Jonesboro was spelled that way in 1890.
May 22, 1901: With a Johnson City dateline, The Knoxville Sentinel reported news about recent flood damage. âThe Watauga, Chucky and Doe rivers (sic) are higher than ever known before. The Watauga river (sic) is seven feet higher than it was in 1867. The bridges at Watauga, Embreeville, Elizabethton, Chestoa, and other places are gone. At least fifty houses have been washed out of Elizabethton.â
âAll save (sic) mills and lumber yards along these rivers are gone. The lumber mill at Watauga and the Wilder mill at Chestoa are destroyed.
âA train of loaded cars had been put upon the Watauga bridge and fifteen cars were lost.