Today in Johnson City History, Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Welcome to the inaugural issue of Today in Johnson City History! I’m glad you’re here and look forward to hearing from you.
A homing pigeon, Robert Taylor, an unfortunate accident, the Junior Service League and more…
Sunday, September 3, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, The Chattanooga Sunday Times reported stories of interest to area residents. With a dateline from Johnson City, and a date from September 3, readers learned that “Yesterday a homing pigeon was heard to drop on the roof of the residence of S. O. Bolton, on Watauga avenue (sic). It attracted the attention of one of the boys who picked it up and found it to be crippled in both legs. On the right leg was found a silver band with the inscription: ‘N. A., 148,’ on the left leg was a plain brass band. The pigeon is blue with red-brown trimmings It is being cared for by Mr. Bolton’s family.”
“Ex-Gov. Robert L. Taylor has returned from Chautauqua, N. Y., where he delivered his lecture on ‘Love, Laughter and Song.’ Oct. 1, he expects to leave for a six months’ tour through the Pacific states.”
“Miss Sadie Morrell, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Morrell, died at her home here yesterday after a long illness from consumption, at the age of 22.”
“Robert L. Taylor was the Governor of Tennessee from January 17, 1887, until January 19, 1891, and also from January 21, 1897, until January 16, 1899. He was United States Senator from March 4, 1907, until March 31, 1912, and was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Tennessee’s First Congressional District from March 4, 1879, until March 3, 1881.” (Source: Wikipedia.com.)
We now know consumption as tuberculosis.
The Chattanooga Sunday Times was published as The Chattanooga Daily Times the other days of the week. It is now published online as the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Johnson City did not publish a daily newspaper in 1899; however, The Comet was published weekly.
Thursday, September 3, 1903: The Comet reported several brief accounts of news that was interest to readers. ‘Miss Amie Richards, eldest daughter of Col. John T. Richards, superintendent of construction at the Soldiers’ Home, arrived home a few days ago after an absence of several months.”
“Dr. J. A. Denton tried to operate the buzz planer at the factory of the Johnson City Coal and Lumber Co. last week and is now learning to use only three and a half fingers and a thumb on his left hand.”
“Jas. A Summers and W. B. Johnson went up to Bristol Thursday afternoon to look at a horse Mr. Summers contemplates purchasing for his own personal use. Mr. Johnson accompanied him as an expert in horseology (sic), having gained his equine knowledge while traveling among the pure breds (sic) near Franklin.”
The Soldiers’ Home is now known as the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center.
Franklin, Tennessee is located about 301 miles from Johnson City. It lies slightly southwest of Johnson City.
Wednesday, September 3, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reminded readers in an over-the-masthead-headline that “Poll tax must be paid by September 4 to qualify voters for the November presidential election. Pay today!”
Monday, September 3, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Press alerted readers that “Plans for selection of the tri-city (sic) airport, located between Johnson City and Kingsport, are under way at a meeting of representatives of Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol today in Bristol.
“Participants held hope that air mail and passenger service for all three cities might be an early result of the conference. Although an airline passes over this territory none of the cities is now so served.
“Jack Chalkley, representing the Chamber of Commerce; M. T. McArthur, county TERA administrator; Alan Gump, of the Chamber of Commerce and Larence Nave, representing the American Legion, compost the Johnson City delegation.”
Saturday, September 3, 1949: Seventy-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported that “George Jenkins, 57, of route (sic) 9, Jonesboro, was dismissed after treatment at Appalachian Hospital for a left foot injury inflicted by an axe.”
“Gail Barnett, 11, of 114 Stanley street (sic), city, was dismissed after treatment at Appalachian Hospital last night for head lacerations sustained in a fall from a bicycle.”
“Also treated and dismissed was Bernice Constable, 37-year-old farmer, route (sic) 1, Jonesboro, who sustained a right arm injury in a fall from a barn.”
Jonesboro is now spelled as Jonesborough.
The Appalachian Hospital was a forerunner of Memorial Hospital, which was a forerunner to the Johnson City Medical Center.
Tuesday, September 3, 1974: Fifty years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported that “Friday was moving day for the Junior Service League Thrift Shop. Members were out in full force, retagging garments and moving them from the old location on Tipton Street to the new shop at 144 West Market. For weeks previous to the move, League members painted, patched and renovated the building where the new shop is located. Opening day will be Sept. 9 at 9:30 a. m. Donations are always appreciated at the Thrift Shop. Items of clothing donated to the Thrift Shop are tax deductible if the donor leaves his name and address so the Leaguers can mail a statement at the end of the year for the tax. Household items are also accepted as donations.”
The Junior Service League is now know as the Junior League of Johnson City.
Friday, September 3, 1999: Twenty-five years ago today, in an article carrying the byline of Press Staff Writer Robert Houk, Johnson City Press readers learned that “The City Commission helped to break in the Centre at Millennium Park during a special meeting Thursday that saw commissioners vote to sell beer at the city’s two municipal golf courses and to limit the time of their twice-monthly meetings to no more than four hours a session.
“Mayor Vance Cheek Jr. told his colleagues they should ‘pull the plug’ on live broadcasts of commission meetings after 11 p. m. He said the commission’s lengthy meetings, which generally stretch past midnight, have become ‘a joke around town.’
“The mayor said it was time for commissioners to exercise ‘personal control’ to help ‘expedite’ the meetings.
“He also suggested commissioners might be tempted to wait until after the cameras are turned off to begin debating ‘hot items’ on the agenda.
“’It should take us no more than two hours to do our business,’ Cheek said. ‘If we do our jobs right, nobody is going to miss a thing.’
“Commissioner Dan Mahoney agreed, adding that commissioners generally become ‘irritable’ when meetings drag past four hours.
“’That’s when I become worried about Johnson City’s future,’ Mahoney said.”
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.
Even though it goes without saying, I’ll say it anyway. All errors are entirely my own.