Today in Johnson City History, Friday, September 20, 2024
Jonesboro (Jonesborough) happenings
Wednesday, September 20, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, the Herald and Tribune reported news from Haws X Roads. “The health of our community is very good at present.”
“We are glad to report Mrs. T. M. Haws as (sic) improved sufficiently to visit her sister at Newmansville.”
“J. B. Collier made a trip to Tusculum last week.”
“Prof. O. L. White left Thursday for Knoxville to enter school. We are sorry to lose Oscar from our neighborhood.”
“T. H. Hughes and Miss Marie Belle Haws attended sacramental services at Fall Branch the first Sunday. They report a splendid sermon, a bountiful repast and a pleasant afternoon at the hospitable home of Mrs. Shepherd, and a pleasant drive home.”
Mr. Hughes continued to be in the news. “We are glad to say T. H. Hughes, who has had a slight attack of grip, is much improved.”
“One of our young men seems to be very fond of walking in the night, so he walked five miles last Monday night leaving his horse hitched out all night.”
“Boys set your hours for calling somewhat earlier next time, or the girls will have retired again.”
“We fear that some preacher will soon be called to say the words that will change the name of one of our charming girls.”
The Haws family also continued to be in the news column; you’ll also see them in another entry. “Last week T. W. Haws had threshed about one thousand bushels of wheat.”
“J. W. Shepherd spent last week with his brother, J. L. Shepherd.”
“Messrs. T. H. and T. R. Hughes, John T. (indecipherable), W. F. Haws, and Frank Daughterty (several indecipherable words) by Misses Ollis, Marie and Eppie Haws, rendered some excellent music at the home of T. W. Haws last Sunday evening.”
“The funeral services of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith will be conducted by Rev. Copp at Bethseda the third Sunday; Sacramental meeting also.”
The following short news accounts appeared from various places in Washington County. “F. L. Fornshell, the manager of the Herald and Tribune, and his wife are visiting Mr. Fornshell’s old home in Ohio and will be absent about two weeks.”
“Mrs. A. C. Britton, Misses Cora Keebler and Lucy Young spent a few days last week with friends at Limestone and returned home Sunday evening.”
“Rev. Jas. P. Doggett, a former pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, of this place, but now of Greeneville, was here a day or so last week greeting his old friends.”
“Mrs. J. B. Shipley and son, Frank, of Chattanooga, who have been visiting friends and relatives in this place, will return to their house next Thursday. Miss Bettie Shipley will accompany them to Chattanooga, where she will make her future home with her brother, John B. Shipley.”
“Sam Mitchell, of Bristol, was down last Sunday.”
“Judge N. T. Bowman was in town last Sunday.”
“Mat Miller was down from Johnson City Monday.”
“John S. McClure, of Knoxville, was here Tuesday.”
“W. P. McCall returned from the east last Saturday.”
“H. H. McPherson has begun work on his new house.”
“Ed. Clark, of Telford, was here Monday and Tuesday.”
“Jack Gillispie, of Limestone, was in town last Saturday.”
Mrs. Shipley appeared in the column again. “Mrs. J. B. Shipley and son, Brown, of Chattanooga, were visiting relatives and friends here last week.”
“S. H. L. Cooper, National Bank examiner, left last Thursday to finish up his second round for the year.”
“John Jones, who has been in Georgia for several months in the lightening rod business, was here last Monday.”
“Roll Simpson, who has spent the summer at White Cliff Springs playing in the Orchestra there, came home last Sunday.”
The Britton family also continued to be in the news. “Mrs. Maggie Seaman returned to Bristol last Monday, after having spend a few weeks with her daughter, Mrs. A. C. Britton.”
“Dr. R. W. Dulaney was on the sick list a few days last week and was at his home near Johnson City during a part of the time.”
“E. S. Mathes was in town last Saturday.”
“John M. Mitchell was in town last Monday.”
“W. P. Smith, Esq., was in town last Monday.”
“Herbert Shipley spend last Sunday at Unaka Springs.”
“Ed Hale, of Flourville, was in town last Monday.”
“Dr. J. A. Kirkpatrick was in town last Monday.”
“Miss Jessie Patton returned from Unaka last Sunday.”
“Nick Earnest, of Earnestville, was in town last Saturday.”
“Geo. C. Osborne, the fertilizer man, was here last week.”
Haw’s X Roads is very likely an abbreviation for what is now known as Haws Crossroads, which is a community in rural Washington County.
Newmansville is a community in rural Greene County.
Tusculum is a community in Greene County and is about 26 miles from Johnson City. It is southwest of Johnson City.
Fall Branch is a community in rural Washington County.
“Grip” is now called influenza.
“Bethseda” very likely refers to the name of a church in rural Washington County.
Limestone is a community in rural Washington County, as is Telford.
White Cliff Springs was presumably a resort.
Unaka Springs is located near Erwin.
Flourville is a community in rural Washington County.
Earnestville is a community in rural Unicoi County.
The Herald and Tribune was, and still is, a newspaper published in Jonesboro, which was spelled that way in 1899.
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