Today in Johnson City History, Thursday, October 31, 2024
Lots of news from several places
Thursday, October 31, 1918: The Johnson City Daily Staff reported that “The Martha Wilder Parent-Teachers Association will meet Friday afternoon at three o’clock at the school building and every mother is urged to be present.”
The newspaper also alerted readers that “Candidate Student Philip D. Stout of the Central Officers Training School, after a hardy period of resistance, is now confined to the base hospital, Camp Hancock Augusta, Ga., with Spanish Influenze.”
Friday, October 31, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported, “The East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railway will run a special train tomorrow, for the purpose of accommodating the people attending the auction sale of the ‘Happy Valley’ property.
“The special train will leave Johnson City at 10:00 o’clock Eastern time and will arrive in due time to witness, and participate in the great land sale.
“Special rates will be given on this excursion for round trip tickets, and the return ticket will be good for any train to Johnson City Friday.”
Wednesday, October 31, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Press reported that “A joint meeting of the Washington County Medical Society and the medical staff of the Veterans Administration facility will be held Thursday evening at 8:00 o’clock, in the headquarters building at Veterans Home, it was announced today by Dr. Carroll H. Long, secretary-treasurer of the local society.”
Tuesday, October 31, 1939: Eighty-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press reported to readers that “If there are witches in Johnson City who plan to observe Halloween tonight by riding broomsticks through the atmosphere, they stand a fair chance of freezing, shivering citizens who hurriedly dug overcoats out of mothballs agreed today.
“Bitingly cold weather with a hint of rain, or even snow, in the offing was responsible for a feeling this will be no evening for witches to roam abroad and that black cats who prefer comfort to deviltry will do well to stay put.
“By the same token, Chief of Police Tom Carriger expressed believe that unless there is a sharp upward turn in the temperature, purely human revelry will be conducted on a smaller scale than usual – at least in the Main street (sic) business section, which is roped off for merrymakers each year.
“The chief’s view was not at all optimistic. ‘I’m afraid,’ he said, ‘that if the weather’s too bad for the skylarking element to play about down town, a lot of people instead will perform petty acts of mischief in their neighborhoods. However, police in cruisers will be on the lookout for anything of the sort.
“Officers will also be stationed along the sidewalks in the business section, Carriger said, to make sure the ‘official’ celebration does not get out of bounds. Merchants have agreed to cooperate by having watchers posted to see that store windows are not cut or otherwise defaced.
“The ‘main drag’ will be cleared early tonight and turned over to the more or less tender mercies of hurrahing youngsters and adults (the latter will not be allowed to wear masks) until about midnight, the chief added.”
Tuesday, October 31, 1944: Eighty years ago today, according to the Elizabethton Daily Star, “Rep. B. Carroll Reece will be the principal speaker at a dinner meeting of the Carter County League of Women Voters at 7:00 o’clock Thursday night at the Franklin club (sic), it was announced today by Mrs. Rex Slagle, president of the local league.
“Mrs. Mack Evans is chairman of the reservations for dinner, Mrs. Slagle said, and asked that persons planning to attend get in touch with her at the earliest possible time.
“Delegations from the Bristol and Kingsport leagues (sic) will be present, it was said.
“Meanwhile, Mrs. Slagle announced that the usual questionnaires for candidates will be sent out soon. The quizzes will contain questions pertinent to good government, she added.”
Monday, October 31, 1949: Seventy-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported that “Halloween spooks will do their stuff tonight in a big downtown parade beginning shortly before 7 p. m.
“The procession will move to Big Burley Warehouse, where the second edition of a big carnival will unfold. The first phase came Saturday night.
“The Park and Recreation Board is sponsor of the entertainment again this year.
“Everything from baseball games to bubble gum contests will be on the program.
“The Science Hill High School and the Junior High School bands will lead the parade. Children will appear in costumes, and they can do all the horn-tooting and whistle-lowing they want to. However, they must not set off firecrackers. Police have warned both children and adults against that.”
Thursday, October 31, 1974: Fifty years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported news with a dateline from Long Beach, Calif. The Associated Press carried the story. “Former President Richard M. Nixon almost died after going into shock following surgery for phlebitis, his former White House press secretary revealed Wednesday.
“’There is no doubt that we almost lost President Nixon yesterday afternoon,’ Ronald L. Ziegler told an impromptu news conference at the hospital where Nixon is being treated.
“Nixon’s doctors had sidestepped questions as to whether Nixon’s life was in danger during the crisis on Tuesday.
“Nixon was still on the critical list Wednesday.
“Dr. John C. Lungren, Nixon’s personal physician, said the former president had shown improvement. He said internal bleeding, which triggered the shock, had apparently stopped.
“Blood for transfusions was set aside in case bleeding reoccurred.
“Lungren said that although Nixon’s vital signs were stable, it was too early to make a prognosis on his condition.”
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