News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of
Switzerland County newspapers.
10 YEARS AGO
Emmett M. “Mac” Danner, one of Switzerland County’s leading businessmen for nearly 60 years, p-assed away this past Sunday at the Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester, Indiana. He was 92 years old. Mac Danner has been synonymous with the Danner’s Hardware business at the corner of Ferry and Pike streets in Vevay for many years. He joined the family business with his father in 1929 after graduating from New Albany Business College; and remained in the day-to-day operation of the business until his retirement in 1986.
School Superintendent Tracy Caddell sees the work and dedication of past superintendent Chester Meisberger as another big key in the financial turnaround of the Switzerland County School Corporation. Tracy Caddell said the school corporation’s balance in June of 2000 was less than $100,000. A year later under Chester Meisberger’s leadership, the balance was just over $1.5 million.
Floyd Canada retired last Thursday after 20 years as the postmaster of the Florence, Indiana, post office. He was honored with a surprise party, including a special cake, and visits from many friends and coworkers. He had worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 33 years.
20 YEARS AGO
Although Switzerland County School Superintendent Dr. Perry Glancy handed out an outline of proposed projects to be considered for the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) plan, Tuesday night’s discussion between school officials and the public never got that far. Instead, the focus was on coming up with a plan to separate junior high age students from the older high school students.
Local residents may have noticed a new $1.60 charge on their phone bill this month for 911 service. Although the emergency telephone service will not go into effect until next summer, Kent Gaff, a representative with United Telephone, Inc., explained the fee is collected in advance to build up the fund in order to pay the installation cost of the system.
The New Liberty Baptist Church near East Enterprise will observe the 150th anniversary of its founding on Sunday, September 29th.
30 YEARS AGO
Bruce Hutcherson of Patriot added to his winning laurels and trophy case during the 1981 Grand National Tractor Pulling Tournament. Driving the “Makin” Bacon Special” he took two firsts in the national event.
Cathi Bear, 17, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Bear, Vevay, was named queen of the 79th annual Versailles Pumpkin Show Saturday, becoming the first girl from Switzerland County to ever win the title.
Patriot Town Board members George Stanley and Joyce Bailey have appointed a third member to fill the vacancy left on the board. Eldon Pickett, 53, Front Street, Patriot, will fill the spot left open when former board member Ann Nail moved from the town.
40 YEARS AGO
Vevay is a typical Midwest America rural river town. At least, that’s the way it’s seen by a United States Information Agency film team which sat up its cameras in Switzerland County this week. Vevay has been selected as one of five or six American small towns to be depicted to typify rural Midwestern life in a proposed USIA movie to be distributed in Europe and other overseas countries.
Funeral services were held in Vevay Wednesday for Lucian W. “Dude” Scudder, 82, of route 1, Bennington, near Fairview. He died Sunday at King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison following a five-year illness.
Henry Raisor, 96, of Vevay, died Friday at King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison following a three-year illness.
Mrs. Lindsay Smith, 81, of route 1, Bennington, near Pleasant, died Sunday at Dearborn County Hospital in Lawrenceburg.
Ralph Wright of route 2, Vevay, suffered head and neck injuries Saturday when he fell from the rafters of a tobacco barn on the Robert Slawson farm outside Vevay.
50 YEARS AGO
Surprising everybody – perhaps themselves most of all – the Vevay Junior Chamber of Commerce swept the local softball league tournament championship last week after scoring only one victory during the regular season.
October 8th is the date set for the opening of an abbreviated fall schedule of go kart racing at the Vevay go cart oval.
Gilbert Hankins announced this week that he will assume management of a new Shell Oil Company filling station Saturday in Vevay’s west end.
The Reverend Ken Tingley has vacated his pastorate at Mount Sterling Baptist Church to accept a similar position in Columbus.
Mrs. Hazel Courtney of near Vevay suffered the loss of the great toe on her right foot last week when it was injured by a power mower.
Mrs. Walt Lambert was installed as president of Gamma Chi chapter of the Tri Kappa sorority at a dinner meeting held recently at her home.
60 YEARS AGO
Fred Ponder announced today that word has been received that Switzerland County has been designated a disaster county by the Secretary of Agriculture. In accordance with this designation, Farmers Home Administration Supervisors will be able to assist eligible farmers who have suffered direct loss due to drought.
Raymond Riley, World War II and Korea veteran, was presented with the Bronze Star Medal at the V.F.W. club rooms here on the evening of September 12th.
Mrs. Jennette C. Tandy, 89, passed away in Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati Tuesday after an illness of several weeks.
Funeral services were held in Cincinnati for Jesse Harlow, Jr., young native of Vevay who was killed in action in Korea last year.
The “Dog House” restaurant on Seminary Street has recently undergone redecoration and remodeling.
The Vevay Grill has enlarged its table space by the recent addition of an adjoining room.
A son, Frank Edward, was born Friday night in Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, to Mr. and Mrs. Abbie Rosenberger.
70 YEARS AGO
Material for the second project of the Vevay sewer system is arriving a truck load at a time. Over four miles of sewer pipe, 6 tons of steel and 69,000 bricks will be required to complete the balance of the town.
Mrs. Rachel Montayne quietly celebrated her 92nd birthday Sunday, September 21st.
Roland Buschmann has accepted a position in the stock department of the Vevay Auto Company and began his new duties this week.
Major Edward S. Furnish has been transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he will attend the Battalion Command and Staff School for a period of three months.
Born, September 17th to Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Danner, a daughter, Carolyn Jean.
80 YEARS AGO
Miss Minnie Remely of Montgomery County, Indiana has accepted the position as the public health nurse of Switzerland County offered her by the Public Nurse Committee at their meeting on September 18th.
On last Saturday evening when drilling operation at the Carter test well had ceased for the day, Captain Clarence Carter stepped over to the casing and in a jocular way held a lighted match near the opening, much to his surprise a blue flame burst forth, causing the captain’s hand to be slightly burned.
Seaver Sheldon, Otis Dilts and Clifford Huff, all of Patriot, were injured in an automobile wreck west of Patriot Sunday afternoon.
Reverend E. N. Rosier was assigned to the Methodist church here at the closing session of the Indiana Methodist held at Bloomington last week. Other assignments were: Fairview, Reverend Royal Canfield, Patriot, W. F. Crane.
90 YEARS AGO
Miss Justine Tandy of Vevay and John Campbell of Campbellsburg, Kentucky, were married at the home of the bride’s parents Wednesday by the Reverend R. E. Hammel.
A barn with its contents belonging to Albert Miles of near Bennington was struck by lightning and burned to the ground Sunday morning.
Sunday noon the house on the George Waltz farm near Mount Sterling occupied by the family of Rodney O’Neal burned to the ground when a defective flue set fire to the roof.
A lantern held near the gasoline tank while it was being filled ignited the automobile driven by Ben Ruthenkroger of near Patriot Sunday night.
100 YEARS AGO
Last week Pem L. Pleasant bought his father’s interest in the J.K. Pleasants and Sons clothing store. The firm will be known from now on as J. K. Pleasants’ sons.
Both mailboats got fog bound Tuesday night within 8 miles of Vevay causing the down boat to arrive about 7 o’clock and the up boat about 7:30.
A railroad meeting will be held in Vevay Tuesday evening, October 3rd, when brokers from Cincinnati will be present and propose to finance and build a railroad from Covington, Kentucky, along the banks of the Ohio River on the Kentucky side.
Rapid progress is being made on the cement walk from the river to the post office corner.
Mr. Kramer of the Kramer Art Company of Cincinnati was in town Friday and Saturday of last week taking photographs of scenes along the Ohio River and of Vevay for the purpose of making post cards for E. M. Stevens and Company.
120 YEARS AGO
Dr. J. M. W. Langsdale of Florence has bought property and an interest in the drug store of his brother Dr. B. G. Langsdale in Rising Sun and will move to that city October 1st.
140 YEARS AGO
Mr. C. Thiebaud started for Philadelphia, Wednesday, where he will enter pharmaceutical school.
George Teats is in Vevay but will leave soon for his furniture boat.
Mr. George Miller was injured severely Monday when his horse threw him from a wagon while driving near the Plum Creek bridge. He suffered a compound fracture of the right arm.
Vevay public schools will open on Monday with Professor Barnett as superintendent.
150 YEARS AGO
On Tuesday night about 50 armed secessionists, from camp Owen came to Warsaw, 10 miles above Vevay, for the purpose of seizing the Home Guards guns. They got 18 guns without locks. One of their number was killed and several wounded.
Humphrey Marshall is at the head of the camp of secessionists in Owen County, Kentucky, some 15 miles from Vevay.