Today in Johnson City History, Friday, November 15, 2024
Crandall out of prison, police uniforms, news from Oakland, the Prince turns 1, and Mary Ellen Miller’s book for “Get Involved!”
Wednesday, November 15, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, The Knoxville Sentinel reported news with a dateline from Johnson City. “J. E. Crandall, the former president of the now defunct First National bank (sic) of this place, has been released from the United States prison, at Brooklyn, N. Y. His wife left this place yesterday and will go direct to California, where he has gone. There they will meet, and will reside in the future.
“The story of Crandall’s trouble is familiar to all of East Tennessee. He was sentenced to eight years in the penitentiary, on the charge of embezzlement, in that he violated the bank regulations of the United States, by representing he had on hand certain assets, when they were not in the possession of the bank. He was found guilty on three counts and Judge C. D. Clark sentenced him to eight years service on each count, but provided that the three sentences should be served together, that is to say eight years for all three. The popular opinion was decidedly in favor of Mr. Crandall, as many believe he made the misrepresentations in the hope of saving the bank, and that in the transaction he was the heaviest loser.
“Soon after Crandall’s incarceration, his sentence dating from March 11, 1896, an effort was begin by his friends, to secure his pardon. Through the agency of petitions, signed by many leading citizens of East Tennessee, and through Congressman Brownlow’s effort, the sentence was cut down by the president. The time, which was necessary to be served by Mr. Crandall, after the reduction, expired a few days ago, whereupon he was released. He left at once for California. While in the penitentiary, he was employed in the tailoring department.
“On her trip to the west, Mrs. Crandall is accompanied by her sister, Miss Nettie Shortrage, They will story at Herold, Ill, their old home. Miss Shortrage will remain there, and Mrs. Crandall will proceed to California, as above stated.”
The Knoxville Sentinel is now published as the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Thursday, November 15, 1934: Ninety years ago today, according to the Johnson City Press, “New uniforms for local police are being distributed to the members they fit.
“The uniforms are of the regulation blue, but with close-fitting coats, over which the Sam Brown belts are placed, with side arms outside.
“Motorcycle officers’ uniforms are with knickers and leggings.
“Heavier material is used in the clothes, which are designed for winter wear. They were ordered through Earl C. Campbell.”
Wednesday, November 15, 1939: Eighty-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press reported that “A ‘white elephant’ sale will be held at the meeting of Henry Johnson Parent-Teacher association (sic) Friday afternoon at 3:15 at the school, announcement was made today. Poceeds will be used for the school. All members are urged to attend.”
Wednesday, November 15, 1944: Eighty years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported news from Oakland, a community in rural Washington County. Readers learned that “Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Broyles and son, Leonard, of Lamar, were Sunday dinner guests of their daughter, Mrs. Robert Evans and Mr. Evans.”
Lamar is a community in rural Washington County.
“Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Dykes and family of Bowmantown visited relatives here Sunday.”
Bowmantown is also a community in rural Washington County.
“Pvt. Robert W. Aiken, a patient at Thayer General Hospital in Nashville, recently spent a leave with his mother, Mrs. J. O. Aiken.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Broyles and daughters, Betty Ruth and Gladys, spent Sunday with their son, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Dale Broyles of Locust Mount.”
Locust Mount is also a community in the rural part of Washington County.
“Mrs. Allen Evans spent Monday morning in Jonesboro.”
“Mrs. Dan Hyder and children, Kent and Jack, of Elizabethton, were recently week-end (sic) guests of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Henry.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hensley of Limestone recently visited Mr. Hensley’s father, B. F. Hensley.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Miller shopped in Johnson City Monday.”
“Misses Bethel and Anna Mae Bailey of Johnson City were week-end (sic) guests of their mother, Mrs. Mayme Bailey.”
“Mrs. Lena Wright of Arkansas is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Dyer.”
“Elmer Luster of Locust Mount visited friends here last week-end (sic).”
“Harry Aiken recently visited Junior Emmert.”
Tuesday, November 15, 1949: Seventy-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported exciting news with a dateline from London and a date of November 14. The news was brought via the Associated Press. Readers learned that “Prince Charles, second in line for the British throne, celebrated his first birthday today and took the first salute from the people.
“They were the commoners on the sidewalk outside Clarence House, London home of his mother, Princess Elizabeth. They had gathered to honor the young heir.
“They waved and shouted ‘happy birthday’ to the little blond prince as he was driven on to Marlborough House to see his great-grandmother, the Queen Mother Mary.
“The first-born of the Princess and the Duke of Edinburgh, who has a ready smile, grinned at the crowd and waved back gaily. Royalty’s sidewalk admirers, who often frequent the gates of Buckingham Palace, took him in their hearts.
“His visit to Queen Mary was less of a romp than usual. The Dowager Queen, now 82, is suffering from a chill and her physicians have advised her to remain indoors for several days.
“But the young prince found hilarity in his own crowd - London’s exclusive nursery set - at his first birthday party. Among his guests were his five-year-old cousin, Prince Richard, son of the Duke of Gloucester, and several little girls.
“The prince saw, but did not eat, his 40-pound birthday cake. It was flavored with rum in keeping with the traditions of the Navy in which his father is serving at Malta.
“Presumably Prince Charlie bit into a small un-rummed stand-up cake with his six teeth. The big cake, which weighed nearly twice as much as Charlie - he tips the scales at 24 pounds, eight ounces - was to be sliced up by Princess Elizabeth for guests at a tea party of her own.”
And now for a unique way to “Get Involved!”
Local author and public relations professional Mary Ellen Miller recently celebrated the one year anniversary of her book launch. “Fill the Dam Thing Up! Building Connections: Communicating Throughout the Lifecycle of Infrastructure Projects” has been a tremendous success, as is everything that Mary Ellen touches. She reports that she could not have imagined how many doors her book about the Boone Dam Project has opened for her! I was privileged to get to be one of Mary Ellen’s beta readers. I highly recommend the book for anyone with even a scant interest in engineering, public relations, crisis management or business in general. (This would make a swell Christmas gift for high school seniors, especially if they are thinking of studying one of those subjects in college.)
As an aside, years ago, I helped Mary Ellen formulate the initial strategic plan for her business, Marketing Mel. While writing a book was on a list of possibilities, I don’t think either of us ever dreamed that she would have such a wide-reaching success with such a book! Congratulations!
“Fill the Dam Thing Up!” is available on Amazon, Audible, as well as at the Jonesborough Visitor’s Center and Hudson’s in Kingsport.
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.