Today in Johnson City History, Thursday, November 7, 2024
A fire, a swallowed straight pin, and "Get Involved!"
Tuesday, November 7, 2024: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, The Knoxville Sentinel posted news with a dateline from Johnson City. Readers sadly learned that “The new residence of Fred Hill, who resides on Cherokee Creek, this county, was destroyed last Sunday night, by fire. All the furniture in the house was lost.
“It is supposed some one (sic) set fire to the building, as the tracks of two persons were found leading from the house. There was no insurance, and the loss falls heavily on Mr. Hill.”
The Knoxville Sentinel is now published as the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Friday, November 7, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Staff-News reported that “A brand new set of colored picture post cards (sic), showing buildings and scenes all around Johnson City has been received, and these are now on display at the John Sevier hotel (sic). The pictures were made recently, showing the important buildings in the city, views of the business center, and many scenic spots in this section.”
Wednesday, November 7, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Press reported several short news stories featuring local residents, or folks related to local residents. Some of those stories included the following: “Mr. George F. Dugger and Mr. Don Calfee of Elizabethton attended the funeral of Mr. Don M. Nixon in Wabash, Ind.”
“Miss Mary Lucy Keebler of Limestone spent the week-end (sic) with friends in Charleston and Chattanooga.”
“Mrs. Ferdinand Powell was speaker at the meeting of the Doak Parent-Teacher association (sic), Greeneville. Her subject was ‘What May Be Expected of the Parent-Teacher Organization.’ Mrs. Powell is director of the first district P.-T. A.”
“Miss Dorothy Keller has returned from Greeneville, where she spent the week-end (sic) with Mrs. Edgar Keller.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Dixon and Ann Gardner Dixon of Elizabethton leave tomorrow for Cookeville, where they will reside.”
“Mr. Paul Gray leaves today for his home in Sawtell, Calif., after visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Gray, Highland road (sic).”
“Miss Loraine Gray motored to Bristol last night, being the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carmack, bride and groom.”
“Mrs. Raymond C. Rankin is convalescing satisfactorily from an illness at her home, East Watauga avenue (sic). Mrs. Rankin returned last week from Philadelphia where she underwent an operation.”
“Mrs. A. J. Bryant of the Soldiers Home reservation (sic) will return today from a visit with relatives in Sharon and Jackson, Tenn.”
The Soldiers Home Reservation is now known as the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center.
“The Rev. M. C. Shull, minister of the First Christian church (sic), is in Marion, Va., holding evangelistic services.”
Marion, Virginia is located about 79 miles from Johnson City. It is located in a northeasterly direction from Johnson City.
“Mrs. Sam Scott of Cherokee was a shopper in the city last Friday.”
Cherokee is a community in rural Washington County.
“Mrs. J. E. Jones, Mr. Jack Ward and Miss Nellie Ward of Neva motored to Johnson City Saturday. They were accompanied home by Miss Lona Ward of the Soldiers home (sic), Miss Georgia Ward of the Business college (sic), and Miss Hattie Snyder of the State Teachers college (sic), who spent the week-end (sic) with relatives in Neva.”
Neva, Tennessee is about 39 miles from Johnson City. It is in Johnson County.
The Business College was presumably a reference to the Johnson City Business College.
The State Teachers College was a reference to what is now known as East Tennessee State University.
“Dr. and Mrs. J. D. Williams, Miss Mable Williams, Mrs. W. D. Haynes and Mr. Cecil Haynes motored to Knoxville and Norris dam (sic), spending the day Sunday.”
“Miss Texie Copp and Miss Amy Wiseman spent last week-end (sic) at Washington college (sic), the guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Cox.”
Washington College is a community in rural Washington County. In 1934, Washington College was also an educational institution in that community, functioning as a high school.
“Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Widener and Miss Nancy Widener of Kingsport were guests last week-end (sic) of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Widener and family, Highland avenue (sic).”
“Mr. S. E. Widener and Mr. Cebert Widener returned yesterday from Mountain City, where they have been since Sunday.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Walker Miller of Cherokee were shopping here, Saturday.”
“Dr. and Mrs. E. B. Mitchell of Jonesboro R. F. D. were visitors here Saturday.”
“Mr. and Mrs. O. M. Jenkins of Limestone came to Johnson City on Saturday. They were shopping.”
“Mrs. Brown Funk, of Long Beach, Calif., will arrive tomorrow to visit Mrs. W. O. Stephens, 813 W. Pine street (sic). On Friday afternoon Mrs. Stephens will entertain with an informal tea, honoring her guest. Following her visit of several days here Mrs. Funk will go to Louisiana points.”
Tuesday, November 7, 1939: Eighty-five years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported that “Thelma Godsey, 15, of Red Row, route (sic) No. 5, Johnson City, was admitted to Appalachian hospital (sic) last nigh as a result of having swallowed a straight pin with which she was ‘picking’ her teeth, attendands (sic) said.
“She was not in a serious condition and attending physicians said she would recover.”
The Appalachian Hospital was a forerunner of Memorial Hospital, which was a forerunner of the Johnson City Medical Center.
And now for an easy way to “Get Involved!” especially if you love supporting local authors. Nancy C. Williams published her first novel a year ago today. “To Love a Falcon” begins with her father-in-law’s account of a real-life “murder” of a Russian naval officer doing a top-secret World War II mission. Nancy, who lives in Johnson City, created a modern-day fairy tale plot with a hypothetical situation…..what if the officer had a fiancee’ back home? The book fictionalized the plight of a young female aircraft mechanic who is sent into the Siberian wilderness to work on a brand-new aircraft - the first jet-powered MiG - and is thrust into the past of a test pilot who tests her resolutions. “To Love a Falcon” is available on Amazon.com.
As a side note, Nancy asked me to be a beta reader for her novel during the days of Covid. She sent me the manuscript, chapter by chapter, and I must say, she had me eagerly awaiting each new installment of her book. The book is very well-researched; if you’re looking for a book for someone who is intrigued with World War II, aircraft, or romance, you’ll want to get a Christmas copy. I was happy for her when her novel took its final form and appeared on my book shelf! Nancy has talks lined up with a couple of local book clubs; I’m sure she would like to chat with your book club, too.
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.