klein, who for 10 years past has been managing the Carter Shoe Company’s store in this city, last week closed a deal with Fen Carter, one of the proprietors of the firm, whereby he became the sold owner of the business.
James A. Works left Monday for Erlanger, Kentucky, where he has opened a training track for trotting and pacing horses. He will spend the summer there.
David Allen of Plum Creek and Miss Bessie Bliss of Tapps Ridge were married at Patriot July 7th by the Reverend Lowe.
120 YEARS AGO
William Williams and Maggie Armstrong of Sanders, Kentucky, were married June 29th at the LeClerc House in Vevay.
Last Thursday evening the house of Stephen B. Dennis near New Hope church was destroyed by fire. Only a part of the furniture was saved.
A son was born last week to Bruce Whitham and wife of East Enterprise.
130 YEARS AGO
Last week William Duhlmier and Charles Kiesel sold their interest in the Vevay Furniture Factory to Frederick and Henry Finnup. Last Tuesday Messrs. Finnp sold it to the Union Furniture Company. There is a rumor that it is to be converted into a coffin factory or woolen mill.
Lewis Luck, son of Frederick Luck, was drowned at Florence last Sunday morning while in bathing in the river. The body was recovered at the mouth of Log Lick creek last Monday.
The machinery of the Vevay Woolen Mill is being moved to Madison.
A stock barn belonging to Thomas Works at East Enterprise was struck by lightning last week and burned.
A stock barn belonging to Dike Stevens near Mount Sterling was destroyed by fire last week.
140 YEARS AGO
Cherries are retailing at 20 cents per gallon.
William Jain has presented us with a head of timothy grass measuring 12 inches in length.
Aaron Windhizer and Miss Martha Joyce, both of this place, were married July 4th by John Anderson, Esquire.
Two enterprising gentlemen of Cincinnati contemplate erecting a chair manufacturing plant in this place.
The proprietor of the Excelsior Flour Mill has repaired and added new machinery to it.
150 YEARS AGO
The farmers in this country are now in their harvest fields cutting their grass and early grain.
A new lot of baled hay arrived in Louisville last week and sold for the handsome price of one dollar per hundred pounds.