Today in Johnson City History, Tuesday, December 3, 2024
An advertisement for a husband and more
Tuesday, December 3, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, the Chattanooga Sunday Times reported news with a dateline from Johnson City and a date from December 2. Readers learned that “Mrs. W. K. Martin is spending a month with her husband in Chattanooga.”
“Miss Effie Smith has returned from a visit of several days to relatives at Jonesboro.”
Jonesboro was spelled that way in 1899.
“Mrs. J. W. Cass and baby have returned from a visit to Rogersville.”
Rogersville is located in Hawkins County, and is about 37 miles from Johnson City.
“Hon. Robert Burrow attended circuit court at Blountville this week.”on’=
“F. M. Blakley, of Bristol, spent a day or two here this week.”
“Henry Rotha, of Chestoa, spent Monday and Tuesday here. He has accepted a position with a lumber company and will make this his headquarters.”
Chestoa is located in rural Unicoi County.
“Mr. and Mrs. David Gump spent last Sunday in Bristol with relatives.”
“S. L. Morrison, of Mendota, Va., was in town this week on a visit to his daughter, Mrs. J. M. Buck, who has been quite ill. Mr. Morrison is a member of one of the oldest Virginia families, and was wearing a solid gold watch chain, in the form of a stirrup, made for his father, J. W. Morrison, at Abingdon, Va., seventy-five years ago.”
Mendota, Virginia is about 45 miles from Johnson City; it is almost due north of Johnson City.
“The local union of the Christian Endeavor societies of the city will meet in the First Presbyterian church (sic) Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 6:30 p. m. A good programme has been prepared.”
News from the same newspaper, but with a dateline from Jonesboro, and a date of December 2, included the following: “Mr. and Mrs. Frank Britto spent Monday in Knoxville.”
“W. T. Pritchett returned home from South Dakota last Saturday, where he has been in the employ of the Wrought Iron Range company (sic for Company).”
“Frank Anderson of Knoxville is here on a visit to relatives and friends.”
“The Woman’s Tuesday club (sic for Club) held its meeting this week at the home of Mrs. R. N. Dosser.”
Mrs. Epps has been in the news several times recently. Today is no exception, as we learn that “Mrs. J. H. Epps is still very sick. Her physicians express little hope of her recovery.”
“Dr. Chalmers Deaderick of Knoxville was here again last Sunday on a professional visit to Mrs. Jas. H. Epps.”
“Mrs. Whitlock of Unaka visited here this week.”
Unaka may have been a reference to Unaka Springs, which is located in Unicoi County.
“Mark Pritchett came home Tuesday from Memphis, where he has been for several months.”
“Miss Mattie Snider of Chicago arrived here Tuesday.”
“Union Thanksgiving services were held at the Christian church Thursday. An appropriate programme was observed. Rev. M. D. Mitchell of the M. E. church; Rev. J. S. Eakin of the Second Presbyterian church (sic for Church), and Rev. H. R. Easterly of the Christian church were the ministers present and participating. Rev. Mitchell read appropriate Scripture, Rev. Eakin sang a beautiful song, and Rev. Easterly preached an eloquent and appropriate sermon. Quite a collection was taken for the poor. The services were unusually interesting and largely attended.”
As used above, “Union” meant that more than one church was worshiping together.
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. I do not have access to any newspapers that may have been published on a
daily basis in Johnson City in 1899; The Comet was published weekly.
Wednesday, December 3, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Staff-News reported that “John S. Boyd, general manager of the Gloria Textile Mills here, is now supervising the finishing of the mill, located on the Southern Railway to the fest (sic for East?), which is nearing completion. Mr. Boyd announces that the building will be completed in the next three weeks.
“Much of the machinery is on hand, and it is expected that operation may begin shortly after the first of the year.
“The plant will be operated entirely by electricity, and the product will be velvets and corduroys, in the manufacture of which basic cotton and other essentials are produced in the South.”
Monday, December 3, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Press published an unusual article on the front page. “’Wanted – a husband!’
“Probably an almost universal sentiment, but few girls are courageous as Virginia Owens. She wanted a husband, and she advertises for one.
“There are several reasons Virginia put the classified advertisement in the Press, seeking a husband. For one thing, she has only been in Johnson City a few months, and it’s hard to get acquainted in a strange place. She lost her job not long ago – caring for children in a local home.
“’I don’t like that kind of work,’ Virginia said. ‘You feel like a servant, and the mother’s won’t let you make the children mind. They get mad if you try to correct them. Gee, I’d like to be somewhere that I could meet up with nice people and really get to know them, not just as a kind of maid.’
“Here’s the ad:
“WANTED A HUSBAND: Young girl, offers herself in matrimony to any young man who holds good job. Age 17 years, and an experienced housekeeper. Write Box 1824 care of The Press.
“Another reason is an unhappy love affair. The gentleman involved became suddenly engaged and as suddenly married to another girl. Before Virginia really knew what it was all about. ‘I was really crazy about him,’ she confided. ‘And he liked me. He’d take me out oftener than any of the other girls. I saw him a few days ago, and I told him I might be married soon, myself. I don’t know whether he believed me or not.’
“Still another reason – Virginia’s father travels about from place to place. Virginia’s never really had a home. ‘I’d like to settle down in one place,’ she said. ‘This going around you never get to meet anyone or have friends, because as soon as you do it’s pack up and start out again. I’d like to have a home of my own – and know people. That’s why I want to get married.’
“Virginia is an attractive girl, seventeen years old. She has light, thick hair that has a tendency to wave, and her eyes are bluish-gray. And dimples. She knows how to keep house and is a good cook.
“’But aren’t you afraid you won’t get long with someone you marry that way?’
“Virginia shook her head. She isn’t afraid.
“’You don’t take any more chance than marrying up with a fellow you already know. You can’t really know a person before you’re married to them. Why, I knew a girl who put an ad in the paper for a husband, and she got married and is perfectly happy right now. They’ve got two children and her husband takes her out to dances and everything. He isn’t a bit jealous or mean with her. Of course, I’d like to know the man a little while before getting married, but I think we’d get along all right. I’d sure try to make him happy.
“Just Virginia, her mother and father live in Johnson City now at 315 West Tacoma avenue (sic for Avenue) - the brothers and sisters not having come to this city with them. They are boarding in two rooms in the home of another family – a rather crowded proposition.
“’I’d like to have a job, if I don’t get married,’ the girl said. ‘I like to work, only with this moving around it’s hard to find work. It’s awfully difficult nowadays to find a job. I thought maybe it’s be better to try and get a husband.’”
Tacoma Avenue is now known as Fairview Avenue.
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