January 12, 2022
15 years ago
January 10, 2007
Newly-elected Harrison County Council Chairman Carl (Buck) Mathes had to make tie-breaking decisions several times Monday night, and he did so in good humor and without hesitation. In one instance, he said the presentation and explanation of a proposal to hire consultants to develop a long-range plan for county-owned buildings had changed his mind about the request. “There are things that need to be done,” he said, casting his vote with proponents. “We’re going to move forward here.” His tie-breaking vote gave approval to the Harrison County Board of Commissioners to pay RQAW, an Indianapolis-based engineering firm, to look at the space needs of county offices.
Two topics for discussion that could have a long-term effect on Harrison County are on the agenda for the advisory plan commission’s next work session. One item the nine-member board will continue to hash out at its Jan. 24 work session is an acceptable solution to slow the division of undeveloped land in the country. In October, the plan commission had advertised an amendment to the ordinance but tabled action on the request at its November and December meetings to reconsider what was proposed. Initially suggesting that certain land divisions be limited to once every 10 years, some plan commission members have stated that they believe that’s too long.
After reorganizing its leadership last week, the Harrison County Board of Commissioners heard several requests, including one for additional funding needed for the trials of two men charged with double murder and attempted murder in Mauckport in early 2004. Harrison County Superior Court Judge Roger D. Davis asked the commissioners to approve a third $100,000 payment from riverboat revenue for estimated expenses for the court case against Hobert (Albert) Pittman and John Michael Naylor. Pittman was convicted last year; Naylor is set for trial this month. With backing from the commissioners, Davis took his request to the Harrison County Council Monday night. The council will vote on the funding during its meeting on Jan. 23.
It was a somewhat disappointing homecoming for Floyd Central basketball coach Randy Gianfagna as his Highlanders lost at Corydon Central Friday night, 58-53. However, just before the player introductions, Gianfagna and his wife, Heather, were honored with a presentation by the Corydon Adult Booster Club in appreciation for his nine years of service there. “This was a tough one for me,” admitted Gianfagna, in his first year at Floyd Central. “I told our guys in here that I hope I have the same relationship I had with those guys, and we’re working on it. That’s what coaching is all about.”
Deaths: Pauline Johnson, 74; David Thrasher, 55; Lelia P. McIntosh, 83; Jay W. Davis, 86; Lorine L. Allen, 92; Sandra E. Deuser, 59; Janet R. Dillow, 67; Roscoe Cox, 65; Russell C. Montgomery, 76; John N. Lewellyn, 87; Harrell E. Sorrels, 74; Basil A. Hanger, 81; Robert L. Miller, 81; Felix R. Sloan, 104.
25 years ago
January 15, 1997
It was a day of firsts. First time a governor’s inauguration was broadcast over the Internet. First time it reached minus-10 degrees in Indianapolis on Jan. 13. And the first time, at least in a long while, that an inauguration was held outdoors. But even the arctic conditions couldn’t chill the enthusiasm Monday as Frank L. O’Bannon — the first person from Corydon to be elected to the state’s highest office — was sworn in as Indiana’s 47th governor. “I hope that we will all remember this day as a day of new beginnings,” O’Bannon told the shivering but inspired crowd of about 3,000, which gathered for the festivities outside the Statehouse.
The crystal prism on the gold chain necklace sparkled like a diamond from the pearl brocade bodice of her gown. It reflected the jewel-like brilliance of the vast Indiana Convention Center ballroom at Sunday night’s Gubernatorial Inaugural Ball in Indianapolis. Susan Fey’s 20-year-old prism memento — a Corydon Central High School graduation gift from family-friends, the late Faith and Robert (Bob) P. O’Bannon — was, after all, a must for the evening. Wearing the necklace, she said, was like taking Bob and Faith O’Bannon to the ball, a massive celebration of their son’s election. Following the dance, at midnight, Frank L. O’Bannon would officially be sworn in.
It was an event so momentous that it brought Corydon’s Carl M. (Buck) Mathes out of his trademark bib overalls for the night. It lured art glass craftsman Bart Zimmerman from his wardrobe mainstay, jeans and a T-shirt. It inspired Sandy LaDuke to give up, temporarily at least, her sweater separates. The occasion? The Governor’s Inaugural Ball on Sunday night, honoring Indiana Gov.-elect Frank L. O’Bannon, of Corydon, who officially took office at midnight, and First Lady Judy O’Bannon, Lt. Gov. Joseph E. Kernan and Second Lady Maggie Kernan, and Att. Gen. Jeffrey A. Modisett and his wife, Jennifer.
Playing the first game in 22 days, the South Central Rebels snapped a four-game slide with a 50-43 win over visiting Cannelton (1-8) Saturday night. South Central scored the last seven points of the game to snap a 43-43 tie and win for the fourth time in 10 games this season. The Rebels played five of their games before Thanksgiving, lost all four of their December games, then had their holiday layoff from competition extended by one day last week when Friday’s game at Henryville was postponed by weather and icy roads. “We played like we had been off for a while,” South Central coach Greg Robinson said Monday afternoon.
Deaths: Arlene Spellman, 84; Loretta Becht, 87; Madeliene Deatrick, 82; Darline V. Sayers, 80; Alice Walls, 56; Veda F. Dodge, 72; Phyllis Perkins, 61; Lois W. Crosier, 95; Essie Mae Gunter, 77; Katheryn Kintner, 81; Helen Nicholson, 82.
50 years ago
January 12, 1972
Two deputy town marshals, William Wright of Laconia and Donald Stonecipher, quit their posts this week. They are the second and third deputies to leave the local police force in the past month.
The National Nursing Home of Corydon has been changed to Corydon Nursing Home. The nursing home has had 40 patients most of the time since it opened in January 1971. The capacity is 30 patients. Mary Bass is administrator.
Kenneth Voelker was promoted twice in one day by the Kentucky Air Guard: the first one to technical sergeant and the second to second lieutenant. Voelker, an instructor pilot for a commercial flying agency at Bowman Field, will report to Webb Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 12 to enter training as an Air National Guard Jet Pilot.
Herbert C. Sibert, Corydon native, has been promoted to the position of manager of disbursements accounting for Louisville and Nashville Railroad.
Births: Boys — Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Lincoln, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Shartzer, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Smith; girls — none.
Deaths: Wesley (Dod) McFall, 93; Herman Bigler, 67; Kenneth Davis, 10l; Frank Johnson, 77; Avis Emily; Samuel Arnett, 66; Harry Benson Tucker, 74; Stephen Ashton, 70; Ben Beckett, 75.
65 years ago
January 9, 1957
Mr. and Mrs. George Quebbeman have purchased the Thornwood Hatchery property at Crandall from Mr. and Mrs. Ben F. Brown. Mr. Quebbeman will operate a retail baby chick business and will also move his chinchilla business in Crandall. Mr. and Mrs. Brown will build a new home east of Corydon.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Albert Wiseman have sold their property of about eight acres, west of Corydon, to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Monroe.
Mr. and Mrs. James R. Grayson have moved from Charlestown to Corydon, and Mr. Grayson has assumed the duties of manager with Mrs. Ruth Beanblossom of the Beanblossom Funeral Home. Her husband, Ira Beanblossom, passed away last year. Linn Jennings is also associated with the business.
William H. Davis retired Jan. 1 after carrying the mail of the Ramsey Post Office for 35 years. He made his first trip Jan. 16, 1922. He has served under four postmasters and has seen the post office grown from fourth class to a first class. He wore out five horses, two new model T Fords and four used ones.
Births: Boys — Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sigler, Mr. and Mrs. Von Greene, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Cavins; girls — Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Gerdon, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Acton, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Stilger, Mr. and Mrs. Karl Jenkins.
Deaths: Charles William Lincoln, 31; Sherman Glenn, 82; Wendy Joan Steinhaver, 1; Andrew Berger, 78; Noble Tyler, 69; William E. Brockman, 78; Mrs. Emma Mauck, 89; Jack Bringle; Mrs. Cordelia Evans, 86; James Robinson, 42; Robert Day; Mrs. Martha Bea; William Crosby, 84.
75 years ago
January 15, 1947
Old Capitol Post No. 2950 Veterans of Foreign Wars completed plans to rebuild a new structure to replace the building recently destroyed by fire. They chose the same location.
Bernard Kochert has been in critical condition at St. Edwards Hospital since Monday when he was hit on the head by a falling limb while cutting down a tree.
Births: Boys — Mr. and Mrs. Howard Gleitz, Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Watson, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Mathews; girls — Mr. and Mrs. George Kesery, Mr. and Mrs. Early G. Johnson.
Deaths: Martha Feller, 78; William McIntyre, 76; John E. Bowling, 71; Cortez Smith, 73; George P. Ferree, 49; Adelia Ott, 74; Mrs. Bertha Sonner, 65; Beverly Ann Spencer, infant; Mrs. Malissa O’Connor, 68; Floyd Knowland, 55.
100 years ago
January 18, 1922
Miss Eva Harbeson has accepted a clerical position with the postmaster at Lanesville.
The school just east of Ramsey burned Thursday night, Jan. 12. The school was taught by Bayward Bell. The school is to be continued in the Grange Hall in Ramsey.
Births: Boys — Mr. and Mrs. O.C. Kopp, Mr. and Mrs. John Tindall; girls — none.
Death: Oldea Viola Greer.
