Today in Johnson City History, Sunday, September 29, 1924
Erwin murder, and comings and goings in Carter County
Monday, September 29, 1924: A century ago today, The Atlanta Journal reported sad news with a dateline from Johnson City; the date was the same day (September 29). “John and Conway Sams, first cousins, who bodies were found near their homes near Erwin, today, probably killed each other, a coroner’s jury decided this morning. Although it was believed that the men had fought a duel, authorities are holding Dewey Sams, a brother of John, on suspicion that he may have had a hand in the battel (sic).”
Erwin is in Unicoi County and is located about 18 miles from Johnson City. It is the county seat of Unicoi County.
The Atlanta Journal is now published as The Atlanta Journal-Counstitution.
Saturday, September 29, 1934: Ninety years ago today, The Elizabethton Star reported information about several people who had recently received marriage licenses. “Jake Trivett, 53, Heaton, N. C., and Jodie Ward, 36, Roan Mountain.”
“Jessie Shelley, 30, Bristol, Va., and Eliza Hatt, 24, Piney Flats.”
“Hobert O. Hardin, 21, Carter, and Sallie Alford, 35, Carter.”
“Bill Slemp, 21, Butler, and Rosie McGee, 21, Butler.”
“Bob Jarrett, 32, Roan Mountain, and Frankie Greer, 24, Roan Mountain.”
“Walter Nave, 30, Watauga Valley, and Cordie Amderson, 40, Watauga Valley.”
“Will Franklin, 72, Crossnore, N. C., and Pauline Pritchard, 19, Crossnore, N. C.”
“Dotson McKinney, 25, Little Switzerland, N. C., and Daisy Gouge, 22, Yancy county (sic), N. C. “
“Henry Elliott, 22, Shell Creek, and Sallie Hopson, 18, Hampton.”
“D. A. Taylor, 49, Roan Mountain, and Dorothy Blackwell, 22, Roan Mountain.”
“J. W. Shumaker, 21, Bristol, Va., and Hazel White, 20, Elizabethton.”
“Dudley White, 25, Carter, and Katherine Hurley, 33, Carter.”
“Hal Dugger, 23, Elk Park, N. C., and Nola Fields, 23, Elk Park, N. C.”
“Harold Thomas 22, Spruce Pine, N. C., and Ethel Duncan, 23, Spruce Pine, N. C.”
“Raymond M. Long, 32, Johnson City, and Irish M. Moore, 28, Kingsport.”
“Fred Arney, 21, Savell, and Ora Matheson, 21, Butler.”
“Harlis O. Bolling, 23, Pound, Va., and Anna Ruth Honeycutt, 25, Dungamon, Va.”
“Raymond Street, 22, Mountain City, and Nell Ray Davis, 22, Mountain City.”
“John Edens, 22, Elizabethton, and Elinor Prince, 21, Elizabethton.”
“Roy Nave 36, Watauga Valley, and Icel Gentry, 21, Butler.”
“Anthony Ollis, 22, Cranberry, N. C., and Ethel McKinney, 22, of Elk Park, N. C.”
“Henry Morris, 25, Elizabethton, and Verda Norris, 27, Elizabethton.”
“Harold Bowers, 26, Hampton, and Hassie May Mann, 26, Hampton.”
“Grant Harmon, 53, Marion, N. C., and Ackie Grant, 51, Heaton, N. C.”
“Ford Odom, 22, Roan Mountain, and Hallie Love, 22, Mountain City.”
“Elmer Miller, 30, Shell Creek, and Nancy Green, 27, Newland, North Carolina.”
Heaton, N. C., is about 32 miles from Johnson City.
Roan Mountain is about 24 miles from Johnson City. Located in Carter County, it is southeast of Johnson City.
“Carter” is presumed to mean “Carter County”.
Butler is a community in rural Johnson County and is located about 28 miles from Johnson City. It is east of Johnson City.
Watauga Valley was a community in rural Carter County; it is now known as Siam.
Crossnore, North Carolina is located about 42 miles from Johnson City. It is southeast of Johnson City.
Little Switzerland, North Carolina is about 52 miles from Johnson City. The town is located in McDowell County.
Yancy County, North Carolina, is located about 50 miles from Johnson City. Yancy County is almost due south of Johnson City.
Shell Creek is a community in rural Carter County.
Hampton is about 16 miles from Johnson City and is located in rural Carter County.
Elk Park, North Carolina is about 30 miles from Johnson City. It is southeast of Johnson City.
Spruce Pine, North Carolina is located about 46 miles from Johnson City. It is south, and slightly to the east, of Johnson City.
Savelle may be a typo for another community.
Pound, Virginia is about 84 miles from Johnson City; it is almost due north of here.
Dungannon, Virginia is about 51 miles from Johnson City, and it is also nearly due north of Johnson City.
Mountain City, Tennessee is about 44 miles northeast of Johnson City. It is located in Johnson County.
Cranberry, North Carolina is about 32 miles from Johnson City. It is southeast of Johnson City.
Marion, North Carolina is located about 64 miles from Johnson City. It is south, and slightly to the east, of Johnson City.
Newland, North Carolina is located about 37 miles from Johnson City.
The Elizabethton Star is still being published.
Friday, September 29, 1939: Eight-five years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported in bold headlines that “Germany And Russia Edge Closer”.
Friday, September 29, 1944: Eighty years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle continued to remind readers that the United States was at war. Big, black headlines reported that “Allies Press 200,000 Nazis Toward Sea”.
Sunday, September 29, 1974: Fifty years ago today, Helen Morris reported news in the “Bedside Beat”, a column in the Elizabethton Star. Readers learned that “New merchandise is arriving daily for the Gift Shop and you are invited to visit the Gift Shop on first floor when you are at the hospital. Proceeds from the Gift Shop are used for hospital projects by the Hospital Auxiliary.”
“Two patients were in Coronary Care Unit Wednesday afternoon: Anna Carr of Rt. 2, Bluff City, who was listed fair, and Bronson Carter of Rt. 9 who was a new admission. (believe he is Bonce Carter’s brother).”
“Sylvia Street had been transferred from intensive care to 209 and Kenneth Whitehead, Rt. 2, Roan Mountain had been moved to 210.”
“Jessie Wright and Beeler Stanberry, Rt. 8, were sharing 212. Mr. Stanberry was scheduled for x-rays Thursday.”
“Lonnie Shelton was scheduled for surgery.”
“Thelmer Shoun was a new admission for tests. John F. Deloach was a medical patient, who is post-operative.”
“Margie Chambers was reported doing okay.”
“Jamie Parrott, who is 86, was back from surgery where she had her hip pinned.”
“Ross Berry’s condition is good. Tom Oaks was in for medical treatment.”
“Charles Gass remains a patient. Eula Wilcox was doing fairly well and on bed rest.”
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.