Wednesday, September 8, 1926: A century ago today, The Bristol News Bulletin reported news with a dateline from Johnson City. Readers learned that “Charges of murder made against Tom and Charley Light, S. B. Shell and Stacy Shoun in connection with the death of Carl Miller last Sunday were dismissed at a hearing before Magistrate Anderson here Tuesday afternoon. It was shown that Miller had suffered heavy blows on the head, disclosed after he had been picked up from having been struck by an automobile, but the proof did not show these injuries were not due to the blow from the automobile.
“The fatal injuries were received when on the Elizabethton pike (sic for Pike) early Sunday morning when Miller was struck by an automobile driven by H. L. Large, of Elizabethton. Large said that Miller came out from behind a car parked on the highway and ran in front of his car before it could be stopped.”
Bristol is about 24 miles from Johnson City. It is north, and very slightly east, of Johnson City.
The Elizabethton Pike is now known as the Old Elizabethton Highway.
Elizabethton is about 8 miles from Johnson City. It is northeast of Johnson City.
The Bristol News Bulletin is now published as the Bristol Herald-Courier.
Tuesday, September 8, 1931: Ninety-five years ago today, The Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express reported news with a dateline from Johnson City. The news came via the Associated Press. Readers learned that “Among the mountains of East Tennessee, his native health, Secretary of Labor William N. Doak yesterday raised his voice against ‘alien smuggling and buying of citizenship,’ which he termed ‘two forms of notorious, infamous and unscrupulous racketeering.’”
The Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express was a newspaper published in Rochester, New York. It is no longer in publication.
Tuesday, September 8, 1936: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported that “Boyd Conner, 26-year-old Sullivan county (sic for County) farmer, shot and critically wounded Mildred McClure, 15, his niece, then fired two pistol bullets through his breast and fell dead on the porch of a sister’s home on the Johnson City highway (sic for Highway), 11 miles south of Kingsport, early last night, Sheriff J. D. Newland of Sullivan county (sic) said.
“The girl, her body torn by three bullets, was taken to Community hospital (sic for Hospital) in Kingsport, where she was given little chance to live. Attendants said she was paralyzed from the hips down; one bullet having stuck her spinal column.
“The shooting occurred at the home of Jerry McCray. Mrs. McCray, Conner’s sister, said she and her niece were drinking coffee in the kitchen when Conner entered and ordered her to leave the room. Mrs. McCray refused, she told officers, and Conner repeated his demand, brandishing a .22-caliber pistol as he spoke.
“Mrs. McCray declared Mildred grabbed the gun and Conner shot her in the wrist, then in the abdomen. He shot the wounded girl again as she lay on the floor, she said.
“Officers said Mrs. McCray told them she ran from the house to get aid and heard more shots. She said Conner had walked out on the porch and shot him self (sic for himself) twice, one bullet taking effect in the heart.
“Mrs. McCray’s husband, who was at the barn feeding stock when the shooting occurred, declared he believed Conner’s deed due to a fit of insanity. He said his brothers-in-law was bitten by a mad dog three years ago and indicated his belief that may have had something to do with his act. There had been no trouble between Conner and his niece, who was here from Breckenridge, Texas, on a visit, he declared.
“Dr. Artie Isenbert said Conner had been acting strangely and declared ‘there was no doubt’ that his mind had been affected by the mad dog’s bite. He said another man, bitten by the same dog, died of rabies a year later.
“The shooting occurred at 6:30 o’clock. Conner died instantly after firing the bullets through his chest.
Patrolman Seymour, stationed at Kingsport, and Sullivan county (sic for County) officers, led by Sheriff Newland, investigated the tragedy. They said they were told Conner fired four times at the girl, three of the bullets taking effect.”
The Johnson City Highway is now known as North Roan Street, to the Sullivan County line.
Kingsport is located in Sullivan County and is about 22 miles from Johnson City. It is north, and slightly west of Johnson City.
Community Hospital in Kingsport is now known as Indian Path Hospital.
Dr. Josh Hinkle, a local veterinarian at Robinson Animal Hospital, says, “Although wild animals acting inappropriately should be of concern; signs of rabies among wildlife cannot be interpreted reliably: therefore, any such animal that exposes a person should be taken seriously and a health care professional should be contacted.”
I recently had an opportunity to attend a lovely luncheon at the Historic Eureka Inn and Event Center in Jonesborough. What a wonderful way to “Get Involved!” For years, I had wanted to take a peek inside the Inn, so this was my golden opportunity. It most certainly did not disappoint! Carol Johnston, the owner and innkeeper, has a lovely facility. The luncheon was tremendous, and one of the best I’ve ever had. Carol has an interesting lineup of events; I urge you to visit the website to learn more. www.thehistoriceurekainn.com
Thank you for sharing part of your day with me!
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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.
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