News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
Gladys Moreillon, the oldest member of the Switzerland County community, passed away Friday, August 22nd. She had celebrated her 103rd birthday on July 22nd.
Joe Leatherbury is in the process of painting a 40’x100′ mural on the side of the Historic Hoosier Theater. It will be a river scene from the turn of the century, depicting life in Switzerland County.
The new steeple that will adorn the top of the Switzerland Baptist Church in Vevay arrived on Wednesday afternoon. The church has been in the process of replacing the steeple since it was struck by lightning on July 4th, 1995. Workers are expected to put the new steeple in place sometime today (Thursday).
15 YEARS AGO
Thirty-four trained leaders were graduated August 21st from the Indiana Army National Guard Noncommissioned Officer Academy. Sergeant Wayne P. Gullion of Vevay was among the graduates.
Caledonia Presbyterian Church honored some of its oldest – and no doubt best – members last Sunday with a full day of special services and events.
A final coat of blacktop to be poured hopefully next Tuesday will be the icing on the cake and the Indian Creek bridge that has kept traffic heavy on the various detour routes will be ready for full operation. The road should be open to the traffic next week.
20 YEARS AGO
Dennis Shearer of Vevay who had been reported missing last week has been returned home. According to state police, Shearer was found around 6 a.m. last Thursday when the vehicle he was in was stopped for a minor traffic violation. Shearer had been reported missing last week when he failed to return home Sunday evening.
Michelle Christine Slack and Gregory Alan Sharp were united in marriage on August 7th at Anderson Ferry Christian Church of Christ in Cincinnati.
Melvlena Hambrick’s 71st birthday was one to remember. Her son Doug of Carrollton visited her at the Vevay American Legion where she works as well as a clown.
30 YEARS AGO
The Bennington Homecoming, slated for Saturday, October 1st, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is still in the planning stages and anyone wishing to set up a booth may do so free of charge. The flea market can consist of anything a person wants to sell from homemade foods, crafts, antiques, etc.
Mr. and Mrs. Wayland Hartman will celebrate their 53rd wedding anniversary on August 29th. They have one daughter, Mrs. Betty Kelley of Dallas, Texas, and one son, Robert Hartman of San Bernardino, California.
Lois Cheri McKay and Gary Wayne Henry were united in marriage at the Delhi Church of
Christ in Sayler Park, Cincinnati, Saturday, July 30th. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Nelda McKay and the late Thomas H. McKay of Patriot. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Guerin Henry of Sayler Park.
An open house will be held September 4th from 2-4 p.m. at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Dickason in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary.
40 YEARS AGO
Air Controlman James R. Levell, U.S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. James S. Levell of rural route 1, Bennington, has reported for duty at the Naval Air Station in Lemoore, California.
U.S. Army Pfc. Francis E. Sigmon has been home on a 25-day leave from North Carolina and has been visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Sigmon of East Enterprise, his sister, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Scranton of Bennington, and other relatives.
Army Private Allen R. Edwards is assigned to Company B, 10 Battalion, 5 Brigade, at the United States Army Training Center, Armor (USATCA), at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Hufford welcomed 135 guests at an “open house” at their home, Harris Place, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The open house was in honor of their Golden Wedding anniversary which was August 22nd.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Livingston of Milan have announced the engagement of their daughter, Patricia Ann, to Airman Richard Rummel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Rummel of rural route 1, Moores Hill. No wedding date has been set. Patricia is the granddaughter of Mrs. Davena Wolf of Vevay.
An open house from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday will be observed in honor of the Golden Wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. John Lucas of Warsaw, Indiana. Mrs. Lucas is the former Miss Zylpha Anderson of Vevay. Mrs. Gertrude Banta of Vevay is Mrs. Lucas’ sister.
Kenneth J. LaVelle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon H. LaVelle of rural route 1, Patriot, is undergoing recruit training at the U.S. Navy Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois.
50 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. P. N. Snyder of East Enterprise will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday, September 8th, with a family dinner and open house from 2 to 4 p.m. at their home.
Switzerland County burley tobacco growers walked off with all honors for exhibits at the Indiana State Fair August 29th, taking 11 of the 22 placings listed. Henry G. Ford of Vevay route two, recognized as Indiana’s outstanding burley grower, was awarded top rating in each of the four classes of the show. Other winners were George G. Ford and John VanOsdol.
The Golden Wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. James Bladen was observed Sunday afternoon with open house at the beautiful home of their daughter, Mrs. Leona Sullivan and her husband, Staff Sergeant retired, Maurice Sullivan.
Miss Patricia Jane Sullivan, older daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sullivan of Madison, formerly of Vevay, was united in marriage Sunday afternoon to Kurt E. Kramer, son of Dr. and Mrs. Leonard Kramer of Hanover.
The Vevay Regatta for 1957 has been called off. The announcement came Wednesday from Buford Harlow, president of the sponsoring Lions Club of Vevay. Confusion of schedules was blamed for the cancellation.
60 YEARS AGO
Margaret, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hanley Konkle and Glenford E. Horine, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Horine of near Madison, were married August 24th at the home of the bride’s parents.
The marriage of Miss LaVerne Callis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chester R. Callis and Arthur L. Wagner, son of Mrs. Arthur L. Wagner of Jasper, was solemnized in the Mother of God Catholic Church in Vevay Friday morning, August 22nd.
Miss Robena Heath, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Heath of Cross Plains and Robert Searcy of Patriot, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Searcy, were married Sunday evening, August 24th, at Patriot Methodist Church.
70 YEARS AGO
George Cole, a farmer of Drake’s Ridge, suffered a severe compound fracture of the left forearm when he was thrown from a horse.
Announcement has been received here of the marriage of Irene Brandon to James Hankins. Mrs. Hankins is the daughter of Van Brandon and wife and the groom is the son of William Hankins of Port Royal, Kentucky.
Announcement is made of the marriage July 31st at Rising Sun, of Miss Mary Alice Cole, daughter of Mrs. Geneva Manuel, and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Heritage, former residents, and Ralph C. Fish, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Fish.
Mrs. Nell Haskell and Elmer A. Hess were united in marriage Tuesday evening at the Baptist parsonage in Madison by the Reverend Howard P. Colson.
80 YEARS AGO
The wedding of Miss Mary Bear of Vevay to James Vincent Rawlings of Indianapolis was solemnized Saturday afternoon, August 27th, at the home of the bride.
Miss Martha Jane Lowe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Justice Lowe of Madison, was married August 26th to John Dale Coleman of Indianapolis. The bride is a relative of Mrs. O.S. Johnson of Vevay and the groom is a native of Brooksburg.
Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Wegener purchased the Brindley Dry Goods store Monday and took possession immediately.
90 YEARS AGO
The home of Mrs. Belle Twineham on Seminary Street was entered one day last week and $18 in money taken.
Night policeman, George Furnish, has tendered his resignation to the City Council to take effect August 31st.
O’Neal & McKay received their first flock of Fords this week, four in number, and they were delivered to Charles Thompson, Armington Culver, Will Shaw, and Charles Strickland.
100 YEARS AGO
Last Wednesday afternoon the sawmill of Mr. Spencer near Pleasant was destroyed by fire. The mill will be rebuilt.
John Byd and Alvina Scudder, both of Switzerland County, were married September 1st at Florence.
William Bunger and Miss Lulu Davis were married last week in Quercus Grove.
120 YEARS AGO
Announcement has been made of the engagement of Harry Pavy of Vevay and Miss Amelia Voss of Shelbyville, the wedding to take place some time in October.
J.N. Marsh and son, W.E. Marsh, who have been in charge of The Switzerland Democrat of this city since last November, have secured a lease on the Ripley Journal, published at Osgood.
A daughter was born last week to Uly Sigmon and wife of Parks Ridge.
Miss Alice Pate, one of Patriot’s most popular girls, and C.S. Hale of Wilmington, Ohio, were married last week.
Miss Cullie Clark, daughter of Lincoln Clark of Sugar Branch and the Reverend Virgil Whitsitt of Deputy, were married September 3rd at the home of the bride’s parents, the Reverend V.B. Hargitt of Dillsboro officiating. They left immediately for Deputy where they will reside.
Lucian Wade of Indianapolis, but formerly of Patriot, and Miss Lillie Colwell of Connersville, were married last week.
130 YEARS AGO
Last Monday Isaac Abraham left Madison at 12 o’clock noon and arrived in Vevay at 6 o’clock in the evening, walking all the distance, 20 miles, and carrying a dry goods box said to weigh 60 pounds.
The new German church at Florence will be dedicated next Sunday.
James Acra and Hannah M. Oak were married in this city September 4th.
Franklin Smith and Miss Elvira Adkinson were married yesterday at the home of the bride’s parents in Ohio County.
Married September 1st in Vevay, Theodore Murray and Miss Olive Parker.
Edward Morrison and Miss Mary Manford were married September 4th in the Brushy Fork Church.
Miss Mary Dickason will reorganize her music class next week.
Last Friday Clarence, son of James Wiley, fell from a horse, breaking his left wrist.
140 YEARS AGO
Married August 22nd at the residence of John Harmon in Pleasant Township, John Rogers and Miss Nancy A. Whitham.
Last Monday morning the directors and engineers of the Florence and Allensville Turnpike Company, commenced to survey and locate the road.
Among our new advertisements will be found the card of Eugene M. LeClerc.
150 YEARS AGO
Mrs. Harwood requests us to inform those who visit her pantry after nightfall and carry off her pies, etc., that she will gladly divide with them if they will call in daylight.
A large number of the citizens of this place and country, are now on a visit to Louisville, attending the exhibition of the U.S. Agricultural Society.