Today in Johnson City History, Sunday, September 8, 2024
Railroads, a judge on the wrong side, Get Involved with ETSU's ACL and more
Friday, September 8, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, the Pinegrove Herald reported “’For the length the champion railroad in this country for tunnels, steep grades, lofty trestles and sharp curves,’ said a railroad builder, ‘is the Cranberry railroad, which extends from Johnson City, Tenn., to the Cranberry iron mines in North Carolina, a distance of 35 miles. It runs through a region of mountains, ravines and swift, crooked streams. There are six long tunnels through solid rock, and a score or more of trestles spanning deep, wide gorges, some of them at a height of nearly 200 feet above the bottom of the chasms. Grades of 150 feet to the mile are common. The road was begun as a standard gauge road, but it was found impossible to built it of that gauge owing to the heavy grades and sharp curves, some of which almost double on themselves, and it was changed to a narrow gauge. Even then it cost over $50,000 a mile to build. Another remarkable Southern railroad celebrated for its even grade and almost uniform altitude is the Carolina Cenetral (sic), part of the Seaboard Air Line system, which for 125 miles has not the slightest curve nor as much as a foot of cutting, with no grade as much as a foot to the mile.’”
Cranberry, North Carolina is about 32 miles from Johnson City. It is southeast of Johnson City.
According to www.in2013dollars, $50,00 in 1899 has the current purchasing power of about $1,900,000.
The Pinegrove Herald was published in Pinegrove, Pennsylvania from 1880 until 1937.
Monday, September 8, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Staff-News reported that “City Judge C. B. White found his own name on the police blotter this morning, charged with parking his car on the wrong side of the street. Officer Linville didn’t pay any attention to whose car was headed nigh the Arcade building with the tail light where the radiator ought to have been.
“The judge indicated he wouldn’t appeal the case, but he has demanded a fair and impartial trial accordin (sic) to the law and statutes therein made and provided. By agreement of all parties, including Justice Wolfe, the trial judge, Hon. C. B. Wolfe, the prosecutor, and Brad Wolfe, the defendant, the case was continued until September 9th, to allow attorney C. Bradley Wolfe to get in touch with an important witness for the defense, Charley B. Wolfe. Commissioner Hart will probably hear the case by special dispensation.”
Friday, September 8, 1944: Eighty years ago today, with a dateline from Elizabethton, and a date of September 7, readers of the Johnson City Press-Chronicle learned sad news. “One of Elizabethton's old landmarks – the old Dr. Cameron home on Main street (sic) and formerly owned by the late Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Johnson – was damaged by fire early tonight.
“Fire Chief Harry Wilson, who roughly estimated the damage at $200, said the fire was caused by defective wiring.”
Two hundred dollars in 1944 has the current purchasing power of about $3575, according to www.in2013dollars.com
Thursday, September 8, 1949: Seventy-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported sad news about one of the area’s leading citizens. “Funeral for Dr. James Henry Preas, 89, who died in his room at Windsor Hotel yesterday, will be at 5 p. m. today at the chapel of Morris Funeral Home. The Rev. Paul Worley will officiate.
“Dr. Preas, a native of Floyd county (sic). Va., had practiced medicine 63 years, 62 of which had been in Johnson City. He was one of the oldest practicing physicians in East Tennessee.
“He was a member of the City Commission in the 1930’s and for several years served as city physician. He held a 50-year membership certificate in the Masonic Order and was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Floyd county (sic), Va.
“His wife, Mrs. Nannie Bushong Preas, died in 1933.”
Dr. Preas owned the Windsor Hotel at the time of his death.
Floyd County, Virginia is located about 163 miles from Johnson City, and is in a northeastern direction from Johnson City.
Sunday, September 8, 1974: Half a century ago today, in an column entitled “Of Many Things…’ Johnson City Press-Chronicle Dorothy Hamill reported, “Consistency has built up a remarkable record for Margaret King, 117 W. Holston Ave.
“When she retired last June, she had taught for 39 years in the same room at Henry Johnson School, and the same grade - the third.
“She came to Henry Johnson when she graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1935, when Ella Ross was principal of the school and it was one of the newer ones in the city system. Other teachers moved from room to room but she just happened to keep the same one.
“Consistency also prevails in Miss King’s family as regards her personal life. Her sister, Carmel King, retired recently after 49 years of teaching, and these in only two schools - West Side and North Side. Their brother, Cecil King, is director of the ITC program at Science Hill Vocational School. Another, sister, Mrs. Ruth Hartley, taught in high school here for a while and now teaches music at South Daytona Beach, Fla.”
Wednesday, September 8, 1999: Twenty-five years ago today, in a story carrying the byline of Press Staff Writer Sam Watson, Johnson City Press readers learned that “Unanimous Johnson City Board of Education endorsement went to a former member Tuesday as the board selected an interim member to fill a vacant seat in its ranks.
“John Joy, who chose not to seek re-election in April’s school board election after 12 years in office, will fill the remaining 1 1/2 years of Shirley Berk’s four-year term.
“Berk, who is moving to Amarillo, Texas, resigned her seat in Tuesday’s board meeting and endorsed Joy’s application to succeed her, citing his experience.”
And now for “Get Involved!” If you want to meet some really nice people, hear interesting speakers and learn lots in the process, ETSU’s Alliance for Continued Learning (ACL) is for you. The classes - and I use the term loosely, because there’s no homework or prep work - meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from September 17 until November 7. The classes meet from 10 a. m. until noon in the Conference Room of Food City at 920 North State of Franklin Road. Until September 11, registration is $45 per person, so you just have a couple of days to take advantage of that rate. After September 11, registration is $60, which is still a great bargain. Call the Office of Professional Development at ETSU to register or for more information. Their telephone number is 423-439-8084.
Some of the topics for the fall semester of ACL include “The Humbling Mystery of an Appalachian Sublime”, “Underwater Caves”, “Turning the Tide of the American Revolution: Overmountain Men and The Battle of Kings Mountain”, “The Johnson City Railroad Experience”, and “Mammals, Truffles, and Trees”.
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.
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.