Today in Johnson City History, Friday, December 27, 2024
Jonesboro happenings in the news
Wednesday, December 27, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, the Herald and Tribune, a newspaper in Jonesboro, published a variety of short news accounts of local interest; there were several short advertisements sprinkled amongst the news accounts. Some of each follow: “Wanted – all your walnut kernels, Dosser Bros.”
“Prof. Cline is spending this week in Knoxville.”
“Dosser Bros. sell the best shoes at the lowest prices.”
“Prof. Sherrill has his sister as his guest during the holidays.”
“Miss Nell Printup has gone to Washington City to spend the winter.”
Washington City is now known as Washington, D. C.
“D. P. Campbell will send bus to your door, day or night, for all trains for ten cents.”
Ten cents in 1899 is now worth about $3.80, according to www.in2013dollars.com.
“The different Sunday Schools of the town hold their Christmas entertainments Monday evening.”
“The different Sunday Schools of the town hold their Christmas entertainments evening.”
“Buy a suit of Happy Home Clothing, there is none so good. Guaranteed in every respect. A. C. Britton.”
“Fred Stuart, son of Dr. Stuart of this place, is spending his vacation at home. Fred is a student in Maryville College.”
Maryville College is located in Maryville, Tennessee, in Blount County. Maryville is about 123 miles from Johnson City and lies in a southwesterly direction from Johnson City.
“Talk to any one who has worn a pair of our Manns $8 shoes for men, then give us a call. Hoss & McCall, Up to Date Clothiers.”
Eight dollars in 1899 is now worth about $304.09, according to www.in2013dollars.com.
“Now that the smallpox scare is over you must not miss the big bargains that are going every day at the palace store of R. M. May & Son.”
Smallpox is caused by a virus; while most people recovered from it, many deaths resulted. Smallpox can now be prevented by means of a vaccination.
“For good quality and low prices you can find no better than ours. Up to date in quantity, quality and prices. Hoss & McCall Up to Date Clothiers.”
“We noticed in the Knoxville paper that Miss Daisy Panhorst, of this place, who is attending school at Centenary College in Cleveland, is spending the holidays with relatives and friends in Knoxville.”
Centenary College was formed by the Methodist Church; it closed in 1929.
Cleveland, Tennessee is about 188 miles from Johnson City. It is southwest of Johnson City.
“Wanted - walnut kernels, Dosser Bros.”
“Everything in capes and jackets at Dosser Bros.”
“Dr. Naff spent last Sunday and Monday in Greeneville.”
“Will Bartlett, of Maryville, is guest of friends in this place this week.”
“Don’t forget that A. C. Britton carries a nice line of fine shoes and hats.”
“W. P. Reeves is spending a few days this week with his folks in this place.”
“A handsome calendar given with every cake of Fairy Soap. Fink & Hickey.”
“Opie Warlick is at home from Maryville College and will remain for the holidays.”
The Stuart family continued to be in the news. “A. M. and Dr. J. B. Stuart had a successful bird hunt on Nolachucky River last week.”
Nolachucky was spelled that way in 1899.
“I now have on hand a nice line of gold and silver hearts, gold rings and watch chains. All hearts and rings engraved free,” This notice was signed by H. H. McPherson.
“The ladies of the W. C. T. U. will be ‘at home’ at the reading room to their friends on January 1, 1900, from 2 o’clock P. M. to 9.”
“Albert Mottern, who has been in California for two years, came home last week.”
“Will R. Sevier came down from Johnson City to spend Christmas with his mother.”’
“Miss Bessie and Lyla Lyle, of Johnson City, are visiting their sister, Mrs. J. L. Hawkins.”
“Charley Babb, with the Embreeville Iron Company, spent Christmas with home folks in this place.”
“Miss Nona Pritchett came up from Morristown to spend the holidays with home folks in this place.”
Morristown, Tennessee is located about 66 miles from Johnson City. It is almost due west of Johnson City.
“Robertson and Tucker, the horse buyers, will be here next Monday after two car loads of horses and mules.”
“James Park, who is attending the Knoxville High School, spent Christmas with his parents in this place.”
The Stuart family was in the news yet again. “A. M. Stuart, Jr., is home for the holidays. Sandy has been attending lectures at a medical college in Nashville.”
“Miss Bertha Hacker, a student in a Chambersburg, Pa., school for young ladies, is visiting her parents in this place.”
“Archie Kirkpatrick, a student in the State University at Knoxville, is spending the holidays with home folks in this place.”
“Monday will be quarterly court day, and we hope many of our friends will remember us and come in and settle their accounts.”
“Baxter Taylor came up from his home on Nolachucky (sic) Tuesday. It was a bitter cold day but Baxter’s promise was out and the cold weather could prevent him from (several indecipherable words) it good.”
“Dr. Leab left this place for Dallas, Texas last Friday and will be gone for two or three weeks. It is intimated that the doctor is on the hunt of a cowboy to dehorn his (indecipherable) horned cow that has been heard of so much lately.”
“Mrs. Lucy Sevier has returned to her home in this place after visiting relatives in Morristown and Johnson City.”
“Christmas day passed off without anything unusual happening. Even nearly all the firecrackers were exploded before Christmas day arrived.”
“Richard Kennedy, the insurance agent who has made this place his headquarters for some time, is spending the holidays with his family in McMinnville.”
McMinnville, Tennessee is about 232 miles from Johnson City. It is west, and slightly south, of Johnson City.
“Quite a number of young men who left this place last spring to seek their fortunes in the west have returned to this section to spend the holidays with home folks.”
“Chas. O. Taylor, of Morristown, came up with his wife last week and went out to Mrs. Taylor’s home on Chucky River where they spent Christmas with Mr. And Mrs. Robert Gillespie.”
The Chucky River is now known as the Nolichucky River.
The Herald and Tribune was, and still is, a newspaper published in Jonesboro, which was spelled that way in 1899.
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