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Dr. Ted Thomas, Milligan College Professor of Humanities, History, and German, sent me an interesting clipping from an August 27, 1918 Johnson City Daily Staff that dealt with a visit of four distinguished visitors to the city: Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone and John Burroughs.

Thomas Edison (L) and Henry Ford

Harvey Firestone (L) and John Burroughs

An unusually brief note in the previous day's newspaper spoke with little fanfare of their arrival. After the newspaper was distributed, the news office was besieged by readers calling to find out where they could get a peek at four of America's most illustrious citizens. 

A crowd estimated at 500 to 1000 people turned out that Monday afternoon to greet their guests. The men were en route on their annual vacation trip from New York City by automobile on a mountainous journey that culminated in Ashville, NC.

Thomas Edison was one of the world's greatest inventors, maker of the incandescent light and the sounding machine, which was a cylinder recording device and hundreds of practical electrical devices.

Henry Ford was originator of the automobile that was said to have put the mourners bench out of business and brought more joy and happiness to mankind than any other contrivance.

Harvey Firestone, who specialized in making tires, had business revenue during 1917 amounting to $65 million. He organized the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, a leading firm in the rubber industry.

John Burroughs' notoriety, unlike his companions, was being one of the world's greatest naturalists, authoring hundreds of bird stories, poems and expressions of his love of nature. The curiosity of nearby residents who witnessed the entourage was amply justified.

Accompanying the famous four were H.S. Firestone, Jr., and Russell Cline, the assistant advertising manager of the Firestone Company.

All members of the party arrived in Johnson City by the designated time, with the first to show up being John Burroughs. He captured the public's eye with his Rip Van Winkle appearance, sporting gray whiskers and a linen duster that carried his slightly over 82 years remarkably well.

The bearded outdoorsman alighted from the car in front of the Majestic Theatre and, as he strolled down Main Street, encountered local businessmen Ed Brading and Munsey Slack, who readily recognized him and introduced him to the directors of the Chamber of Commerce.

Ed was president of Cherokee Realty Company, v-president of Brading-Sells Lumber Co. and v-president of Tennessee Trust Company. Munsey was editor of the Johnson City Daily Staff.

Burroughs was astonished that anyone would recognize him and, when he was told there was an article in the local newspaper about his party coming to town, asked for a copy of it, stating that his party was, in fact, interested in the war news. He talked entertainingly of the refreshing trips that the party planned each year.

The men had departed New York a few weeks earlier bound for a trip through the mountains and asked for nothing more than to pitch their tents by the side of a refreshing spring and spend the night resting on mother earth.

The foursome had left Tosca, near Bluefield, West Virginia early the previous Monday morning and camped a few miles from Jonesboro on the Nolichucky River. According to Mr. Burroughs, during that period Mr. Edison actually slept on a hotel bed one night and that was at Connellsville, PA, where they could not find a suitable campsite.

According to the Johnson City Daily Staff: “Two weeks of gypsying through the mountains had been an incalculable benefit to them as was noted by their bronze countenances and clear visions portrayed. All four of them looked revived, well-rested and fully rejuvenated. Burroughs was the most picturesque of the party, being tall and eagle-eyed with keen penetration. One look at his countenance revealed the source of his success.”

Henry Ford, at the solicitation of President Woodrow Wilson about two months prior, had announced his candidacy for United State Senator in Michigan. He made no campaign announcements and refused to spend a cent to secure the favor of either party. The people of Michigan were delighted and told him, “Mr. Ford, you will have little trouble in Michigan in the primary.”

Ford's reply was “I hope so,” which was taken to indicate that he did not care a bawbee (Scottish halfpenny) whether he was nominated or went to build automobiles and submarine chasers at his immense factories in Detroit. Of note, Ford lost the election, but obviously did not mind.

The noted industrialist reverted his energy to war work. Everywhere he had been, the energies of the people, of the United States were bent toward winning the war. He believed that Uncle Sam would sound the gavel at the peace table within a year (as was the case).

Thomas Edison, who was seated with the chauffeur in the car with Mr. Ford and Mr. Firestone, was described as being one of the most modest men who ever visited this section of the country. He was a trifle hard of hearing and when one Johnson Citian went up to him and told him he wanted to shake hands with the greatest man in the world, he blushed and modestly denied the accusation.

Abe Slack, a Staff carrier boy, was fortunate enough to sell Edison a newspaper. The inventor's car had just stopped on Roan Street when Edison waived to him and stopped the car. He gave the youngster a dime and when he reached to get change, Mr. Edison grabbed another paper and passed it back to Ford, telling the boy to keep the change. The youngster was later offered five dollars to sell that dime but refused without hesitation.

The party departed in two large Packard automobiles, with two white trucks carrying their luggage. As expected, no business was conducted during the visit; the fellows were merely enjoying a vacation “far from the madding crowd.” They were communicating with nature, renewing their youth and having their fatigued brains soothed and their nerves healed.

The visitors liked what they saw in and around Johnson City. Mr. Ford and Mr. Firestone especially took a keen interest in everything they observed and were impressed with the number of paved city streets and the city's general air of progressiveness. 

Readers might want to further research this subject to learn more about the annual quartet's fresh air excursions. There is a wealth of information available. I wish to thank Ted for sharing this subject with me and my readers.

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Jan. 1, 1890 was a busy day for Johnson City. During all the hard times of the late 1800s, Johnson City had more desirable and more permanent work than any other town, large or small, in the South. Notwithstanding the bad weather, work steadily advanced on all the plants and factories, until they were on the threshold of prosperity’s open door.

In the next sixty days, the builders promised to complete one of the most magnificent and capacious hotels in the state. It would be known as the Carnegie Hotel, which was being erected by the Carnegie Land Company in their addition to Johnson City.

The company sold $50,000 worth of property in their addition along the east side of the city. One section of land was block No. 70 sold to A.B. Harris, president of the Southern Construction Company.

The block was initially described as being the ugliest allotment in the addition, fronting on North Main Street (Carnegie street, not the one in the downtown district) and 7th Avenue (later renamed Chilhowie Avenue).

Mr. Harris began building a hotel there that was said to have no equal in the South with respect to beauty. It was so situated where it could be seen for miles in every direction and overlooked all parts of the county.

Mr. Harris's intention was to have the hotel open by the time the ill-fated Three C's Railroad was built to the coal fields the upcoming fall. The building was to be the showiest and most conveniently arranged one that could be designed by architects and built regardless of expense and with the sole purpose of making it a summer and winter resort of high grade.

A Chicago company bought 40 lots in the Carnegie Addition that New Years' Day with plans to put up 12 business houses in the upcoming spring. A large force was put to work excavating for the $100,000 hotel, which was located at the corner of Broad Way (Broadway) and 2nd Avenue (Fairview).

Specifications called for the building to be brick, 150×140 feet and four stories high. The materials were already contracted for and were to be delivered immediately to the site. A decision was made to expedite the building of the hotel so as to get it fully operational as speedy as possible. It opened for business six months later on July 8, 1889.

General J.T. Wilder left town that week traveling to Birmingham to contract for the erection of the furnace and ordered a Mr. Cantwell to put a force of men at work that very week grading 40 acres of land on which to place the furnace.

Within 30 days the furnace was to be well underway providing they received the brick they needed. Engine No. 31, the first 3Cs locomotive ever sent to the city arrived that week and was fired up and run down to the track. John Bonan, an engineer formerly employed by the ETV&G Railroad, was put in charge of it and James Watson was assigned fireman.

A number of flat cars were ordered and as soon as they arrived, N.G. Scott & Co. begin the arduous task of laying track, which was needed because the rails had been ordered in advance.

Will M. Patton commenced building a dwelling in the Jonesboro addition. W.J. Palmer started a residence on Myrtle Avenue with plans to expedite it to completion. R.J. Lusk had his property laid off with plans to open Myrtle and Fairview avenues through it.

Will Harr tore down the old tobacco warehouse located at the corner of Buffalo and Jobe streets, which greatly improved the looks of things in the downtown area.

Indeed, early January 1890 was an eventful one for Johnson City.

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Bob Taylor used to be the editor of Johnson City's The  Comet newspaper. An old saying that pertains to gifted writers urges these folks to keep their files wet continually for the specific purpose of preventing spontaneous combustion from their “lightning streaks of rhetoric.”

The name “Comet” came about by accident. A group of men consisting of Cy Lyle, Bob Burrow and Bob Taylor along with a half-dozen country squires, utilized because of their high social standing in the city, was organized to found a newspaper. In their initial meeting, they established a list of preliminaries, such as determining an appropriate name for the new publication.

One of the squires immediately suggested that the name be “The Hurrold.” It was adopted by acclamation, after which all of the squires were put to work on a committee to draft a prospectus.

The squires began work on it on it as a matter of policy. They were instructed to comb out any unbecoming kinks in it and protect the English language from insult.

The committee finally submitted a wonderful, yet fearful document, using the odd spelling, “Hurrold,” so named because that was exactly how nearby mountain people pronounced it.

The syndicate then met to consider it, at which time it was passed around, admired and corrected with a few frills. However, one of the committee members startled the syndicate by recycling the issue saying: “Boys, danged if I b'leeve that 'ar goldurned name's spelt right. She looks kinder unnatural-like somehow.”

They passed the prospectus around, shook their heads over it and concurred that indeed something was wrong with it, but they could not see eye-to-eye just what it was. Soon it flashed in like a revelation on Squire Huffaker's mind: “I've got her, boys. There's just too many durned r's in it.”

The assemblage immediately saw it and were puzzled that it too so long for them to spot it. However, when it came to correcting their error, Squire Hullaker paused, bit his pencil contemplatively and muddied the water by uttering: “Lookee here, fellers. Which one of these dodbusted “r's” ought to come out, the first one or the second? I'll be grab-snatched if I can tell.”

The syndicate bumped their heads together again and a vexed and troubled look crept in and settled on their assembled countenance. Some fervently demanded that the first “r” be stricken out while others insisted on the second one. Soon the discussion waxed hot and ended in a tie that busted up the syndicate; they were at an impasse.

Bob Burrow and Bob Taylor, not to show defeat,  regrouped and quickly came up with a new name for the publication. The problem of one or two “r's” was abruptly put to rest when they chose another designation, “The Comet.” Although it appeared that they had resolved the issue, success did not arrive immediately. It seems that the two men soon got into an argument as to whether the new name should be spelled with one “m” (Comet) or two (Commet). If it were two, that lead into a deeper discussion as to whether to add the second “m” before of after the first “m.” The silence of impasse again arrived.

Fortunately, the problem was adjusted by the two men without unkind words or bloodshed. When the syndicate met, Gov. Taylor abruptly excused himself from the meeting and Bob Burrow managed to feel a little bit under the weather. Without fuss or fanfare, the newspaper was named “The Comet.” No mention was made of the “mm” option.

What else would we expect coming from a man with such exhaustive humor as Bob Taylor. I hope Bob kept his files continually wet while writing that expose. 

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Walter Preston Brownlow, a prominent name among East Tennesseans, worked in 1876 as a reporter for the Knoxville Whig and Chronicle and that same year purchased the Herald and Tribune in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He served as Tennessee's 1st district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1896 until his passing in on July 8, 1910.

On July 11, 1910, Reverend J.A. Ruble, chaplain of the Mountain Branch Soldiers' Home, delivered an eulogy at the funeral of the Abingdon, Virginia native. The following is a abridgment of the speech:

Walter Brownlow (insert) Family in Jonesboro, Tennessee

“Walter Brownlow was a character who was great and unique. After losing his father at age 10, he faced poverty and a lack of early educational opportunities. Nevertheless, he persevered in life until his name and influence was strongly felt in East Tennessee and nationally.  

“Faced with the hardships of war, some men attain dazzling heights, becoming great with almost abrupt suddenness. Col. Brownlow launched his 'growl on a placid sea' and, amid the tranquil environments of peace, did a work and reached an influence that ultimately rendered his name immortal.

“That we may better understand the work and worth of this man, let us pause a moment for analysis and comparison. Serving in Congress for 14 years, it is probable that history will attest to the truthfulness of the statement that no other Congressman has been able to do more for his people. Certainly few have done as much.

“Disclaiming a purpose and deeply desiring to avoid being offensive, love for his memory and loyalty to truth will allow the statement that no other has ever wrought so fruitfully or achieved so much. He brought to his task untiring industry. He studied the needs of the people of his state and of the nation and, in a continuous effort, dedicated his splendid powers of brain and heart to supply them, which effort was crowned with marvelous success.

“Brownlow's accomplishments included the Mountain Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, built at a cost of over $2 million, located near Johnson City, Tennessee. Among all the branches of the National Soldiers' Home, you stand as the capsheaf, (crowning top of the stack). Also included are Greeneville, Tennessee's National Cemetery, where rests the mortal remains of President Andrew Johnson, known among his people as the “Great Commoner”; the fish hatchery at Erwin;  and Federal buildings at Bristol, Johnson City and Greeneville, all standing as monuments to his genius for hard and successful work.

“Because of his great heart, all classes and conditions of people could enter and be made welcome without ringing the door bell. In the many folks that we have seen approach him, from the worthy old veteran on crutches to the struggling laborer whose family was suffering for the necessaries of life, he never turned one away wounded. When he could do no more, he would send them away with the memory of a brother's tear.

“In the positions which differentiate the great parties, he was Republican, but as Congressman, he was the servant of all. While the congressional district, which he served was a historic battleground in the sad and stormy days of the sixties, the position of this people being peculiar in that they were radically divided in their sympathies. Many were clinging to the Confederate cause while others were clinging to the cause of the Union, thus causing the desolating waves of grim visage war to sweep back and forth like a simoom (silent sandstorm). It was here that his marvelous influence as a peacemaker was seen and felt.

“Mr. Brownlow was a firm believer in the Bible, believing that Jesus Christ stands for the highest good in the universe. He always felt and showed the greatest reverence for sacred things and, as the end approached, expressed faith in the spiritual and eternal, prayed earnestly and invoked the prayers of others.”

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In the early morning hours of July 1886, one thousand employees of the Railroad Employees' Mutual Relief Association (REMRA) of Knoxville and their immediate family met at the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad Depot replete with food containers for their annual 200-mile scenic excursion into the East Tennessee mountains.

One passenger, John Frazer, described the rail journey, noting that two trains were put into service with each one containing 20 cars. The riders that morning were overflowing with good humor, an indispensable ingredient for an all-day pleasure trip.

Studebaker Wagon Ad from 1886

On board were a few officers, hired to insure responsible conduct and enforce safety rules on the trains. Also present was the city mayor and company superintendent, F.K. Huger, a South Carolinian by birth, known by his nickname “Mayor.” He was 16 years old when the first gun was fired on Fort Sumter, consequently thrusting him into Confederate service. He was a warm, friendly being who was always ready to assist others. The ride itself was at no cost to REMRA members and their families. Available seats were offered to a few paying customers. 

The trains sped along first to Warm Springs, North Carolina (later renamed Hot Springs), first north about 50 miles and then east. Very soon the mountains, so little understood with their abundant treasures of metals and minerals, grand and overtopping all elevations east of the “Rockies,” became the object of impressive admiration.

Upon reaching Warm Springs, the great porches of the mammoth new hotel and shady places in the groves and lawns became occupied with jolly parties, lunching, chatting, strolling and dancing. Two bands were present to furnish music – a military ensemble and a string band.

Abounding were immense tracts of virgin forests of the choicest woods – poplar, cherry, chestnut, hemlock and beech. They were of such quantity, variety, and prodigious size so as to stagger one's belief. The entire journey was interesting, picturesque and at times grandeur, humbling its passengers to such uplifting of nature.

As the two vehicles rolled along the Tennessee, French Broad and Pigeon rivers, exposed for all to observe were rich bottom-lands lush with corn and valleys where the sun arrived tardily.

The trains continued in Tennessee near the North Carolina line and approached Roan Mountain. It was noted that a newly-constructed hotel had just been built on the mountaintop there, being called by the euphonious name, “Cloudland.” Although it was 6,000 feet above tidewater, the latest estimate of the height of the nearby mountain was 6,400 feet, making it 4,200 feet above Lookout Mountain and 4,400 feet higher than the Catskills.

The line dividing Tennessee and North Carolina was reached at Painted Rocks, where the road of another system approached – the Western North Carolina Railroad. This road reached Asheville and the many beautiful portions of the nearby country.

If a sudden shower meandered into the valley, a colorful rainbow often extended from mountain to mountain as an arch of triumph, bringing full compensation that was immensely more priceless than the proverbial expectations of a pot of gold at its terminus

As the sun made its way into the West, the party realized they had penetrated some of the secrets of the Great Smoky range of mountains. A day had passed providing them with glimpses of small plantations, rustic log houses and diminutive villages.

It was nearly 11 p.m. when the trains chugged back to the old depot at Knoxville. The little ones were slumbering, their mothers were weary and the fathers seemed anxious. One of the grandest of excursions had passed splendidly, without a hint of an accident, quarrel, boredom or dissatisfaction.

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In April 1954, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle offered information about the Red Shield Boys' Club. In part it said: “The next time you hear someone say, 'What's this younger generation coming to anyway?,' tell him that the younger generation is probably growing up to be just as good, if not better, citizens than their forebears, thanks to, among other things, the efforts of the Red Shield Boys' Club.”

That year, the club was a relatively young one, having been organized in 1944 by the Salvation Army, with Nathan Holley as its first director. The Club, initially located at 132.5 W. Market, was established on a small scale.  However, since its founding, it quickly grew into an organization that all boys under the age of 18 could very well call their second residence; they often spent more time at the club than they did at home.

Officers of the club were Salvation Army Captain, W.W. Pryor, executive director; Lawrence Hahn, managing director; Jim McKinney, recreation coach; Robert Pryor, woodworking shop instructor; and Thora Bean, crafts instructor.

According to Hahn, the club was open from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Hahn, a sophomore at East Tennessee State College who hailed from Sunbright, Tennessee, was a tall young man with a very apparent love and understanding of youngsters. He noted that the boys who came to the club were from all walks of life. Everyone was entitled to the same privileges at the club, although disadvantaged boys and those with home difficulties were given special attention.

The club afforded facilities for boys who were interested in all types of sports, woodworking crafts, reading at a well-stocked library, television from a beautiful table model set, and other offerings.

In the sports field, the club organized teams in baseball, basketball, and softball. Other sports for which facilities were provided were boxing, track, volleyball, fencing, ping pong, weight lifting and tumbling.

About 507 boys were members of the club, although others who had not as yet become members could still enjoy the facilities. The youngsters were divided into two age groups, those under six and those 6-18. The latter group was further divided into four divisions: midgets, juniors, intermediates and seniors.

An inspection tour of the premises gave the following results: well-kept office, reading room; television and movie room; canteen, with a soda pop and candy stand; basketball court; heavy and light punching bags; a well padded boxing ring; weights; woodworking shop; arts and crafts room; equipment room; and tiled showers.

About 25 trophies were won by boys of the club that year in competition with other local clubs and organizations. They were very proud of their awards and had a right to be, because a lot of good sportsmanship and hard work went into winning each of them. Good sportsmanship was the emphasized theme of the club's operations.

This photo shows the boys who walked off with the East Tennessee Senior Crown by beating Knoxville 54 to 51. Left to right, front row were Joe Depew, Freddie Shoun, Jim McKinney, Pappy Crowe, Marion White and Ray Shipley. Back row: Captain Pryor, Buddy Steward and Coach Lawrence Hawn.

This photo lists those boys who won the East Tennessee Junior Crown by whipping the Bristol Boys' Club by a score of 49 to 38. Left to right, front row are Wayne Evans, Tom Riddle, Charlie Bowman, Jack Frost and Bill Jackson. Back row: Captain Pryor, Tommy Hord, Gene Landers, Eddie Arnett and Coach Lawrence Hawn.

I plan to do a follow-up article to this one and would like to hear from anyone who was a member of this club.

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One of the most persistent advertisers in fictional history was Robinson Crusoe, a character penned by Daniel Defoe in a book by the same name. The castaway believed in the power of advertising and knew exactly what he wanted – a ship, not to own but to rescue him from a desert island filled with a host of unsavory residents.

Therefore, he put up an “ad” for one that consisted of a shirt attached to a pole at the top of the island that, in the language of the sea, “was plain to every seafaring man.”

Although the circulation was small, there was no other medium available to him. Therefore, he kept it in plain view despite the fact that he received no immediate inquiries. However, he had to change his “copy” frequently, as one garment after another gave way to the elements. According to the storyline, a ship finally came to his rescue after four years. Crusoe's plan, while painfully slow, finally worked.

The present day merchant living in Johnson City in 1917 was said to be much better off than Crusoe because he possessed a City Directory, published by Commercial Service Company, Inc. of Asheville, NC. “Your chances of success are thousands to his one,” it said, “but your chances of failure are the same as his.”

The directory supposed that if Robinson Crusoe had taken down his garment ad after a year and declared that advertising doesn't pay, we likely would never have heard of the famous fictional novel.

The book urged advertisers to put up their “signal” and keep it there through fair and foul weather. It suggested that a number of ships cruising around during 1917 would be glad to call on sellers and remove them from the “Island of Dull Business.” It further stated: “Crusoe advertised under discouraging circumstances, but you have got a sure thing – the City Directory.”

The publication boasted that no other publication in the world so thoroughly represented the commercial, social and private interests of the targeted city as the City Directory. It represented every private citizen from the shack to the mansion, including commercial, social, religious and educational institution.

The Directory became the dictionary to the city. The publishing company intended for the 1917 one to be an unabridged edition. It offered first aid to strangers and a standard remedy for homefolks that was accurate, complete and up-to date in every respect. Unusual prospects of profit, direct and indirect, and civic pride influenced every manufacturer and business man to have full representation in the directory.

The publisher intended for every well-governed home to have a copy of it for the use and convenience of strangers and visitors. Residents consulted the directory when they wanted to buy or sell and were rewarded by getting the best of everything at the lowest price.

“Mr. Manufacture and Mr. Business man,” said the directory, “it's a fact that the directory is your city's only standing representative to the world beyond your own gates and the only index to your city's growth and prosperity. Future directories by the exchange system, now in general use, will be place in the directory libraries of the principal cities of the United States for the use of all who wish to consult its pages. A well-patronized city directory indicates a good city to acquire residence.

In addition to Johnson City, the company distributed directories in 1917 to five other Tennessee towns: Clarksville, Cleveland, Jackson, Knoxville and Morristown. Eighteen states participated in the program; North Carolina boasted of having the most cities under the directory umbrella with 20.

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Recently, Kitty Cornett contacted me saying, “I have been trying to track down a local violin maker in Johnson City, who's long gone by now, but may still have family living in Johnson City.” After acquiring her mother's old violin, she spotted inside one of the two F-Holes the words: “E.W. Hinkle,” '”H”,' “Johnson City, Tenn.” and “1933.”

Top: Kitty Cornett Holds Her Mother's Restored Violin. 

Bottom: Beautiful Wood Design on Back of Unrestored Violin.

Kitty would like to know if anyone has information about this person. She also wants to know the significance of the letter “H.” My hasty response to the 1977 Science Hill High School graduate was that the only vintage violin maker I knew about was Virgil C. O'Dell, who operated from his residence at 207 W. Pine.

However, after perusing my “Yesteryear” collection, I located a Jan. 11, 1934 Johnson City Chronicle newspaper clipping concerning an E.W. Hinkle. The article's subtitle, read: “Hotel Manager Is Making Beautiful Violins, Cabinets.” I further located his name in two city directories.

“One of the newest and most interesting of Johnson City's industries,” said the piece, “is a violin-making shop operated by E.W. Hinkle at the Fountain Square Hotel (109 Fountain Square, west side). Hinkle, who is also an expert cabinet maker, made two magnificent secretaries for Christmas gifts for members of his family.

“He has produced fine rolling desks, cabinets, etc., but his pet hobby is making violins of the Stradivarius style. His instruments, according to expert violinists, have an exceptionally fine tone and resonance due to the skill with which the backs and bellies are hand shaped. Hand-made violins are generally much finer and more expensive than factory-made instruments for that particular reason.

“Factory-made instruments where the backs and bellies are machine cut, the thickness of the wood is necessarily the same. But with hand-made instruments, the back and belly are of varying thickness ranging from 3/64 inch to 9/64 inch, this variation being accomplished by hand shaving of the wood, according to the location, particularly on the belly.

“Hinkle imports from Germany the wood used for the bellies and, of course, also uses considerable ebony. He is experimenting with instruments made almost entirely of wood from this section (East Tennessee) and has made two instruments of very good tone using local wood. Very shortly, he intends to make an up-town display of his violins and invites musicians to inspect and try them out. It is purely a hobby with him, as he has never attempted to commercialize his work.”

Ms. Cornett, an Assistant Director in the Graduate and Executive Education Programs of the College of Business at the University of Tennessee, provided additional information that included several photos of the four-stringed instrument before and after she had a reputable professional business restore it.

“Note that the back of the violin looks like a striped tiger, she said, “and if you look closely, there are two thin lines that outline the edges of the back. I originally thought they were painted on but figured if that were true, they would have rubbed off by now. The newspaper article makes me believe they are ebony.”

Top: Hinkle's Writing Visible Inside F-Hole of Violin.

Middle: Kitty's Mon, Jane; Aunt Pat; and Their Grandmother.

Bottom: Cowan Moss III at About 9 Years of Age.

(Photos Courtesy of Kitty Cornett).

Ms. Cornett's parents grew up in Johnson City, as did their parents. Her mother, Jane Perdue Lewis Cornett, who was born in 1921, took violin lessons under a qualified music teacher. However, she detested the experience, later telling her daughter that she was never a good violin player and always occupied a “second chair” position in the school orchestra.

During the height of the Great Depression, the youngster, who by then was in high school, was finally relieved of her misery when Jane's parents let her quit taking lessons. In retrospect, she knew the real reason was the poor economy. The violin thus abruptly went silent.

Kitty related how she came in possession of the unfretted fingerboard instrument. Her cousin, Cowan Moss III (son of Dr. Cowan Moss, Jr. and Pat Lewis Moss Rowan) came home one afternoon and announced to his parents that he wanted to learn how to play a musical instrument.

Since Jane still possessed her violin, she and Pat agreed that he should learn to play it. The two ladies had the violin spruced up and restrung for the youngster. The instrument was about to arise from its deep slumber.

Cowan recalled that his “violin career” started in the early 1960s when he was in about the 4th grade at Fairmont School where there was a sincere effort to establish an orchestra. However, by the time he went to North Junior High, they had a decent orchestra, which the lad joined. He said that he was always in the second chair section Junior High and Senior High schools.

Young Moss noted that South Junior High’s orchestra was the better of the two, which was evident when they were combined at Science Hill.

Kitty said to this day she can still visualize him in her mind's eye as he hurriedly carried the violin case and metal music stand with sheet music “flying in the air.” As an aspiring violinist, he often improvised his own songs.

Cowan's family members frequently begged him to play their favorite violin “hit” of his, a made-up composition that was appropriately titled, “Cats and Dogs.” It was so-named because its wailing sound resembled that of a fight between the two animals. The young man so seriously performed his homemade composition that he took no notice of his siblings and cousin writhing in the floor, laughing hysterically.

One favorite memory that Kitty's mom and aunt shared was when Cowan’s orchestra was performing at a concert. The two ladies had the starting time wrong and made a grand entrance just as the performance was concluding. Kitty said the two pulled off quite an act when they convinced Cowan that they heard every note he played and that he was brilliant.

By the time the young man entered high school, the demand on his time had greatly increased. Therefore, after limping through his sophomore year, he finally bailed out of the orchestra, causing the violin to go silent again.

Kitty recalled the day after the violin had been restored. The store owner's assistant tuned it and played it, propelling once again beautiful music into the heavens. Although the instrument had been dormant for about 45 years, she described it as being an emotional moment for her. To her untrained ear, it sounded wonderful.

If anyone has knowledge of Mr. E.W. Hinkle or would like to comment on this story, please drop me a note.

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Official announcement that a $500 thousand National Guard armory would be constructed in Johnson City was welcomed by numerous organizations who had long wished for such a place to hold meetings. The new facility was located on a 30-acre tract of land just off the New Jonesboro Highway (11E, left side traveling west) near what was then the city limits.

The new armory, after completion, made possible many types of gatherings that were previously prohibited for lack of suitable facilities. Colonel Clarence W. Taylor, commander of the five-unit 130th Tank Battalion, National Guard, said that worthwhile meetings of all groups, including religious and political, would be welcomed to use the armory's facilities.

With Johnson City becoming known throughout Tennessee as the “convention city,” Chamber of Commerce-minded residents were looking forward to bringing even more out-of-towners here after the armory was completed. The assembly room was designed to seat 3,000 persons.

Sketch of the New Armory That was Built on the New Jonesboro (Jonesborough) Highway

The armory grounds included amply parking facilities for all cars even after the assembly room was filled to capacity. The new armory was consistent with plans to help make Johnson City and Washington County a better place to live.

Most meetings of organizations and presentations of programs had previously been held at the John Sevier Hotel, the Country Club, East Tennessee State College  Memorial Gymnasium and City Hall in some instances.

For many meetings, the John Sevier and the Country Club were far too small, although they provided excellent facilities for crowds which they could accommodate. The State College Gym was much too large for smaller gatherings and City Hall was too small for larger ones.

The serving of meals put the John Sevier and the Country Club into a separate class for banquets and dinner meetings. The new armory was not expected to have any significant impact on that need. However, kitchen facilities were included in the armory's ultra-modern structure if groups wished to prepare their own food.

Conference and study rooms, designed to be used mainly by members of the National Guard, were used for small group meetings at the Armory. The assembly room, which included a stage, was built to be used for all sorts of rallies and meetings, which attracted a sizable group of visitors.

The armory was ideal for plays, band concerts, sporting events and about anything that needed a gymnasium. It helped remove some of the conflict in the often-crowded schedule of functions in the city and county.

Those groups which used the armory were to be charged a proportionate share of the extra costs of operation caused by their having a meeting, such as cleanup and utilities. The cost proved to be very low, and in many cases, no amount was charged. The city of Johnson City and Washington County, which promoted the armory project, were asked to contribute $30 thousand in funds and services, which included landscaping and grounds improvements.

The federal government paid 75 percent of the bill on the armory, which comprised a $100 thousand service building for National Guard use only. The state came through with the rest of the cost.

Since taxpayers provided the funds for the armory, Nations Guard officials felt that the public needed to use the new structure as often as possible. According to Colonel Taylor, arranging a meeting was as simple as making a telephone call.

When completed, the armory was among the most modern ones in the United States. Washington County residents were proud to have in their midst, a new half-million dollar institution, designed to be of use intellectually, economically and for its contribution to nation defense.

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My wife recently directed my attention to a beautiful Monarch butterfly hovering near our backyard flowerbed arbor. Immediately, I thought about the late Tom Hodge,  long time writer for the Johnson City Press, and his love for the fluttery critters. He inspired my love for area history.

Each fall, the former sports writer, news reporter, telegraph editor, executive editor and editorial director provided readers with a continuous monarch butterfly report of the migration of the winged creatures to Mexico. He also examined woolly worms to determine how mild or severe the weather would be. According to legend, thickness of the coat and number of rings on the caterpillar is a prediction of the forthcoming weather.

Tom also mentioned “morning fogs in August,” which some folks believe correlates with forthcoming snow accumulation in the mountains.  Supposedly, heavy fogs forecast deep snows while light ones predict a miniscule amount of the white stuff.

Tom Hodge, Third From Left Takes A Coke Break With Press Employees

The journalist became acquainted with many railroad workers over the years and was continually featuring their stories in his column. They included Erwin's legendary J. Fred Leonard, known affectionately as “Fogless Bill” and who had a distinctive train whistle; Ed Lewis of old Clinchfield 99; and even Casey Jones. Tom's train articles involved the CC&O, Southern, ET&WNC and others.

Hodge developed an appreciation for the many landmarks in the East Tennessee area and the importance of preserving them. Sadly, Johnson City razed many of them over the years, which included the Southern Railroad train depot, City Hall, Tennessee Theatre (built as a venue for vaudeville stage shows) and the Windsor Hotel, to name a few. And the beat goes on.

Over the years, Tom regularly received local history material, either written or verbal, which he used in his columns. This included vintage newspapers, books, high school annuals, photographs, shared memories and area artifacts. 

Tom penned numerous articles about the First Families of Franklin. This organization, that originated from the Tipton-Haynes Historical Farm, traced its history to a battle over the newly formed State of Franklin at the farm and surrounding area giving rise to the organization. He qualified as a member because of a distant relative and received the honor from Faith Stahl, wife of Johnson City’s late historian, Ray Stahl.

Tom routinely focused on area customs and folklore with a wide variety of subjects: sulfur and molasses being good for acne, the wearing of copper bracelets, the mysterious Brown Mountain lights near Linville, NC, ramp (mountain onion) festivals and many others.

One of Tom’s favorite subjects involved stories that originated from Clarence’s Restaurant in Unicoi. Old timers from the area routinely met there to eat and exchange stories, or “tall tales” as they referred to them.

One of the most famous and unusual stories to come out of East Tennessee is the 1916 hanging of a circus elephant, known as Mary, for killing her trainer. The execution took place in Erwin using a railroad crane. Tom kept the story alive over the years by occasionally revisiting the subject and adding new information or slants on it as it became available.

Through the years, Tom reviewed a number of local history books from local authors, thereby doing a favor to the author and to area history buffs.

And finally, Hodge occasionally gave his readers a “test” that covered a wide variety of local history subjects, some of which had been covered in his articles. One creative individual submitted one that was in the format of a crossword puzzle.

Tom featured several items that I sent him over the years. His many contributions to local history have not been forgotten, at least not by this writer. 

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