Today in Johnson City History, Thursday, October 17, 2024
Information about Lucy Darden, the Newport dam, birth announcements, and “Get Involved!” with the Hopwood Quilt Show
I know many of you like follow-ups, so here’s a wonderful one. Thank you to Steve Darden for providing the following interesting information. I mentioned Miss Lucy Darden in my column on October 15; I suspected she was a relative of Steve and Bill, so I inquired. I was right! Here’s what Steve says: “Lucy Darden was the daughter of ‘Captain’ Gus and Jenny Strain Darden. They had a lot of kids, another of whom was our dad’s father, Thomas M. Darden. Lucy would have been our dad’s aunt.”
To my long-time readers, if the name of Gus Darden sounds familiar, it’s because I mentioned him several times in my newspaper column. Thank you to Steve for reaching out to me with this information!
Friday, October 17, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Staff-News delivered news to its readers. The dateline was Newport. “Announcement has just been made here of the working out of (indecipherable) calling for the construction of a dam on Pigeon river (sic) one hundred seventy feet high. This will be built by Eastern capital (sic) to call for the expenditure of something like ten million dollars. It is also rumored that the T. & N. C. railroad which now runs to Orastmont, will be extended to Canton, N. C.
“The dam is to be constructed twenty miles above Newport near the North Carolina line, and transmission lines are planned to carry the power to all sections of North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, reaching to Knoxville and beyond.”
Newport is a town located approximately 58 miles from Johnson City. It is southwest of Johnson City.
Canton, North Carolina, is about 122 miles from Johnson City. It is south, and slightly west, of Johnson City.
Wednesday, October 17, 1934: Ninety years ago today, The Elizabethton Star reported that “Barlow Ritchie, 63 years old, of Stoney Creek section, was kicked by a horse shortly before noon today when he was hitching up the animal at his home near Winner.
“The man was brought to Shoun’s hospital (sic) by Sheriff J. M. Moreland who happened to be passing by when the accident occurred.
“Ritchie regained consciousness about 12:20 in the hospital. He suffered a fractured nose, fractured left cheek, a deep laceration across the forehead, and a lacerated lip.”
Winner is a community in rural Carter County.
Dr. John Bell Shoun, founder of the Shoun Hospital, lived from 1874 until 1947. He served as physician and surgeon for the Pittsburg Lumber Company. During World War I, he was Captain in the Medical Crops. Dr. Shoun served as a medical advisor to the North American Rayon Corporation from 1932 until 1947. Shoun Hospital was located on G Street. (Source: Carter County Tennessee and Its People, 1796 – 1993.)
The Elizabethton Star is still being published.
Tuesday, October 17, 1939: In a column entitled “Brief Chronicles of Local Interest”, the Johnson City Chronicle reported several brief news items eighty-five years ago today. Among them were the following: “J. W. Houston, city, was given a $100 building permit yesterday by City Recorder E. J. Quillen’s office to repair a kitchen roof at 434 Hamilton street (sic).”
“Rebecca Twitty, Johnson City, notified police yesterday that her seven-year-old son, B. T., was missing from home. He was wearing a white sweater, tennis shoes and short pants when last seen, officers were told.”
“Tom Carriger, chief of police, yesterday received word from the chief of police at Knoxville to be on the lookout for a 1938 model blue tudor sedan stolen from a rent-a-car agency there.”
“Guy Gray, 27-year-old bottling plant worker, received emergency treatment at Appalachian hospital (sic) yesterday for a head bruise suffered when a falling object struck him while he was at work, attendants said.”
“Earl Laughren and Tom Howell, policemen, yesterday reported investigating a break-in at a West Main street (sic) service station, when six tires, six inner tubes and two batteries were stolen. Entrance was effected through a washroom.”
“S. E. Miller, chancellor, yesterday sounded the docket for the October term of chancery court, which has more than 300 cases scheduled for hearing. Thursday is, by custom, divorce day. Forty such actions are listed. Yesterday’s brief session was held in the law court room to allow more room.”
“Police yesterday reported investigating a minor auto mishap on North Roan street (sic), where machines driven by Wallace France of near Johnson City and Sam Arkin of Kingsport were in collision. No great damage was done to the cars, officers said.”
“Charles B. Martin, secretary of Townsend Club No. 1, announced yesterday that the group will meet Thursday at 7:30 p. m. in the municipal building.”
The Appalachian Hospital was a forerunner of Memorial Hospital, which was a forerunner to the Johnson City Medical Center.
Tuesday, October 17, 1944: Eighty years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported on two recent births, both having direct connections to Johnson City. “Lt. and Mrs. James Smith announce the birth of a daughter, October 15 in the hometown of the mother, Hampstead, Long Island. Lieutenant Smith is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson Smith of Danville, Va., formerly of Johnson City.”
“Word has been received here of the birth of a son on October 10 to Sgt. and Mrs. Billy Joe Crouch in Des Moines, Iowa. The child has been named A. B. Crouch, III. Sergeant Crouch was formerly of Johnson City and Mrs. Crouch is the former Faye Rounds of Des Moines.”
Tuesday, October 17, 1950: The Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported the hospital report, as follows: In Swingle Hospital, “Mrs. Shelby Graham, route (sic) 1, Telford, was admitted after falling from a tractor. She struck a tree limb, knocking her from the tractor; Frank Britt, route (sic) 2, Jonesboro, was admitted after injuring his hand with an ax while chopping wood; W. A. Hill, route (sic) 4, Jonesboro, injured leg while chopping wood.”
The Swingle Hospital was a private hospital located on North Roan Street, near Science Hill High School. It was torn down several years ago.
Jonesboro was spelled that way in 1950.
Thursday, October 17, 1974: According to the Johnson City Press-Chronicle, fifty years ago today, “Mrs. Mae Repass, Rt. 2, Limestone, was knocked down outside Bowman Clinic Wednesday by two young white males who took her purse, according to city police reports. The extent of her injuries were not known. The youths dropped her purse when she screamed, the report said.”
Many people like quilts. Not only do they provide a physical warmth on days like we’ve recently experienced, but they frequently provide an emotional comfort, too. Liz Banks, an active member of Hopwood Christian Church, recently provided me with more details about their upcoming quilt and craft show, which is an easy way to “Get Involved!”. It’s on my calendar, and I hope it will find a place on yours as well.
This annual event, held at Hopwood Christian Church, will begin on Friday, October 25 from 10 a. m. until 6 p. m., and will conclude the next day, the 26th. Hours on the 26th are slightly different. The Saturday hours will be from 10 a. m. until 4 p. m. Admission is free. Hopwood is located adjacent to the campus of Milligan University; the address is 109 Hopwood Lane, Milligan College, Tennessee.
Liz reports that, “Crafts are handmade by church members and are varied and delightful.”
All proceeds from the sale of goods will be given to the Hopwood Building Fund, which enables handicapped worshippers to attend church. The building is now handicappped accessible for any who want to attend the show and sale.
Liz says, “The quilts are displayed on the backs of the pews and are from our grandmothers and great-grandmothers and are also ones we are almost done making. We have asked the congregation and our friends to bring us their quilts. All are wonderful in their own ways, from the ones made out of feed sacks during the depression to the ones that portray Jesus' parables.”
She also told me, “We have always had a theme for our quilt show and this year were not able to think of one, but with the recent tragedies, I think a fitting theme would be, “Comfort Ye, My People.” Entering the sanctuary covered by handmade quilts of all colors and designs with the stained glass windows shining down on them gives one an assurance of God's love. I hope you will come experience this.”
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.