July 21, 1887: The Comet carried several interesting news accounts of various activities in Johnson City. âThe new wash room at the Piedmont House is a model of neatness and is a marked improvement. Two new marble basins have been received and the water is supplied by the water works, it looks real citified.â
âThe game of base ball (sic) between the Estersâ and the Highlanders last Saturday resulted in a victory for the home team by a score of 30 to 34. The game was played in four hours and thirty minutes.â
âThe register at the Piedmont House shows that 618 persons have been accommodated at that hotel in the first 18 days of July. This list does not include about 50 that took supper there Saturday night and did not register. This is a remarkable showing and serves to show that a larger number of people pass through Johnson City than even the citizens have any idea of. This is only one hotel â the Hoss House has also had a good run â but we do
July 20, 1896: One hundred and fifteen years ago today, The Journal and Tribune reported, âMr. J.T. Burch, of the Nashville American, was in the city yesterday en route to Johnson City, where he will join Gov. Taylor.â
The Journal and Tribune was a newspaper published in Knoxville. It ceased publication in 1924. The Nashville American was published in Nashville from 1894 until 1910. There was not a daily newspaper published in Johnson City in 1896. The Comet was a weekly publication.
July 20, 1911: The Comet reported, âA meeting of the board of mayor and aldermen was held on Monday afternoon, for the purpose of considering the issuance of paving bonds and the fixing of interest. Bids will probably be opened next week and work will begin at once The matter, however, was not definitely decided, but will come up for final adjournment in a few days.â
July 19, 1867: The East Tennessee Union Flag reported, âThe weather for the past two weeks has been hot and dry. Gardens parched up, and the corn blades are twisted into rolls. Every body (sic) complaining of the sweltering heat. A good rain would be gratefully received by all, and make thousands of bushels of corn in our valley.â
The East Tennessee Union Flag was a newspaper published in Jonesborough, which was spelled that way, as well as being spelled Jonesboro in 1867.
July 19, 1888: The Comet penned these wise words, which we would do well to emulate over a century later: âBeware of pets that bite us.â
July 18, 1889: The Comet reported several interesting pieces of information about Johnson City area residents.
âMr. Ed Lynn is the new Secretary and Treasurer at the Johnson City Foundry and Machine Works.â
âMrs. Sam Simons and daughter, Lottie May, have returned from Cranberry. The child is improved in health.â
âGen. Wilder yesterday deeded the lot on which the new Baptist Church is built at Roan Mountain, and then gave ten dollars in cash.â
âMayor Ike T. Jobe calls the board together every few nights now and is settling down to work nicely. He presides with dignity and keeps both eyes open for Johnson City interests.â
July 17, 1890: The Comet reported information about recent census findings regarding the growth of Johnson City. âJohnson City is no longer a village even in the minds of those who are so glad that they will not see.â
âThe census is completed, and four thousand, one hundred and sixty-nine people are now living where, ten years ago, only six hundred and eighty-five lived.â
âIt is indeed a wonderful growth, and the most conservative citizens were surprised at the figures, as they had claimed only about three thousand and five hundred. Properly speaking, the increase of Johnson Cityâs population in the last two years has been more than doubled and nearly trebled, as the census which was taken by the city in 1888 will show, when there were to be found within the corporate limits only sixteen hundred people.â