Today in Johnson City History, Friday, December 6, 2024
Jobe's jail escape, going hunting, a dog shoots his owner and more
Wednesday, December 6, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, The Troy Messenger reported news with relevance to Johnson City. The dateline was Columbus, Ohio, and the date was December 2. Readers learned that “Captain I. T. Jobe, late of the Sixth United States volunteer infantry, escaped from the county jail, where he was a United States prisoner, some time (sic) during last night, probably having outside assistance. His escape was not discovered until 7 o’clock this morning, when the jailor (sic for jailer) went to open the cells. Every effort is being made to affect his recapture.
“Jobe was a trusty about the jail and had special privileges, among others that his cell door was never locked. He went from the cell range to the clothes room where he sawed the bars of the window out and dropped through a hole 9 by 11 inches to the alley 12 feet below.
“Jobe was a captain in the Sixth United States volunteers, having been discharged last March. He was arrested in Washington, D.C., on the charge of using war department penalty envelopes for private letters and was to have had a hearing before the United States court here this month. When arrested he had on the uniform of a captain of the army.
“He was formerly mayor of Johnson City, Tenn. He was in trouble in New
York, where he was arrested for mailing blank transportation orders to scalpers.
“Since he has been in the local jail Captain Jobe has had numerous callers and it is thought that from some of these he obtained the saw which enabled him to set himself free. Prominent local young mem are under suspicion.”
The Troy Messenger is now published as The Messenger. It is published in Troy, Alabama.
Saturday, December 6, 1924: One hundred years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported news with a dateline from Newport, and a date of December 5. Readers learned that I. E. Cooper, of Newport, and a famous East Tennessee hunter, returned this week with a large bear which he killed in the Big Smoky Mountains. The bear which weighed over 600 pounds, was started near Cages (sic for Cades) Cove and after a drive of about thirty minutes was caught by Mr. Cooper’s renowned quartet of dogs, Kaiser Bill, Crown Prince, Ruler and Cooper’s Sam. After a fight lasting more than one hour, the bear was shot by Bob Walker, of Wallen. The hunting party consisted of Mr. Cooper, Mr. Walker, Luther Trentham, of Newport, Fons Cobble, of Cages (sic) Cove, Dr. D. W. Queener, of Jacksboro, and Dan Myers, of Wallen. Another is planned by this party between now and Christmas.”
Newport is a town located approximately 58 miles from Johnson City. It is southwest of Johnson City.
The Big Smoky Mountains is now known as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Wallen, Tennessee is about 116 miles from Johnson City, and is southwest of Johnson City.
Jacksboro, Tennessee is located approximately 137 miles from Johnson City. It is located in Campbell County.
Thursday, December 6, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Jonson City Press reported news with a dateline from West Frankfort, Illinois, and a date of December 6. The Associated Press carried the story. Readers learned that “When a dog shoots a man, that’s news, too.
“Harry Choisser, 35, laid his gun on the ground while hunting. His dog stepped on the trigger. The gun went off and the charge struck Choisser in the left leg.”
Wednesday, December 6, 1939: Eighty-five years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported sad news. “Because she ‘did not want to live any longer,’ Pearl Bishop, 17-year-old resident of the Cash Hollow section of Washington county (sic for County), died in a local hospital last night of a bullet wound Sheriff Earl Sell said was self-inflicted.
“The girl died at 10:30 p. m., almost 12 hours after she was found by her mother, Mrs. Walker Bishop, and neighbors, about 100 yards from the Bishop home on route (sic for Route) No. 4, three miles from Johnson City.
“Mrs. Bishop told Sell and Deputy Sheriff D. W. Wheelock, who were called to investigate, she was in the house when she heard a shot. Her daughter had walked away a few minutes before. With friends, Mrs. Bishop went to investigate, and found her daughter. A rusty .38 caliber revolver lay near the writhing form.
“Sell said although two empty shells were found in the weapon, the girl apparently had been shot but once. A slug had entered above the right ear and emerged from the opposite side. Powder burns were found about the head.
“She was removed to the hospital, but her chance for life was despaired of from the first.
“Sell said the girl was not removed until he and Wheelock arrived. Found near her was a penciled note, the contents of which the sheriff revealed as follows: ‘I killed myself because I did not want to live any longer. Don’t worry about me.’
“Mrs. Bishop, considerably shocked by the tragedy, told the sheriff she could assign no reason for her daughter’s act. The girl had exhibited no evidence of despondence and was in good health, the mother added.
“The girl’s father was in Bristol at the time of the shooting.
“Funeral arrangements were incomplete last night.”
Wednesday, December 6, 1944: Eighty years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported that “Mrs. Henry Vernon Pace of 507 Fall street (sic for Street) reported her blind husband is missing from their home.”
Readers also learned that “Slight damage was reported at the home of James Bellamy, 420 West Poplar street (sic), at 4:25 p. m. yesterday when a bed caught on fire from a cigarette. The alarm was answered by Companies 2, 3, and 4.”
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