Today in Johnson City History, Friday, September 13, 2024
Who visited who, advertisements of the day and the like
Welcome to today’s “Today in Johnson City History” column. When I was writing a very similar column for the local newspaper, readers would often tell me their favorite part of my column was when I wrote about who visited who, who came to town, and the like. Thinly disguised advertisements were sometimes included in such columns. Often the same store would have several advertisements that were worded practically in the same way. If you’re a fan of that type of information, you’ll love today’s column, which is taken from the Wednesday, September 13, 1899, issue of the Herald and Tribune, a newspaper which was, and still is, published in Jonesborough. However, the town was spelled “Jonesboro” one hundred and twenty-five years ago. I invite you to sit back and read what was going on during that time in our history!
“Buy fruit jars of (sic) S. H. Anderson.”
“E. W. Keys was in town Monday.”
“Shirts of all kinds cheap at A. C. Britton.”
“Baxter Taylor was in town last Monday.”
“Campbell guarantees satisfaction on delivery.”
“Geo. W. Dealer, of Telford, was here Monday.”
“S. H. Anderson is on the sick list this week.”
“Judge Hacker was in Knoxville this week on business.”
“Dosser Bros. will give you best values for your dried fruit.”
“Miss Minnie May, of Clarkson, was in town last Monday.”
“Fred Stuart left last week, to enter school at Maryville College.”
“Nat Kirkpatrick spent Sunday on Boon’s Creek with his parents.”
“H. H. McPherson has commenced work on his residence on the hill.”
“Mrs. L. A. Keys, of Morning Star, is visiting relatives in Mountain City.”
“High grade clothing for everbody (sic) at low grade prices at Hoss & McCalls.”
“We will buy all of your dried apples for trade or cash. R. M. May & Son.”
“Mrs. Emma Lee, of Selma, Ala., was visiting friends in this place last week.”
“Fred McPherson spent Sunday with Rev. R. K Southerland and family in Bristol.”
“Our clothing is stylish and attractive and up to date and priced right. Hoss & McCall.”
“Mary Bacon, of Bristol, was visiting some of her young friends in this place last week.”
“Take your dried fruit, wheat, etc., to Dosser Bros. – they make the lowest prices.”
“Mrs. A. T Dosser, of Morristown, spent a few days last week in this place with relatives.”
“Spain has conceded Uncle Sam’s claim that Hoss & McCall’s clothing is the best on earth.”
“R. M. May & Son will pay you the highest marked price for all the dried apples you will have to sell.”
“Miss Clayeta Browlow left yesterday to leave near Conage Hagerstown, Md., to enter her second term of school.”
The Bacon family continued to be in the news. “Mrs. J. A. Bacon and daughter, Mary, came down from Bristol and spent a few days last week with friends in this place.”
“At last the drouth (sic) is broken, but the rains came so late that not an average crop of wheat will be sown this fall in this county.”
“Arthur Hacker, after a visit of about four weeks to his family in this place, returned Saturday to his post of duty in Washington City.”
“Mrs. L. A. Venable, who has been visiting her son, John R. Venable, in Marion, Va., returned to her home in this place last Thursday.”
“Mrs. Jas. A. Boyd, who has spent the summer with relatives in Thomaston, Ga., reached her home in this place last week, considerably improved in health.”
“John F. Grisham, of Knoxville, came up Friday evening and went out to his father’s home on Buffalo Ridge. He returned Sunday, accompanied by his wife and baby, who have been up here for a few weeks.”
“Fran Britton happened with the misfortune of dislocating her shoulder Monday evening by falling from a fence. The Doctor (sic) was called and sat the bones and at last account she was doing well.”
“J. D Cox is repainting and generally over hauling his property on the hill, near the Presbyterian parsonage, and will soon have it ready for occupancy. It will be taken for a residence by Rev. A. L. Davis, pastor of the congregation of this place.”
“There will be a contest of oratory at the court house (sic) next Friday might. The medals will be contested for, one by a class of girls and the other by a class of boys. Admission ten cents. There will be good music. Let the public turn out and encourage the young people.
Telford is a community in rural Washington County.
Clarkson is a community in rural Washington County.
Maryville College is in Maryville, Tennessee, which is about 123 miles from Johnson City. It lies in a southwestern direction from Johnson City.
Boon’s Creek is now spelled Boones Creek.
There are several communities across Tennessee named “Morning Star”.
Mountain City, Tennessee is about 44 miles northeast of Johnson City. It is located in Johnson County.
Morristown, Tennessee is about 66 miles from Johnson City. It is west, and slightly south, of Johnson City.
Washington City is now known as Washington, D. C.
Marion, Virginia is located about 79 miles from Johnson City. It is northeast of Johnson City.
Buffalo Ridge is a community in Washington County.
Ten cents in 1899 is now worth about $3.79, according to www.in2013dollars.com
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.