Today in Johnson City History, Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Thanksgiving activities, David Walker's newspaper and more
Thursday, November 27, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle and the Johnson City Staff-News published a combined edition; it was Thanksgiving! Readers read that “Thanksgiving observance in Johnson City this year will be general, with indication that the true meaning of the annual festival of praise and thanks is being felt, in the realization of the many blessings enjoyed by the people.
“Thanksgiving morning at 10 o’clock, union services will be conducted at the First Christian Church, with the sermon delivered by Rev. M. P. Carico, of the Munsey Memorial Church, and the pastors of all the churches participating.”
As used above, “union services” meant that more than one church was worshipping together.
“Banks will be closed during the day, and practically all the business houses will close, at least for a part of the day. The municipal offices will be closed.
“The post office will be closed except the general delivery window between 2 and 3 o’clock in the afternoon, and no deliveries of mail will be made, either city or rural.
“Sunrise prayer service will be conducted from 6 to 7 o’clock at the Central Baptist church (sic); and a service will be conducted at St. John’s Episcopal church (sic) at 10 o’clock.
“In the afternoon many are expected to attend football clashes of peculiar interest to this section: King College and Carson-Newman playing at Bristol, and the East Tennessee State Normal opposing Tusculum College at Greeneville.”
King College is now known as King University; the East Tennessee State Normal is now known as East Tennessee State University, and Tusculum College is now Tusculum University.
“While indications of favorable weather are seen today, the forecast is for rain and colder, which may probably be the condition in this section for at least a portion of the day.
“The season of 1924 is recognized as having been a propitious one, leading up to the Thanksgiving period. Crops of fruit, grain and vegetables harvested during the summer and fall have been unusually bountiful; even the weather has continued throughout the fall to be most pleasing and such as to permit gathering of crops and preparation for winter sowing. Business conditions are considered to be on a sound and active basis, with promise of continued prosperity along commercial and industrial lines. Johnson City itself has continue its spirit of growth and expansion; the country is at peace – and there is much for which the people are thankful.”
Tuesday, November 27, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle informed readers that “Should weather conditions work out as prophesied officers and members of the Schoolboy Patrol will have their first chance this morning to exhibit their new raincapes. The patrol was presented with seven dozen new capes Friday evening at Junior high (sic) school (sic) by Clyde C. Culpepper on behalf of the Kiwanis Club.
“The raincoats are a bright red color lined with white and for the most part are of the same style used by city officers.”
November 27, 1936: , David Walker, age 11, founded The Tribute, “a small sheet issued every now and then.” The circulation was 250. King’s Boy’s Shop was an advertiser in the publication. (Source: Achieves of Appalachia, Mary Hardin McCown Collection.)
King’s Boy’s Shop was a part of King’s Department Store, located for decades at the corner of South Roan Street and East Main Street.
Monday, November 27, 1939: Eighty-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press gave readers several short news accounts about local residents. “Miss Eunice Wilkinson will come here from Old Fort, N. C., to spend the Thanksgiving holidays as the guest of her sister, Mrs. F. P. Sweeney, Cumberland apartments (sic), number (sic) one (sic).”
“Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Singleton, bride couple, are living at number (sic) 18, Cumberland apartments (sic). They came here some time ago from Nashville. Mr. Singleton is associated at King’s, Inc.”
“Misses Sara Jane Horner and Frances Holloway spent the day Sunday at Spruce Pine, N. C., as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Deneen.”
Spruce Pine, North Carolina is located about 46 miles from Johnson City. It is south, and slightly to the east, of Johnson City.
“Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Jones, recent bride and bridegroom, are living in the Cumberland apartments (sic), number (sic) 4. They came here from Roanoke, Va.”
“Mrs. C. G. Hannah is reported as better of an illness at her home, East Unaka avenue (sic).”
“Mrs. M. R. Bellamy is confined to her home on West Sullivan street (sic), Kingsport, by illness.”
“Mrs. James P. Varnado of Osyka, Miss., is visiting in Kingsport as the guest of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Pollard, of Winston Terrace.”
“Miss Elizabeth Andrews of Nashville is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Brandshaw (sic), of Crescent drive (sic), Kingsport.”
“Mrs. F. R. Rice and baby daughter, Carolyn Sue, of Knoxville are visiting Mrs. Rice’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard F. Glover in Kingsport. They were joined Sunday by Mr. Rice.”
“Rev. and Mrs. H. G. Brockus, Eula Mae Henley, Mr. and Mrs. James Lloyd, Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Keplinger, Hazen (possibly sic for Hazel) and James Keplinger, were Thanksgiving dinner guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Stayer at Telford.”
Monday, November 27, 1944: Eighty years ago today, The Elizabethton Star reported that “Pfc. Carl S. Honeycutt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Honeycutt, Route 3, has been awarded the Purple Heart, after receiving wounds while in action in Holland October 2th, said a war department notification received here this week.
“Private Honeycutt has two brothers in service, Edward, at Camp Croff, S. C., and Raymond at Manhattan, Kansas.”
The Elizabethton Star is still being published.
Sunday, November 27, 1949: Seventy-five years ago today, the Jonson City Press-Chronicle reported that “Senator Kenneth D. McKellar surprised friends here yesterday when he arrived for admittance to Veterans Administration Hospital at Mountain Home.
“The senator, who is ‘just resting for a few days,’ was removed from the Baptist Hospital at Memphis yesterday. Friends had urged him to go to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland for further treatment of burns he received when he fell in a tub of scalding water in a Memphis hotel November 15. The senator was reported by friends to be in good physical condition and a ‘jolly’ mood.
“The 80-year-old senator, who apparently had not recovered from the second degree burns as quickly as doctors had anticipated is merely ‘resting up.’”
According to Senate.gov, Kenneth McKellar was the first elected U. S. Senator from Tennessee in 1917. “Frequently seen sporting pinstriped trousers and a white-edged waistcoat, McKellar was both a sharp dresser and a skilled orator. He served more then three decades in the Senator, ultimately becoming chairman of the power Appropriations Committee and Senate president pro tempore.”
November 27, 1987: Sesame Street Live began the first day of a three-day run at Freedom Hall Civic Center. More than 9900 fans attended the performances. (Source: Bobbie H. Shirley, former Freedom Hall Box Office Manager.)
To subscribe, click on this link:
https://www.todayinjohnsoncityhistory.com/subscribe
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.