Today in Johnson City History, November 13, 2024
Candidates for aldermen in Johnson City, an ambitious hike, baseball and the Monday Club
Monday, November 13, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, The Knoxville Sentinel reported news with a dateline from Johnson City. Readers learned that “The candidates, as announced, for aldermen in Johnson City are:
“First Ward – W. L. Taylor, democrat (sic). No republican (sic) is yet nominated.
“Second Ward – Sam Simcox, democrat. W. I. Hart, republican.
“Third Ward – J. D. Crowell, democrat: John A. Hatcher, republican, long term.
“C. M. Chapale, democrat, and Thos. Sizemore, republican, long term.
“Fourth Ward – Paul Wolff, republican. No democrat yet nominated.
“These are all good men.
“The election will occur Thursday, November 23, and unusual interest in being manifested in it, as that date approaches.”
The Knoxville Sentinel is now published as the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Thursday, November 13, 1924: One hundred years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported that “M. F. Groat, a newspaper man from Pikeville, Ky., was in Johnson City Wednesday evening, beginning a hike across the mountains to Georgia, by way of Asheville, N. C. Mr. Groat is carrying his blanket, camping outfit and cooking utensils, intending to take the short cuts across the mountains on food. The journey has been made by several through this section, and is described as one of the most thrilling in the country, being wonderfully scenic and exhilarating.”
Pikeville, Kentucky is about 119 miles from Johnson City and is north and very slightly to the west of Johnson City.
Tuesday, November 13, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Press reported interesting news. “By a not-too-large margin of ten degrees, Johnson City escaped being the coldest place in the country early this morning. With 30 degrees temperature enduring from one o’clock until after 5 this morning, extra blankest were hauled out of cedar chests, and early risers had a hard time resisting that impulse to ‘take just one more nap’.
“The coldest spot on the map was at Flat Top, W. Va., where the thermometer got down to 20, but it was plenty cold in Johnson City last night. Service station owners did a rushing business with various kinds of anti-freeze solutions and drug stores began selling more hot chocolate and coffee than the standard ‘cokes’.
“Although indications are that rising temperatures will befriend football fans this Saturday, most of the south suffered winter weather the past 24 hours. An Associated Press dispatch remarked that a high pressure area centering over Montgomery, Ala., was blamed today by the weatherman.”
Monday, November 13, 1944: Eighty years ago, The Evening Star reported news with a dateline from Johnson City. The newspaper reported that “Carl A. Jones, jr. (sic), president of the Johnson City baseball club and local newspaper publisher, has been named president of the Appalachian Baseball League, succeeding Charles Herndon, jr. (sic), of Kingsport, Tenn.
“Expansion of the circuit from its present four clubs to six was discussed. The Pittsburgh Pirates were reported ready to back Greeneville, Tenn., as a new entry.”
The Evening Star was a newspaper published in Washington, D. C. from 1852 until 1991.
Sunday, November 13, 1949: Seventy-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle informed readers that “Members of the Monday Club voted at their last regular meeting to send Christmas packages to two Homes for Incurables in England as a part of a project for International Relations. Mrs. Robert Houk, chairman of International Clubs for the Tennessee Federation of Women’s Clubs, has requested that ‘every club in Tennessee include a project on this subject in its program for the year.’
“From the projects allotted to Tennessee clubs by Mrs. John L. Whitehurst, chairman, General Federation Council of International Clubs, the local group chose ‘Help for Homes for Incurables in Britain.’ Mrs. Houk told the group that ‘there are two homes for incurables in England that badly need help. One is composed of elderly women, and the other is a home for girls of all ages. Gifts of food or clothing would held (sic) these people tremendously.’
“Each Monday Club member is asked to take part in this project by bringing or sending an article of food that could be shipped or an article of good used clothing to the club meeting Monday afternoon.
“A spokesman for the Public Affairs Department, which is sponsoring this project, said that ‘there is a desperate shortage in England of many of the things which we Americans take for granted. Any warm used clothing in good condition for girls and women of all ages and sizes would be most welcome. Among the food articles which are most desired are tea, packaged dried soup ingredients, tinned meats, cheese, canned date-nut bread, lard, sugar, nuts, etc. Tinned plum pudding would make a welcome addition to a meager Christmas dinner, as would a number of similar articles on the American grocers’ shelves. Soap and simple cosmetics are non-existent and would be most acceptable.’
“The Monday Club has also been furnished a list of names of those who have expressed a desire to have ‘pen friends’ in the United States. This list includes persons from Britain, Malaya, and Austria. Persons who would like to correspond with one of these or who would like to send a Christmas greeting as asked to call Mrs. Ferdinand Powell at 149. Names and addresses will be given to anyone who requests them.”
The Monday Club, formed in 1892, still meets on a regular basis.
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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