Today in Johnson City History, Wednesday, October 9, 2024
An upcoming election, a lawsuit in Elizabethton, a murder and more
Thursday, October 9, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Staff-News reported that “Supplemental registration for the election on November 4 will begin on Saturday and be continued on Monday and Tuesday, by the registrars of the 21 city wards and county precints (sic) of Washington county (sic).
“All person who have lived in Tennessee for one year, in Washington county (sic) for six months and in their ward or precinct for 20 days prior to October 14, and are 21 years or age and suffering no disability imposed by law, not previously registered are entitled to register in supplemental registration.
“The election commission, which will hold the registration through the registrars, warns all person who have changed their place of residence since the last registration that they must register again so as to vote on November 4. It makes no difference if the change of residence was from a hourse (sic) to one next door, registration is necessary.”
Tuesday, October 9, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Press reported news with a dateline from Elizabethton. Readers learned that “Four damage suits, totaling $11,250, were filed in circuit court and chancery court here today against the American Bemberg corporation (sic) and North American Rayon corporation (sic).
“In three of the charges, each of the complainants, asking for damages of $2,900, C. C. Morrell, O. P. Dial and W. W. Hart, declare their health and property in danger of fumes arising from settling pools and dump grounds opposite their homes across the Watauga river (sic), where refuse from the plants is dumped and burned, and that they have already been materially affected.
“Plaintiffs say they apprised the plant officials of their intentions on September 6, and that action and investigations were promised, but to date nothing has been done.
“The suits will be heard in the February term of circuit court.
“Worley E. Roberts today filed suit in chancery court of $2,550 damage against the North American Rayon corporation (sic). He alleges he began working at the then American Glanzstoff corporation (sic) in 1930. Later, while transporting pulp through the plant he got some of the acid in his eyes, resulting in almost total blindness to his right eye and 50 per cent disability to the left. Roberts further claims, under the workmen’s compensation law that he is entitled to 50 per cent of his $17 weekly salary for a total of 300 weeks, or $2,550.
“Charles D. Little, in a chancery court suit filed today against the Builders Supply company (sic) of this city for $250 damages, he claims he sustained the loss of a finger while operation a woodworking machine.
“The suit was filed through Attorneys Allen, Nelson & Allen.”
Monday, October 9, 1939: Eighty-five years ago today, The Greeneville Sun reported shocking news. The dateline was Johnson City. Readers learned that “Sheriff Earl Sell said today that a woman, found dead and horribly mutilated on the Jonesboro highway (sic) one mile west of Johnson City late last night, had been identified as Bessie Oxendine, 30-year-old employ of a local silk mill.
“The sheriff said that he suspected foul play in the death of the woman and had placed several persons under arrest for investigation. He declined to give the names of those being held in custody.
“Roland Webb, a taxicab driver, discovered the body beside the highway and notified officers.
“Sheriff Sell said that one theory was that the woman had been mangled by a speeding automobile and another was that she had been slain with an axe.
“He said the woman’s skull was crushed in, her throat cut, both legs and both arms broken, and the body otherwise mutilated.”
Jonesboro was spelled that way in 1939.
The Greeneville Sun is still in publication; Greeneville, Tennessee is located about
about 37 miles southwest of Johnson City.
Sunday, October 9, 1949: Seventy-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported that “Three Greene county (sic) men accused of conspiracy to violate internal revenue laws will be given a preliminary hearing Friday.
“The trio – Paul Shelton, Remus Dunn and Jack Smith, all of near Greeneville – will face United States Commissioner W. R. Repass at 10 a. m. here. The hearing originally had been scheduled for last Friday.
“The men were arrested in Greeneville Friday. Their swanky automobiles were taken from them, and they were released under $5,000 bond each.
“The men allegedly ‘sold whiskey in wholesale form without wholesale liquor dealer stamps,’ officers said.
“The men were arrested by federal ATU agents from Louisville, Ky., and Greeneville who also extended their raids to the premises of S. and S. Restaurant on Knoxville highway (sic) and its tourist cottages.
“Officers of the State Department of Finance and Taxation assisted ATU agents in the raids.”
Wednesday, October 9, 1974: Fifty years ago today, Johnson City Press-Chronicle readers learned that “The St. Louis Cardinals are coming back to Johnson City.
“Mitchell Thorp, president of the Johnson City professional baseball team, announced yesterday that he had received a letter from St. Louis vice-president and general manager Bing Devine advising that the Cardinals would support a team here in the Appalachian League in 1975.
“The Cardinals, who also had a farm club in Wytheville, Va., at one time, returned here for one years (sic) in 1961 under the current setup.
“Thorp said: ‘I have received a letter today (Oct. 8) from the St. Louise Baseball Club, Inc., informing me they are very happy to advise the Cardinals will place a club in Johnson City for the 1975 season.
“Thorp immediately called a meeting of the board of directors of the Johnson City club for Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p. m. at the Americana Restaurant to discuss details and plans to welcome the Cardinals back to Johnson City.”
Johnson City is about 105 miles from Wytheville. Wytheville is northeast of Johnson City.
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.