Today in Johnson City History, Friday, November 29, 2024
Lots of news from lots of places!
Friday, November 29, 1867: The East Tennessee Union Flag, a newspaper based in Jonesborough reported, “We had the pleasure of a visit on Monday last from Gen. Jubal A. Dewey. He was a brave and gallant soldier of the Union, and one to whom East Tennessee is indebted for her deliverance from the accursed rule of Davis’ myrmidons. He is register of Bankruptcy in the first Congressional district of Tennessee, and is discharging his duties to the satisfaction of all. Long live such gallant patriots and defenders of our country.”
Jonesborough was spelled that way in 1867.
Also on Friday, November 29, 1867: John Cameron, former Postmaster of Johnson’s Depot, once again became Postmaster of Johnson’s Depot, according to The Railroads of Johnson City by Johnny Graybeal.
Monday, November 29, 1875: Samuel Walter Price was born in Washington County. His parents were early and active members of First Christian Church. Mr. Price, who was called Walter Price throughout his life, graduated from Milligan College in 1898 with both an A.B. and an A.M. degree. He soon earned his L.L.B degree from the University of Tennessee, and began practicing law in Johnson City in 1902. Mr. Price practiced law until his death in 1958. He was secretary of the Board of Trustees of Milligan College for over half a century. In addition, Mr. Price served the City of Johnson City as a City Commissioner and City Attorney. He also was a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Odd Fellows Lodge. (Source: 100th Anniversary History and Directory 1871-1971, First Christian Church, Johnson City, Tennessee. Compiled and written by Mary Hardin McCown and Josephine Carpenter Owen.)
Wednesday, November 29, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, the Herald and Tribune, a newspaper that was, and still is, published in Jonesboro, which was spelled that way at the time, reported several short news accounts from the Washington County community of Garbers. Readers learned that “Henry Miller and Mrs. Wm. Leonard, who have been seriously ill, are reported convalescing; also Mrs. Wesley Booth, who had typhoid fever.”
“Mac Parker is getting along nicely with his new house and will soon have it ready for occupancy.”
“Several families have recently moved in this section.”
“In coming home the other night we met almost an innumerable number of ‘possums in the Young woodland, and on making inquiry of the leader as to what was up, received the answer: ‘Why, stranger, have you not heard the latest news? Will Hestillow is back from Watauga River with his dog, and it is positively dangerous to be safe in this locality, and so we are fleeing to the mountains for safety.’ They were upon the point of narrating to us the many hardships they endured in eluding Will and his hound, but at this instant they heard the horn of the hunter and the yelp of the ever vigilant dog in the distance, and bidding us a hasty good night went scampering away, thus ending, what might have been an interesting interview.”
“The heirs of the late Jeff Wilson had the estate partitioned off last week, the commissioners and county surveyor, we understand, giving satisfaction to all concerned.”
“The second month of our schools closed on last Friday.”
“Wheat and oats never looked more promising at this season of the year.”
“W. A. Brown is erecting one of the neatest little residences to be found in this section.”
“Our crackerjack friends squeal aloud and go into hysterics over some of the appointments of Mr. Browlow (sic for Brownlow). They seem to forget the fact that the rank and file of the part doesn’t give a ‘tinder’s dam’ who hold the offices, so they are honest and capable, and we have heard of no rogues being appointed.”
“It is a notorious fact that the noise made by the antis is sufficient, they think, to make the uninformed believe they are literally sweeping the field, but later on when noses will be counted they will ascertain that they are in a fearfully small minority.”
“Scratch (indecipherable) on the back and four times out of five you will find a man who has either failed to get an office for himself, some relative or some friend.”
“Exum and Boring are shipping an average of one car load of heading per day from the place to their factory at Johnson City.”
“There is some talk in regard to county officers in this section. Mr. Hawkins, it appears, will get the plum for sheriff so far as his district is concerned. He has been tried and not found wanting. Let’s have Mr. Hawkins and Democrary will be routed, ‘horse, foot and dragons.’”
The above news items were signed by “Peblim”.
The following news items also appeared in the newspaper. “Robt. Cate, of Knoxville, was here Tuesday.”
“Jonathan McClellan was here last Saturday.”
“Frank Anderson, of Knoxville, is here on a visit.”
“Judge Thos. Curtain, of Bristol, was here last Saturday.”
“Dr. Charmers Deaderick, of Knoxville, was here last Sunday.”
“Mrs. Dr. T. W. Whitlock came down from Unaka last week to spend a few days.”
“Mrs. Dr. Whitlock” meant that Mrs. Whitlock’s husband was a physician.
Unaka was likely a reference to Unaka Springs, which is located near Erwin.
“Mrs. T. B. Hacker, of this place, is visiting her sister, Mrs. T. A. R. Nelson, in Knoxville.”
“Mrs. L. Sevier, of this place, was the guest of Mrs. Tate L. Earnest of Johnson City, last week.”
“John L. Davis, of Knoxville, was in Jonesboro last week shaking hands with old friends.”
“The Jonesboro Yarn Mill closed down last week in order to make some much needed repairs to the building.”
“An unusually large number of people was in town Saturday, and our merchants had a pretty good trade.”
“Montgomery Byrd has been confined to his room and bed for several days by a severe attack of rheumatism.”
“Our schools will observe Thanksgiving Day by dismissal and allow all pupils to enjoy the occasion at home.”
“Miss Mable Gammon, of Chucky Valley, was the guest of Miss Maggie Keen, of this place, a few days last week.”
Chucky Valley was very likely a community near the present Chucky, Tennessee.
“Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Britton went down to Knoxville Monday to purchase some household goods for their new home.”
“O. F. Dilworth has erected a most neat picket fence in front of his residences which enhances the looks of his home.”
“Prof. Barnett was on the sick list a few days last week but was able to resume his place in the school room Monday.”
“Large quantities of barytide is being shipped from this point at present. It is brought here by teams from Sullivan County.
“Barytide” is perhaps a typographical error for “barytine”, which is a mineral.
Mrs. T. J. Peoples continued to be in the news. “Mrs. T. J. Peoples is gradually recovering from a recent spell of typhoid fever, and it is hoped she will soon be entirely well.”
“R. M. May & Son shipped one day last week twenty barrels of (indecipherable) and will ship more before the season is over.”
“James M. Grisham, Jr., has been invited to deliver the annual literary address of the Fork Vale (Campbell County) High School.”
Campbell County is contiguous to Kentucky.
“Fisk & Hickey received about two hundred turkeys last Saturday which they dressed and shipped to market for Thanksgiving trade.”
“W. T. Pritchett, who has been with the Wrought Iron Range Company in South Dakota for several months, returned home last week.”
“Miss Effie Smith returned Saturday evening to her home in Johnson City after having spent several days with relatives and friends in this place.”
“Some malicious scamp shot and killed the nice black water spaniel that belonged to W. T. Pritchett’s family. Such mischief is intolerable and the miscreant out to be punished.”
Friday, November 29, 1974: Four hundred people attended the Gospel Sing at Freedom Hall Civic Center. (Source: Bobbie H. Shirley, former Freedom Hall Box Office Manager.)
Monday, November 29, 1982: The Johnson City Medical Center Foundation, which was chartered in July 1980, activated their charter, according to A Beacon to Heath Care by Ray Stahl.
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