Today in Johnson City History, Friday, March 7, 2025
Lots of news from lots of places
Wednesday, March 7, 1900: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, the Herald and Tribune reported that “Hon. R. R. Butler is a candidate for re-election to the State Senate. He had a thought of retiring from the public service, but in resposse (sic for response) to urgent appeals from the leading and most influential Republicans all over the Senatorial District he consented to make the race.
“The people are loth to give up this faithful old friend, who so long has protected their interests and guarded their rights in the halls of National and State legislation and will no do so as long as he will consent to serve them.
“(Several indecipherable words) public service in Tennessee, occupying high and reponsible (sic for responsible) positions with signal diligence and efficiency. He is a plain man of the people, he knows their wants and necessities and he is never slow nor too modest to demand them. He will sacrifice his own interests to serve a friend or the public.
“His nomination and election are forgone conclusions. The people want him and will have him, and no others (indecipherable).”
“Roderick Randum Butler (April 9, 1827 – August 18, 1902) was an American politician who represented Tennessee's 1st district in the United States House of Representatives from 1867 to 1875, and again from 1887 to 1889. He also served several terms in the Tennessee state legislature, and briefly served as a state court judge. An opponent of secession, Butler represented Johnson County at the East Tennessee Convention in 1861, and afterward joined the Union Army.” (Source: Wikipedia.)
In other news of the day, readers learned that “Bob Whitaker, a young man who had ore boodle than brains, came down to this place to visit his brother who works in the yarn mills at this place. Tuesday morning Bob came up in town and brought with him one of his brother’s little boys about six years old. He proceeded to a barroom where he made drunk that innocent child and then brought him out on the street and was showing him off, as he thought, but pretty soon the Sheriff nabbed him with a State’s warrant and took him before Esquire S. S. Kirkpatrick, who bound him to court on a bond of five hundred dollars, which was signed by E. W. King and Company, of Bristol, for whom Whitaker works as a driver. This was a most shameful sight and many were heard to express themselves in favor of the whipping post where such cases as this might be justly disposed of. How say many with a thimbleful of brains could do such a thing is more than we can understand.”
Five hundred dollars in 1900 is now worth about $18,800, according to www.in2013dollars.com.
Readers also learned that “Chas. Brown spent Sunday in Knoxville.”
“Baxter Taylor was in town last Saturday.”
“Candidates were numerous in town Monday.”
“F. F. Dosser returned from New York last Sunday.”
“A large number of people was in town last Monday.”
“Alex Maloney, of Telford, was in town last Monday.”
Telford is a community in rural Washington County.
“Master Cadie Byerly, of Tellfords (sic for Telford), was in town Monday.”
“J. H. Epps was confined to his home last week with measles.”
“James Martin and son Ed., of Free Hill, were in town Monday.”
Free Hill is a community in rural Washington County.
“Robt. Owens had a fine case of measles last week, but is about well now.”
“Rev. J. P. Little is at home on account of sickness in his brother’s family.”
“W. P. Reeves spent last Sunday and Monday with home folks in this place.”
“Dr. A. C. Hoss’ wife presented him with a fine baby boy one morning last week.”
“Chas. Babb was over from Embreville to spend Sunday with his folks in this place.”
Embreville is a community in rural Washington County.
“W. P. Smith, Chairman of the County Court, was in town on business last Monday.”
“Justus Whitlock is at home from Lexington, Ky., where he has been in a business college.”
“Geo. C. Mottern, wife and three children have been down with emasles but all are better.”
“Three of our subscribers who have promised to bring us wood will confer a favor if they will bring it now.”
“Ed Boyd, Jr., who was attending business college in Lexington, Ky., has got through and is now at home in this place.”
Ed Boyd continued to be in the news, although this Ed Boyd may be the father of the one mentioned immediately above. “Ed Boyd has bought the intereset of his late partner, John Britton, in the grocery business and is now going it alone.”
“J. K. McIntyre, of the Knoxville Traction Company, was called hom on account of the serious illness of his sister, Mrs. J. H. Little.”
“Jerry Hale, who lives several miles north of this place, is confined to his bed with sickness. Mr. Hale is well known in this place.”
“We are glad to learn that Hon. A. A. Taylor has about recovered from his late spell of sickness, and it is said he will soon resume his lectures tour.”
The Honorable A. A. Taylor served as a member of the U. S. House of Representatives from the First Congressional District from 1889 until 1895. He was Governor of the State of Tennessee from 1921 until 1923.
“Mrs. Walter Preston Brownlow, wife of Representative W. P. Brownlow of Tennessee, and daughters, Miss Brownlow and Mrs. Arthur Newton Hacker, will be at home tomorrow from 3 to 6 o’clock for the last time this season, at 1018 B Street Northeast. They will have with them Mrs. Theo. B. Hacker of Tennessee. Mrs. Theo. B. Hacker has returned from Hagerstown, Md., after having spent a week with Miss Clayetta Brownlow at Kee Mar College. Miss Clayetta Brownlow is a daughter of Representative Preston Brownlow of Tennessee."
The Herald and Tribune was, and still is, a newspaper published in Jonesboro, which was spelled that way at the time.
To subscribe, click on this link:
https://www.todayinjohnsoncityhistory.com/subscribe
Truly, it takes several people to put together something like you’ve just read. I express profound appreciation to Heidi Dulebohn and Stephanie McClellan Houk for their thoughts and encouragement.
Grateful appreciation is expressed to Collin Brooks for his social media expertise. If you need assistance with your social medial needs, call him at 423-735-8755.
Will Riddle, owner of Riddle Technology Services, can help you with all your computer and computer-related needs. He’s the best! Call him at 423-480-4024.