Today in Johnson City History, Monday, October 21, 2024
Smallpox, shocking news and more
Saturday, October 21, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, the Chattanooga Daily Times reported news with a dateline from Johnson City and a date of October 20. Readers learned that “The smallpox situation in Johnson City is very quiet. There are now two cases in the pest house. They are two of the Landingham children, whose father had the disease. They have been under close guard all the time at the detention camp, one and a half miles from the city. Including these Johnson City has a total of eight cases. Dr. E. A. Long does not think there will be any more cases, unless there should be an outbreak from some unexpected quarter.”
A pest house was a building where people with contagious illnesses were isolated.
The Chattanooga Daily Times is now published online as the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Johnson City did not have a daily newspaper in 1899. The Comet was Johnson City’s newspaper and was published every week.
Tuesday, October 21, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Staff-News reported “shocking” news. “An earthquake shock lasting but a few seconds, was felt in Johnson City early Monday morning about 2:30 o’clock, according to reports made by several persons here. Persons who happened to be awake at that time report having felt the peculiar swaying and trembling motion; thinking it may have been caused by an explosion, but since the tremors lasted for some time, an earthquake was recognized.
“Several persons referred to the shock on Monday, all conforming as to the time. A number were awakened by the slight movements and low rumbling sound. No damage is reported to have been done.
“The tremor here was co-incident with the report in the Appalachian territory, from Spartanburg to Asheville, and points within a radius of about 100 miles of these places.”
Spartanburg, South Carolina is about 125 miles from Johnson City. It is almost directly south of Johnson City.
Sunday, October 21, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported several short accounts about people in the local news. Some of them are below: “Many admiring glances followed Reece Holloway and her party. Reece wore brown and white with a brown tam placed rakishly upon her dark hair. Lina Vance wore brick red with the new brown fur trimming. Florence Spencer Williams was attractive in a green suit with a green hat.”
“Emma Good and Frances Burleson wore saucy fathers (sic) in their hats.”
“A prominent medical man met Saturday morning at a local photographers, claimed his recently completed pictures resembled a comic Valentine, especially the nose which was likened to a large potato – unfortunately, the picture is a veery good likeness of me, he declared.”
“Mr. Estel Harmon, a student at Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va., is this week and guest of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Harmon. He was accompanied home by Mr. Andrew Vickers of Montgomery, West Virginia.”
“Mr. J. D. Thomas will leave today for New York City, for a business trip.”
“Miss Mildred Rowe will spend the coming week in New York City, on business.”
“Miss May Ross and Mrs. Glenn Setzer, who have spent the past few days in Nashville, returned by motor Saturday evening.”
“Mr. Sam Mitchell of Bristol, sister of Mr. W. E. May of Jonesboro, is spending sometime (sic) at Williamsburg, Canada, where she is undergoing medical treatment.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Haskell Fitzgerald, Virgie Fitzgerald and Mrs. Joe Mellans made a business trip to Appalachia, Va., and Jenkins, Ky., Wednesday and returned Thursday. They also visited relatives while in Appalachia.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Roy Murray, 200 West Tenth Avenue, have had as their guests Mr. and Mrs. James Gray, of Gray Station, and Mr. William Lewis, of Erwin.”
“Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Parsons and Miss Shirley Parsons have moved from North Roan Street to the Baum Apartments, West Maple Street.”
The Murray family continued to be in the spotlight. “Mrs. Carl S. Miller, Erwin, visited Mr. and Mrs. R. Murray, 200 West Tenth Avenue, Friday.”
“Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Montgomery and Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Trammel motored to Lafollette, Tenn., Saturday to spend the week-end (sic) as the guests of Mrs. Montgomery’s family.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Grover Dulaney and family and Mrs. Nellie Dulaney have moved from 407 West Pine Street to 146 Highland Road to make their home.”
“Mr. John F. Rawls arrived Friday to join his family at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James A. Martin, East Watauga avenue (sic).”
“Mr. Joe P. McCormick has returned from Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attended the 51st annual convention of the National Laundry Association.”
“Mr. Phile S. Taylor of Tallahassee, Fla., is the guest of relatives on Nolichucky River. Mr. Taylor, a former resident, is prominently associated with the state agricultural department of Florida.”
“President Chas. C. Sherrod, of the State Teachers College, returned Saturday from Nashville where he spent the past week attending the Tennessee Educational Commission meeting.”
“Miss Virginia Givens is the week end (sic) guest of Mr. and Mrs. Fox Bullen, of Greeneville.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Pat Thompson and Mr. Paris Smith, of Bay City, Texas arrived yesterday to be the guest for several days of Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Stephens, 813 West Pine Street. Mrs. Smith has been visiting Mrs. Stephens for several days. Mr. Smith is mayor of Bay City and Mr. Thompson is a former mayor. Both are members of the Rotary Club.”
Appalachia, Virginia, is about 64 miles from Johnson City.
Jenkins, Kentucky is about 91 miles from Johnson City. It is located north, and slightly west, of Johnson City.
Gray Station is now called Gray.
Lafollette, Tennessee is about 142 miles from Johnson City. It is to the west, and slightly north of Johnson City.
The State Teachers College is now known as East Tennessee State University.
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.