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Tennessee celebrates Arbor Day on the first Friday in March, but originally it was observed in the fall. The holiday, which began with a mission to plant trees across the nation, traces its origin to the 1870s. Each state soon chose a date for its observance that corresponded with the ideal tree-planting time for that region.

The October 31, 1905 edition of the Johnson City Staff newspaper featured an article with three headings: “Will Celebrate Arbor Day – November 14 Will Be Celebrated at Home – Revolutionary Heroes to Be Remembered and Every State in the Union to be Honored.”

The text began with the words, “Arbor Day, created by the several states and directly for the purpose of planting trees to beautify the earth’s surface, is at once a beautification that in the future will have a tendency to call forth favorable comment on the perfecters of this excellent work. In keeping with this thought and at the same time to additionally encompass the well-being of our surroundings, our excellent Governor (John I. Cox) has set aside Saturday, November 14 as Arbor Day at this (Soldiers Home) Branch. Sergeant Major Charles Troutnun directed the festivities. On that occasion, about 500 trees will be planted on the reservation, which will grow apace until the future will present a wilderness forest whose leaves will shade and comfort those who will take the place of the present membership in the years to come. The program as mapped out will be representative of every state within the united galaxy.”

One group of trees was planted on the south front of the President Andrew Johnson Barrack to commemorate the two regiments of brave East Tennesseans who met at Sycamore Shoals in Elizabethton and honored themselves and the Continental Array in the historic battle of Kings Mountain in the Revolutionary War.

The Daughters of the American Revolution of Bristol, Tennessee, in keeping with the patriotic spirit of the occasion, dedicated the Revolutionary group with patriotic ceremonies. Johnson City, represented by its foremost citizens, planted a section of trees interspersed with speeches appropriate for the occasion. Another assemblage of persons known as the Watauga Settlement Group made their apt contributions to the soil to fitly commemorate the heroic deeds accomplished by those fighting in the revolution.

An individual was chosen to represent every state of the union. For every star that emblazoned Old Glory, the selectors paid homage to the cause by planting a tree. Each state was allowed to plant from six to eight trees; all but one was planted prior to the Arbor Day ceremonies. For the remaining lone tree, it was the wish of the governor that members of the Soldiers Home branch club and state appointees form an organization and select from their numbers a spokesman who, upon planting the remaining tree, would enlarge upon the honor in a carefully worded speech that befit the occasion.

It was the first time in the history of the National Home that such an honor was conferred on its members, behooving them to take an interest in the furtherance of the project that would demonstrate in the years to come that they had been moved by what the survivors of the Civil War, Spanish American War and veterans of the Philippians did for the beautification of those who were to follow.

During the day, the Soldiers Home band provided a wide range of music that spanned the gamut from “Reveille” to “Taps.” The occasion was described as being “fruitful of all that is patriotic and joyful.” The fruits of that tree-planting labor are still being enjoyed over a hundred years later.  

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An announcement in the June 8, 1914 edition of The Johnson City Staff contained an advertisement proclaiming, “Commencing Today the Grand Renamed The Majestic Theatre.”

The ad went on to say, “The Majestic Theatre will Open Its Doors Every Day at 11 a.m. and Run Without Stop until 10:30 p.m. Admission from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 5 Cents Any Seat in the House – From 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., 5 and 10 Cent Seats – Coolest Spot in the City, Best Pictures, Finest Music.”

In that same edition of the newspaper, the theatre’s management defined its future operating policies aimed at attracting new business. The change was initially aimed at ladies who came downtown shopping and wanted to spend time at a good, cool place and have an opportunity to see a first class motion picture at a nominal price of five cents. The modification likewise afforded farmers and their families and anyone coming to the city from nearby towns to likewise have access to a relaxing luxury.

The strategy developed by management was to combine convenience with comfort. Popular playhouses throughout the South, including Atlanta, Augusta, Chattanooga, Asheville and Jacksonville had found this policy to be popular and believed that it would meet with identical approval in Johnson City. In a nutshell, the Majestic wanted to make its theatre a memorable stopover experience for people.

The managing team secured for the public a Lubin masterpiece, “The Lion and the Mouse,” which had proven to be a phenomenal success in all the larger cities of Europe and America and had enjoyed an extended run in New York City. The story centered on an investigation of Standard Oil with the main character being a poorly disguised John D. Rockefeller. The production was billed as “but a foretaste of the really great features that are being booked by the Majestic.”

The administration desired that the people of Johnson City always feel assured that whenever a special feature was announced at the Majestic Theatre that it would be something worthwhile for them to attend.

To contrast the old Grand with the new Majestic, just three weeks prior to the renaming of the theatre, two quality plays were offered. A newspaper ad stated, “The Grand Theatre, Johnson City, Tennessee – The Frank Lea Short Company, Management of Russell Kanney, Presenting “Pomander Walk,” (Matinee) by Louis N. Parker and “Robin Hood and his Merrie Men” (Evening) – Saturday, May 16.

According to the newspaper, “‘Pomander Walk” ran for an entire year at Wallack’s Theatre in New York and was proclaimed to be the most charming play of the generation. The 3-act comedy was said to rout its audience out of the busy day and set them in a dream world. It said, “The sun comes out on Pomander Walk, the sun goes down on Pomander Walk, the moon beams o’er Pomander Walk; the lamp is lighted sentinel-like o’er Pomander Walk. You too are in Pomander Walk, one of its happy dreamers – irresistibly lured to its ingenious dreaminess. It is a delight.”

A description of the other play claimed, “’Robin Hood and His Merrie Men’ had universal appeal of the romantic story of the nobleman outlaw and his band. Robin Hood, Maid Marion, Alan-A-Dale, the valiant High Sheriff of Nottingham, Friar Tuck and King Richard of the Lion Heart himself were placed in a stirring romantic comedy.” It was said to be “alive with laughter and action and thrills and brilliant in pageantry costuming and setting.”

On that June 8 morning of 1914, a new theatre marquee was seen on Main Street, beginning a run that would continue for 67 years. The theatre closed its doors in 1981. 

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Joann Cress sent me a letter and a photograph pertaining to the career of her father, Wendell D. Snapp, who once worked for the Johnson City Police Department.

According to Joann: “Dad was born in Limestone, Tennessee in 1929 near the banks of the Nolichuckey River. After farming for several years, in 1949 he headed out for Johnson City looking for work. He was employed about seven months as a fireman before taking a job with the Police Department.”

Joann indicated her dad was ideal for police work because he was easygoing and was good at jumping in and diffusing a potentially dangerous situation. In 1950, the department had but two police cruisers – one for the chief and the other one usually in the shop for repairs. That meant the 10-12 city police officers had to patrol on foot.

Ms. Cress remembered one route that her father traversed twice each shift. He began at Boone and Main at the old Tennessee Theatre and made his way east toward Fountain Square and the Windsor Hotel area. His job required that he stop and meander through the many shops, cafes and other businesses along Main Street, conversing with citizens and storeowners. Over time, he became so familiar with people that he began calling them by their first name.

Wendell enjoyed stopping by John Buda’s “hole in the wall” eatery on Buffalo across from the City Bus Station and chatting with him. He then made his way up E. Main, crossed Roan at King’s Department Store and on to the old Post Office (now WJHL-TV) where he took a short break on the steps.

The officer continued his beat by going east on Main Street, passing Nance Lanes, the Spot Steakhouse and the Dixie Drive-In. Those restaurants were the real “hot spots” in Johnson City. Patrons usually had to wait for a table or booth but it was well worth it. After a walk through one of the restaurants and circling both parking areas, he headed to Legion Street, the halfway point on his beat. Snapp next circled back to his point of origin by walking west on Market, passing St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Munsey Memorial Church, John Sevier Hotel and Fountain Square before ending back on Boone. Again, he circulated his personality frequently.

Joann recently came across some old notepads that were used to jot down shift information and later transfer to the main police journal. They are dated 1949 to 1953. A sampling of the entries is as follows: “White male, age 21, theft of a radio and an electric iron from London’s Hardware (106 W. Market), breaking and entering at Williams’ Restaurant (“Y” section), two men arrested at the Franklin Apartments (360 E. Main) for possession of 16 quarts of white whiskey, theft of three suits of clothing from Woods’ Second Hand Store  (Market), report of a break-in at Cochran’s Jewelry Store (109.5 W. Market), white male arrested at Curtis Beer Parlor (308 W. Market) for being drunk and disorderly, two males arrested for shoplifting at Hopkins’ Store (1500 Buffalo), theft of a bolt of cloth from Parks Belk (207 E. Main, valued at $18.62), female assaulted at railroad tracks near the brickyard and drunk and disorderly conduct at M & L Café  (109 W. Main) and at Earl’s Grill (907 W. Market) and White male, age 23, charged with highway robbery near Walnut and Buffalo on June 12, 1951.”

Joann explained that “highway robbery” was a term meaning a mugging that took place outside in a public place such as on a sidewalk, street or parking lot. 

Joann concluded her letter to me by saying, “It was a different world back then but one that Dad thrived in and survived for 32 wonderful years. Dad passed away in 1993.”  

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Ben Scharfstein recently provided me with a précis of his family’s business that once operated in East Tennessee before eventually being acquired by another company.

Ben is a fan of the History/Heritage page that appears in the paper each Monday. “I am sending you a brief history of Stein-Way Clothing Company,” said Ben, “which was a major manufacturer during the 1950s and 60s.”

Ben explained that his dad, Phil, and his brothers, Irving, George and Moe, moved their Scranton, PA factory to Erwin in 1939. They manufactured men and boys’ trousers at the time. At the outbreak of World War II, their productions lines became devoted almost exclusively to the military effort. 

After the conflict ended, the family decided to close their factory in Erwin and pursue other professions. Phil went into the real estate business and began building warehouses at 707-713 W. Walnut Street near the location of the present day Firehouse Restaurant. Things changed when the Korean War broke out in 1950. Impressively, the Defense Department asked Phil and his brothers to return to the business and start making trousers for the war effort again. They complied with the military’s request.

According to Ben: “Many of the first employees in the Johnson City Stein-Way Company came from the Erwin plant. Dad and his brothers never thought of their employees in the traditional sense but as valued members of one ‘big family.’ I remember Christmas parties at the National Guard Armory, handing out turkeys and hams to employees, Dutch treat lunches at the plant where everybody brought something to eat and share and sponsoring Stein-Way sports teams. When times were tough, Dad would take contracts at or below cost so that he minimized lay-offs for his ‘family.’ Several members of my mother’s relations worked and managed various departments of Stein-Way, including Joe Wood, W.W. and Bertha Gouge and Blake and Ben Gouge.” 

Phil bought out his brothers’ portion of the business in the early 1960’s. By then, Stein-Way had increased its production base to include civilian and military trousers of varied types including jeans, military dress and combat fatigues. The elder Scharfstein passed away in 1965 resulting in the business baton being passed to Ben; his mother; and cousin, Blake Gouge, who continued to concentrate on fulfilling military needs during the Vietnam War. Amazingly, at the peak of the war, the company employed over 500 people and produced more than 6500 pairs of trousers for the military each day. Walnut Street became a congested roadway with a steady flow of tractor-trailers to and from the manufacturing plant.

“In the early 1970s,” said Ben, “we built a new 50,000 square-foot facility on a 10-acre tract on Rolling Hills Drive that Dad had purchased several years previously. After the Vietnam War ended, the Defense Department drastically reduced its contracts with us, causing us to secure jeans and trousers from name brand companies to stay busy. Unfortunately, many of these companies relocated overseas to reduce their costs and we decided that it was the right time to sell out to a larger company.  Around 1973-74, we sold our business to Levi Strauss and Company. They produced quality jeans and apparel lines for many years at the Rolling Hills facility until they too moved overseas.”

Ben reflected on his family’s business: “I still think about those hardworking, loyal and very special people whom I was privileged to grow up and work with in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Many of them are no longer with us, but they will always be part of the Stein-Way Clothing Company family.”  

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In 1989, area resident, Bill Reece, shared with Press writer, Tom Hodge, a 1921 combined Johnson City and Elizabethton telephone directory issued by the Cumberland Telephone and Telegraph Company. A city directory from that era shows the business was located at 116.5 E. Market Street.

Tom noted that a person could have called everyone in Elizabethton in about an hour because the register contained only 41 names. Phone number “1” belonged to E.C. Alexander. The listing for Johnson City was somewhat longer with just over four pages of names, addresses and phone numbers. The first listee, residence and phone number was A.H. Abernathy, Buffalo Street, “207”; the last one was F. Zulante, Eighth Avenue, “56”. The Fire Department could be reached at “400” and the Police Department at “57.” Unlike today’s fully automated system, the caller had to deal with an operator to make a phone call. She would open with her familiar “number please.”

The directory contained a page on “How Do You Use the Telephone?” It showed two ways to use the device – a right and a wrong one. The correct procedure revealed a man holding the earpiece to his ear and leaning forward to talk into an upright phone. The incorrect position had the same man leaning back in his chair, cradling the telephone in front of him. The instructions said, ”When you place your lips close to the transmitter and speak clearly and distinctly in an even tone of voice, the operator can hear you plainly and understand the number you request. When you are inattentive and speak ‘at’ the telephone instead of ‘into’ it, the operator is liable to misunderstand your order and the called party cannot hear you distinctly. This makes the operator’s work more arduous and creates unnecessary difficulties for all parties concerned.”

The book advertised that a customer could have a phone with either individual or party line service for a $3.50 installation charge. Under “Rules and Regulations,” the directory declared, “The use of a subscriber’s telephone is limited to the subscriber, his family or employees in his interest.” That surprising strict requirement implies that a neighbor or friend could not use the family’s telephone for any reason – casual or emergency. Imagine that. The directory further warned that unauthorized agents were offering telephone aids to the phone company’s customers. It cautioned subscribers against the purchase of such illegal devices and warned them that their use was strictly prohibited.

The directory contained considerable advertising including Free Service Tire Company that purchased an ad on the front cover touting its Kelly Springfield Racine and Firestone tires. J.A. Vines, president of The Peoples Bank, boasted of resources of more than $300,000 at its location at Spring and Tipton streets. Unaka & City National Bank and City Savings & Trust Company, in what later became the Hamilton Bank building, had much larger resources – $5 million.

Tennessee National Bank, located on Spring Street in the Elk Building (later site of the Sevier Theatre), had nearly $2 million in resources after just five months subsequent to opening for business. The directors were S.C. Williams, C.E. Cargille, Adam B. Crouch, George T. Wofford, J.E. Brading, J.A. Summers, H.G. Morrison, Evan S. Rees, B.W. Horner, Hammond Prosser, T.F. Dooley, L.R. Driver and Lee F. Miller.

Thanks to Bill and Tom, we are treated to another reflective glimpse into the nostalgic world of yesteryear. 

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On July 19, 1959, I received a letter from the president of the Science Hill High School Key Club, a student all male organization sponsored by the city’s Kiwanis Club, inviting me to join this group.  

The Key Club was under the strong guidance of the school’s PMST (Professor of Military Science and Tactics), Captain John Culpepper. Student officers during my junior year were Johnny Starnes (pres.), Guy Wilson (v.p.), Eddie Broyles (sec.) and Eddie Washburn (treas.). Our club sweetheart was Betty Gale Young. Senior year officers were Bill Wood (pres.), Kip Carr (v.p.), Butch Tysinger (sec.), and Howard Cothran (treas). The club sweetheart was Carol Ann Greene.

Initially, we met once a month at the Broadway Court Restaurant on North Roan. Later, we briefly switched to the Derby Grill on West Market and finally settled down at Dinty Moore’s Restaurant on E. Market. Our club’s mission somewhat mirrored that of our parent club; we were a service club interested in promoting our high school.

Each month, the Kiwanis Club invited a Key Clubber to attend its meeting at the John Sevier Hotel, which was a quick dash across Roan Street. I vividly recall the meeting I attended mainly because the guest speaker was the colorful Fire Chief L.L. Geisler, who delivered a brief message promoting “Fire Prevention Week,” which began that week. The Johnson City Press-Chronicle gave a brief write-up about it the next day. 

Capt. Robert Wilson showed a film entitled, “Before They Happen,” depicting the efforts to prevent and minimize fires. Howard White, club president, praised Chief Geisler for his long record of service noting that Johnson City had less fire loss than any city in the nation. Guests were then introduced that included Dr. Fred McCune of Johnson City, Dick Owen of the Training School Key Club and myself.

According to a 1934 school newspaper article, the first Key Club at Science Hill was formed in 1933 with H.A. Lee and Roy Bigelow serving as school advisors. Student officers that year were Joe Jamison (pres.), Phil Carr (v.p.), Bill Willien (recording sec.), Leonard Bevis (corresponding sec.) and Carl Marshall (treas.).

The organization had three stated objectives: foster vocational guidance, train members in correct parliamentary procedure and have fellowship. Club organizers sent out questionnaires to 15 high schools all over the country where similar clubs existed. Feedback was used to help prepare the club’s Constitution and outline club activities.

A 1949 newspaper article suggests that the Key Club was dropped sometime between 1935 and 1948, most likely during the war years when so many male students entered military service. The 1949 clipping speaks of the Kiwanis Club organizing a Key Club at SHHS that year. The committee, headed by Sam Grogg and assisted by Steve Lacy, Joe Cox, Ed Wright and John McKell, met frequently with Principal Howard McCorkle to establish the club. 

Charter members were Darrell Mullins (pres.); Tommy Coleman (v.p.); Charles Day (sec.); Selbert Marks (treas.); Glenn Stroup; Robert Moffatt; Leddy Alan Ottinger; Robert Lee Spencer; George Crisp, Jr.; Jimmy Seehorn, Jr.; Ambers Wilson, Jr.; Charles Fredrick Stamm; Jim R. Green; James Roland Berry; Reuben Treadway; Clarence Willard Sapp; Bob McFall; and Jim Overbay. To celebrate the occasion, a joint dinner meeting was held with Kiwanis Club members, Key Clubbers and their parents.

Sadly, school officials tell me that the Key Club ceased operation again several years ago. Perhaps this laudable organization will spring forth a third time to benefit future generations of high school students, both male and female. 

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Today is Saturday, August 17, 1929 and we need to do some grocery shopping. Our first order of business is to examine the Johnson City Chronicle to see if there are any specials being advertised in the local grocery stores.

We are frugal people so we are willing to walk or drive all over town in order to save a few pennies on our purchases. We don’t know it but the Great Depression is just around the corner. Although there are 103 mostly “mom and pop” retail grocery stores within the posted limits of Johnson City, most do not advertise in the newspaper. Their bargains are generally posted on their store windows.

Given that we plan to buy numerous provisions, we take our family’s 1929 Model AA Ford pickup along because of all the additional space in its bed. We drive to downtown Johnson City and park near the Arcade building in the 200 block of W. Market. Five of the stores we will be visiting are located in that general vicinity, allowing us to return to the truck and drop off our purchases after every visit.

We begin our shopping spree with Miller Grocery Co. at 124 W. Market and McClure and purchase four items from their store: 12 packages of Post Toasties ($.25/3 pkgs.), a 2-pound can of Maxwell House coffee ($.49/lb., $.20/lb. cheaper than Sanka), 2 large cans of Carnation milk ($.10/can) and a 12-oz. Bottle of Vermont-Maid maple syrup ($.29).

Our next stop is Jamison’s Chain Grocery Store at 130 W. Market. At this location, we buy six items: a 4-pound picnic ham (pork shoulder, $.20/lb.), 4 packages of Brown Rice Flakes (Comet Brand, $.25), two pounds of Armour’s corn beef ($.19/lb.), a large box of Duz detergent ($.20), a quart jar of pickled pigs feet (Black Hawk Brand, boneless, $.45) and two quarts of Welch’s grape juice ($.55/qt.).

We exit Jamison’s and enter Lay Packing Co. next door at 132 W. Market. We tell the meat cutter to give us three pounds of Cloverleaf cured ham ($.28/lb), one pound of Cloverleaf skin-off sliced bacon ($.33/lb), five pounds of Family beef steak ($.25/lb.), two pounds of veal chops ($.25/lb.), one pound of Cloverleaf bag sausage ($.30/lb.) and two pounds of Mutton Roast ($.26/lb.).

We next visit Piggly Wiggly two doors west at 136 W. Market where we buy three cans of Campbell’s tomato soup ($.25), three bars of Lux toilet soap ($.25), a pound of Brookfield creamery butter ($.45/lb.), a 5-lb. fryer ($.33/lb.) and a pound of Compound lard ($.125/lb.). We have two more stops to make.

Our next business is The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, known succinctly as the A&P located three doors west at 142 W. Market (other locations at 206 N. Roan, 109 Buffalo and 408 S. Roan). Our list shows four needed items: a loaf of Grandmother’s bread (15 oz. Pullman loaf, $.07), three cans of Norwegian sardines ($.25), two packages of Shredded Wheat ($.19) and a large watermelon ($.55), which the grocer plugs for us to taste. It is delicious.

We will drive to our sixth and final store. We hop in the truck, motor west on Market, turn right onto Boone, bear right onto King and travel to the end of the block at Roan.

When we arrive at the E.W. Brown Cash Store at 200 N. Roan and King, we are greeted by Eugene Brown the owner. This business is known as “The Store with the Yellow Front.” They sell E.L. McCleod meats and are agents for Mrs. R.L. Tranum’s homemade cakes. Our final purchase consists of two 16-oz jars of raspberry jam ($.25), a 10-pound bag of Irish potatoes ($.25), three pounds of Kentucky Wonder green beans ($.25) and 24 pounds of Brown’s Special flour ($.91).

Our Saturday grocery-shopping mission is now complete. Our purchases totaled $14.86 and we did it without a credit card, debit card or check. We used cold, hard cash. Bon appetite and bon voyage.  

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Recently, I spotted an eye-catching news item that I had not heard before that was reported in several 1882 newspapers around the country. Something noteworthy happened in our region 128 years ago this past January 25.

According to the source, the roughly 750 townspeople of Johnson City experienced an event that left them helpless and reeling with fright. That morning, a powerful crash and terrifying rumbling noise was heard coming from Buffalo Mountain, caused by a major rockslide that occurred on the southeast terminus of the mountain. The noise could be heard 30 miles away. Panic-stricken inhabitants living in close proximity to the mountain scampered from their dwellings seeking safety, fearing that an earthquake was besieging the East Tennessee countryside. A number of folks gathered together to pray for deliverance from the falling mountaintop.

After the residents regained their composure, they assembled in small groups and gazed toward Buffalo Mountain, but something was notably different. The massive rock formation known as White Rock Summit, located several hundred feet above the valley, was missing from view. According to the news releases, the picturesque lofty rock, a thing of pride for the mountaineers, was a popular attraction for local residents and visiting travelers who ascended the mountain to view stunning valleys and pristine streams that could be observed from its lofty perch. On Sunday mornings, the massive rock became a church for Reverend Harry Anderson, a local black preacher, who conducted church services there for his congregation. 

Stunned area residents stared at the site where the impressive deference of nature had previously stood and marveled how something so majestic that had stood for eons could descend so abruptly into a heap of strewn trees, rocks and earth. One newspaper picturesquely stated, “The summit around where the clouds loved to gather of their own accord no more holds aloft toward the sky its white-capped peak.” An earthquake was not the cause of the devastation as initially thought. Instead, it resulted from weeks of constant rain that soaked and flooded a large portion of East Tennessee. Weather reports that month indicated that it had rained continuously for all but two days.

Two to four thousand men along the Cumberland River were temporarily forced out of work because of widespread flooding. Johnsonville on the Tennessee River was virtually destroyed by the inundation. Much damage was done to houses and mills along the creeks near Knoxville, including a major landslide east of Knoxville that created worrisome concerns for all nearby mountain roads. Water level in the Tennessee River rose so high that it threatened to obliterate the bridges of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway.

My immediate reaction to this surprising archival news find was to question it. After all, White Rock is still located on the southeast end of the mountain. My dad and his brothers routinely hiked there in their youth for a day of mountainous recreation. Bob Price wrote an article recently concerning his memories of climbing there. How could these reported news accounts possibly be true?

My surmise is that the White Rock we know today atop Buffalo Mountain was once an enormous, impressive rock formation that was clearly visible over a wide area. If all this is true, it is likely the remnant of the 1882 collapse. If anybody can shed further light on this subject, please share it with me for the newspaper. 

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James Garrett shared his memories (band, Buda's burgers, zoot suits) of living in Johnson City from 1939 until he went away to college in 1957.

“My Junior High music instructor was Vernon ‘Sleepy’ Weaver,” said James. “I attended the old downtown Science Hill High School where my major subject was music under the direction of Mr. Warren Weddell. I was one of the drum majors in the school marching band and often twirled a fire baton at football games at half time in Memorial Stadium at night while all the lights were turned off.”

James commented about John's (Buda) Sandwich Shop that operated in the 1950s at 105 Buffalo: “Circa 1951, my family lived near Antioch Baptist Church (Little Cherokee Road). Since we did not have a car, we rode the city bus to A.L. Street's Grocery (2501 W. Walnut) and walked past Bernard School (Old Jonesborough Highway) to home. I often ate at John's before my bus arrived. “I cannot remember eating a hot dog at John's as I always had a hamburger or hot tamale. Both were delicious. I have tried to duplicate John's hamburger and tamale many times but always come up short. Is there any possibility of obtaining the recipe for either?”

I checked with George and Wanda Buda. George is the son of John and Ethel Buda. Wanda sent me the recipe for a John Buda Chili Burger, one that came from Ethel and was used by Patty Smithdeal Fulton in her book, And Garnished with Memories, (The Overmountain Press, 1985). 

According to Wanda: “Obtain one pound of ground round or sirloin; two eggs, beaten; one roll chili, water; two tablespoon dry bread crumbs; salt and pepper to taste; and sliced onion and tomato, mustard and mayo. Beat the eggs and mix with breadcrumbs into the ground beef. Mix thoroughly with hands and then pat into desired thickness. Grill until done, turning only once. Do not mash down with spatula. To make chili, use a roll from a grocery store and mix with one tablespoon of water. Keep thick. Put chili on top of hamburger, then tomato, onion, mayo and mustard and salt and pepper. Get a bib, open wide and enjoy.” George and Wanda said that John didn’t make the hot tamales; instead, he bought them from an older black gentleman named Will Cope who delivered them on a bicycle. I often hear people speak of him and his terrific tamales.

“I worked at the Majestic Theatre (237 E. Main) as an usher.” continued James. “The popcorn sold at the Majestic was made by the Liberty Theatre. I took two empty sacks about the size of a kitchen garbage bag to the Liberty where the concession girl filled them. I then took them back to the Majestic. At one time, I recall making the popcorn in a machine under the stage at the Majestic and taking it in bags to the Liberty.

“The ushers at the Majestic wore ‘Zoot Suits’ to work. We got tired of wearing them so we jointly asked the manager if we could buy some real suits from Hannah's, Inc. (‘Fashions for Men,’ 213 E. Main) if we paid for them. He agreed. The song, “A Pink Sport Coat and a White Carnation” (sung by country singer, Marty Robbins) was on the top ten list of popular songs at the time so we all bought pink sport jackets and black slacks.”

Zoot Suits were a fashion fad in the 1940s. They consisted of baggy men’s suits; tight-cuffed pegged trousers; usually high waisted; an oversized jacket with inflated broad, padded shoulders and wide lapels; and an equally exaggerated wide-brim hat. They were worn with suspenders and a long watch chain. Big band leader, Cab Callaway, often donned one when he performed his novelty hit song, “Minnie the Moocher,” (“Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi, Ho-de-ho-de-ho-de-ho”).

Ah, what great memories from yesteryear. Keep them coming, folks. 

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The recent college football bowl games may bring to mind an incident that occurred on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 1, 1948 while area football devotees were huddled around their radios.

Those were the days when the medium of television had not yet arrived in most households; therefore, sports enthusiasts had to rely on radio to receive play-by-play game action. Since the University of Tennessee did not receive a bowl invitation that year, WETB AM 790 was broadcasting a bowl game believed to be the Sugar Bowl, matching the sixth-ranked Crimson Tide of Alabama with the fifth-ranked Texas Longhorns.

The game site that year was Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. The (Texas-Alabama) scoring by quarter was 7-0, 0-7, 7-0 and 13-0. The Longhorns prevailed by 27-7. During the final two minutes of the contest, diehard fans still clinging to their radios were flabbergasted to hear the words:

“And as we conclude our broadcasting schedule for today, WETB, Johnson City, Tennessee, operates on 790 kilocycles with a daytime power of 1000 watts by authorization of the Federal Communication Commission. WETB is owned and operated by East Tennessee Broadcasting Company, affiliated with Johnson City Press-Chronicle. Transmitter and temporary studios are located on the Erwin Highway. We invite you to join us again tomorrow morning at 7:15 when we return to the air. Thank you for listening and a very pleasant good evening to you all.”

To the chagrin of area sports fans, the station summarily went off the air without broadcasting the final two minutes of play. This occurred because the station was strictly mandated by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to be off the air at 5:15 p.m. The fact that the game was still being played was not an issue with the FCC. The rules had to be followed or the station could lose its license.

Carl Jones, Jr., owner of the Johnson City Press-Chronicle and WETB took action prior to the 1948 regular football season to prevent a recurrence of a game being cut off. He composed a carefully worded letter to FCC’s T.J. Slowie with a proposal. Jones noted that the radio station had contracted to carry all of the University of Tennessee’s 1948 football games.

“Your attention,” he said, “is respectfully called to the fact that we are broadcasting these games in response to great demand by the people in this area. “As football games normally are concluded within two hours, presently scheduled starting times of eight games at 2:30 p.m. and two games at 3:00 p.m. should enable us to compete each broadcast prior to signing off the air at 5:15 p.m. during the month of November. We request authorization from the (FCC) for an extended period not to exceed 15 minutes after regularly licensed sign-off in order to compensate for unexpected delays during games. While it may not be necessary to use the extended period whatsoever, authorization for such an extension in case of necessity will enable WETB to perform its obligations to the radio audience in this area. We are attempting to avoid a reoccurrence of the last New Year’s Day game when we were prevented from carrying the final two minutes of the event because of sign-off. Very truly yours, East Tennessee Broadcasting Company, Carl A. Jones, Jr., President.”

I conferred with Bud Kelsey, former program director of the station. Although he did not recall the specific event, he was highly skeptical that the FCC granted an extension. Although quite amusing today, missing the final moments of a major sporting event was anything but humorous 62 years ago.  

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