10 YEARS AGO
Deaths this week: Virginia Martin, Basil Armstrong, Linda Covington, Grover Copeland, Sr., James C. Croxton, Alberto Castillo, Verda Crafton, Opal M. Cutter.
Gretchen Knox and Belvadean Andrew were presented with the “Honorary Secretary of State” designations, the highest award the Secretary of State’s office can bestow, for their longtime service with the county election polls.
The Switzerland County Marching Band and Flag Corps both earned first place trophies at the Seymour Oktoberfest Parade.
Myrtle Ritchie celebrated her 99th birthday at the home of her niece, Betty Griswold, in Bennington.
Switzerland County’s Clay Meyer won the individual championship of the Bedford Regional on Saturday. It is the first time in school history that an individual or team from Switzerland County has won a Regional.
20 YEARS AGO
Jason Nimersheim has earned a scholarship tot he U.S. Space Camp at Cape Kennedy in Florida. He is the son of Jack and Susan Nimersheim of Vevay. It was 1992 when Jason had the chance to watch a space shuttle liftoff while vacationing with his parents in Florida. From that moment, he was hooked.
Jerry and Lisa Fisher of near Patriot have completed the purchase of the Schenck Mansion in Vevay and plan on opening the home to the community for tours and functions. The Fishers hope to open the home up tot he community as much as possible, and are looking at an extensive restoration of the property. Some of the plan include establishing a bed and breakfast in the mansion and a small winery might be located in the basement. Rooms will be available for meetings, receptions, and other community activities.
Kay Deems of Vevay was honored as one of the 16 “Older Hoosiers of the Year” for 1998. She was honored by the Governor’s Conference on Aging and In-Home Services in Indianapolis.
Phyllis Hambrick, managerial secretary at the Indiana-Kentucky Electric Corporation’s Clifty Creek plant, retired on October 1st after 41 years of service. Her retirement was announced by plant manager M. R. Wilson.
25 YEARS AGO
Raymond and Marjorie Whitham of East Enterprise are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday, October 24th, at Switzerland County Elementary School with an open house and lunch from 1 to 4 p.m.
Joey D. Markland has received his Associate of Applied Science Degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science on Saturday, September 25th. He graduated magna cum laude and received the Nunnamaker Memorial Award, presented to the outstanding scholar in the class. He is the son of Nelson “Sam” and Libby Markland, formerly of Switzerland County, now of Rising Sun.
30 YEARS AGO
The drought didn’t damage Jimmy Aldred’s corn crop this year. He says he had the best crop he can remember in his over 60 years of farming. Aldred said that several things contributed to his harvesting 200 bushels of corn from one acre. He planted his corn on May 15th, a little later than a lot of farmers, which put it at the right stage when the rain did finally come this summer. He’s also a great believer in crop rotation and applying fertilizer, saying that commercial fertilizer is okay, but manure is better. Aldred, whose farm is just outside of Mount Sterling, raises corn mainly to feed his lambs.
Switzerland County school board members and representatives of the Switzerland County Classroom Teachers Association signed a two-year contract Monday night. The teachers association had ratified the contract on Monday, October 11th, after reaching an agreement with the school board on October 6th.
Darlene Lamson of Vevay announces the marriage of her daughter, JoKay Sullivan, to Mike Beatty. Mike is the son of Lucy Beatty, and the late Ray Beatty. The wedding ceremony will take place Saturday, November 5th, at the Florence Christian Church.
Mildred Bond, Chandler, Indiana, announces the engagement of her daughter Susan to Delmer Gross, son of Shirley Gross, of Vevay. A date has not been set for the wedding.
50 YEARS AGO
The Randall Company has completed its second complete year of operation at its Vevay plant. The division of Textron increased its production by 30 percent in the past year as it manufactures automotive and appliance trim and parts out of various metals.
Mrs. Martha Cole has been elected president of Switzerland County Classroom Teachers Association for the 1968-69 school year.
Ann Pommerehn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Pommerehn, a junior majoring in recreation at Indiana State University, has been chosen as a nominee for the “I” Women’s Memorial Scholarship.
To insure a happier, safer Halloween, local law enforcement agencies have issued a joint statement pledging strict adherence to the apprehension and prosecution of persons committing vandalism or destroying property. The statement was issued jointly by the offices of Switzerland County sheriff and county prosecutor, Vevay and Patriot town marshals, and Indiana State Police.
Staff Sergeant Donald E. Park, a native of Switzerland County, arrived in Vietnam where he is with the First Marine Aircraft Wing and serving with Helicopter Squadron Headquarters and Maintenance Sixteen.
60 YEARS AGO
Charles Thomas of Vevay, driver for the Service Express Company of Vevay, owned by Charles Pratt, Sr., recently was awarded his 22nd medal for driving without a chargable accident by the Markel Insurance Company of Indianapolis.
Would-be thieves sawed vainly on the safe at the Reveille-Enterprise and Switzerland Democrat news office late Friday night getting nothing for their trouble.
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Morgan of near Moorefield are parents of a daughter born in the Madison hospital on October 21st.
The Vevay Grill at the southeast corner of Main and Ferry streets here, was burglarized in the early hours of Wednesday morning by persons yet unknown. Everything from a baked ham, to a rifle, shotguns, and several dollars was taken.
80 YEARS AGO
Lucian Koons and Robert Cook have opened a new agency on Ferry Street for the McCormick Deering line of farm implements.
Perry Swango, young farmer of Jefferson Township, committed suicide at his home on state road 56 Thursday evening by shooting himself in the head with a shotgun.
Switzerland County with a population of 8,432 has 6,044 citizens registered for the election to be held November 8th, according to Ben H. Banta, county clerk.
90 YEARS AGO
Professional burglars forced an entrance into Woodlawn Inn on State Road 56 and stole two slot machines used for sale of mints. The burglars then passed through Vevay and entered the John C. Heady filling station and confectionery one mile west of Vevay and stole two of the same kind of machines.
Windfield English and wife are parents of a daughter born October 18th.
The Hugh Brown filling station at the east end of Vevay was robbed Saturday night of a revolver and a quantity of gas.
Dr. W. H. Fuller of near Fairview has rented the Shadday building at the corner of Pike and Liberty streets and will move here shortly and practice medicine.
Roy Johnson has rented the room on Main Street formerly occupied by the Bladen grocery and will move his dry goods store there.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris Webber of Ghent will shortly move to Vevay and open an electric shoe repair shop in the Tandy building on Pike Street.
100 YEARS AGO
A large barn and tenant house on the farm of Harvey Scranton near Patriot were destroyed by fire Sunday night. The farm was managed by Charles Humphrey and Ray Sheldon and the fruits of their summer’s work was lost. The barn contained 36 tons of hay, 11 tons of straw, farming implements, a cow and calf, and many other articles.
Uhlan Shirley, seven-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Shirley of Vevay, suffered a fractured shoulder Monday when he fell while performing acrobatic stunts.
Miss Hannah Waldenmaier will leave soon for Washington, D.C. where she will reside with her brother, Ben Waldenmaier, and do government work.
Harold Chittenden has gone to Franklin College to enter S.A.T.C.
Private Edward Smith and Lieutenant Hobart Smith of Patriot, brothers, met recently in France and enjoyed a furlough together.
Ray Haskell left this week to enter Officers Training School at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. He was a student at Indiana University, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Haskell, went to Bloomington Friday to see him before he left.
Frank Rosenberger, Jr., a veteran of the Spanish American War, will leave this week for Dayton, Ohio to enter the Motor Truck Transportation School.
Frank Pelsor received four wounds from shrapnel while fighting in France, it has been learned here.
Dr. Edwin C. Bakes of Phoenix, Arizona, has enlisted in the army as a captain. He is the third son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bakes to enlist.
Carl Brown has been assigned as carrier on route 2, Bennington, succeeding Dale Shadday.
110 YEARS AGO
Reverend A. F. Davis, pastor of the Vevay and Pleasant Presbyterian churches, will leave this week to take up his new duties as the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Lawrenceburg.
Harry C. Sullivan was slightly injured Friday when he fell about 12 feet while cleaning the eaves on his house.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Brindley of Craig Township on October 6th, a son Harry; a daughter, Edith Ione, to Mr. and Mrs. Ward Keith of Cotton Township on October 11th and a daughter Dorothy Marie to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis A. Stewart of York Township on October 21st.
120 YEARS AGO
Captain John Chatline who is engaged in business at Emerson, Georgia, is visiting his family here.
W. R. Johnston, who has been practicing law in Aurora for several months has removed his family to that place.
Jeff Cummings, who has been telegraph operator in Vevay, has resigned to accept a position with L. & N Telegraph office at Louisville, Kentucky. He has been succeeded by E. J. Bennett from Rising Sun.
140 YEARS AGO
Dr. F. B. O’Neal and bride started for Colorado last Monday where they will make their home.
Bruner’s saloon in Patriot was burglarized last Friday night. The door was broken from its hinges for entrance. Loss about $25.
Newton Cole and bride of Mount Sterling have gone to Kansas where they will make their future home.
The Versailles Index has again changed proprietors. J. W. Henthorn now wields the pencil.
Last Saturday night the post office in Center Square was entered and $2 in cash and about $17 worth of postage stamps were stolen.
150 YEARS AGO
Wesley McHenry is a new clerk at U. P. Schenck and Sons.
Hay is being removed at different warehouses in this city in large quantity. The trade is quite lively.
General Lew Wallace of Crawfordsville spoke at the Courthouse here October 21st.
160 YEARS AGO
Last Thursday night burglars broke into the dry goods store of A. H. Lathrope at Carrollton and took all the silks, fancy goods, jewelry, etc. The safe was dragged to the river bank, blown open and $100 in cash taken. No clues were left.
At a recent term of court 16 married people were turned loose to marry again if they can. Two other cases of like character were dismissed by the judge.
About 1 o’clock last night the Reverend John Miller’s large frame house was entirely destroyed by fire. It is not known how the fire originated.
George North living below Rising Sun, has been loading a store boat and several nights thought he heard attempts to break in to the craft. On the third night the intruder effected an entrance and in an encounter cut north, who in turn fired several shots at the burglar who slipped over the side of the boat. Later a body pierced with two bullets and marked J. H. Howard, was found at the mouth of Sugar Creek, and is supposed to be that of the burglar.
162 YEARS AGO
The state superintendent and board of education have ordered the following desirable works for the township libraries of Indiana: Farr’s Ancient History; Moffats Life of Dr. Chalmers; The Ladies of the Scottish Covenant, by Reverend James Anderson; Moffat’s South Africa; Six Years in India, by Mrs. Collin MacKenzie; Kerns Practical Landscape Gardening; Teachers’ Miscellany by McLean, Stowe, Big McGuddey, Picket, Lynd, Post and others.