Thursday, August 26, 1819: On this day, two hundred and seven years ago, Albert of Saxe-Coburg was born. “Born at Rosenau, German, Albert is known for his marriage to England’s Queen Victoria (1840). Though an arranged marriage, it was one of love and devotion, with Albert serving as Victoria’s confidant, chief adviser and personal secretary; he was made prince consort in 1857. Her confinement during the births of their nine children necessitated his more active, visible involvement in running the empire and family. At his urging, Victoria transformed the monarchy to a politically neutral constitutional monarchy, and the royal family became a moral force that exemplified Victorian ideals. Albert died of typhoid fever on December 14, 1861, at Windsor, England, and Victoria went into prolonged mourning.”
Typhoid fever, or typhoid, is a bacterial infection that can now be prevented by means of a vaccine.
(Source: Chase’s Calendar of Events, 2026.)
Thursday, August 26, 1926: One hundred years ago today, according to the Johnson City Chronicle, “Master Tolbert Kitts Jr., and Master Glenn Kitts celebrated their birthday Monday afternoon the 23rd of Aug., with a double birthday party at the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Kitts, Holston avenue (sic for Avenue).”
“It being the occasion of Tolbert’s tenth birthday and Glenns’ sixth, a delightful afternoon was spent in playing games and novel contests were introduced.
“Master Frank Field winning the prize in the pea nut (sic for peanut) hunt and Kelly Owen winner in the Calendar contest.
“The children made a lovely scene on the front lawn, and Miss Martha Anderson took several snap shots (sic for snapshots) of them.
“After many good wishes for the young honorees the birthday cakes topped with pink candles were brought in. The refreshments consisted of ice cream cones, cake and mints.
“The guests showered Master Tolbert and Glenn with many lovely gifts. Each guest was favored with a rubber ball as a souvenir.
“Mrs. Kitts was assisted in entertaining by Miss Martha Anderson, Miss Eugenia Brown, and Evelyn Kitts.
“Those enjoying their delightful party were: Master Tom Wolfe, Jr., Frank Field, Paul Shambort, Jr., Holland Ingraham, David Carson, Thomas Carson, Marcus Hodges, Kent Harris, P. G. Moltari, James Crump, Chas. Tranum, William Smith, Thomas Magill, Francie Magill, L. A. Greenway, Kelly Owen, Harry Owen, James Beckner, Harry Beckner, Gerald Showalter of Louisville, Ky., Tolbert Kitts, Jr., Glenn Kitts and little Miss Sara Elizabeth Kitts.”
Wednesday, August 26, 1931: Ninety-five years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported to readers that “The first combination potato and onion grader ever operated in this section was delivered Tuesday morning at Elizabethton by Prof. Jess G. Garand, director of the department of agriculture of the Happy Valley High School.
“Prof. Garland says about ten car loads (sic for carloads) of potatoes will be shipped from Carter county (sic for County) during the next few weeks and the grader will be of great aid to the farmers in the grading of both potatoes and onions. The machine grades the potatoes into two groups: those of one and seven-eights inches in diameter and grade two, which is one and one-half inches in diameter.
“The machine, while purchased by the agriculture department of the Happy Valley High School, is to be used in all sections of the county for the benefit of all farmers who have large crops of potatoes. Farmers desiring use of the big machine are requested to communicate with Prof. Garland.”
Elizabethton is about 8 miles from Johnson City. It is northeast of Johnson City, and is the county seat of Carter County.
Happy Valley is a community in Carter County.
Wednesday, August 26, 1936: Ninety years ago today, in a column entitled “Brief Chronicles of Local Interest”, the Johnson City Chronicle reported the following news items:
“Mrs. Ralph M. Dykes, secretary to Mayor Marlon Self, is on her annual two-week vacation, it was said yesterday at the mayor’s office. Miss Rhea Sylvester, connected with the state health department, is spending her vacation with her parents in Boones Creek.”
In 1936, Boones Creek was in rural Washington County.
“Suit for divorce from William L. True of Johnson City was filed in law court here yesterday by Bonnie Jean True of Erwin. The petition sets forth the couple were married in Elkton, Maryland. Restoration of the plaintiff’s maiden name. Bonnie Jean Webb, is asked.”
Erwin is in Unicoi County and is located about 18 miles from Johnson City.
“Clyde Beck, 128 Commerce street (sic for Street), was fined in police court yesterday on a charge of shooting a rifle in the corporate limits. Eight persons were fined $10 each for alleged drunkenness and one was fined $5 for the same offense.”
Ten dollars in 1936 is now worth about $240, according to www.in2013dollars.com.
“S. W. C. Clarendon, Johhn (sic for John) Sevier hotel (sic for Hotel) resident, yesterday asked police help in finding a red pocketbook containing $110 which he said he lost somewhere in the business section.”
In 1936, “pocketbook” was often used in the way we would use wallet or billfold today.
“Three youths – John J. Monday and Luther and Bill Bowman - will face a preliminary hearing before Magistrate Rex Pierce today at 9 a. m., on a charge of attacking James N. Bradwine in front of a local hotel Sunday and taking his seven-jewel watch. Bradwine told officers Monday ‘jumped on’ him and took the watch and that the Bowmans tripped him when he tried to regain it.”
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