Jan. 7, 1862: According to âThe Railroads of Johnson Cityâ by Johnny Graybeal, Henry Johnson âsold his son John M., then age 22 a half-acre lot next to his depot building. The lot contained a house and was part of the original half-acre lot purchased in 1854. By this time, the phrase âJohnsonâs Depotâ was in common usage by the Register of Deeds office to denote land in that area.â
Jan. 7, 1886: Readers of The Comet learned, âMr. T.S. Patty, Emigrant Agent, of Portland, Oregon, was in the city last week. He is getting up an excursion to leave this place from the 1st to the 13th of May, for his State. He will work all through this section. Mr. Patty is a brother of our townsman, R.S. Patty.â
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DECEMBER 24
Dec. 24, 1899: The St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported, âDaniel Strickland, an employee of the Iron Furnace Company, at this place, today, while working on top of the furnace, fell in and, descending 16 feet, struck a half-molten crust of red hot iron. He was about to sink to a terrible death when he jumped to a red hot bracket on one side . In the meantime a ladder was lowered from above. He grabbed it and was pulled to the top in an unconscious condition.â The article concluded in saying, âHis hands are terribly burned, his left wrist twisted almost off and his body burned in several places. He will recover.â
Dec. 10, 1891: Readers of The Comet learned âMajor F.W. Earnest, who has been confined to his room for some time with a severe case of la grippe, we are sad to note, is able to be out again. Major says he suffered very much.â We now usually call âla grippeâ influenza.
Dec. 10, 1903: The Comet reported, âThe Johnson City Traction Company will receive two large vestibule cars about the 20th of this month and will put them into service immediately. They are the latest model, about 30 feet long and thorough modern in equipment.â
Dec. 10, 1917: The Nashville Banner, with a dateline of Johnson City, reported, âArthur Carry, a Jonesboro soldier at home on a furlough, this morning cut his foot off while chopping wood. He was brought to the local hospital for treatment.â