Today in Johnson City History, Friday, December 20, 2024
Jonesboro events, Mrs. Epps' death, 2 wonderful ways to "Get Involved!"
Wednesday, December 20, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, the Herald and Tribune published several short news accounts of interest to local residents. There were several advertisements scattered among the news articles as well. Some of the accounts were as follows: “Capes and jackets at Dosser Bros.”
“Green Coffee, all grades, at Panhorst’s.”
“Shirts of all kinds cheap at A. C. Britton.”
“Dress goods – 10c yard up at Dosser Bros.”
“Best shoes for least money at Anderson’s.”
“Lamps, lamps, lamps, Panhorst sells them.”
“Wanted – all your walnut kernels, Dosser Bros.”
“John Shepherd, of Fall Branch, was here Monday.”
Fall Branch is a community in rural Washington County.
“Silas Cooper and wife spent a day or two in Bristol last week.”
“Whips of all kinds – 1,000 to select from – prices 10c to $3 at Anderson’s.”
“D. P. Campbell will send bus to your door day or night for all trains for ten cents.”
“Paper, envelopes, pens, pencils, purses and ladies’ pocket books. Panhorst keeps them.”
“John B. Cochran, of the West End, killed three Poland China pigs that weighed, 286, 300 and 325 net, at one year old.”
“Emanuel Dove, a former resident of this county, but now living in Missouri, is visiting friends and relatives in this vicinity.”
“Now that the smallpox scare is over you must not miss the big bargains that are going every day at the palace store of R. M. May & Son.”
Smallpox is caused by a virus; while most people recovered from it, many deaths resulted. Smallpox can now be prevented by means of a vaccination.
“Dr. P. W. Kirkpatrick and wife are spending the holidays with his father’s family in this place. The doctor is connected with the Central Hospital for the (indecipherable) at Nashville and is making a fine reputation for himself.:
“Remember that John S. Mathes is prepared to furnish you almost anything you want in the way of a nice Christmas present – something very nice for very little money, is what you want. Call and see for yourself, and don’t you forget it.”
“Monday week will be the first day of the new year, and will also be County Court day, and no doubt a great many people will be in the news. If those who owe us would remember to call at that time and pay as it would help us start on the last year of the century with much better heart than the average country newspaper man possesses.”
“Buy saddles of J. H. Anderson.”
“A barrel of dark cranberries for Christmas at Fink & Hickey’s.”
“Come and see what the Jonesboro Millinery Co., has to offer you for Christmas.”
“A handsome calendar given with every cake of Fairy Soap. Fink & Hickey.”
“Go to Miss Siemons for (indecipherable) millinery. Hats and feathers at unheard of prices.”
“Our merchants are having a good trade during these holiday times, and appreciate it.”
“Money saved is money made and it is easy to save money by trading with A. C. Britton.”
“Miss Minnie McIntyre, who has been in California for a couple of years, has returned to her former home near this place.”
“Try one of the F. C. Corsets sold by Miss Siemens, if not satisfactory after thirty days wear return it and get your money back.”
“The Teachers Institute held at Cherry Grove last Friday was one of the best ever held in the county, both in point of attendance and laterest (sic for interest) shows.”
Cherry Grove was a community in rural Washington County.
“I now have on hand a nice line of gold and silver hearts, gold rings and watch chains. All hearts and rings engraved free.” This advertisement was signed by H. H. McPherson.
“W. H. Martin is visiting home folks here at present. He holds a responsible position with the Pullman Palace Car Company, with headquarters in Chattanooga, and is always a welcome visitor to this, his home town.”
“The Baptist Sunday School will have a Birthday Missionary Service in the church next Sunday night. A suitable program will be arranged and the contribution divided among the missionary objects of the Baptist State Convention.”
“Will McPherson was married in Charlotte, Michigan, last Thursday to Miss Zella B. Wheston, and he and his bride are on a visit for a few days to his home folks in this place. Will’s many friends here join us in hearty congratulations to himself and his bride.”
“The party who carried away a pair of carpet slippers and 24 cakes of Lenox Soap from the sale room of the S. H. Anderson goods, on last Thursday, would do well to call on E. J. Baxter, Administrator, and settle for same, as there is spots close to them.”
“The numerous friends of Miss Minnie E. May will be greatly interested in reading the following: Mr. R. M. May requests the honor of your presence at the solemnization of the rite of Holy Matrimony, between his daughter, Minnie Elizabeth, and Mr. Samuel William Mitchell, Thursday morning, December twenty-eighth, (several indecipherable words), First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, Tennessee.”
The article went on to say that “Miss May is the daughter of our fellow townsman, R. M. May, one of our leading merchants. She is a young lady of great excellence, and will make worthy helpmate to the young man to whose care she is about to entrust herself. Mr. Mitchell is a young business man (sic for businessman) of Bristol, and well deserves the reputation which he bears of being an intelligent Christian gentleman.”
For regular readers of this column, you will remember that news of Mrs. Epps and news of her illness have appeared several times recently. “Although expected for some time, the death of Mrs. Epps, wife of our well known citizen, J. H. Epps, the announcement of it last Sunday morning came as a shock to all our people. Her death was the culmination of a protracted illness which baffled the skill of the best local physicians, as well as some from other points. Mrs. Epps was a woman of splendid qualities, and her friends admired her greatly. She was prominent in good works and her hands and heart were ever ready to enlist in any way worthy cause which presented itself. She was a devoted wife and loving mother, having the good of her family always in mind; a (indecipherable) woman of stable character and a neighbor full of kindness and consideration. She leaves a grief stricken husband and four young children to mourn the loss of wife and mother. The sympathy of the entire community is extended them, but that, much as it may be, does not alone count for their loss nor can it lessen the pain of parting from the loved one nor assuage the grief of the bereaved.
“The funeral took place Monday, at 10 a. m., from the family residence and was attended by a large number of friends and relatives.”
“Last Saturday night gave an interesting exhibit in an almost total eclipse of the moon. The orb of night began to intersect the edge of the shadow of the earth. For near three hours the moon keep on its way, during most of the time robbed of its silvery brightness. At the height of the eclipse the moon’s face deepened into darkness, but for the greater part of the time it shone a dull, dusky red. Coming as it did, early in the evening, gave all an excellent opportunity of witnessing the occurrence.”
The Herald and Tribune was, and still is, a newspaper published in Jonesboro, which was spelled that way in 1899.
A reminder of two ways to “Get Involved!” especially if you have last minute items on your Christmas shopping list.
“Our Southern Memories”, which Richard Burns edits and publishes, is a great gift idea.Here’s his email information: oxfordsoandso@yahoo.com
In addition, you’ll want to check out “Little Mayor and Big Dummy”, which Mr. Burns wrote. If you like satire, this is for you! Here’s a link to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Dummy-Mayor-Big-Southern/dp/1959700006/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8YWG6VD1I9XG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.g3t8riG44OD1mANKx8RMO-3999UPwarmon_16EE_5snGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.mpJe8raNIqACsZoUw5lMuwDJleXfEXRjx6xd_BFOumk&dib_tag=se&keywords=Little+mayor+and+big+dummy&qid=1734612209&sprefix=%2Caps%2C809&sr=8-1
Remember if you’re looking for an Advent devotional to grab a copy of Rebecca Horvath’s “Preparing Room”. It’s short enough that you can still read all of it before Christmas. Here’s the link for it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-Room-Journey-Through-Wonderful/dp/B0BH3BY6LM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20E2RXBTNT09S&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ucPE9823SJEEmv-Wbq3bPqGEs9t8A1-_JuE61ZNDA2JSgFWBJtFt56Qh0HDqO5Ai7hqn6CfIagfE0hT6dWBkcOiVZOEhwmlf4zoxsQmoy58aqIhmYOLWoimaWOsksvwvVzgVJTYmWqcfJfUTcXzXCq7ygsZDro7t9AXwXtT9NMtaGzqPvwU8o7LrX6-TNxDWD_kWWgEqgt4tY5Oh2uZde3iUfB6xjo7SgHZtNlglZ4wjBWzDGz4vcAL71x8QAyjjmRWtZgRjGolDXsTHRefv2_tYei6lDtAlI5lOeScM4zWvmecN0QW_mA1iuOm8ZD58VasSAX_pOw9WvRcjgqY-w1M5oAc3vrLg02XnAuiDwqW_WI3ZSzJv6wWT6wjl4DzjMLGbYynCYqrnJNykZ1cAwsmGbV4bMbW1FT2t8_-93QKOyH2W31oS7dGBfpJntleM.1EFC5NsLQqwCg2a_EEWG26H8EeLmt14D22S9GX2WIfI&dib_tag=se&keywords=preparing+room&qid=1734612303&sprefix=prepari%2Caps%2C520&sr=8-1
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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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