Today in Johnson City History, Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Bits and pieces from several places and a new school in Boones Creek
Welcome to today’s “Today in Johnson City History” column. As I have mentioned previously, when I was writing a very similar column for the local newspaper, readers would frequently tell me their favorite part of my column was what I had written about who visited who, who came to town, who was sick and similar happenings. If you like that type of information, you’ll enjoy today’s column. Sit back and read what was going on during that time in our history!
Sunday, October 29, 1899: Readers of the Chattanooga Sunday Times read news with a dateline from Erwin, and a date of October 28. “Louis McLaughlin and daughter, Miss May, who have been visiting the family of Capt. Nelson McLaughlin for a few days, have returned to their home in Utah.”
“Misses Cora and Etta Ray, who have been very low with typhoid fever, are improving.:
“The corn crop in this county is short.”
“Hon. J. F. Fouey is spending a few days with his family at this place.”
“The second teachers’ institute held in this county this year will convene here the 9th and 10th of November.”
“The college at this place is nearing completion and the school will be moved into it in the near future.”
“Mrs. John Huskins, who has been visiting relatives in Ash (sic) count (sic), N. C., returned home Tuesday.”
News with a dateline from Johnson City, and a date of October 28 included the following: “Miss Ethel Mathes, who was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Taylor, returned to her home in Washington, D. C., last Thursday.”
“Wade H. Patton, after a two weeks’ visit to his sister, has returned to Havana, Cuba, to resume his position with the United States postal service.”
“Miss Belle Miller left Tuesday for Franklin, Ind., on a visit to the Misses Sheffer.”
“Wallace McLeod left Monday for New York.”
“Wednesday evening about 5 o’clock at the home of the bride in this city, Squire J. M. Martin officiated at the marriage of Charles Russell Schwain to Mrs. Netti H. Bowers. Mr. Schwain is from Cuba, where he met Mrs. Bowers during last spring.”
“J. M. DePew returned to Johnson City Monday from Texas.”
“LeRoy Brown, a lumber man of New York, will make Johnson City headquarters for the winter.”
“Mrs. H. P. Wyman, of Grand Rapids, is spending a few weeks at this point.”
“James A. Parsons has returned from a trip to New York.”
“R. C. L. Richmond, of Gate City, Va., was here Monday to see his sister, Mrs. J. B. Cox, who has been seriously ill of typhoid fever.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Mel Haynes, of Knoxville, are here to spend the winter.”
“Miss Willie Ray, of Asheville, N. C., is the guest of the Misses Wood on Pine street (sic).”
“Father Hayes, of Knoxville, held mass at Mrs. O’Donnell’s last Sunday.”
“F. K. Mountcastle left Wednesday afternoon on a visit to Pulaski, Va.”
“Born, on Sunday, Oct. 23, to Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Taylor, a son.”
“Messrs. F. M. Walker and W. J. Ball have opened a new grocery store on West Main street (sic) under the firm name of Walker & Ball.”
“Last Sunday afternoon at the residence of J. S. and S. H. Hunt., Rev. E. B. Caldwell officiated at the marriage of Will T. Scott to Miss Susie A. Price.”
“Rev. G. R. Rowan arrived last Tuesday and will occupy the pulpit at the M. E. church next Sunday.”
“Rev. J. A. Lyons, the new pastor of the M. E. Church, south, arrived her last Saturday.”
“Thursday morning friends of the family were shocked to learn of the death of little Eleanor, the 1-year-old daughter of Editor and Mrs. Cy H. Lyle, which occurred Wednesday night, after only a short illness.”. H
“Aunt Katie Caruthers, one of the oldest inhabitants of Washington county (sic), died at her home near this city, last week at the age of 90 years. She had lived alone for a number of years.”
News with a dateline of Jonesboro, which was spelled that way in 1899, and a date of October 28 brought the following: “Mrs. J. Hugh Scales of Dublin, Va., arrived Monday for a short visit to her mother, Mrs. Mary Reeves.”
“Maj. J. D. Cox has returned from a trip to points in Massachusetts, where he has a daughter and son, Miss Ida and John H., in school.”
“The smallpox scare is almost over. We have no new cases in Jonesboro, and the patients at the pest house are rapidly recovering.”
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, October 29, 1924: One hundred years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported news with a dateline from Jonesboro, and a date of October 28. Readers learned that “The Boones Creek High School building which has recently been completely at a cost of $25,000 will be dedicated with fitting and appropriate ceremonies on Friday, November 7th.
“Features of the occasion included addresses by prominent speakers, a match game of basket ball (sic) between Boones Creek team and Sulphuer (sic) Springs team. A basket dinner will be served at the noon hour.”
A basket dinner is a social gathering; they are more commonly known today as a potluck dinner.
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.