Today in Johnson City History, Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Coming and going, James Sevier's family, and more
Sunday, September 24, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, The Chattanooga Sunday Times reported news with a dateline from Greeneville and a date of September 23. Readers learned that “The semiannual meeting of the Ladies Missionary Society of the Presbyterian church held in the parlor of the church Thursday afternoon, was a very delightful affair. These meetings have grown to be very important affairs in the society. They are arranged and prepared for in turn by the members of the society, taken alphabetically. The committee to take charge of Thursday’s meeting was: Mrs. W. H. Lester, Mrs. J. C Jerold, Mrs. Cox, Mrs. H. W. Harper, Mrs. Roy Brown, Mrs. Harrell, Mrs. W. A. Jones, and Miss Sue Alexander. The rooms were beautifully decorated with evergreens and golden rod. Dainty refreshments were served. When the (indecipherable words) boxes were opened, (several indecipherable words) the fund contributed, which gives to missions. Mrs. James Mores is president of the society, and Mrs. H. H. Reeves vice-president.”.HHHH
“Eugene, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Snapp, is very dangerously ill at the home of his parents near Harmon (sic for Harmony), from the effects of running a tack into his foot.”
“The 9-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Painter died Wednesday morning of diphtheria and was buried in the Oak Grove cemetery (sic) Thursday afternoon.”
“The Brabson band of this place has been engaged to furnish music at the Knoxville carnival.”
“Charles Crockett, of Greenwood, Miss., is visiting East Tennessee friends.”
“Mrs. Ella Cox has accepted a position in the Rogersville school, and will leave shortly to enter upon her duties.”
“Charles and Joe Brown left this week to re-enter school at Blacksburg, Va.”
“Mrs. W. H. Taylor and children have returned from Asheville, and will spend the winter here.”
“Dr. Frank Robinson is in Atlanta this week.”
“Col. J. H. Dougherty and George Dougherty are spending this week in Atlanta.”
“J. A. Susong is attending court in Knoxville this week.”
The Susong family continued to be in the news. “Mrs. Swann, of Dandridge, is visiting her daughter, Mrs. J. A. this week.”
News with a dateline in Johnson City, and a date of September 23 included the following: “Dr. H. H. Bolton has returned from New York where he spent several months taking a post graduate course in medicine.”
“Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Molesworth are in Washington this week.”
“Miss Laura Ballard of Bristol is here instructing our new telephone girl, Miss Willie Watson.”
“Mrs. S. C. Brown and children left for Knoxville Wednesday on a visit of several weeks to her mother.”
“Mrs. Robert A. Boring has a position as a saleslady for Heart & Houston.”
“Revs. Wm. M. Vines and John F. Vines, brothers, both pastors of the Baptist churches at Asheville, N. C., are in this neighborhood visiting their parents and other relatives. Rev. John F. Vines will preach at the First Baptist church (sic) next Sunday, and Rev. Wm. M. Vines the first Sunday in October.”
The Vines family continued to be in the news. “Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Vines spent the past week visiting friends in Erwin.”
“The Johnson City band will give a cake walk at the opera house Tuesday night.”
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can now be prevented by means of a vaccine.
Asheville, North Carolina is about 61 miles from Johnson City. It is almost directly south of Johnson City.
Erwin is in Unicoi County and is located about 18 miles from Johnson City. It is the county seat of Unicoi County.
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.
Wednesday, September 24, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Staff-News reported that “Miss Zella Armstrong of Chattanooga, the well known historian of Tennessee and Tennesse (sic) families, writes this paper that the interesting marriage bond which was exhibited in Johnson City last week of James Sevier to Mary Susannah Warren, was the bond of a nephew of Governor Sevier. There was a James Sevier in each branch of the family. Governor Sevier’s son, James Sevier married Nancy Conway some ten years earlier than the bond of James Sevier and Susannah Warren. The governor’s son James was an older man and of importance in the community, having occupied official position for practically half a century.
“James Sevier, who married Susannah Warren, was a son of Valentine Sevier III (brother of Governor John) and was one of the children surviving the dreadful massacre in Clarksville, Tenn., when the family was almost destroyed. He was seventeen at the time of the massacre in 1924 and was therefore but twenty-two at the date of his marriage bond in 1799, whereas the governor’s son James Sevier (born 1764) had already been married several years and had a large family.
“James Sevier and Susannah Warren moved to Kentucky shortly after the marriage.”
Sunday, September 24, 1939: Eighty-five years ago today, the Sunday Press-Chronicle reported in big, bold headlines: “Germans Take Offensive In West, Reportedly Under Eyes of Hitler”.
Sunday, September 24, 1944: Eighty years ago today, readers of the Johnson City Press-Chronicle read an advertisement for the Majestic Theatre in Johnson City. Bing Crosby was starring in “Going My Way”.
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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