Today in Johnson City History, Wednesday, March 12, 2025
A murder, a mysterious illness and more
Monday, March 12, 1900: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, The Knoxville Sentinel reported news with a dateline from Johnson City. Readers were stunned to learn that “At 10 o’clock this morning, W. W. Wootey, 30 years old, shot and killed John Garland, aged 60, at the residence of the latter. Wootey had accompanied a son of Garland home, both being intoxicated. The father of young Garland attempted to oust Wootey, and the latter killed him. Wootey is in the jail. There is great excitement, and reports say a lynching is threatened. Officials say the jail is not strong enough to withstand a mob.”