Today in Johnson City History, Saturday October 5, 2024
Asheville, the Tri-County Fair, and Dr. Mary Arnold Long's "Get Involved!"
As you no doubt know, Asheville, North Carolina has been in the news so much recently because of the flooding that took place last week. Asheville was also in the news 125 years ago. According to the Thursday, October 5, 1899 issue of The Comet, “Few regions have been, as richly endowed by nature than that famous section of Western North Carolina practically terured (sic) the ‘Land of the Sky.’ It has a climate so dry and health-giving that it has become known the world over as a natural sanitarium for the care of all troubles of a pulmonary nature.
“Asheville, the centre (sic) of this beautiful mountain-based plateau, is the highest city east of Denver, and is a busy, thriving place of 12,000 inhabitants, with all the moderisms (sic) of city life. The city lies just at the point where the beautiful Frencee (sic) Broad and Swannonoa (sic) rivers (sic) join their crystal waters.
“Within the city or in its suburbs many people of wealth have built beautiful and expensive homes, most notable among them being the chateau of Mr. George W. Vanderbilt, which with its great ostate (sic), has cost upwards of four million dollars.
“Asheville is an all-the-year sesort (sic), for the great mountains protect it in the winter from the cold winds, and its sumer (sic) climate is made delightful because of its altitude.
“For description matter of Asheville and vicinity call on any Southern Railway agent.”
Readers also learned that “The first day of the Tri-County Fair will be turned into a gala day. The merchants will have a Carnival, and over 50 floats have been guaranteed by the merchants and manufacturers. The citizens will join the procession in carriages and the association will give $5 each to the persons who have the best decorated single and double traps. It will also give $5 to the farmer who joins the parade with the best decorated wagon.
“The Bee Hive adds other premiums as follows:
“Best decorated carriage, $1; best decorated horse and rider, $1; best decorated bicyclist and wheel, $1; best decorated person, $1; most comical outfit, $1; youngest person, $1.
“The bicyclists will be a feature of the parade, and more than one hundred wheels will be in the line of march.
“The bicycle parade will be in charge of Fayette McCormick.
“Miss Emma Taylor, the eldest daughter of Governor Taylor, has been selected as Queen of the Carnival. She has selected as her Maids of Honor the following young society ladies:
“Misses Ada Wood, Mamie King, Carrie Carr, Iva Johnson, Lizzie Carr, and Leona Martin.
“The following young gentlemen will act as outriders:
“Messrs. Will Johnson, Sam Millard, Frank Miller, Bob Martin, Horace Miller, Ed Houston, Will Harris and Chas. Riddle.
“Chief Marsh_l (sic) Geo. F. Campbell has named the following assistants:
“From Carter County:
“Capt. W. H. Nelson, Sam Williams, Alex Anderson, Charlie Thomas, Nat Perry, Geo. T. Williams Sheriff McQueen.
“From Jonesboro:
“R. M. May, J. S. Pritchett, G. W. Willett, Luke Bayless.
“From Sullivan County:
“M. L. Thomas, Mike Massengill, Ike Barnes, D. Massengill, Will J. Faw.
“Johnson City:
“John H. Bowman, R. L. Remine, Hugh Webb, W. A. Dickinson, M. B. Martin, Capt. J. L. Hale, J. A. Moore, G. F. Artz, F. W. Dulaney, Jno. Sells, W. H. Campbell.
“Unicoi County:
“Dr. M. t. Peebles, Sheriff Hann.
“These gentlemen are expected to be present early Wednesday morning properly mounted and report to the Chief Marshal. The procession will be more than a mile long, and all will be needed.
“On the second night of the Fair a musical concert will be given at the Opera House by the Greeneville Concert Band.
“The band is one of the best in the State, and contains some exceedingly talented members. An interesting program will be rendered, and during the interval ten or twelve or Johnson City’s society young people will indulge in an up-to-date cake walk. The price of admission will be 15, 25 and 35 cts. Reserved seat tickets will be on sale Monday at the Bee Hive.
“Five race horses (sic) arrived Tuesday and are quartered at the Fair ground. Two others will arrive from Virginia next week, and others will come in this week. The racing program will interest the lovers of the sport.
“Every indication points to a successful Fair. The people are coming form far and near and will bring something to exhibit, and that means success.”
Jonesboro was spelled that way in 1899.
The Bee Hive was what we would now call a department store in Johnson City.
Thank you to Dr. Mary Arnold Long for providing me the following information about Ostomy Awareness Day, and thank you to Governor Bill Lee for signing the proclamation. Dr. Long was instrumental in making sure this development happened.. She became interested in wound, ostomy and incontinence care in 1993, and has been certified in the discipline in 1994. What a fabulous and much needed way to “Get Involved!”
Here's part of the proclamation:
WHEREAS, an ostomy is a type of surgery that creates an opening (stoma) in the abdomen for use after the loss of digestive or urinary systems due to birth defects, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other medical conditions; and
WHEREAS, an ostomy can also be necessary in cases of severe abdominal or pelvic trauma resulting from accidents or from injuries sustained during military service; and
WHEREAS, ostomy or continent diversion surgery can occur at any age and affects people from all ethnic backgrounds; and
WHEREAS; through education and awareness we can erase the myths, stigma and embarrassment that are sometimes associated with having an ostomy; and
WHEREAS, Tennesseans and many others worldwide are deeply committed to the proper care and advancement of knowledge about bowel and urinary diversion surgery;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bill Lee, Governor of the State of Tennessee, do hereby proclaim October 5, 2024 as Ostomy Awareness Day in Tennessee and encourage all citizens to join me in this worthy observance.
Thank you, Dr. Mary Arnold Long, for bringing this to our attention! You are appreciated and very involved in the community.
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.