Today in Johnson City History, Thursday, December 26, 2024
New Year's plans, tragic accident, death of a prominent dentist and more
Thursday, December 26, 1889: The Comet reported news about the upcoming New Year’s Day. “The following is a list of those who will keep open house New Year’s evening and by whom they will be assisted:
“Mrs. Crandell will be assisted by Misses Netta Shortridge, Carrie Summers, Jennie and Nora Crumley, and Eva Wilson.
“Miss Dora Cargille will be assisted by Misses Alice Simon and Miss Carrie Simpson.
“Misses Wood will be assisted by Miss May Geokin and Carrie Nugent.
“Mrs. Wilder will be assisted by Misses Mary and Martha Wilder, Mrs. Stratton, Mrs. Brading, Misses Sallie Faw, Leone Faw, Annie Maher, Libbie Cure, Sue Reese.”
Wednesday, December 26, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported news with a dateline of Mountain City and a date of December 25. Readers learned that “Helen Greer, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Greer suffered a broken back and other injuries in an automobile accident here. Miss Pauline Shupe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Shupe, was badly cut about the face and head and suffered internal injuries, as yet not known how serious, while the driver of the car, Fred Wilson, son of D. W. Wilson, suffered a dislocated shoulder and numerous cuts and bruises. The car, a Ford roadster, turned over on a sharp curve on the Mountain City-Bristol highway (sic for Highway), three miles from Mountain City.
“Miss Green was removed to King’s Mountain Memorial Hospital at Bristol for treatment. The other injured parties were taken to their homes after being given first aid treatment by Drs. Butler and Glenn.”
Mountain City, Tennessee is about 44 miles northeast of Johnson City. It is located in Johnson County.
Tuesday, December 26, 1939: Eighty-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press reported that “Volume in Johnson City’s water reservoir has been restored to normal since an additional spring on city-owned property in Limestone Cove has been tapped, City Engineer Hobart Greene announced today.
“Citizens had been asked to use water sparingly because of an extended drought.
However, there is no longer any necessity for such rigid conservation, it was indicated.”
Tuesday, December 26, 1944: Eighty years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle informed readers of several movies playing at local theaters. The Liberty was showing “The Soul of a Monster”, starring Rose Hobiart and Geo. MacBeady; the first showing would begin at 11:30. “Last in a Harem” was playing at the Majestic Theater; that movie starred Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Meanwhile, “Three Little Sisters” could be seen at the Sevier; movie stars in that show included Mary Lee, Ruth Terry and Cheryl Walker. Finally, the Tennessee Theater was showing “The Lady Vanishes”, with movie stars Paul Lucas and Margaret Lockwood.
Monday, December 26, 1949: Seventy-five years ago today, according to the Johnson City Press-Chronicle, “A woman listed as Ruth Williams, about 25, was found dead on the floor of her home, 227 Elmo street (sic for Street), early this morning, according to investigating city officers.
“A physician summoned by police said the girl bore no marks indicating foul play. He estimated she had been dead about 10 hours.
“County coroner Paul Pearson of Jonesboro was also summoned.
“The body was discovered by Lila Price, 229 Elmo street (sic), a visitor.
“’I was afraid to go in alone and called Ruth’s sister, Pauline Woodson,’ the Price woman said. ‘Then I went in right behind her.’
“The Williams woman who was partly dressed, apparently had prepared for bed.. She had been left in care of the baby of the Price woman.”
“The physician said the woman apparently died of acute alcoholism.
“Chief of Police Earl Laughren, Captain Tom Howell, Detective Sergeant Leslie Cloyd and Patrolmen P. E. Broyles and Ray Harshbarger investigated for the city.
“Survivors were listed by neighbors as her husband, John Williams; her mother, Willie Joe Carson, a brother, George Carson, Jr., and a sister, Pauline Woodson, all of Johnson City.
“Today’s incident marked the third consecutive Christmas death at the Elmo street (sic) address, the Price woman recalled.
“Last Christmas, a baby cousin of the Williams woman was found dead in the same room in which she was found today.
“The Christmas before, in the adjoining room of the same dwelling another cousin, Pearl Price, about 19, was found critically ill and unable to talk. She died in a hospital shortly afterward.”
Jonesboro was spelled that way in 1949.
Thursday, December 26, 1974: Fifty years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported news regarding the death of a very prominent citizen. The dateline was from Elizabethton. “Dr. Albert Eugene Miller, Sr., age 71, of 502 Watauga Ave., died at 1:30 A. M. Wednesday in the Johnson City Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.
“Dr. Miller was a native of Jacksboro, and a son of the late L. C. Miller. He was graduated from the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry in 1926, and came to Elizabethton to practice dentistry in 1926. He was past president of the First District Dental Society of Tennessee, and served during World War II with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
“He served as chairman of the Carter County Election Commission for a number of years, and was presently a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives where he was to begin his third term Jan. 6. He was a member of the Tennessee and National Christmas Tree Growers Association, and in 1964 he received the Forestry Recognition Award from the Society of American Foresters.
“Dr. Miller was a member of the Dashiell Masonic Lodge No. 238, the B. E. Wooten Council, the R. D. Keller Royal Arch Chapter, and was past Commander of the Watauga Commandery, Johnson City. He served as President of the Elizabethton Shrine Club in 1947, and was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite Consistory, Knoxville, and was Potentate of the Kerbella Temple in 1954. He served as President of the East Tennessee Shrine Officers Association, and was a member of the Knoxville Chapter of the Royal Order of Jesters. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Elizabethton.
“Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Kathryn Crumley Miller; one son, Dr. Albert Eugene Miller, Jr., Johnson City; his mother, Mrs. Della Bowman Miller, Elizabethton; three sisters, Mrs. C. J. Copeland, Mrs. H. Roscoe Ritchie and Mrs. Gregory Pollard, all of Kingsport; one brother, H. K. Miller, Johnson City; two grandchildren, Mark and Paige Miller, both of Johnson City.
“Hathaway - Percy Funeral Home is in charge.”
The Johnson City Memorial Hospital was a forerunner to the Johnson City Medical Center.
Jacksboro, Tennessee is located approximately 137 miles from Johnson City. It is located in Campbell County. It is almost due west of Johnson City.
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 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.