Tuesday, August 27, 1901: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, The Knoxville Sentinel reported news with a dateline from Johnson City. Readers learned that “A young man, Vernon Dobson, traveling for a medicine company of Greeneville, was assaulted by two men on West Main street (sic for Street) here last night. After being knocked senseless he was robbed of $25 cash. He recovered soon, and the city officials arrested two men, Homer Keyes and George Morris, alias Smith. The prisoners were given a trial before ‘Squire Bullock, and bond was fixed at $1250 each for their appearance at the next term of the circuit court. The bonds were not made; the prisoners were taken to jail at Greeneville for safe keeping (sic for safekeeping). Keyes has served one term in the penitentiary for the theft. So far, none of the money has been recovered.
“H. M. Dobson and Horace Dobson are here to see that proper legal steps are taken in behalf of the injured man, who has been suffering from wounds of a serious nature on the left side of his head and shoulders. The cut near one eye may cause the loss of the sight in that eye.”
Greeneville, Tennessee is located about 37 miles southwest of Johnson City.
Twenty-five dollars in 1901 has the current purchasing power of about $982, according to www.in2013dollars.com. This makes $1250 in the same year currently worth about $49,110.
The Knoxville Sentinel is now published as the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Friday, August 27, 1926: One hundred years ago today, the Johnson City Staff-News reported tragic news. “Mildred McCrary, 9, daughter of Tom McCrary, living near Lakeview, was instantly killed about 2:30 o’clock this afternoon, in a collision between the car in which she was riding with her father, and a truck, said to have been loaded with brick. The accident occurred on the Austin Springs Pike, near the entrance to the driveway leading to the Lakeview park (sic for Park).
“The truck was said to belong to the Diehl Lumber Company of Jonesboro and was driven by L. Stroup. McCrary states that he was driving a Dodge touring car, crossing the pike after leaving the driveway to Lakeview, taking the back road to reach the Watauga road (sic for Road), and was almost across when the front of the truck struck the rear of his car, turning it around and throwing the girl to the ground. Her head was caught by the back wheel of the truck and dragged some distance. Her skull was crushed. McCrary states that after the accident, Stroup said to him, ‘Tom, I didn’t see you before!’
“Stroup called up the officers and gave himself up and is in the local jail awaiting investigation of the accident.
“The girl is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. McCrary, who have been living here five years. Mrs. McCrary has been in precarious health for some time.”
I am unable to find the location of the Lakeview Park. If anyone knows, please share that information with me.
The Austin Springs Pike is now known as the Austin Springs Road.
Jonesboro was spelled that way at the time; Jonesboro is located about 8 miles from Johnson City, in a southwesterly direction. It is also the county seat of Washington County.
Thursday, August 27, 1931: Ninety-five years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported news with a dateline from Elizabethton, and a date of August 26. Readers learned that “When Bob Bradshaw, Carrier Bakery Company driver, cranked his automobile which was occupied by his wife and two children last night, the car in reverse when started, darted backward across Elk avenue (sic for Avenue), struck one car and crashed into the front plate glass windows of the Sanitary Lunch Room.
“Mrs. Bradshaw and the two children were not hurt.
“As Bradshaw started the machine, the car ran backward before it could be stopped and struck Tom Mim’s new Hudson and caused slight damage.. The entire front of the Sanitary Lunch Room was damaged considerably.”
Elizabethton is about 8 miles from Johnson City. It is northeast of Johnson City. Located in Carter County, it is the county seat of that county.
Thursday, August 27, 1936: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported that “Citizens who have not paid poll taxes and wish to qualify to vote in the state and national elections in November must pay the tax by September 4, County Trustee E. E. Pierce said yesterday.
“Those citizens who qualified to take part in the recently held August elections are already eligible for the November poll, however, Mr. Pierce said.
“A supplementary registration will be conducted 20 days before the coming election for the benefit of new voters or those who have changed their residences since casting ballots in the August election, Mr. Pierce said. Everyone who has moved since August, even though it is to another house in the same ward, will be obliged to re-register.
“An additional penalty of one per cent will go into effect Tuesday, September 1, on all unpaid 1935 poll and property taxes, the trustee said.”
Thank you for sharing part of your day with me!
To subscribe, click on this link:
https://www.todayinjohnsoncityhistory.com/subscribe
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 media 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.