Today in Johnson City History, Wednesday, October 23, 2024
A wedding, college football scores, the Culp inauguration, River's Edge Quilt Ministry and more
Thursday, October 23, 1890: The Comet reported exciting news. “Tuesday evening Miss Janie Williams and Mr. J. W. Hunter were quietly wedded at the residence of his bride on Maple street (sic). The family and a very few friends were present at the ceremony. The bridal party left on the 7:30 train for New York and other Eastern points. Miss Williams has lived in Johnson City for several years and has hosts of friends who wish her happiness. Mr. Hunter is one of our most solid business men (sic) and has for a number of years been at the very head and front of all business enterprises of any importance to this city. They will make their future home here, and Miss Williams, ‘belle’, will certainly be charming as Mrs. Hunter ‘at home.’”
Tuesday, October 23, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported news with a dateline from Elizabethton, and a date of October 22. Readers learned that “W. M. Vaugdt (sic), president of the East Tennessee Light and Power Company of this city, was taken to Baltimore, Md., Monday morning for treatment at the John (sic) Hopkins Hospital. Vaught has been seriously ill for the past three weeks.”
Sunday, October 23, 1949: Seventy-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported several college and university football scores from the day before. The scores were published over the masthead. Readers learned that East Tennessee State College narrowly defeated Carson-Newman by a score of 13 to 12.
Middle Tennessee State defeated Milligan College, now Milligan University, by a score of 19 to nothing.
Arkansas was victorious over Vanderbilt; the score was 7 to 6.
L. S. U. beat North Carolina by a score of 13 to 7.
S. M. U. easily beat Kentucky, the score was 20 to 7.
Northwestern fell to Iowa; the score was 28 to 21.
Michigan overcame Minnesota, the score being 14 to 7.
Tulane easily defeated Auburn, with a score of 14 to 6.
East Tennessee State College is now called East Tennessee State University.
Tuesday, October 23, 1951: The Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported several news items of interest to those in and around Limestone. Some of the news items follow: “Mr. and Mrs. Russ Broyles announce the birth of a son at Memorial Hospital on October 13.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Ingle and Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Hartman were visitors in Greeneville Sunday.”
“Miss Nota Brown is a patient in the hospital at Radford.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Baird and George Baird spent last week-end (sic) in North Carolina.”
“J. P. Hartman of Johnson City visited last week-end (sic) with the Nelsons.”
“Hubert Cloyd is in a serious condition at Memorial Hospital, suffering from injuries sustained when he fell and was run over by his tractor.”
“Mrs. F. D. Goode is a patient in a local hospital.”
Wednesday, October 23, 1968: Headlines in the Johnson City Press-Chronicle informed readers that “Hundred attend Culp Inauguration at ETSU”. In an article carrying the byline of Dianne Barker, readers further learned that “Dr. Delos P. Culp today formally accepted the presidency of East Tennessee State University during a ceremonious inaugural program held in Memorial Gymnasium.
“Among the honored platform guests including Gov. Buford Ellington and J. Howard Warf, Tennessee commissioner of education, were Burgin E. Dossett, president emeritus of ETSU, Mrs. D. P. Culp and the widows of the first two presidents, Mrs. S. G. Gilbreath and Mrs. Charles C. Sherrod.
“Participating in the occasion were honored guests and faculty members from the university and community, official delegates from educational institutions across the nation and representatives of learned societies, educational and professional associations. Over 2,000 attended.
“Mayor Hal Littleford honored Dr. Culp on behalf of the City of Johnson City by proclaiming Oct. 23 ETSU and Dr. Culp Day in Johnson City.”
Wednesday, October 23, 1974: Fifty years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported several brief items in the column “On the news beat”. Some of them follow: “According to the Johnson City Police Department, a 12-volt battery was reported stolen Monday night from a 1972 Ford parked at Hickory Hut Auto Sales. The report was filed Tuesday morning.”
“Jack R. Sproles, 42, John Sevier Hotel, was arrested Tuesday morning at 2:05 on three counts of petit larceny. Trial for Sproles is set for Oct. 31.”
“Maggie Lagent, 2229 E. Unaka, reported to city police Tuesday that someone attempted to take heating oil from a oil tank behind her trailer. A five-gallon bucket, two-gallon milk jug and a siphon hose were left near the trailer.”
“Washington County Sheriff’s Department received a report Tuesday from James C. Cloyd, 1911 Sherwood, who stated that two Western saddles were stolen from a barn on Simmonds Drive. Deputy Howard Kerns investigated.”
“Arthur B. Ferguson, 55, 309 Bembert Ave., was arrested Tuesday at 2:30 a. m. on charges of driving while intoxicated. Ferguson posted bond Tuesday at 10:05 a. m. His trial is dated Oct. 29.”
“Daniel Bell, 35, Rt. 12, Kingsport, was treated at Johnson City Memorial Hospital Tuesday for an injury to his leg received in a motorcycle accident. Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated the accident. Bell was treated at 8:20 a. m.”
“Bradley Henderson, 11, 1815 Maplewood Drive, was treated at Johnson City Memorial Hospital at 5 p. m. Tuesday for head injuries sustained when he was hit by a car. City police investigated. Henderson was admitted to the hospital for further treatment and was reported in fair condition.”
“Bob Ivens, Rt. 5, Jonesboro, reported to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department Tuesday that someone had entered his residence and stolen a microwave oven and a hand gun. The report is incomplete. Ivens is checking to see if other items are missing.”
“Grover Hickman, Rt. 2, Jonesboro, reported to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department Tuesday that a black Angus heifer was missing from his farm. Hickman said in his report that the heifer was registered and weighted about 400 pounds.”
“Lawrence W. Leonard, 23, Rt. 6, was treated at Carter County Memorial Hospital for injuries received in a two-car accident Tuesday evening. Leonard received an injury to his right arm in the accident, which occurred at 7:50.”
“Laura Wilson, 19, was treated at Unicoi County Memorial Hospital Tuesday afternoon for injuries received in a one-car accident. The accident occurred south of Erwin at 5L45 a. m.”
Memorial Hospital was a forerunner to the Johnson City Medical Center.
Jonesboro was spelled that way in 1974.
Carter County Memorial Hospital was a forerunner to Sycamore Shoals Hospital.
I’m continually amazed at how so many people have taken it upon themselves to design and implement ways to help Hurricane Helene victims. Lisa Holmes Kleven’s story is no exception. I’ve known Lisa since junior high school; when I learned of her newest project, I invited her to tell us about this unique “Get Involved!” opportunity.
In her own words, let’s read what Lisa has to say. “On Friday, September 27, 2024, I watched the local news as they reported from our surrounding counties, as the downpour of rain, along with high winds, battered our region. My amazement turned to disbelief, as people were having to be rescued from the roof of a local hospital. Bridges were collapsing and houses and vehicles were being swept away in record high flood waters. All of this from Hurricane Helene. What could I do? So many people needed everything.
“I continued to stay glued to the television for several days, any time there was a report on the local area. I prayed both at home and in church. How could I help? I spent a few days gathering requested items and contacted a local group that needed supplies. On October 3, I donated these items to Loaves and Fishes Ministry, which is part of River’s Edge Fellowship in Elizabethton. This was my first trip into area damaged by the flood, even though it was only a mile from my home. Their building and property were also affected by the flooding.
“After visiting the Loaves and Fishes Ministry, I realized that the words ‘River’s Edge’ reflect so much of what is going on in this area. When I feel troubled, it is comforting to wrap up in a quilt or afghan and talk with God. ‘River’s Edge’…those words reflect so much. With that in mind, I have started ‘River’s Edge Quilt Ministry’. Our goal is to gather quilted, knitted or crocheted covers from around the country to distribute to local victims of Hurricane Helene. I established a Facebook Page titled River’s Edge Quilt Ministry and invited many friends who quilted and encouraged them to share. We currently have 115+ followers in our 2 weeks’ time.
There are people from around the country making quilted, crocheted and knitted items from lap size up to king size. A box full of quilts arrived from a lady in Washington state last week. Tomorrow, I will pick up a carload of quilts arriving from a quilt guild in the Newport News, VA area. Thursday, we receive quilts from New York quilters.
River’s Edge Quilt Ministry has a goal of distributing quilts to affected families in Carter, Unicoi and Washington Counties, and then hopefully into more surrounding areas. Please feel free to spread the word and contact me if interested in helping.”
Lisa may be contacted by email at tnquiltinglady@gmail,com or by phone at 423-737-0530. She also provided me with the following poignant words, which I hope you’ll keep in mind: “When you sleep under a quilt, you sleep under a blanket of love.” Also consider this: “May a quilt warm your body, and comfort your soul.”
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.