Today in Johnson City History, Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Gun measures, a society wedding, an emaciated teen and more
Thursday, December 18, 1924: A century ago today, the Chicago Daily Tribune reported news with a dateline from Washington, D. C., and a date of December 17. Readers learned that “A bill which, if enacted into law, will make it impossible for thugs, gunmen, and bootleggers to obtain pistols from mail order houses, passed the house (sic for House) of representatives (sic for Representatives) today by a vote of 282 to 39.
“The vote does not indicate how bitterly the measure was fought on the floor of the house before the roll was called. Representatives Thomas L. Blanton (Dem., Tex.) and Otis Wingo (Dem., Ark.) led the fight against the bill, contending it was ‘in infringement on the constitutional ‘right to bear arms,’ that it was another case of the federal government encroaching upon the police powers of the state, and that it would not accomplish its aim of preventing criminals from obtaining weapons.
“The bill, which was sponsored by Representative John F. Miller (Rep., Wash.), came out of committee with the indorsement (sic for endorsement) of Postmaster General New, who, in recommending the measure cited a letter received from W. E. Barlow of Johnson City, Tenn., whose 15-year-old son accidentally killed himself with a .25 caliber automatic pistol received from the Chicago Supply company (sic for Company) for $6.14.
“It was brought out during the debate, however, that the larger mail order houses in Chicago have voluntarily removed revolvers and pistols from their stock, although this move entailed thousands of dollars’ loss.
“Mr. Blanton argued that gunmen would get their weapons by express and that the law would discriminate against a citizen who needs a gun to protect his home.
“’For my part,’ he said, ‘I hope every American boy will be able to hit a dime from his hip at twenty paces.’
“It was pointed out that the states of Arkansas and Tennessee have state laws forbidding the sale of firearms but that present conditions permit thousands to circumvent the law by obtaining weapons through the mails.”
Six dollars and fourteen cents in 1924 dollars is worth about $113.34, according to www.in2013dollars.com.
The Chicago Daily Tribune was published in Chicago from 1872 until 1963, according to www.loc.gov. It is now published as the Chicago Tribune.
Tuesday, December 18, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported news of an upcoming society wedding. Readers learned that “A holiday marriage of widespread interest is to be that of Miss Lucy Sells, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel R. Sells, to the Rev. Walter Carpenter, of South Bend, Indiana. The wedding is to be solemnized Saturday afternoon, January 5th, at 4 o’clock at the home of the bride’s parents, 215 East Ninth Avenue.
“Included in the limited guest list are to be only members of the two families and intimate friends of the popular young couple. A veritable round of charming, informal prenuptial parties are being given Miss Sells.
“The groom, who is the son of Prof. and Mrs. Walter Carpenter, of Milligan College, is minister of the Riverside Church of Christ, South Bend, Ind.
“Since attending Columbia Bible College, Columbia, S. C., Miss Sells has been an influential factor in the religious life of the city, aiding in the young people’s work of several denominations and her influence will be greatly missed.”
In 1934, Milligan College referred both to the college, as well as the surrounding community. The institution is now known as Milligan University.
Monday, December 18, 1944: Eighty years ago today, the Elizabethton Daily Star reported that “Truck operators may receive their gasoline rations for the first quarter of 1942 (sic for 1945) Tuesday and Wednesday of this week or any time after the Christmas holiday, according to the announcement by the Carter County war price and rationing board.
“All passenger car owners are urged to be prepared to show their mileage rationing record slips whenever they apply for gasoline or tires.
“The record paper takes the place of the original tire inspections record and must be shown whenever any ration is listed on the car it identifies.”
The Elizabethton Daily Star is now published as the Elizabethton Star.
Sunday, December 18, 1949: Seventy-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported startling news to readers. The dateline was Greeneville, and the date was December 17. “Greeneville city policy dragged a ‘horribly emaciated’ 18-year-old girl from a dark and musty attic this afternoon where she said she had been ‘living’ for two years because she disliked her stepmother and older sister.
“Greene county (sic for County) Sheriff Dahl Pruitt said the girl, Joyce Conduff, had to be forcibly taken from the unfloored and filthy attic of her home at 1228 West Main street (sic for Street). She had been sleeping on planks and told officers she had not eaten a warm meal in two years.
“Greeneville city policy, acting on an anonymous telephone call, found the girl, daughter of Ernie Conduff, clad only in her brother’s dungarees, a filthy shirt, and without shoes.
“The girl, who was immediately taken to a doctor for examination, told officers that she had been ‘living there’ since a runaway trip to Florida failed two years ago where she went to get away from her stepmother and older sister, according to officers.”
Greeneville, Tennessee is located about 37 miles southwest of Johnson City.
Sunday, December 18, 1960: The Johnson City Press-Chronicle reported several short news accounts pertaining to the social activities of local residents, or who had ties to local residents. “Mr. and Mrs. Gene Dellinger, and infant son, Danny, Memphis, are guests of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Dellinger, 101 Peachtree St. The Dellinger visitors formerly lived in the Watauga community.”
Watauga, Tennessee is located in both Carter and Washington Counties, according to Holly Davison, former mayor of Watauga.
“Alice Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Jones of Hillrise Boulevard, will arrive here Friday from Atlanta, Ga., to spend the holidays with her parents.”
“Susan Landon, her roommate and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Landon, Ridgemont Rd., will arrive here Thursday.”
“Janice Creger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Creger, of 814 E. Chilhowie Ave., who is in the art-advertising department of Sports Illustrated, with offices in New York City, will arrive here Friday to visit her parents and will return to her desk on Jan. 2.”
“Mary Ann Allsbrook, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie T. Allsbrook of 116 E. Unaka, is coming in from Atlanta, where she is a teacher in the Gilbert School, on Thursday and will be here for the remainder of the holidays.”
“Sandra Vowell, who is employed by the Trust Company of Georgia, in Atlanta, is arriving here Friday afternoon, to spend the holidays with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry D. Vowell of 515 E. Unaka Ave. She will return to Atlanta, Monday.”
To subscribe, click on this link:
https://www.todayinjohnsoncityhistory.com/subscribe
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.