Today in Johnson City History, Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Happenings in and near Johnson City in 1899
Sunday, November 12, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, The Chattanooga Sunday Times reported several brief news accounts featuring area residents, or those having business nearby. The dateline was Johnson City, and the date was November 11. Readers learned that “Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Ellsworth are now occupying their residence on Myrtle avenue (sic), recently purchased from Capt. C. W.. Battle.”
“Miss Dora Cargill has returned from a week’s visit at the home of Hon. and Mrs. A. A. Taylor at Chucky Valley.”
The Honorable A. A. Taylor served as a member of the U. S. House of Representatives from the First Congressional District from 1889 until 1895. He was Governor of the State of Tennessee from 1921 until 1923.
Chucky Valley was very likely a community near the present Chucky, Tennessee.
“Hon. J. T. Browning is home from North Carolina on a week’s visit to his family.”
“J. N. Pritchard of Elk Park, N. C., was here during the week.”
“W. R. Crouch made a business trip to Elizabethton last Saturday.”
“Mrs. C. H. Jennings and two of her children arrived Tuesday from Newport, and are visiting friends here this week.”
Newport is a town located approximately 58 miles from Johnson City.
“John A. Jobe of Knoxville spent several days the past week with friends here.”
“Miss Hattie Kirkpatrick has returned from an extended visit to relatives at Greeneville.”
“W. S. Jones left Tuesday on a trip through Georgia and Florida.”
“Miss Bessie Lou Burgess left Wednesday on a visit to Knoxville friends.”
“Sam Renfro of Elizabethton visited here Wednesday.”
“Mrs. N. L. Sabin and family have moved to Garber for the winter.”
Garber is a community in rural Washington County.
“Chancellor John P. Smith and Attorney S. C. Williams were in Knoxville for a day or so this week.”
“Mrs. W. O Dyer was here from Elizabethton visiting friends this week.”
“G. C. Harris of Bristol spent several days in the city this week.”
“Ralph M. Dulaney and Yulee Dyer left Thursday for Knoxville to take a course in a business college.”
“Dr. and Ms. T. W. Scott of Urbana, O., arrived here Wednesday on a visit to their daughter, Miss Louise Scott, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. James.”
“A large number of Johnson City friends of the deceased attended the funeral of T. J. Peoples at Jonesboro Tuesday.”
“J. A. Sproles came in from North Carolina and spent several days this week. He reports about 300 men at work on the extension of the Ohio River and Carolina railway (sic).”
The Battle family remained in the news. “Mrs. C. W. Battle and son have gone to Greensboro, N. C. to join Mr. Battle, where they will reside.”
“Rev. A. G. Buckner, president of King College, of Bristol, will occupy the pulpit at the First Presbyterian church (sic) next Sunday, Nov. 12.”
King College is now known as King University. It is located in Bristol, Tennessee.
“Beginning next Sunday night regular services will be held each Sunday night at 7 o’clock at the Episcopal chapel, corner Roan street (sic) and Watauga avenue (sic), by the Rector, Rev. Russell K. Smith.”
“J. W. Goforth is home from Greensboro, N. C., on a visit to his family.”
“Miss Sallie Leonard left Saturday for Greeneville, where she will visit her brother, B. D. Leonard.”
“Large crowds are attending the series of meetings being held at the Christian church (sic) each evening, and much interest is manifested.”
“Last Sunday afternoon at the home of the groom, (indecipherable) Lake Watausee, ‘Squire J. M. Martin performed the ceremony which united in marriage Jerry M. Walker and Miss Ida J. Barnes. Mr. Walker is one of the carriers on the free rural delivery system here.”
Lake Watausee, later Cox’s Lake, was in the area near where Lakeview Drive and Princeton Road are located today.
“S. Sjoberg has gone to Pineville, Ky., to examine some ore beds for the Carter syndicate.”
“Robert L. Dyer, of the Virginia and South-Western Railroad, was in the city Monday. He reports work progressing rapidly toward Mountain City.”
“Dr. E. A. Long has dismissed all smallpox patients, and the disease is entirely wiped out.”
“Johnson City will vote on a free public library proposition at the municipal election to be held on Nov. 22, 1899.”
The following news came from Jonesboro, which was spelled that way in 1899; the date was November 11. “Maj. C. E. Lucky and Capt. William Taylor, of Knoxville, are in Jonesboro on legal business.”
“Rev. Isaac Murray, pastor of the Baptist church in Clarksville, is in this place on a visit to relatives.”
“Tate L. Earnest and R. C. Hunter came down from Johnson City Tuesday to attend the funeral of Thos. J. Peoples.”
“County government Monday. No business of very great importance was transacted. Contracts were let for the building of a couple of house, which were recently condemned and destroyed on account of smallpox.”
“The ladies of the W. C. T. U. gave their annual chrysanthemum show Friday and Saturday at the court house (sic). Prizes were awarded for the nicest chrysanthemums, the best baby under 2 years of age, the best loaf of bread and cake made by any young lady, and the most neatly dressed doll dressed by any girl under the age of 12. Friday evening a colonial supper was given.”
Does anyone know what a colonial supper was? Let me know if you do!
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.
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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