Feb. 4, 1899: The Knoxville Sentinel, with a dateline of Johnson City, informed readers of several recent accidents in Johnson City. âThis week has been one of accidents in Johnson City. The first occurred on Monday, when Mrs. Lum Hall missed her footing and fell from her porch, breaking her leg, and on Tuesday blood poisoning set in, which necessitated amputation of the limb. Her physicians say her recovery is impossible.â
âOn Tuesday, Marsh Crumley, moulder at the foundry and machine shops, had his left foot badly burned by spilling hot metal into his shoe and he is now confined to his room and will not be able for duty for several weeks.â
Feb. 3, 1895: The Knoxville Journal, with a dateline of Johnson City, informed readers, âW.A. Truslow was arrested here to-day (sic) by Postoffice (sic) inspector (sic) Baird, charged with sending slanderous and threatening letter through the mails to J.E. Crandall, who was president of the First National bank (sic) that failed here last November. His trial was continued until 9 oâclock Monday morning and he was released on his own recognition.â
Feb. 3, 1896: The Chattanooga Daily Times, with a dateline of Johnson City, reported on a possible new college in the area. âA public meeting was held in the opera house last night in the interest of a large college, which is in contemplation for this city. The leading citizens were out and a subscription of $1,000 was secured in the hall. About $5,000 has been asked for which will be made up beyond a doubt.â
Jan. 31, 1885: âCapt. J.W. Moore has resigned his position as conductor on the E.T., V. & G. R.R., and will return to his farm in North Carolina,â according to The Comet.
Jan. 31, 1892: The Comet reported sad news about an employee. âJohn, our pressman, is feeling unwell and says he has la grippe. He may not be able to work Monday.â
We now commonly call la grippe the flu, or influenza.
Jan. 31, 1901: âPresident McKinley has signed the Soldiersâ Home bill and Johnson Cityâs destiny is fixed,â according to news in The Comet.
Jan. 31, 1913: The Nashville Banner reported on an interesting story about a young man. With a dateline of Johnson City, readers learned, âThe case of L.D. Lewis, alias T.L. Lewis, or A. Gordon Milhado, or rather the young man with many names, who was arrested here on the charge of using unbecoming language and undue familiar conduct towards a pretty Normal School girl was taken to Jonesboro and lodged in jail.â
Jan. 24, 1889: The Comet reported, âJumbo Hider (sic) is looking for the person who stole the borcelain (sic) eggs out of his henâs nest last week. He offers a liberal reward for his arrest as he wants him to make hash for his bull dog (sic). A full description of the thief can be had by calling on Mr. Hyder.â
Jan. 24, 1892: Readers of The Comet learned about the new president of Citizens Bank. âThe Comet is more than pleased to join our people in welcomcoming (sic) to Johnson City Mr. D.S. McIntyre, the newly elected president of the Citizens Bank. He comes among us not in the roll (sic) of a stranger, his competency and capabilities elsewhere as a financier, and his pleasant associations with our people, having justified the impression that he is entitled to a hearty welcome.â
Jan. 17, 1889: G.B. Horton, Henry Gildersleeve, and Eugene Horton had, as of January 1, 1889, formed a co-partnership with the name of Horton, Gildersleeve & Co. The business would âcontinue the business heretofore conducted by Horton, Yocum & Co., as the âWataugaâ Tanneryâ, according to The Comet.
Jan. 17, 1900: The Knoxville Sentinel, with a dateline of Johnson City, reported, âGeo. T. Williams, of Milligan, Tenn., and J.C. Kingsley, of Greeneville, Tenn., are at the Greenwood Hotel.â
Jan. 17, 1903: The Chattanooga News reported very tragic news, with a dateline of Johnson City. âWhile a number of men were at work in the sewerage ditch at the Soldiersâ Home yesterday afternoon the banks caved in on them, and one man, Sam Grooms, of North Carolina, was killed, and two others, J.J. Stenson and Charles Leonard, were badly injured. The ditch was about 12 feet deep and two feet wide, and the ground thawing caused several tons of dirt to slip in