Today in Johnson City History, Monday, December 16, 2024
Milligan basketball, a tea and more
Saturday, December 16, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, The Knoxville Sentinel informed readers of several short items of interest to readers in and around Johnson City. Some of these news articles are as follows: “Jasper Lewis has about completed his new house, corner of Poplar and Henry streets (sic for Streets).”
“H. H. Hyder, the poet, has been out during the last few days.”
“Capt. Molesworth, chief engineer of the Ohio River & Charleston railway (sic for Railway), is at home, in the city, for a day or two.”
“Col. Thomas E. Matson, the veteran railroad engineer, has returned from the mountains, where he has been making some preliminary surveys.”
“S. Sjoberg, the mining engineer, is now in Kentucky, looking after business for the Carter syndicate.”
The “Carter syndicate” refers to George Lafeyette Carter. According to Wikipedia, “George Lafayette Carter (1857–1936) was an American entrepreneur known as ‘the empire builder of southwest Virginia.’ His ventures led to the development and modernization of many parts of the southern Appalachian region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Carter would spend the years of 1907 and 1920 living in Johnson City, Tennessee, where he helped in the creation of a state teacher's college in 1911, known today as East Tennessee State University. Despite Carter's fame, he kept himself out of the headlines by owning the Bristol Herald, known today as the Bristol Herald-Courier.”
“Dr. R. S. Bolton and family are now occupying the home of ex-Gov. R. L. Taylor for the winter, while the family of the latter is spending the winter at San Antonio, Texas, and ‘Our Bob’ is on the wing.”
Also according to Wikipedia, “Robert L. Taylor was the Governor of Tennessee from January 17, 1887, until January 19, 1891, and also from January 21, 1897, until January 16, 1899. He was United States Senator from March 4, 1907, until March 31, 1912, and was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Tennessee’s First Congressional District from March 4, 1879, until March 3, 1881.”
“The public library of this city is at present open, on the second floor of the Hart block, Market street (sic for Street).”
“The many friends of G. W. Lindamood, of this city, are pleased to know that he has been allowed a state pension.”
“Hart & Houston, the dry goods men of Johnson City, are going to add a millinery department to their establishment.”
“Dr. W. H. Lester, of Greeneville, will give a lecture at Johnson City Monday night, entitled ‘A South American Revolution.’”
Greeneville, Tennessee is located about 37 miles southwest of Johnson City.
“The pupils of the high school of Johnson City are preparing to present a laughable farce comedy, ‘The Plantation Party’ at the opera house at that place next Tuesday evening.”
The Knoxville Sentinel is now published as the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Tuesday, December 16, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported news with a dateline from Milligan College. “The basketball season of 1924-25 will be formally ushered in tomorrow night in the local gym when the strong Jonesboro Independents clash with the Buffaloes at 6:45. The visitors are reported to have a strong five and will give the crew of Edwards a run for their money. Galloway, substitute guard of last year’s Milligan team, will amble at the same position for the Jonesboro team.
“The Milligan team is in the best of condition and will be able to send three full teams to the fray. The men have worked hard for the past week and are now ready to give a fair exhibition of the indoor sport. The first and second varsity have been sent through hard scrimmages and are fast getting team work down. Both of these teams have shown flashes of ability and before many moons will be welded into two fast aggregations.
“The boys from the old Capitol have been practicing all the year and have already played several games. They are in better condition for the game than Milligan but what Milligan lack in practice they will make up in superior skill. Galloway and the Campbell brothers are said to be of about equal ability which is saying a lot. Galloway is a good basketball player and with three more to help should make things interesting for the local team. All in all the game promises to be one of the most interesting games for an early season game yet staged here.
“The following men will probably start for Milligan: Million and Payne, forwards; McCray, center; Hodges and Sawyer (C), guards.
“The admission for this game will be 35 cents.
“Officials – Boswell, referee. Time of quarters: 20 minutes.”
Milligan College was both a college, as well as a community, in 1924. Today, the community is more popularly known as “Milligan”, and the college is now known as Milligan University.
Jonesboro was spelled that way in 1924.
The “old Capitol” is a reference to when Jonesboro was the capital of the State of Franklin.
Thirty-five cents in 1924 is now worth about $6.46, according to www.in2013dollars.com.
Sunday, December 16, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported “On Saturday afternoon at the home of Miss Ida Miller on King street (sic for Street), Troop 9 entertained with a most delightful and unique tea. The guests were greeted at the door by Miss Ethlyn Fussell. In the receiving line were the captain, miss Mary Elsie White, the lieutenant, Miss Martha St. John, the patrol leaders, Misses Ida Miller, Dotty Miller, Judy Harr, Lenore Anderson, the scribe, Miss Charlotte Brown, the Eaglets of the troop, Misses Esther Wade, Betty Sanders, Torray Copenhaver and Virginia Dooley.
“The troop book was presided over by Miss Louise Deakins.
“A unique arrangement was the large sock in which the guests deposited their small socks containing the double amount of pennies for their sock size. This fund is to be used for the troop camp next summer. Miss Elizabeth Macky was the custodian of the big sock.
“In the dining room, the table was a picture of lovliness (sic for loveliness) in white and gold. A lovely lace cover adorned the beautiful table. In the center a low bowl held golden roses and yellow tapers burned in white and gold holders.
“Mrs. S. C. Williams, the local Commissioner of the Girl Scouts, presided at the tea urn at one end of the table while Miss Edith McQuilken, deputy commissioner, poured from the opposite end. Misses Caraa Mae Grubbs, Anna Sue Miller, Mary Jane Merril, Martha Sutton, Caroline Woody, Betty Gump and Eugenia Range assisted with the serving. Hot Russian tea, small sandwiches, homemade cookies, mints and nuts were the refreshments.
“A most delightful program was rendered by Miss Georgia Mae Hyder, violinist, interspersed with readings by Miss Una Harris and Scout Louise Deakins.
“About a hundred and fifty guests called during the hours from 3:30 to 5 o’clock.”
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