Today in Johnson City History, Sunday, October 20, 2024
A tremendous fire in Johnson City, and Carter County events
Monday, October 20, 1924: One hundred years ago today, the Johnson City Staff-News reported news of a fire. “While the amount of loss occasioned by the spectacular fire of the Warehouse (sic) on Walnut street (sic), formerly a part of the old veneer plant, is variously estimated, it is said that this was more than at first anticipated, since a large quantity of valuable machinery was in the building, stored and being packed for shipment. The value of the machinery is given by some to have been as high as $50,000; though the building itself was probably valued at only a few thousand dollars, being largely of frame construction, and covered with sheet metal.
“Several hundred dollars will be required to repair the roo (sic) f (sic) and weatherboarding of the adjoining house which was damaged in he (sic) fire.
“The building, occupied last year by the Burley Tobacco Growers’ Co-operative Association as a warehouse, is listed as the property of George L. Carter, and was probably scheduled for the use as a tobacco warehouse during the coming season.
“The destruction by fire was absolutely complete. On Sunday morning, when visited by scores of persons, by motor and on foot, there remained nothing but a smooth pile of coals and ashes, some small bits yet smoking; and pieces of badly burned machinery scattered about.
“From various sources come reports of the temporary scare which was thrown into citizens of the city by the unusual glare from the flames just after midnight; and from the intense heat emitted. It is reported that one guest of the John Sevier Hotel, waking suddenly to see the red glare coming through the window, started, hardly awake, to jump for the widoy (sic), on the nineth floor. A room mate (sic) prevented what might have been a fatal jump.
“The flames cast a brilliant light for fully a mile, particularly on the higher points about the city and many watched the burning from a distance, to see all the details. Sparks rose to a great height, but fortunately the night was clear and still, and no damage resulted from this source.
“The heat of the building was said to have been felt in the greater part of the Southwest Addition, although the night was extremely cold, with a heavy frost forming. One resident living on the next street and two blooks (sic) further west, reported that he watched the fire from an upper window; but was compelled to don a bathrobe over his nightshirt, not to keep out the cold, but to prevent the heat from blistering his neck. He is a reputable citizen, and says he thinks he was fully awake at the time.
“This was the first fire of any considerable proportions which has visited the city for the past four years; and if figures as to loss are accurate, the loss amounts to the total for the previous two or three years. This comparison is given as a comment on the extremely small fire loss sustained by Johnson City for the past several years.”
The Southwest Addition is now known as the Tree Streets.
Saturday, October 20, 1934: Ninety years ago today, The Elizabethton Star reported news about several area residents. Some of the news accounts are as follows: “Mrs. R. E. Wood, Mrs. Charles Toncray and Miss Gretchen Hyder spent Friday afternoon in Hampton, in interest of organizing a Parent-Teacher association (sic) at the Hampton school. Mrs. Wood and Mrs. Toncray are members of the Elizabethton-Carter county (sic) Parent-Teacher council (sic) and Miss Hyder is county supervisor of public schools.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Bill Fair and daughter are leaving this morning for a two weeks’ visit in Cleveland, Ohio. They will stop in cities in West Virginia en route.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Lumsden and small son, Dennis, have returned from a two week’s vacation with relatives in Clinton, Tenn.”
“Miss Georgia Rayn Evans and Miss Elizabeth Lyon spent Tuesday afternoon in Johnson City.”
“Mrs. Harry Shell was the guest of her mother, Mrs. H. O. Rowan, Wednesday.”
“Mrs. Lee Lingerfelt returned yesterday from Calhoun, Tenn., where she was called Monday by the death of her father, H. P. Bacon.”
“Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Rambo and children, Edna and Malcolm, spent the past week-end (sic) with Mrs. Rambo’s brother, Kyle Snyder and Mrs. Snyder in Chattanooga. They also visited Lookout Mountain, Norris Dam and Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.”
“Miss Lems Mitchell and Troy Slagle were the guests of Mrs. and Mrs. Emery Slagle of Erwin, Sunday.”
“Mrs. W. D. Fontaine, who has spent the past month with her sister, Miss Sue Rocbe, returned to her home in Nashville, today. Miss Roche accompanied Mrs. Fontaine to Nashville and will remain the guest of her father, S. P. Roche, over the week-end (sic).”
“Mrs. J. D. Freeman and son, Larence of Murfreesboro, are visiting (several indecipherable words) Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Rion.”
“Mrs. J. Harry Ritts and daughter, Gay Francine, and Miss Rachel Kingsburg will return Sunday from a week’s visit with their father, J. E. Kingsbury, and brother, Sam Kingsbury, in Huntington, West Virginia.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Dayton Nance are residing at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Alexander on Watauga avenue (sic).”
“W. M. Vaught, who has been critically ill at his home on west (sic) F street (sic), is showing improvement.”
Clinton, Tennessee is about 127 miles from Johnson City.
Calhoun, Tennessee is located about 176 miles from Johnson City. It lies is a southwesterly direction from Johnson City.
The Elizabethton Star is still in publication.
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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