Today in Johnson City History, Sunday, December 15, 2024
Comings and goings in Johnson City, the weather, a unique General Assembly, "Get Involved!" today and more
Tuesday, December 15, 1891: The Comet, an early newspaper in Johnson City reported several short news accounts of interest to local residents. Among the news accounts were the following: “J. N. Harris is in Knoxville on business.”
“Judge C. J. St. John was in town yesterday.”
“Col. Tom Chase, of Fordtown, came to the city yesterday.”
Fordtown is a community in rural Sullivan County.
“W. M. Taylor, of Watauga Point, came to the city yesterday.”
Watauga Point is located in rural Carter County.
“Dr. Kirkpatrick, of Boone’s Creek, was on our streets yesterday.”
“J. F. Crumley went to Knoxville yesterday to attend to some business.”
“T. Jefferson Peoples, of Jonesboro, was registered at the Piedmont Sunday.”
Jonesboro was spelled that way in 1891; The Piedmont was a hotel in Johnson City.
“W. K. Martin, deputy revenue collector, left yesterday for Hawkins county (sic for County) on official business.”
Hawkins County is about 47 miles from Johnson City.
“W. H. Cox, the enterprising salesman for Butt, Cox & Co., was showing his endless variety of headwear to our merchants yesterday.”
“Gen. A. Pardee, of the Cranberry Iron Company, is at Cranberry, and will arrive here by special car at 10 o’clock this morning.
“It is understood that there is a deal on foot between Gen. Pardee and the Carnegie people by which the Cranberry Iron Company will take charge of the furnace.”
Cranberry, North Carolina is about 32 miles from Johnson City. It is southeast of Johnson City.
Carnegie was, and still is, a neighborhood in Johnson City.
Monday, December 15, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Staff-News reported that “Resignation of Dr. Jason Leon MacMillan as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church here was formally presented to the session and announced to the congregation on Sunday morning; Dr. MacMillan announcing that he was taking this action to accept a call to the First Presbyterian Church of Norfolk, Virginia.
“A congregational meeting was called to meet on Sunday next, December 21st, when formal action will be taken on the resignation, and a called meeting of the Holston Presbytery is to be held during this month, at which the matter will be brought up.”
Saturday, December 15, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported that “Slightly colder temperatures greeted Johnson Citians Friday morning with the thermometer registering 24 degrees above zero at 7 o’clock. This was a drop of eight degrees from the recording for the same hour Thursday morning when the mercury hovered around the 32 degree mark. However, the atmosphere had warmed considerably in the latter part of the morning, brining the temperatures for the two days to practically the same level.”
“Snow and ice, still remaining in spots throughout the city, were fast disappearing with the steady burst of the sun.”
Friday, December 15, 1939: Eighty-five years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported tragic news. “George Gortney, two-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Dave Gortney of near Bakersville, N. C., succumbed in a local hospital yesterday at 4:10 p. m. to third degree burns suffered when his clothing became ignited in front of an open fire at the home of his parents about noon yesterday.
“The accident occurred in the absence of the mother, who was informed by another child running out of he house that the little boy’s clothing was afire. The mother, who was washing clothes at the time, met her son, who was running toward her, and wrapped clothing about him to smother the flames.
“The Gortney child was brought to the Johnson City hospital after first being taken to a Bakersville physician.
“Last night the child’s body was removed from Kiser Funeral home (sic for Home) to the home of his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. N. B. Garland of Indian Ridge, near Boones Creek.
“Burial will take place today in Garland cemetery (sic for Cemetery) at Tipton Hill, near Bakersville.
“Mrs. Gortney is the former Miss Garland of Unicoi county (sic for County), while Mr. Gortney is a native of Yancey county (sic for County).
Bakersville, North Carolina is located about 37 miles from Johnson City, and is located in Mitchell County. It is southeast of Johnson City.
Yancey County, North Carolina is approximately 58 miles from Johnson City.
Friday, December 15, 1944: Eighty years ago today, headlines in the Johnson City Press-Chronicle alerted readers that “U. S. Seventh Army Rolls Seven Miles Across Rhine Plain, Clearing Another Dozen French Towns Of Nazi Soldiers”.
Thursday, December 15, 1949: Seventy-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle informed readers that “Johnson City policemen are having dog troubles again.
“Therefore, they want to re-emphasize city law which requires that dogs be kept on the premises of the owner and not allowed to annoy neighbors or run at large.
“One police officer estimated the department had answered 40 ‘dog calls’ in72 hours. Some involved ‘vicious dogs’ while others were complains that the animals were making nuisances of themselves on neighbors’ property or were running about the city.
“The police department does now have time, especially in the Christmas season rush, to devote to such a volume of ‘dog calls,’ Therefore, owners of dogs are warned that their pets are subject to seizure and impoundment if found off the premises.”
Monday, December 15, 1952: The Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported that “Dr. Raymond R. Paty, newest member of the Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors, will deliver the principal address at ceremonies marking closing of the gates at Boone Dam Tomorrow.
“The ceremonies are expected to get underway at 10 a. m. at the dam.
“Others on the program will include W. K. Seaman, project manager of the dam; Nat T. Winston, president of the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce; and Marvin W. Krieger, executive director of the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce.
“A color guard from the 130th Tank Battalion, Tennessee National Guard, will be on the program, along with a bugler from Science Hill High School.
“A ‘dutch’ luncheon open to the public will follow the ceremonies at the John Sevier Hotel. The Chamber is taking reservations.
“Several members of the 1953 General Assembly from this area will attend the ceremonies and luncheon.
“In event of inclement weather, the ceremonies will be made brief at the dam and the program will be held at John Sevier Hotel, officials said.
“The Chamber of Commerce welcomes the public to the ceremony.”
Sunday, December 15, 1974: Fifty years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported that the newspaper “and its executive editor, Tom Hodge, have won second place in the annual Associated Press News Enterprise Contest.
“The awards were announced in Nashville last night and included a photographic category as well as news.
“Hodge’s story concerned the Tennessee General Assembly’s special session at Jonesboro in July. It was the first time the legislature had met there since the days of the State of Franklin.
Jonesboro was spelled that way in 1974.
For a great way to “Get Involved!”, today at 3:00, Borderview Christian Church in Elizabethton will host a piano concert of Christmas Carols performed by John Banks and Scott Reynolds, both of whom could be concert pianists. The church is located at 1338 Bristol Highway. There’s no charge!
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 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.