Today in Johnson City History, Friday, October 25, 2024
Jonesboro happenings and the S. H. Kress store
Wednesday, October 25, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, the Herald and Tribune, which was, and still is, a newspaper published in Jonesboro, reported several short news items. Some of them follow.
Smallpox continued to be in the news. “There is not now a single case of smallpox in this place. (Several indecipherable words) suspected o having it, or being exposed to it, are in the pest house. As a precautionary measure, no school was held so far during the week, and further danger is not anticipated. It is just as safe for people to come to Jonesboro now as at any time, and no one should heed the reports as to danger.”
“One of the most enjoyable meetings of the Schubert Club was held at the home of the Misses Dosser on Rocky Hill, Saturday afternoon.
“After the usual program we were favored with a vocal solo by Miss Eakin, of Maryville, and a mandolin duett (sic) by Messers Q and Martin. Dainty refreshments were served.”
News from the Eighth District included the following: “It is very dry in this section now. Most of the farmers are gathering corn. Oats and wheat look fine.”
“Mrs. George Miller, of Knob Creek, was visiting in the Eighth Sunday.”
“The schools have opened with a good attendance.”
“The funeral of Mrs. M. L. Miller will be preached at Bell’s Sunday; also, that of Mrs. Walters, at Eden.”
“Quiet a number of boys from this side attended the ice cream supper at Bell’s given by Kelly and Bell. They report it to be a shame to any community that all kinds of conduct that is known to demons was done. A board of school officers that will let such go on in school property are not capable of holding office.”
“Mat Kelly had a horse killed by the train last week.”
“The Eighth is solid for Brownlow this time except one man and you can guess him.”
The news from the Eighth District was signed “Republican”.
In another part of the newspaper, readers continued to read about smallpox. “In spite of the talk about smallpox in this place, our merchants had a fine trade last week, and do not hear any falling off on account of the scare.”
“Rev. Jno. S. Eakin has had as his guests for the past week his father, Jno. W. Eakin, and his sister, Miss Stella Hart Eakin, of Maryville, Tennessee.”
And there was yet another entry in the newspaper about smallpox: “Sunday was a quiet day in Jonesboro, not even the sound of a church bell was heard; the Board of Health deeming it wise not to have the people congregate while the existing smallpox scare is on.”
“Miss R. Gertrude Mason, of this place, and Miss Jamie Baker, of Fall Branch, left last week for the Dudley School of Vocal Music and Oratory in Troy, New York, where they will take a complete and thorough course in voice cultures.”
“Rev. C. A. Duncan was in town Saturday on his way to Elizabethton. We are always glad to meet Dr. Duncan, and in common with the people of this place, greatly enjoy his visits.”
“A freight train ran into a lot of cattle last Sunday morning at Chase’s crossing, a short distance below town, and killed and injured three or four of them. We understand the cattle belonged to J. H. Haws.”
“Peter H. Grisham, well known to many of our people, who has been in one of the departments in Washington City for a long time, has moved to Baltimore and gone into business, and will be glad to see any of his friends at his place, 300 Fayette Street.”
A pest house was a building where people with contagious illnesses were isolated.
Maryville, Tennessee is about 123 miles from Johnson City. It lies in a southwesterly direction from Johnson City.
Washington City is now called Washington, D. C.
Thursday, October 25, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Press reported news of a new store in town. “At two o’clock tomorrow afternoon, Johnson City will welcome its newest store.
“Although the S. H. Kress Company is an old establishment in Johnson City, the opening tomorrow will mark an advance in its history here. For the building inside is completely new, far more modern than the old, with merchandise superior to any that has been shown here before.
“The formal opening has been set for 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, giving Johnson City shoppers and patrons an opportunity to examine the store and meet the personnel before the regular Saturday rush. The company has issued its invitation to everyone to come in and look around, to examine the goods presented on attractive counters and to see for themselves the store that Kress has built here.
“For two months work has been under way for the building and development of more complete faculties and the latest devices, for excellent service. The management has been engaged for its experienced service in Kress stores. The architectural and construction department of the S. H. Kress Company has used every means to provide an establishment unsurpassed in its field.
“The office on the second floor is connected with the store headquarters in New York City. This link ties every branch closer together and is developed to reduce clerical details to a minimum. This system saves the expense of overhead and reduces materially, it is explained, the prices asked of the customer.”
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.
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