News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
The 2000 edition of the Swiss Wine Festival was a huge hit at the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park last weekend, playing under sunny, warm skies and drawing big crowds of both county residents and visitors. The four-day event kicked off on Thursday evening with a local talent contest, and that w as followed by a celebrity grape stomp competition that pitted the staff of the Vevay office of the Madison Clinic with the staff of the Switzerland County Health Department.
Cassandra Rachelle Chase, daughter of Jack and Jill Chase of Fairview, has graduated from Ivy Tech State College’s practical nursing program. The pinning ceremony took place at the Madison High School on August 18th. A graduate of Switzerland County High School, Cassandra Chase plans on entering the two-year RN program at Ivy Tech this fall.
20 YEARS AGO
Randy and Teresa McCartney of route 1, Bennington, struck it lucky Saturday, August 11th, when they stopped at a lottery ticket sales office in Aurora and purchased a Money Match ticket worth $100,000. They are planning on using the money to educate their daughters, Danielle, 6, and Jill, 4.
The Switzerland County High School band, under the direction of Aaron Thomas, was one of many bands entertaining the crowds during the American Legion Convention parade held Sunday in Indianapolis. Others attending from this area included Darrell Hansel, Lowell and Rita Sullivan, Art Adams, and Tim Swango.
30 YEARS AGO
Construction has begun on a new nursing home just west of Vevay. The McCae Corporation is building the facility and plans to have it opened by this time next year.
Workmen repaired the Vevay Hill once again Tuesday by wedging material under the sunken roadway and then blacktopping the bumpy surface. The road is now smooth and motorists can pass through the right lane without a blow to their shocks for the first time in several months.
Ray Carlton of Mount Sterling has raised a giant tomato plant at his home. The plant is more than 11 1/2 feet tall and so far has produced three gallons of the red fruit. He said he bought the plant at a downtown Vevay store for 59 cents and planted it about May 1st. His only secret is mixing rabbit manure and fertilizer and putting it on the plant. In addition, he said he waters it every day.
40 YEARS AGO
Pfc. Charles R. Reese, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Reese, of Patriot, was seriously wounded July 24th while stationed in Vietnam. He was moved to Camp David, Japan, July 31st.
Jerry L. McKenzie, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dwight McKenzie of Vevay, has been promoted to major in the U.S. Air Force, while serving in Dayton, Ohio. Major McKenzie is a nuclear research officer at the Air Force Institute of Technology’s (AFIT) Near Engineering Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Clarice Ann Pommerehn was among 1,265 candidates for degrees to be awarded in Terre Haute at Indiana State University’s first summer commencement exercises. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Pommerehn of route 1, Vevay, and graduate of Vevay High School was a candidate for a bachelor of science degree in recreation.
Also eligible for a degree at the August 21st commencement at Indiana State University was Mrs. Mary Dyson Simone of route 2, Vevay, earning a master of science degree as a secondary school teacher of music.
Darrell McKenzie, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dwight McKenzie of Vevay received his insignia as he was commissioned a lieutenant junior grade as a pharmacy officer in the U.S. Navy’s Medical Service Corps. The ceremony took place at the Main Naval Dispensary, Navy Department, Washington, D.C.
50 YEARS AGO
Fire of undetermined origin was discovered at 4:20 Sunday morning at the Swiss Inn Hotel located on Main Street in Vevay. The extent of the damage restricted itself to an overstuffed divanette in the lobby of the building. Paul Rix, owner of the hotel, made the first attempts to put out the blaze but almost immediately had to call for help from the local fire department when he realized that the smoke was too strong to penetrate.
Reverend Fred Griffith of Vevay has received a letter from Queen Elizabeth of England of which he is very proud. He recently saw a picture of the queen on her 60th birthday posed with her little corgi dog Bill, which looked exactly like his dog, Bill. He enclosed with congratulations a picture of his dog in the same pose which showed the same markings of the queen’s dog. Her letter follows: “Dear Mr. Griffith: I am commanded by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, to thank you and Mrs. Griffith for your kind letter and for your congratulations on the occasion of Her Majesty’s birthday. Queen Elizabeth is glad to think that you have a dog whose companionship means so much to you both. Her Majesty bids me send you her thanks and her good wishes. Yours sincerely, Lady in Waiting.”
The proposed construction of a hydro-electric power plant near Markland took a step toward reality yesterday when the Federal Power Commission told reporters for the Vevay Newspapers that the license for the construction of the plant will “probably be granted within a week.” Hugh Buckingham told reporters in a phone call from the Commission’s Washington, D.C., office that issuance of the license will almost certainly be granted the Public Service Company of Indiana, which plans to construct the plant soon after the dam is completed.
60 YEARS AGO
Wind which reached a velocity of approximately 70 miles per hour struck Switzerland County about 5 o’clock Monday afternoon and caused damages totaling hundreds of dollars to crops, buildings and other property.
Eldric and Joy Hazeldean are the proud parents of a new son, born at Bethesda Hospital in Cincinnati, August 23rd. The youngster has been named William Edward and weighed in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces.
About 500 persons were in attendance at the time honored Moorefield Celebration which was held Saturday. Harry C. Adams of near Moorefield received the homage of the crowd as the oldest living person who had attended the celebration every year since it was organized 85 years ago. The customary number of former Switzerland County residents and their friends were present and California, Florida and Illinois were represented as well as a number of Indiana cities.
70 YEARS AGO
Miss Carrie Gammer, member of an old Vevay family and a resident of this city for many years, passed away in a Dayton, Ohio hospital Saturday following an illness of several weeks.
Mrs. Mary Lanham Rous, wife of Louis P. Rous, died at her home in Vevay Sunday evening after a long illness.
A mad dog left a trail of excitement and anxiety Monday afternoon on the Vevay and Moorefield road. After several fights with neighborhood dogs the animal was finally killed by Herman Rolland. The head was sent to Indianapolis for examination and a report of positive rabies has been received by the health officer.
John B. Rochet passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Leslie Scott near Lamb Monday morning after an illness of more than two years.
Funeral services were held in Chicago last week for Mrs. Kate Foster, widow of Charles Foster, former merchant of Patriot.
Miss Julie LeClerc Knox has been asked to serve on the Board of Directors for National Poetry Day to be held at the New York World’s Fair on September 14th.
80 YEARS AGO
Miss Frances Walters, aged 80 years, died Friday night at the home of Mrs. Alma Downey where she had lived for several months.
Pinkney Craig, native of Patriot, died this week at his home in Madison following a sudden illness resulting from a heart attack.
Alice Elvessa Weaver, seven-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Weaver, died in Riley Hospital, Indianapolis, where she had been a patient the past 10 months.
The grand opening of the new Byram grocery on Main Street will be held Saturday.
William Turner, native of the Bennington neighborhood, died at his home in Shelbyville Monday. He was 65 years of age.
A son, Orville Richard, was born Saturday to Mr. and Mrs. Orville Detraz.
90 YEARS AGO
Governor Goodrich has indicated his approval for the purchase of Clifty Falls at North Madison for a state park.
Died in Vevay, August 29th, Miss Cora Thiebaud, 52. Three brothers and two sisters survive.
Died in Vevay, August 27th, Miss Grace Stepleton, 53. The aged father, brother-in-law, two nieces, and three nephews survive.
The Vevay public school will open September 13th.
Married in North Madison, September 1st, by Reverend S. W. Schmunk, Miss Alden Copeland and Ralph Winslow. Miss Copeland is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. George W. Copeland of Moorefield. Mr. Winslow’s home is Greenfield.
Born, a daughter Virginia Fay, on August 26th to Mr. and Mrs. Fay Hartman of near Moorefield.
The annual Moorefield celebration held at that place Saturday, August 28th, was one of the greatest in its history. Music, speeches, contests and a ball game furnished entertainment for the day.
Miss Maud Richter has accepted a position as Deputy County Clerk.
A detachment of soldiers, members of the First Division, will arrive in Vevay today from Camp Taylor to visit the city for a few days. They will be camped nearby and entertainment is being planned in their home.
Miss Fanny Shadday has tendered her resignation as teacher in the schools here and has accepted a similar position at Muncie, Indiana.
100 YEARS AGO
Reuben Dewitt, a former resident of this county, died at his home at Mission, California at the age of 95 years. In all his life he never rode on a railroad train, trolley car, or automobile, in fact on anything but a horse and in a prairie schooner. He went from Switzerland County to California in 1851.
The tobacco crop of 1910 in Switzerland County is the poorest the county has ever grown.
Born to Everett Hatton and wife of Center Square, a son.
“Blackbird” the pacing mare owned by Jonas Hall of Enterprise won a fast pace at the Erlanger, Kentucky fair last Friday. She was driven by J. A. Works of Vevay.
Jeremiah Bennett died August 29th, aged 66 years.
120 YEARS AGO
Born, a 9-pound son on August 15th to Mr. and Mrs. O. P. Courtney of Center Square.
Dr. H. C. Dalgleish has moved his office from Main Street to Liberty Street.
The East Enterprise fair is 39 years old.
Born, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. William Patton of Vevay.
Died near Tanglewood August 15th, Eli Schoonover, aged 79 years.
The steamer Florence, commanded by Captain Albro, has discontinued her trips between Vevay and Patriot and now makes daily trips between Vevay and Madison to the steamer Hattie Brown.