Today in Johnson City History, Tuesday, Christmas Eve, 2024
Iron Furnace injury, Burlington Mills, party with Clark and Carole and more
Sunday, Christmas Eve, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported horrifying news. The dateline was Johnson City, and the date was December 23. Readers learned that “Daniel Strickland, an employee of the Iron Furnace Company, at this place, to-day (sic for today), while working on top of the furnace, fell to and, descended 16 feet, struck a half-molten crust of red hot iron. He was about to sink to a terrible death when he jumped to a red hot bracket on one side.”
“In the meantime a ladder was lowered from above. He grabbed it and was pulled to the top in an unconscious condition.
“His hands are terribly burned, his left wrist twisted almost off and his body burned in several places. He will recover.”
The St. Louis Daily Globe-Democrat was also published as the St. Louis. Globe-Democrat. The newspaper was published from 1852 until 1986. I do not have access to any daily newspapers that may have been published in Johnson City in 1899; The Comet was published on a weekly basis.
Wednesday, Christmas Eve, 1924: One hundred years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle made sure that its readers knew that Christmas was coming. “And then it got warm again. Only a few cars friz (sic for froze), and they’ve thawed out by now.
“The weather man (sic for weatherman) says rain, snow, sleet, slush and that sort of stuff, for Xmas Day.
“Nearly everybody seems to be after buying something, or making something with green and red on it, either in holly or mistletoe, or ribbins (sic for ribbons) and what not.
“The sheriffs and prohibition officers have nabbed the biggest part of the home-made (sic for homemade) expectations before they were brewn (sic for brewed); and a long line of cars hanging around the post office looks like an all-day reception over there.
“Stores are open until bedtime after supper, and planning to do nothing on next Thursday; and whole coops of chickens and turkeys have been marched to the guillotine.
“The post office will be closed Christmas Day – no deliveries at all, either (several indecipherable words).
“So wil (sic for will) lthe (sic for the) city offices.
“And the banks.
“Christmas.”
Monday, Christmas Eve, 1934: Ninety years ago today, The Kingsport Times reported economic news; the dateline was Johnson City. The story came via the Associated Press. Readers learned that “Sam R. Sells of Johnson City announced today that the Burlington Mills, of Greensboro, N. C., had taken a five-year lease on mill property here and will begin operations next spring.
“The new industry will have an estimated annual payroll of $200,000 and is expected to give employment to 200 persons.
“Sells said the Burlington Mills will proceed with installation of $200,000 worth of machinery in buildings formerly occupied by the Gloria Textile Mills. The lease on the property was approved by stockholders of the Johnson City Industrial Corporation.”
Two hundred thousand dollars in 1934 has the current purchasing power of about $4.7 million dollars, according to www.in2013dollars.com.
The Kingsport Times is now published as the Kingsport Times-News.
Sunday, Christmas Eve, 1939: Eighty-five years ago today, the Sunday Press-Chronicle reported news that made many local residents quite envious. Readers were alerted that “Many local movie fans, if they react normally, will gnash their teeth in envy when they learn that Mr. and Mrs. Joe Jared of Johnson City will be among those to attend a Christmas party given by Clark Gable and Mrs. Gable (Carole Lombard) after the Tennessee – Southern California football game New Year’s Day.
“Dan Wexler, president of a local tire company, was invited to join Gov. Prentice Cooper’s party which will travel by special train to the game, then be entertained by the Gables at their ranch. He will be unable to attend, but Mr. Jared, his business associate, with Mrs. Jared will do so.
“The local couple expect to leave Tuesday to join Cooper’s party in Nashville.”
The Sunday Press-Chronicle was published as the Johnson City Press-Chronicle Monday through Saturday.
Sunday, Christmas Eve, 1944: Eighty years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported news with a dateline from Washington, D. C., and a date of December 22. The Associated Press carried the story. Readers learned that “Rep. Brooks, Louisiana Democrat, said today that the House military committee will investigate what he called a ‘complete blackout’ of news to American fighting men abroad.
“Brooks is a member of the committee, which recently completed a four-weeks inspection of European battlefront areas.
“American troops abroad, he complained, are not getting enough news of the rest of the world and most of what they do get is old.”
Saturday, Christmas Eve, 1949: Seventy-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle published a recipe for “Christmas Casserole”. Mrs. J. S. Gray of 142 East Highland Road in Johnson City submitted the recipe; the recipe earned her one dollar. Here’s the recipe:
“1 pound cooked chicken
¼ pound potato chips
1 can chowmein noodles
1 can peas
6 hard-boiled eggs
2 cans mushroom soup
White sauce
“Process: Cut the chicken in small pieces, adding peas, noodles, soup and the white sauce made of two tablespoons butter and two cups of milk. To this mixture, add chopped eggs and potato chips broken in small pieces. Put in large shallow pan, cover with crushed potato chips and bake three-fourths of an hour at a 350 degree temperature. Serves 10.”
One dollar in 1949 is now worth about $13.26, according to www.in2013dollars.com.
Saturday, Christmas Eve, 1955: The Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported that there had been two recent births at Memorial Hospital. “Mr. and Mrs. Harry Shell, Rt. 3, Elizabethton, a daughter, Uraina Janie.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Patterson, Rt. 8, Glenn View Road, a daughter, Janie Lynn.”
Memorial Hospital was the forerunner to the Johnson City Medical Center.
Tuesday, Christmas Eve, 1974: Fifty years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle worried children who would be watching the skies for Santa Claus that night; no snow was in sight. “Mild temperatures and partly cloudy skies are predicted for today and should continue tomorrow. The high temperature today will be in the low 60s, the low tonight in the mid 40s.
“The high temperature tomorrow should be near 60.
“There will be a 40 per cent chance of showers today, increasing to a 50 per cent chance tonight.”
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