Looking Back
25 years ago in 1994
Mr. & Mrs. Al Wiltberger of Milan celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
The Milan Lady Indians lost to Southwestern 46-22 with Christal Meinders leading the Indians in scoring. The Jac-Cen-Del Lady Eagles defeated Rising Sun 57-45 with Carmen Rohls and Dionne Buxton leading the Eagles.
Mike Hull of Ohio Rod in Versailles presented a check to South Ripley Academic Team members Tammy Johnson, JoCynda Hudson, Ayako Itahira, Jessica Cavanaugh, Jaclyn Linkmeyer, Brandon Smart, Jezrah Horen, Mike Noah, Alan Noah, Pam Rea, and Laura Hull.
Milan second graders displaying their science posters were Eric Gross, Kayla Davis, Hilary Hunt, Michael Burress, Joseph Perry, and Sasha Antill.
Homecoming royalty at Jac-Cen-Del went to Kevin Dickman and Amy Schneider.
Josh Martini of East Central was named Indiana’s Mr. Football.
The Ripley County Commissioners opened bids for the construction of the new jail in Versailles.
Home Federal Savings in Osgood was offering 6.5% interest on time deposits.
The Hair Cottage in Versailles held their grand opening. Versailles resident Bob Lafary, Jr. won the grand prize give away.
Area deaths included Ray Menchhofer of Versailles, Matilda Bodenberg of Napoleon, Kenneth Shadday of Rexville, and Janice Zelinski of Batesville.
Lexie Mullins of Cross Plains was featured in the Republican with some 10lb turnips he had grown.
The Ripley County license branch in Batesville placed 8th in the Bureau of Motor Vehicles promotion contest.
Jac-Cen-Del second graders displaying their bulletin board Christmas ornaments were Rodney Norman, Chris Rork, Natalie Huffmeyer, Traci Siebert, Jordan Laswell, Steven Stepleton, Trisha Burford, Justin Horan, Keith Konradi, Cassidy Kreig, Vickie Adams Jerry Bowling, Sean Young, Bryan Myers, Carlene Eaton, Nicole McConnell, Adam Peetz, Stacey Borgman, Courtnie Schwartz, and Lisa Hartman.
50 years ago in 1969
Frank Wenning, son of Mr. & Mrs. Carl Wenning of Osgood returned home after serving a year in Vietnam. He had received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
The American Forest Institute predicted that 45 million live Christmas trees would be sold this season.
At Rexville Mr. & Mrs. Paul Brinson of Rhode Island are home visiting relatives. Mrs. Faye Geisler of West Fork was a Tuesday caller of her mother Mrs. Lula Housefield. Mr. & Mrs. Elvan Geisler were business callers in Columbus last week.
Officers elected for the Sunman Fire Department were Al Brunsman, Wilbur Gesell, Mervin Luhring, Carl Anderson Carl Bruns, and Keneth Selke.
The Southeastern Indiana Feeder Auction topped $2 million in gross sales for the year.
At Cavenders Corner Mrs. Lester Vinup and Mrs. Louis Smith were business callers in Indianapolis last week. Mr. & Mrs. Paul Luke and Mr. & Mrs. Orvin Boyd spent Friday with Mr. & Mrs. Robert Middleton at Ludlow Hill. Mrs. Luther Calender and Mrs. Edith Henschen were business callers in Osgood on Thursday.
Mr. & Mrs. Lester Tucker of Holton celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married near Zenas on December 25, 1919.
A preliminary meeting for the re-organization of the Ripley County Historical Society was held in Versailles. The meeting was conducted by Mrs. Lois Thompson of Versailles.
Mr. & Mrs. Chris Bukelman of Napoleon celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married in Greensburg on December 24, 1919.
Local women participating in sewing and mending for patients at Muscatatuck were Mazie Groce and Hazel Schmaltz of Milan, and Elizabeth Werback, Edna Wise, Lucy Krieger, Mrs. Walter Osburn, Erika Thieling, Zona Newforth, and Luilla Platt all of Sunman.
Esther and Pearl Gevedon of Cross Plains celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married on December 25, 1919.
Officers elected for the Friendship class of the Osgood United Methodist Church were Paul Hardy, Leonard Manship, Myrna Meyers, Jeanette Bayne, and Helen Caplinger.
Frigidare clothes dryers were on sale at Myers Gamble Store in Milan for $149.
100 years ago in 1919
The Versailles High School basketball team along with 60 fans motored to Moores Hill with the Versailles boys winning 41 to 28. Peters, Medell, and Raney lead Versailles in scoring.
Local churches reporting Sunday school attendance from the previous Sunday were Milan Methodist with 98, Versailles Methodist with 89, Shelby Christian with 45, Osgood Methodist with 103, and the Osgood Baptist with 44.
Versailles jeweler A. H. Beer offered a full line of wedding rings, watches, and clocks for Christmas.
In the county market W. H. Abdon of Versailles advertised a Dairy Queen cream separator, Charles Curran of Versailles was selling a storm buggy, and Russell Braley of Versailles advertised two good milk cows.
At Golden Corner Opal Gilliland was a Wednesday guest of her parents Mr. & Mrs. Rolla Gilliland at Cross Plains. Mr. & Mrs. Casper Kittenbrink of Aurora were Saturday callers of Mrs. Frank Lang. William Iceberg of Cincinnati was a Tuesday guest of Mr. & Mrs. Fred Tebbing.
Jesse Allen of Versailles and an employee of the Sydney Smith Garage returned from Detroit where completed the Ford Motor service course.
Officers for 1920 for the Versailles K of P lodge were Faye Winsor, O. C. Busching, E. L. Copeland, A. H. Beer, John Spencer, John Eads, Robert Randy, William Black, Jesse Allen, A. B. Thompson, Charles Braley, and S. A. Trisler.
Lather brushes, razor straps, toilet sets, candy, and Holland fountain pens were available for Christmas at the G. A. Triplett Drug Store in Osgood.
At White Hall Nellie Tucker was a Sunday guest of Harpie Shonk. Orel Montgomery, who is attending high school in Holton, spent Sunday with home folks. Mona Harrell was a Sunday guest of Mr. & Mrs. Smith Harrell in Holton.
Area births included a daughter to Mr. & Mrs. Everett Seevers of Sunman, and a daughter to Mr. & Mrs. G. E. Murphy of Osgood.
The Oakland Sensible Six, Maxwell Touring car, and the Dodge Touring car were all available at Dole Brothers Garage in Holton.
Watch chains, perfume, box candy, rings, fountain pens, and toilet sets were all available for Christmas at Rockafeller’s Drug Store in Holton.
