Today in Johnson City History, Saturday, October 12, 2024
Gov. Robert Taylor's family, Ike Jobe, former Johnson City Mayor, and lots more
Thursday, October 12, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, The Comet reported several short news accounts of interest to local residents. Most, but not all of the news accounts related information about prominent people in and around Johnson City. Some of the news accounts are as follows: “Mrs. Robert L. Taylor and family left Saturday morning for San Antonio, Texas, where they will spend the winter. They were accompanied on their journey by Dr. W. B. St. John, of Bristol, who will remain in Texas some time as the family physician. The family leaves Johnson City with the best wishes of the entire community for a pleasant sojourn in the Loan (sic) Star State.”
News with a dateline from Washington, and a date of October 13 reported the following:
“Capt. Ike T. Jobe, late of the 7th United States Volunteer Infantry, has been arrested here on the cheage (sic) of using war department penalty envelopes for private letters and held for appearance at the December term of court at Columbus, Ohio.
“Jobe was formerly Mayor of Johnson City, Tennessee, was discharged from the army in March last. He was arrested in New York recently, where it was alleged he sold a number of blank transportation requisitions to ticket scalpers. He was held in $2,000 bond, which he furnished and soon afterward went west.
“Recently a notice of Jobe’s death appeared in a Covington, Ky., newspaper with a complimentary obituary notice.
“When arrested here he had on the uniform of a captain of the army.
“He was unable to furnish the required bail and was remanded to jail.”
(The date of the story was prior to the publication date of The Comet – perhaps this way a typo in the original newspaper.)
“G. C. Harris was down from Bristol Wednesday.”
“Joe Wagner of Mountain City, is visiting Faw Broyles.”
“Miss Hattie Bushong is visiting Mrs. J. H. Preas on Buffalo street (sic).”
“Judge Thomas Curtin, of Bristol, spent a few hours in the city Tuesday.”
“Miss Elizabeth Sells, from Milligan, is visiting relatives and friends here.”
“Ez. S. Mathes, of Washington College, is visiting his son, W. G. Mathes.”
“Rev. J. R. Herndon’s congregation will worship in the Baptist church next Sunday.”
“Mr. Chas. St. John of Chilhowie, Va., is attending the Fair and Carnival this week.”
“Will D. Martin, of Asheville, spent a few days this week with his brother, James A. Martin.”
“Mrs. H. Gildersleeve and Mrs. Gildersleeve attended the Knoxville Carnival going down Thursday.”
“Rev. T. J. Eskridge left Tuesday for Bluefield, W. Va., to attend the annual conference of the M. E. Church, South.”
“Mrs. John Sprague, of Bristol, spend Wednesday with her sister Mrs. Franc P. Sparks, and took in the Tri-County Fair.”
“R. C. Lusk and Wallace McLeod went to Knoxville Tuesday to play with the Bristol Military Band, during the Carnival.”
“Mrs. F. B. St. John and children returned from Sweetwater Thursday, where Mrs. St. John has been visiting her mother, Mrs. Love.”
“Among the prominent visitors from Elizabethton to the Carnival and Fair, were Fred and Earl Hunter, Sam Williams, Sam Renfro and Stuart Pierce.”
“When John F. Lyle gets his grocery store open in the old post-office (sic) building on Spring street (sic) he will have everything to eat for man and beast.”
“The King College Foot Ball (sic) team passed through the city Thursday from Knoxville where they played and were defeated by the U. of T. boys by a score of 5 to 12.”
The Lyle grocery store continued to be in the news. “There is to be a new grocery store in the city. John F. Lyle will open a complete stock of staple and fancy groceries in the old post office building on Spring street (sic) in a few days.”
“Miss Tillie Wood died at the home of her brother, R. A. Wood, Monday morning about 11 o’clock. The remains were taken to Kingsport and interred in the family burying ground.”
“Mr. and Mrs. W. A. and R. C. Hunter are spending this week in Knoxville.”
“John L. Lusk gas (sic) returned from Hot Springs and is again at S. B. White’s.”
“Dr. Will T. Erwin, of Greenville Junction, Me., is visiting his mother for several days.”
The Knoxville Carnival continued to be noteworthy. “Mrs. C. W. Hodge and son Clyde, are in Knoxville this week attending the Carnival.”
“Gen. Wilder spent Sunday in the city and left Monday morning for Knoxville.”
The death of Tillie Wood also continued to be in the news. “Mrs. James Lyun came up from Knoxville last week on account of the death of Miss Tillie Wood.”
“Miss Parmalee Cheves, of Fort Valley Georgia, belle, is the guest of Miss Mae Stone yn (sic) Unaka avenue (sic).”
“Miss Mary Hardy has returned from Wilson, N. C., and is with her sister at Miss Hardy’s Millinery parlors.”
“The Saturday afternoon train on the O. R. & C. road has been discontinued. It was a special train for the accommodation for summer guests at Unaka Springs and as that hostelry has closed for the season the train is no longer needed.”
Governor Taylor's second term as governor concluded in January, 1899.
In 1899, Milligan College was a community, as well as a college, in Carter County. The educational institution is now known as Milligan University.
Washington College is a community in rural Washington County. In 1899, Washington College was also an educational institution in that community, functioning as a college.
Chilhowie, Virginia is approximately 69 miles from Johnson City. It is northeast of Johnson City.
Sweetwater, Tennessee is approximately 150 miles from Johnson City. It lies in a southwesterly direction from Johnson City.
King College is now known as King University.
Hot Springs, North Carolina is about 68 miles from Johnson City.
Wilson, North Carolina is located about 294 miles from Johnson City. It slightly southeast of Johnson City.
Unaka Springs is located near Erwin.
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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