Today in Johnson City History, Friday, September 27, 2024
Sending early, in case of power failure due to weather....comings and goings in Jonesboro, The Wiffle Ball Killer
Wednesday, September 27, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, the Herald and Tribune reported several brief news accounts of interest to local residents. There were several advertisements among the news accounts as well. In addition, a few of the news accounts have previously been mentioned, but in a slightly different form, and quoting from a different newspaper. Some advertisements and news accounts follow: “New Millinery at Miss Siemons’”.
“Buy fruit jars at S. H. Anderson.”
“N. T. Bowman was in town last Friday.”
“Baxter Taylor was in town last Monday.”
“Chas. G. Hannah was in town Monday.”
“Shirts of all kinds cheap at A. C. Britton.”
“W. A. Crookshanks was in town Monday.”
“Searle Gillespie spent Sunday in Limestone.”
“Geo. C. Osborne has been here several days recently.”
“W. R. May returned from the East last Wednesday.”
“A. D. Wexler, of Fall Branch, was in town last Saturday.”
“Ralph Dulaney, of Johnson City, was in town Sunday.”
“Richard Kennedy, the insurance man, is here this week.”
“Dosser Bros. will give you best values for your dried fruits.”
“W. P. McCall returned home from the Eastern markets last week.”
“The carpenters are pushing the work on H. H. McPherson’s home.”
“C. C. Markwood, of Knoxville, is visiting in this place this week.”
“L. H. Patton and Miss Laura Bruner came home from Unaka last Thursday.”
“A. M. Stuart Jr., goes to Nashville this week to attend medical school this winter.”
“Revs. W. M. and J. F. Vines, of Asheville, N. C., are visiting their parents near this place.”
“Capt. Ross Smith went down to his farm on the river Monday to set an engine to his sawmill.”
The Markwood family continued in the news. “Alf Markwood, of Knoxville, came up last Friday and is visiting relatives and friends in this place.”
“Miss Ida Cox will leave next Wednesday for Springfield, Mass., to enter a female college at that place.”
“Judge Hacker returned from Knoxville last Friday, after having spent about two weeks there attending court.”
“Mrs. George L. Smith and two children, Carrie and Leon, returned from Canada last Friday, after an absence of several months.”
“Ira C.C. Reinhart, a former resident of this place, but who has spent several years in the West, is visiting J. H. Peoples of this place.”
“Miss Hardy, of Johnson City, will be in Jonesboro, Thursday, September 28, with a line of patterned hats, prepared to take orders for the latest styles of fall millinery. The ladies are invited to call at the hotel parlor and examine the pretty things.”
“For best delivery call on D. P. Campbell.”
“J. A. T. Bacon was down from Bristol Sunday.”
“J. N. Britton was over from Embreeville last week.”
“W. B. White, Esq., of Locust Mt., was in town Monday.”
“Miss Pfintup returned from Rome, Ga., the latter part of last week.”
“Mrs. Judge Alderson, of Bristol, was visiting C. A. O. Huff’s family last week.”
“Frank H. Patton has purchased the Dosser property on Rocky hill (sic) and moved into it last week.”
“Bert Simpson and John Dosser left last Tuesday afternoon for New York to attend the Dewey reception.”
Mrs. Judge Alderson continued to be in the news. “Mrs. Judge Alderson, who has been spending a few days with her parents and friends has returned to her home in Bristol.”
“Miss Florence Knight, of Georgia, a very affable and typical Southern beauty, is visiting Miss Mary Miller at the Eureka House.”
“Jas. D. Wright, the electrician, accompanied by his family, has gone to Jonesville, Tenn., on a visit. He will be absent a few weeks.”
“The members of the Schubert Club are requested to meet at the Inn Wednesday at four o’clock for the purpose of reorganizing for the winter’s work.”
“Mrs. E. E. Murray, who was a resident of this place for a number of years, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A. K. Brown, in Bristol last Friday evening. Her remains were brought to this place on Sunday morning when funeral services were held in the Baptist Church, of which she had been a member for many years. The services were conducted by Rev. Davis, the pastor, assisted by Rev. W. M. Vines, who is visiting in this place, and who had a long acquaintance with the deceased. The remains were taken to the old Murray family burying grounds on the farm about three miles from town for interment. Mrs. Murray was born October 26, 1828, in Bedford County, Va. She was married to Ephrain Murray April 15, 1852, at Jonesboro. She was the mother of eight children, three sons and five daughters, of whom three daughters and two sons are still living. She professed faith in Christ at an early age and united with a Baptist Church in Virginia. Her membership was transferred to the Jonesboro Baptist Church of which she was a member at the time of her death.”
Limestone is a community in rural Washington County; it is southwest of Johnson City.
Fall Branch is a community in rural Washington County.
“Unaka” may be a reference to Unaka Springs, which is located near Erwin.
Embreeville is a community in rural Washington County, as is Locust Mount.
“Mrs. Judge Alderson” meant that Mrs. Alderson was married to Judge Alderson.
The Dewey reception was very likely a reference to Admiral George Dewey.
The Eureka House is very likely a reference to what is now known as the Historic Eureka Inn.
Jonesville, Tennessee is located in Roane County. It is about 150 miles from Johnson City and lies in a southwesterly direction from Johnson City.
The Schubert Club is still in existence.
The Herald and Tribune is still published weekly in Jonesboro, which was spelled that way in 1899.
And now for “Get Involved!” For those of us across many parts of the Southeastern United States, it looks like we’re in for a wet, windy weekend. What better time than to read a book? I recently read Karen Roberts’ The Whiffle Ball Killer. I literally read it in three readings and could not put it down! It’s available via Kindle if you need something to read soon, or if you don’t want to wait. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about the book.
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.