Today in Johnson City History, Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Commission meeting or baseball, horseplay in the newsroom, football scores and more
Monday, September 4, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, with a dateline from Johnson City the Nashville Banner reported that “An accidental shooting occurred near this city Saturday. Carl Burleson, about 12 years old, was shot by his brother Arthur, about two years his senior. Two of the brothers had been hunting and came home. One took the shells out of his gun and the other did not. Arthur took up the empty gun and began snapping it and directly took up the loaded one and also snapped it. Just as it was discharged young Carl passed within range and received the discharge in the side of his head and in his hand that was thrown up to shield himself. Two fingers of the hand were shot off, and a painful wound inflicted in the head, but not necessarily fatal. The shot passed through a screen door, and this perhaps accounts for the fact that the boy was not instantly killed.”
The Nashville Banner was published from 1876 until 1998.
Thursday, September 4, 1924: One hundred years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported that “The only business transacted by the City Commissioners at their meeting Wednesday afternoon, the regular meeting date for the weekly session, was disposal of an important question which came up shortly before the convening hour and took precedence over whatever may have been scheduled for consideration.
“The matter was disposed of after short discussion, receiving almost immediately the unanimous vote of the three commissioners, the decision being immediately put into action which eliminated transaction of any further business until Friday afternoon. Immediately upon convening, Commissioner Hart’s motion was recognized, after being seconded by Commissioner Coe, and without formal discussion was carried and made a part of the official record, to-wit: That the commissioners adjourn officially and attend the baseball game personally.”
Tuesday, September 4, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Elizabethton Star reported several brief news accounts of interest to area citizens. Among the news were the following items: “Mr. and Mrs. Foster Earnest and son, ‘Go,’ have returned from a visit with Mr. Earnest’s parents in Chucky.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nave spent the week-end (sic) in Bluff City, the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Bryan.”
“After spending a few days in Elizabethton, Midshipman French Wampler departed Friday for Virginia where he will join his parents, the Rev. and Mrs. French Wampler, for a visit with relatives.”
“Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Turrentine and family are residing at 214 West O street (sic).”
“Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Adkinson and children are spending a few days in Bluefield, West Virginia, the guests of Mrs. Adkinson’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mangus.”
“Mrs. Victor Crouch and infant daughter have been removed from the Appalachian hospital (sic) in Johnson City to their home on McQueen street (sic).”
“Mr. and Mrs. Porter Nave entertained as their dinner guests Monday evening, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Johnson and children of Cleveland, Ohio.”
“Mrs. Charles Wolff, 3rd, is spending a week in Brooklyn, N. Y.”
“Miss Ruth Siemen, who has been spending the summer months in Pennsylvania, the guest of friends and relatives, returned home Saturday. Miss Dorothy Siemen, who has spend the past ten days visiting in Philadelphia, accompanied her home.”
“Mrs. Theodore Housel and sister, Miss Bessie Hill, of New York, arrived Sunday for a visit with their uncle, J. W. Hill and family, at their home on west (sic) G street (sic).”
“Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bowers and children, Margaret, Charlotte, and Eugene, and Miss Virginia Hardin spent Sunday in Bluefield, W. Va.”
“Mrs. Harry Burgie accompanied Mr. and Mrs. M. V. Andrews of High Point, N. C., to the Century of Progress in Chicago. They departed Friday.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Claiborne McCorkle and children are visiting Mrs. McCorkle’s parents in Richmond, Virginia.”
“Mrs. J. N. Rasor and Tom Wagner have returned from a visit in Bluefield, West Virginia. They were accompanied home by Dr. C. W. Abbey of Concord college (sic) in Athens, West Virginia, and Horace Wagner of Bluefield.” The Appalachian Hospital was a forerunner of Memorial Hospital, which was a forerunner to the Johnson City Medical Center.
The Rasor family continued to be in the news. “Mrs. L. T. Bratton and daughters Either and Ellen of Roanoke, Va., are visiting Mrs. Bratton’s sister, Mrs. J. N. Rasor.”
Chucky is about 22 miles from Johnson City. It is in Greene County.
The Appalachian Hospital was a forerunner of Memorial Hospital, which was a forerunner to the Johnson City Medical Center.
The Elizabethton Star is still in publication status.
Sunday, September 4, 1949: Seventy-five years ago today, readers of the Johnson City Press-Chronicle learned that “Photographer Jimmy Ellis of the Press-Chronicle staff didn’t know his own strength until yesterday.
“Playfully he sneaked up behind Eugene Oyler, a friend and visitor in the newsroom, grabbed Oyler’s shoulders and ‘snapped’ his back.
“Doctor’s verdict: Three ribs pulled loose and a strained muscle.
“Oyler’s advice to the doctor: Watch out for new patient.”
Wednesday, September 4, 1974: The Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported to readers that “Cloudiness will decrease today as a cold trend moves through the area and temperatures will remain comfortably cool.
“High today will be in the upper 60s and the low tonight will be in the upper 40s.
“High on Thursday will be in the low 70s. The low this morning was 60 at the airport.”
Saturday, September 4, 1999: Twenty-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press reported several area high school football scores from the previous night.
Morristown East defeated Science Hill by a score of 33 to 14.
Daniel Boone bested Sullivan Central, 34 to 20.
Morristown West easily overcame David Crockett by a score of 56 to 21.
Elizabethton handily defeated Sullivan East, with a score of 56 to 14.
Unicoi County fell to South Greene by a score of 12 to 7.
Happy Valley defeated Unaka. The score was 14 to 6.
Hampton narrowly defeated North Greene by a score of 14 to 13.
Cloudland easily overcame Johnson County, 35 to nothing.
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