Thursday, October 3, 1901: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, The Comet published several short news items of local interest; some brief advertisements were also scattered among the pages of the newspaper. Some of the news items may have appeared in previous columns, but in a slightly differing form. Some news articles, as well as advertisements follow:
“See or ‘phone J. B. Galliher & Co. if you want gasoline.”
“Judge Kirkpatrick was up from Jonesboro Thursday.”
Jonesboro was spelled that way in 1901.
“Mrs. R. J. Rankin has returned to Knoxville.”
“You can buy gasoline cheaper from J. S. Galliher * Co. than anywhere else.”
“Buy Gold Dust flour.”
“Will Harris and Andy Spencer have returned from Buffalo.”
“Fresh meals, oysters and fish at Jackson’s.”
“Earnest Miller and Foy Dulaney did get back from the Pan-American Exposition.”
“Miss Anna Bradford Taylor, of Bristol, is the guest of her aunt, Mrs. P. H. Wofford.”
Bristol is about 24 miles from Johnson City. It is north, and very slightly east, of Johnson City.
“Rev. W. P. Crouch, of Middle Tennessee, is visiting homefolks in this city this week.”
“Miss Margie Carmack, of Abingdon, Va., is visiting Mrs. W. A. Dickinson at the Hotel Piedmont.”
Abingdon, Virginia is about 52 miles from Johnson City and is northeast of Johnson City.
“Gen. J. T. Wilder returned to Knoxville last Monday. He is very much improved in health.”
“John T. Wilder was an influential nineteenth-century American industrialist, and a successful foundry owner at Greensburg, Indiana, when he enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War in April 1861. He was quickly promoted to the rank of colonel, and eventually earned the brevet rank of brigadier general. Wilder distinguished himself as the leader of the 17th Indiana Volunteers, aka “Wilder’s Lightning Brigade.” He was among the first officers from either side to realize the effectiveness of the Spencer Repeating Rifle against the single-shot rifles most soldiers were using. Resourceful and creative in his leadership, Wilder also acted with bravery and distinction during the major battle of Chickamauga in the summer of 1863. This biography also explores Wilder’s surrender in the fall of 1862 at Munfordville, Kentucky, when he was in command of a small regiment of fresh recruits surrounded by overwhelming Confederate numbers. Wilder took the unprecedented move of going into the Confederate camp under a flag of truce to seek advice from one of the Confederate generals, leading him to realize surrender was his best, and only, option. After the war, Wilder answered the call Chattanooga, Tennessee, issued for northern investors to relocate to their city. Wilder developed mines across eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, and dabbled in the hotel and railroad business, as well as politics. He was also heavily involved with getting the Chickamauga Battlefield established as the first National Military Park in the United States.” (Source: https://www.mupress.org/mobile/ProductDescription.aspx?ProductId=1221)
“Miss Maxie Cox left Wednesday morning for Abingdon, Va., to enter the Martha Washington College.”
“We were about to call your attention to the advertisement of Frank Taylor in this issues, but you saw it first.”
“Drs. Williams and Montgomery, Osteopathic physicians, who recently located in Johnson City, successfully treat all forms of chronic diseases, such as rheumatism, asthma, nervousness, stomach troubles, kidney diseases, etc. Eighty-five per cent of such cases can be permanently cured by their treatment. They are quartered in the office formally occupied by Foy Dulaney on Spring street (sic for Street). No charges are made for consultation and examination.”
“John W. Cure is confined to his home with typhoid fever. He was brough home last week from Norfolk, Va.”
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection and can be prevented by means of a vaccine.
“W. E. Burbage has moved his family to this city from Atlanta, Ga., and they are occupying the Crandall residence.”
“Lyle Bruner fell in love with one of the little Shetland ponies in Wallace’s show, and Mr. Bruner bought it for him.”
“Miss Bertha Sanders, who has been visiting friends and relatives in this city, has returned to her home in Blountville.”
Blountville is the county seat of Sullivan County. It is about 27 miles from Johnson City and is located almost due north of Johnson City.
“Capt. S. E. Lawton and family have moved from Cranberry to this city, and have rented property on Unaka avenue (sic for Avenue).”
Cranberry, North Carolina is about 32 miles from Johnson City. It is southeast of Johnson City.
“The Dixie Belles left Wednesday afternoon for Virginia to open the season’s engagement. They will appear in this city on Oct. 11th.”
“Miss Sue Deskin had the misfortune to sprain her ankle in stepping out of her carriage last week and is now with her sister, Mrs. Joe P. Lyle.”
“Dr. W. J. Miller has been in Nashville several days this week attending a meeting of the State Medical Board, of which he is a member.”
“Rev. J. M. Hunter, of Morristown, will assist the pastor of the Watauga Avenue Presbyterian church (sic for Church) in the communion service next Sunday morning.”
Morristown is about 66 miles from Johnson City; it is west, and very slightly south, of Johnson City.
“Romeo Russell was in the city last Thursday en route from Jonesboro to Baltimore. He is going to the Johns Hopkins hospital (sic for Hospital) for treatment. His friends here hope he will be benefitted.”
“S. I. Boring has moved his meat counter to the front of his store and made other interior improvements. He has just made two of the ‘only’ beef blocks in the city. They are 30 inches by six inches and are neat and substantial.”
“W. T. Johnson and Miss Jennie Cameron were married Wednesday at the home of the bride in Elizabethton. The parties are popular in Johnson City and passed through the city on Wednesday afternoon en route west for a bridal tour.”
Elizabethton is about 8 miles from Johnson City. It is northeast of Johnson City. Located in Carter County, it is the county seat of Carter County.
“Our well-beloved citizen, H. DeArmond, was carrying an armful of wood up the stairs at his home a few evenings ago, the first time he had such a thing in years, and making a misstep, fell heavily on his side, dislocating his shoulder. While convalescing he accompanied Hon. A. A. Taylor to his Chuckey Valley farm and remained there for several days. While there he met a very charming lady worth several thousand dollars, and but for his sore shoulder would have made a better impression than he did.”
The Honorable A. A. Taylor served as a member of the U. S. House of Representatives from the First Congressional District from 1889 until 1895. He was Governor of the State of Tennessee from 1921 until 1923.
Chuckey Valley was very likely a community near the present Chucky, Tennessee
The Comet was a newspaper published early in Johnson City’s history; it was nearly always published on Thursday, but occasionally, it was published on a different day of the week.
Thank you for sharing part of your day with me!
To subscribe, click on this link:
https://www.todayinjohnsoncityhistory.com/subscribe
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 media 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.