Today in Johnson City History, Thursday, September 5, 2024
Elizabethton schools, comings and goings, Tom Hodge and more
Tuesday, September 5, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, The Chattanooga Daily Times reported four brief news accounts of interest to readers in the Johnson City area. With a date from September 4 and a dateline of Johnson City, readers learned that “Yesterday afternoon about 5 o’clock J. G. Collier, who was heading this way from Bristol to Greeneville on a freight, riding between two box cars, was caught between the cars and seriously injured. When the cars were pulled apart Collier fell headforemost onto the ground. He was attended by physicians here, and sent to Greeneville last night. It is not thought injuries will prove fatal.”
The second news item alerted readers that “It has just been learned that Miss Emma Lusk and Bruck Chennouith were married at the residence of Dr. L. H. Caldwell, who performed the ceremony on last Tuesday evening. The young couple intended to keep the affair a secret for a few weeks until they could get ready to go to housekeeping.”
“The Barn Door Gun Club is having a big shoot today. Among the sports from a distance are: Dr. S. W. Rhea, Dr. J. A. Dickey, Bert McDowell and Sam L. King, of Bristol; J. E. Miller and Jno. E. Avery of Atlanta, Ga.; H. M. Cleveland, of Sweetwater; H. L. Lenoir, of Philadelphia, Tenn.”
Sweetwater, Tennessee is approximately 150 miles from Johnson City. It lies in a southwesterly direction from Johnson City.
Philadelphia, Tennessee is about 143 miles from Johnson City. It is located in Loudon County.
Chattanooga Daily Times is now published online as the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Johnson City did not publish a daily newspaper in 1899; however, The Comet was published weekly.
Friday, September 5, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported that “West Pine Street from Southwest Avenue to the end of the asphalt surface is now being repaired by the city. The old concrete between the car tracks has been torn up and prepared fo (sic) run asphalt top that will greatly improve the surface of the street and make the street car line’s track much smoother to ride over.
“Commissioner Coe and his forces are at work on several of the paved streets of the city now filling in holes and making other much needed improvements and consequently the streets are partially blocked. This work will be completed within the next two weeks and be ready for traffic.”
Wednesday, September 5, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Elizabethton Star reported news concerning schools. “School at Hunter will be held in two churches, the buildings of the Seventh Day Adventists and the Baptists.
“The school-building (sic) of that community was destroyed by fire on the night of the election, August 2. The first eight grades are taught at Hunter, and classes will begin on schedules times, next Monday, Sept. 10.
“K. P. Banks, superintendent of education, said the M. E. church at Hunter didn’t consent to the use of the church building.”
The Elizabethton Star is still in publication status.
Monday, September 5, 1949: Seventy-five years ago today was Labor Day. Readers of the Johnson City Press-Chronicle learned that “Mrs. John W Lacey has returned home after a visit with Mrs. Jesse Cook, and Mrs. Gus Pemberton at Etowah, Tenn. She also visited at Copper Hill and Blue Ridge, Ga., while away.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Hardin McCown of Durham, N. C., were expected to be the week-end (sic) guests of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. W. McCown, 512 East Unaka avenue (sic).”
“J. H. Newman of 900 West Maple street (sic), who has been a patient for the past week at Appalachian Hospital, is reported to be improving slightly.”
“Mr. and Mrs. James Campbell of 103 West Tenth avenue (sic) have as their guests their sons, Staff Sgt. and Mrs. James Campbell, and little daughter, Jacqueline Sue, of Washington, D. C., and Harry Lee Campbell of Chicago, Ill.”
“Mrs. R. M. Ball of Lynnwood Place, Bristol, was a guest of relatives in Johnson City Sunday.”
“Mr. and Mrs. James E. Handy and children, Eddie, Jacque and Joyce Handy, have returned from a vacation with relatives in Petersburg and Richmond, Va.”
Etowah, Tennessee is about 172 miles from Johnson City. It lies southwest of Johnson City.
Copper Hill, Tennessee is about 193 miles from Johnson City. It also is southwest of Johnson City.
The Appalachian Hospital was a forerunner of Memorial Hospital, which was a forerunner to the Johnson City Medical Center.
Tuesday, September 5, 1974: Fifty years ago today, Tom Hodge, in his column entitled “A Look Around” in the Johnson City Press-Chronicle gave his readers “bits and pieces from all over”, as he often said. The day after Labor Day in 1974 was one such day. Two of the pieces are included. “You remember the pups our collie had back in the spring. I called them the ‘Easter pups’ since they were born Easter morning.
“A family in Erwin took two of the pups – and I’ve just had a progress report. One of the pups was named Tom, the other Hodge. If you hear someone over there yelling for Tom Hodge, they’re calling the dogs, not me.
“Tom will shake hands with you, I’m told, but (Hodge is another story) – ‘he doesn’t do a single trick.’ I’m not quite sure how to react to that bit of information.
“Anyway, It’s obvious those two pups have a good home.”
Another story Mr. Hodge included concerned Milligan College, now known as Milligan University. “Rod Irwin, Milligan College, called me to ask if I knew that the Johnson City Press-Chronicle was represented in Smithsonian Institution’s museum of history and technology in Washington.
“In a section dealing with news and communication, there’s one spot dealing with newspaperboys – and there’s one of our newspaper’s carrier bags hanging there.
“It was news to me. I thanked Rod and made a mental note to look for it the next time I get to Washington with enough time to visit Smithsonian.
“Smithsonian isn’t the sort of place you can see in a day. I’ve always figured that a person would really need a month of prowling through the institution to get the most out of it.”
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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