Today in Johnson City History, Sunday, September 15, 2024
Railroad news, the Colonial Club, the Franklin Club and more
Friday, September 15, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, the Asheville Citizen, a newspaper in Asheville, North Carolina, reported news affecting Johnson City. “Chairman L. H. Smith of the Yancey Board of Commissioners is in the city. He says the people of his county are deeply interested in the railroad line from Johnson City, Tenn., that is to pass within 10 miles of Burnsville and there is a movement on foot which contemplates the connection of Burnsville with the outside world by running an electric road from the town to the new rairload (sic). Three hundred men are said to have been put to work Monday on the Tennessee end of the line.
“It is also asserted that capitalists have bought vast timber interests along the line of the new road, and propose to take from the forests several million dollars’ worth of timber.”
Asheville, North Carolina is about 61 miles from Johnson City. It is almost directly south of Johnson City.
The Asheville Citizen is now published as the Asheville Citizen-Times.
Monday, September 15, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Staff reported news about several local residents. “Mrs. Guy L. Smith will entertain the Colonial Club Wednesday afternoon at fifteen minutes till three o’clock at her home on East Unaka Avenue, since the postponement of the meeting to have been held with Mrs. Paul Shamhart. Mrs. Smith requests that the members phone their acceptance of the meeting to her.”
The Colonial Club continued to be in the news, as did Mrs. Shamhart. “The Colonial Club announced to meet Wednesday afternoon with Mrs. Paul Shamhart, has been postponed; the date of the next meeting will be set later.”
“A congenial party returned Sunday evening from camp near Mountain City, where they spent the week-end (sic) most delightfully. The party was composed by Miss Hattie Hunt, Miss Marjorie Hunt, Miss Bonnie Aldeson of Erwin, Miss Neillie Burns of Lebanon, Miss Elizabeth Tatum, Miss Dorthae Wiley, Miss Elinor Brading, Misses Irene Donnelly and Edith Donnelly of Mountain City, Mr. J. R. Hagan, Mr. C. H. Anderson, Mr. Harry Smith, Mr. Robert Mahoney, Dr. Stokley Weaver, and Mrs. Willey Sutherland, Mr. Ray Donnelly, Mr. James Emmert, Mr. Bill Smythe, and Mr. Pendleton of Mountain City.”
“Mrs. A. T. Dosser Jr., has as her guest for two weeks her mother, Mrs. Albert Twelridge and sister, Mrs. Joe Renington (sic) of Chester, Pennsylvania, at her home on Chilhowie Avenue.”
“Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Poser and daughters Miss Grace and Helen Poser motored from Jenkins, Kentucky and were the week-end (sic) guests of Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Francis on W. King Street.”
“Mrs. Will McCain and daughter, Miss Florence McCain returned Sunday to their home in Butler after spending the past week-end (sic) as the guests of Mrs. E. T. Hart on East Holston avenue (sic).”
Mountain City, Tennessee is about 44 miles northeast of Johnson City. It is located in Johnson County.
Erwin is in Unicoi County and is located about 18 miles from Johnson City. It is the county seat of Unicoi County.
Lebanon is presumed to refer to Lebanon, Virginia, although there is also a Lebanon in Tennessee.
Jenkins, Kentucky is located in Letcher County. It is about 91 miles from Johnson City, and is north, and slightly west, of Johnson City.
Butler is a community in rural Johnson County and is located about 28 miles from Johnson City. It is east of Johnson City.
Saturday, September 15, 1934: Ninety years ago today, The Elizabethton Star reported that “The dining room of the Franklin club (sic) has been converted into a night club with tables covers of white oil cloth sporting daring red polka dots, for the dinner dance tonight, which marks the reopening of Club Heidelberg.
“Members of the Franklin club (sic) are looking forward to a series of Club Heidelberg dances to be held each Saturday might for the next few months.
“Dick Filler and his orchestra of Morristown have been secured to furnish the music for tonights (sic) dance.”
Morristown, Tennessee is about 66 miles from Johnson City. It is west, and slightly south, of Johnson City.
The Elizabethton Star is still being published.
Friday, September 15, 1939: Eighty-five years ago today, Johnson City Press read big, black, bold and frightening headlines: “Germans Fall Back Before French Pressure, Continue Sweeps In East”.
Friday, September 15, 1944: Eighty years ago today, Johnson City Press-Chronicle readers were kept up with news about World War Two by reading the scary headlines: “Yanks Invade Island 300 Miles From Philippines; Americans Open Full-Scale Assault Upon Aachen”.
Sunday, September 15, 1974: Fifty years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported “Several personnel changes have been made in the news department of the Johnson City Press-Chronicle to allow the newspaper to provide better coverage of the area.
“Paul Mays, general news editor, will assume the newly-created position of regional editor.”
“’To concentrate more of our coverage on our rapidly growing area,’ Executive Editor Tom Hodge said, ‘We have created this position to intensify our efforts to provide all the news possible. There has been tremendous growth in much of our circulation area which is not served by bureaus.’
“Fred Palmer, who has been night telegraph editor of the newspaper, is being elevated to the position of general news editor. The change is effective tomorrow.
“Bill Toohey, chief of the Elizabethton Bureau, returns tomorrow to Johnson City to assume the post of night editor. His place in Elizabethton will be taken by Joe Ledford, present night editor.
“Roger Hendrix, a reporter and feature writer on the nightside staff, will become might telegraph editor.”
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