Today in Johnson City History, Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Motorcycle policemen, the Ministerial Association and "Get Involved!" with the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra
Thursday, September 18, 1924: The Johnson City Staff, a century ago today, reported news with a dateline from Mountain City. Readers learned that “Tuesday morning at 2 o’clock fire started in a residence at Butler opposite the depot and the same was destroyed also another residence and Isaac Shupe’s storehouse which stood on a corner lot. A phone message was received at Mountain City from Butler asking for aid and soon a crowd of 25 men was assembled and left for Butler by rail, however the fire was under control before the men reached Butler.”
Mountain City, Tennessee is about 44 miles northeast of Johnson City. It is located in Johnson County.
Butler is a community in rural Johnson County and is located about 28 miles from Johnson City. It is east of Johnson City.
Tuesday, September 18, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Press reported that “Motorcycle policemen from Johnson City plan to attend a convention and motorcycle tour of east Tennessee, October 1 and 2, with officers from Knoxville, Roanoke, Kingsport, Elizabethton, Asheville, Gastonia, Charlotte, Bristol and perhaps other cities, as well as highway patrolmen from Tennessee, Virginia, North and South Carolina, West Virginia and Kentucky, it was indicated here today.
“A get-together meeting and luncheon for the entire party has been planned on Monday at the Veterans’ home.
“The convention program, which was announced by Secretary H. W. Hodges of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, is an outgrowth of the North Carolina tour last June, in which Johnson City motorcycle policemen participated along with those of Bristol and Kingsport.
“Around 150 or 200 officers are expected to attend the meetings and take part in the tour. In addition, commissioners of motor vehicle departments from the six states, secretaries of chambers of commerce, mayors and other city officials from the various cities have been invited.
“Hotel Bristol and Hotel General Shelby will be hosts Sunday and Monday to the visiting officers. The motorcycles will be stored free of charge, will receive courtesy service and be supplied free with gas and oil.
“A preliminary outline of the program calls for the arrival of Virginia and West Virginia delegations probably on Sunday night, September 30. Joining motorcycle policemen of the two Bristols on Monday morning, they will go to Johnson City, where the party will be joined by the Tennessee state highway patrol and city motorcycle officers of Kingsport, Johnson City and Elizabethton. From Johnson City the party will go to Erwin, where the delegations from the Carolinas will fall in line. There (sic) formal welcome will be extended by the mayors and chamber of commerce officials.
“From Erwin the entire party will return to Johnson City for a ‘get-together’ meeting and luncheon as guests of the National Soldiers’ home. The group will return to Bristol by way of Kingsport, where the officers will be shown through two of the city’s large industrial plants.
“They will get back to Bristol in time for a banquet in the ballroom of Hotel Bristol Monday night. Plans are to secure an outstanding speaker who will give a talk on safety or some allied subject related to the work of highway and city traffic policemen.
“The party will leave Bristol again on Tuesday morning for Knoxville and will spend the day at Norris dam as guests of Knoxville city police and the Tennessee highway patrol. They will return to Knoxville from Norris dam on Tuesday night and will then be guests at a banquet and dance at a Knoxville hotel.
“The party will break up Wednesday morning, the officers returning to their respective states and cities.”
Erwin is in Unicoi County and is located about 18 miles from Johnson City. It is the county seat of Unicoi County.
The National Soldiers’ Home is now known as the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center.
Monday, September 18, 1939: Eighty-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press reported that “Members of the Johnson City Ministerial Association held a brief adjourned meeting at 10:30 a. m. today and discussed plans for the ‘Reawakening’ movement to be held, with the purpose of reviving interest among inactive congregations members during October, November, and December. Dr. Raymond C. Rankin, vice-president of the association, said.
“The conference, held in Munsey Memorial M. E. church (sic), was attended by a smaller number of ministers than usual, Dr. Rankin said. A number, including Dr. W. R. Rigell, president, and the Rev. Clarence A. McGillen, secretary, were out of the city. No further meeting of the group is expected until the regular monthly get-together early in October.”
Get Involved! with the Johnson City Symphony
Theresa Hayes recently told me how she was getting involved in the Johnson City community. Theresa, who is a member of the board of directors of the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, recently submitted the below information to me, while telling me that the JCSO “enjoyed the largest crowd at Winged Deer Park we've ever had. Our deepest hope is that many newcomers were impressed by the quality of our orchestra and will plan now to come to our concerts."
On Sunday night, Sept. 8, Johnson City Symphony Orchestra presented their annual free concert to announce the opening of a new season. Each year, leaders of the Daniel Boone High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC program send a well-trained color guard to present the colors at the opening of the concert. This year, those cadets were Brooklyn Zeigler, Vanessa Taft, Dulce Lopez, and Jaden Clarke.
For a new and fun addition to the annual event, JCSO Board Member Susan Lambert, who is Director of the Science Hill High School Orchestra, recruited students to paint faces and make balloon animals for the children in the crowd. Food trucks were another new addition and added to the air of celebration.
Season ticket prices last only until the first concert, which is October 19. Details of the guest artists, repertoires, and dates may be found at jcsmyphony.com, where you may also purchase tickets and become a JCSO patron.
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.