News Articles

 

 

 

Convicts At Work On Link In Dixie Highway 

 

 Agency of Chattanooga

 

City Of Chattanooga - 89,207 Population

 

Young Man Killed by Trolley Car

 

Help Soddy, Tennessee Miners

 

Charges Murder

 

Gathering Colored Labor for California

 

Chattanooga a Georgia Town

 

More Victims   

 

She Wore A Youth's Suit

 

Tragedy In a Hotel

 

Tennessee River Bridge

 

Emigration From Tennessee

 

A Difficult Surgical Operation

Brigandage In Tennessee  

 Caught On A Cowcatcher  

Deadly Duel  

Sunday Law in Tennessee  

A Coal Famine Feared At Chattanooga   

A Tennessee Ghost Story  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Convicts At Work On Link In Dixie Highway

 

Chattanooga, Tenn., June 19, 1916

 

Ninety-eight state convicts, chained together by twos, were marched down the street here this

afternoon on their way to the stockade at Suck Creek, where they will be employed building a link

in the Dixie Highway connecting Hamilton and Marian counties.  They will start this work early tomorrow.  The procession today consisted of twelve white men and 86 negroes.  Capt. Pryor

Watson, deputy warden at Bushy Mountain, met the train and took charge of the convicts, who are from the main prison at Nashville.  A crowd estimated at 500 had crowded into the Union Station to see the arrival of the gang.

 

The Kingsport Times (Kingsport, Tennessee) June 22, 1916

 

 

 

 

Agency of Chattanooga

 

Having secured the services of Mr. William G. Smith, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, as a resident

Agent for the Telegraph in Hamilton and the adjoining counties of Tennessee, we commend him to

the kind offices of our friends.

 

Mr. Smith is authorized to receive subscriptions and to receipt for advertising and other dues to the Georgia Telegraph office.

 

The Georgia Telegraph - February 19, 1850

 

 

 

 

City Of Chattanooga - 89,207 population

 

Washington, July- 20.—

 

Hamilton County, Tennessee, in which is included the city of Chattanooga, has a population of

89,207, according to census figures just made public.

 

This is an increase of 27,572 over 1900.

 

 

The Columbus Enquirer-Sun - July 21, 1910

 

  

       

Young Man Killed by Trolley Car

Chattanooga, Tenn., November 18, (Special)

Charles Dearing a prominent young man of this city was killed this morning at 6 o'clock at the corner

of Eighth and Market Streets. He was crossing the tracks in front of an outgoing car on the Chattanooga Electric Rail-way when he fell.   The car struck him and before the motorman could stop, carried him several feet, completely crushing the life out of him.

 

The Atlanta Constitution - November 19, 1903

 

 

Help Soddy, Tennessee Miners

To the United Mine Workers of Distrit of Alabama

The miners of Soddy, Tennessee, are on a strike, in need, and must be helped. It is not an ordinary strike, defeat means destruction of their union. That's the issue.

 

As well then in symnpathy for them, as in self defense for ourselves, demands that these men, their women and children be fed abd sheltered, and that at once.

 

We cannot wait for meetings, or tribute now. Send by your local secretary to F. J. Chancy, Soddy, Tennessee.

 

Geo. W. Young, President

Attest, J. L Clemo, Secretary

Labor Advocate - July 8, 1899

 

Charges Murder

Tennessee Man Investigates Death of Daughter.

Chattanooga, Tenn, June 22. — U. M. Hallett, a highly respected citizen, has had a warrant taken out for the arrest of Walter W. Henning, charging him with the murder of Mrs. Henning.

 

Henning married Hallett's daughter at Soddy, Tennessee, on April 18, last. Shortly afterwards Henning departed, ostensibly for the west. Hallett received a letter from Henning dated from a point in California informing him that Mrs. Hallett had died suddenly.

 

Hallett notified the police, with the result that a few days ago the body of Mrs. Henning was found to have been buried there. An autopsy was held and it was stated by the examining physician that the woman had been killed by a criminal operation.

 

Henning was last heard from at Los Angeles. The sheriff rays he has wired the Los Angeles authorities to arrest him.

The Idaho Daily Statesman - June 23, 1903

 

Gathering Colored Labor for California

 

Chattanooga - November 19:   F. M. Owenby has been engaged in this section for several months in organizing gangs of Negroes to be sent to California to supplant Chinese labor. He has been very successful, and by December 1, about 500 will congregate in this city to be sent West. He will also send several hundred in January. Chattanooga has been made the recruiting depot.

 

Coming to Tennessee

 

A gentleman who has just located in the city from Pennsylvania states that large numbers from this section contemplate moving south this winter, and Tennessee seems to be their preference.

 

Talk of boycotting

 

Deep indignation is felt in this city over the outrageous slanders hurled against the South by the raving editor of the Commercial Gazette of Cincinnati. There is talk of boycotting all Cincinnati merchants who advertise in the sheet.

 

An Injunction

 

An injunction was served on the owners of the Belt Railroad tonight to restrain them from extending their track to the wharf on Water Street. The injunction was gotten out by the Stevenson attorneys, and it will result in a long and bitter struggle.

 

The Daily American - Nashville, Tennessee November 20, 1884 

Transcribed and contributed by:  Pam Rathbone

 

 

 

Chattanooga a Georgia Town

The Chattanooga papers are discussing the question, whether their town belongs to Georgia or Tennessee.

 

The Representatives says it is a matter of controversy among old citizens, whether the territory on which it stands is rightfully the property of the State that claims and holds it or not, and that a determination exists with many to investigate and settle the question.

 

 They contend that the Tennessee River is the proper line between the two States, from the mouth, of Chickamauga Creek, six miles above the city, to the mouth of Nick jack Cave, forty miles below, by water.

 

The Representative insist that it is naturally, if not legally, the proper boundary and says a large number of the citizens are for  annexation to the State of Georgia, with which she is  wholly identified in sympathy, topography and trade.

 

Sav. Rep

 

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer - December 18, 1858

 

 

More Victims   

Assassination in Hamilton County

Another bloody sacrifice has been offered up to the foul spirit of rebellion. Last Monday, Mr. Case, of Hamilton County, (Chattanooga) Tennessee, a member of the Senate of that State with two other Union men, were brutally assassinated by a rebel guerrilla named Frank Farris.

 

Than Senator Case, treason never selected a more guiltless victim. A mild, modest, quiet and unassuming gentleman, beloved of his family and a host of friends, his only offense was steadfast devotion to his county and unflinching adherence to her cause. His death will but strengthen his brethren's faith.

 

Cincinnati Daily Gazette - January 18, 1867

 

 

 

She Wore A Youth's Suit  

 

A Policeman Caught on and Took Her Home


Chattanooga, Tenn., March 7, 1894—(Special.)— A handsome young married woman was arrested on West Eighth street about 10 o'clock tonight, attired in a neat suit of men's clothes. She looked the picture of a gay youth of nineteen but was recognized as Mrs. Kittie Kimball. the wife of a well known railroad man on the Memphis and Charleston road.

 

Officer Way took her to the police station, but under the direction of the chief of police, who consented to keep the matter quiet, escorted her to her \home.

 

She had an appointment with a well-known young man of the town at the hour and place where she was shadowed by the officers.

 

The woman has pronounced Lothario tendencies, and rumor has it that she has been guilty of indiscreet flirtations and clandestine meetings with other men during her husband's absence.

 

Her husband is in entire ignorance of Mrs. Kimball's escapades and he believes her to be the purest and best of wives.

 

 

 Atlanta Constitution - March 7, 1894

 Transcribed and Contributed by:  Janice Rice

 

 

 

 

 

Tragedy In a Hotel

 

One Tennessee Politician Kills Another in Chattanooga  

 

Chattanooga, Tennessee, February 12 – Robert E. Craig, trustee of Hamilton County, shot and killed A. M. Womble, in the corridor of the Russell house, this afternoon.

 

Womble had been in Craig’s employ as a deputy.  Early in December he was removed for causes not stated, but it is asserted there was nothing wrong in his in his affairs.  Mr. Womble did not seem to have any ill will toward Mr. Craig, and the two never had a quarrel before this afternoon so far as known.

 

What brought on the difficulty today is not clear.  Womble called on Craig at this room shortly after noon today and the fight commenced behind closed doors and was a terrible one.  Finally Craig fired one fatal shot at Womble in the apartment, who immediately ran out into the hall, pursued by Craig.  Half way down the stairs Womble fell exhausted from the wound.  Craig descended and, standing over him, snapped the pistol several times.  It failed to work and he broke open the weapon then closing it he shot at Womble twice, one ball entering the abdomen and passing almost through the body.  Either of the wounds received would have caused death and Womble expired in a few minutes, making an antemortom statement that Craig had invited him to his room, and then shot him from behind.  Intense excitement followed the shooting.  Both men were most prominent.  Craig was slightly injured in the fight and tonight is being guarded in his room.

 

Sioux City Journal – February 13, 1895

 

 

 

 

Tennessee River Bridge  

 

Contract Awarded By the Southern Railroad Trustees for Its Construction

 

At the meeting of the Trustees of the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, held yesterday afternoon, the contract for the construction of the bridge across the Tennessee River was awarded to Clark Reeves & Company of Philadelphia, over six other competitors.  The contract price is $117,000.

 

The bridge will be an iron Whipple truss bridge, 1,804 feet long, and will cross the river in Hamilton County, about five miles northeast of Chattanooga, near Boyce’s Station.

 

The structure will rest on eight piers and the abutments on either side.  A draw, to be operated by hand and steam, will form the third span from the north end of the bridge, the round pier being 612 feet from the north shore.

 

The distance from low water mark to the tope of the crossties will be 64 feet.  The contract call for the completion of the work by the 1st of January, 1878.

 

 

Cincinnati Daily Gazette  -  March 3, 1877 

 

 

 

 

Emigration From Tennessee  

 

The Chattanooga Advertiser Says:

 

There have migrated from East Tennessee and Cherokee, Georgia, to Arkansas and Texas, the past fall at least 500 families, and the end is not yet, as, every day or so, wagon after wagon with movers may be seen plodding their way thitherward.

 

Hamilton County alone has sent out forty families, and a number are now down with the moving fever.

 

 

Constitution – November 18, 1859 

 

 

 

A Difficult Surgical Operation   

Special To The Constitution

Chattanooga, May 16 – A difficult surgical operation was performed this afternoon upon the person of Mrs. J. A. Jones of Soddy, Tennessee. 

 

She has been suffering for years with cancer of the breast, and has experienced no relief until this afternoon when two local physicians amputated the breast and cut out the cancer.

 

It was thought for a while that she would not be able to survive the terrible operation, but she revived and at this writing is doing remarkable well with fine prospects of recovering entirely. 

 

The operation it is thought will effect a permanent cure.  As soon as the wound heals she will be up.

The Atlanta Constitution – Tuesday Morning, May 17, 1883

 

Brigandage In Tennessee   

A few nights since a band of robbers visited the town of Ooltewah, Tennessee, a village some fourteen miles from Chattanooga, and opened and robbed all of the seven stores in the place.

 

Not content with taking the easily portable property, they brought wagons along, and loaded them with the contents of the stores.

 

In one store they found a safe, which they blew open and rifled. 

 

The place has not police, and the work of the brigands was not discovered until the morning, when they seem to have made their escape safely.

 

Officers have set out with bloodhounds to run the robbers down.

Times Picayune – March 23, 1894

 

Caught On A Cowcatcher  

The cannon-ball train on the Georgia division of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway was late yesterday, and made thundering speed fro Atlanta to this city.  As the train swept round a curve into a cut near Ooltewah Junction, fifteen miles east of Chattanooga, an enormous bald eagle was seen on the track by Mr. W. M. Fortune, the fireman, who was at the moment peering through the forward window of the cab. 

 

The pilot was on his eagleship before he could rise, struck him, tumbled him up on the frame, where he clutched a wooden beam with on of his great claws and held fast.  Before the bird had time to recover from the fright and shock of his collision with the cowcatcher Fortune had climbed along the footway to the pilot and was upon the noble emblem of the American liberty, when a lively tussle ensued.  The eagle fought viciously for his liberty and the fireman was equally determined on making him his prisoner.  The train was running at the rate of forty-five miles    an hour.  The man had to hold by on hand with all his power to the one of the iron guards below the headlight to keep his footing, as the engine swayed from side to side and bounded over the inqualities of the track in its headlong race against time, and managed the eagle with the other hand.  But his birdship was finally secured, after he had nearly torn Mr. Fortune’s overalls to shreds with his powerful talons, that are fully four inches long.  He was carried back over the footway fighting like a demon.

 

Once in the cab, Engineer Parks went to Fortune’s aid, and by hard work they succeeded in tying the “King of the upper ether” securely, thought their task was not easy one, as the eagle fought savagely with beak and claws as one of his captors was with reach.

 

When tied he was spread out on the cab floor and found to measure seven feet from tip to tip of the wings.  He stands fully two feet high when fully erect, and is altogether a splendid specimen of the monarch of American birds.

 

He was sold to Sam P. Bead, of the Bead House, for $12.50. 

 

This is probably the first instance of the capture of an eagle by a railway train, and Mr. Fortune’s exploit in securing the gallant fellow clearly entitles him to rank as a man of great presence of mind and rare grit.

 

Chattanooga (Tennessee) Times

Daily Inter Ocean – December 27, 1886

 

Deadly Duel  

Two Neighboring Farmers Meet On a Tennessee Highway and Kill Each Other

Chattanooga, Tennessee, April 20. – Five miles from Ooltewah, in James County, Tennessee, twenty miles from this city, a terrible tragedy was enacted yesterday afternoon, in which two men lost their lives at each others’ hand.

 

Only meager details have thus far been procured.

 

John Roy and Will Carson, two well known men, lived near neighbors; they were intimate friends when they met Tuesday morning, but got into a dispute over some land.

 

When they separated they were very angry, and each swore vengeance.  That they kept their word was shown with terrible truth.

 

In a few hours a negro man, walking toward White Oak Gap, on a public road, saw two bodies in the road, and supposed the men were drunk until he reached the space where they were lying, when he found they were dead.

 

They had met, renewed the quarrel and both were killed.  Roy lay within a few inches of Carson’s feet, with his pistol tightly grasped in his hand, and a bullet from the weapon has passed through Carson’s heart.  Carson’s pistol had fallen from his hand, but when it had been last discharged it sent a ball through Roy’s brain.

 Columbus Daily Enquirer – April 23, 1887

 

 

Sunday Law in Tennessee   

Chattanooga, Tennessee, January 4 – This city has been thrown into considerable excitement

by the announcement that the saloon keepers, against whom the Sunday law is being rigidly enforced, had sworn out nearly one hundred warrants against those engaged in all the trades and professions who do business on Sunday.

 

The whisky men say they have been discriminated against and propose to test the law to its full scope.

 

The warrants include newspaper publishers, livery men and street-car drivers.

San Jose Mercury News – January 5, 1886

 

 

A Coal Famine Feared At Chattanooga   

Chattanooga, Tennessee, January 12 --  The cold of the past three days is the most extra ordinary spell of winter ever experienced in this section.

 

Yesterday morning it was 7 degrees below zero at the signal office and 9 below at other points in the city.

 

Last night at 10 o’clock it stood at zero and falling.  Previous to this spell the coldest temperature ever recorded here was 1 degree below zero. 

 

The suffering through this section is intense.  Railroad traffic is virtually suspended. No freight trains have been running on the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia and Cincinnati Southern for three days, and passenger trains are entirely out of regulation time.  No mail has arrived from the East in this section of country for forty-eight hours until yesterday, when the passenger trains arrived arrived  from Cincinnati, two having been out forty-eight hours.  The blockade of freight is causing a coal famine and the prospects is very gloomy.

 

Three of the largest industries are already closed for the want of coal, and unless a supply arrives today the situation will be alarming. 

 

The suffering among the poor throughout this section is very great.  Over five hundred distress cases were recorded by associated charity yesterday.  Fully 3,000 hand are out of employment on account of the cold weather.

 

The lowest temperature at the signal office this morning was zero, and in lower portions of the city it is two degrees below zero.  The weather is moderating this morning.

Macon Weekly Telegraph – January 12, 1886

 

A Tennessee Ghost Story

A Tennessee Ghost comes to a house in Hamilton County, and rocks the baby to sleep every night.

 

Now, then, by all the dwellers in the nether gloom, if there is a restless ghost of any old ancestor of ours would like to find steady employment at good wages in a quiet family and good neighborhood.   We can give the perturbed spirit all it wants to do in the silent line of general housework, with Sunday afternoon for itself, and one night out every week when it could go around and raise a ghostly racket with the neighbors, and haunt all the lonely houses in the neighborhood.

 

What a gem of a house-servant a ghost would be. Never "sass" back; always invisible.

 

The pie would come on the table as though it were sailing through the air; the carpet-sweeper would perform its noiseless functions without the howling accompaniment of "Gnah-nagnah-na-tha-wah that wurthe place whayre the whisky is plenthy whack I fol dhe rol loll"

 

And at night it could haunt all the objectionable neighbors until they fled the neighborhood, and property would depreciate seventy-five per cent, when we could buy it in and whack up with the ghost.

 

No light and no fire required for the ghost's room. No private watchman wanted on the block; no dog on the premises. When a burglar climbed in at the window, and felt the cold, clammy fingers of the ghost wriggling down the back of his neck ; when he drove a ten-inch bowie-knife clean through the ghost's bosom five times, and the spectre smiled sadly at him, and showed him where his throat had been cut clear off nine years before "how the robber would drop his kit and wing his restless flight to realms beyond the farther limits of the city corporate.

 

And when the door bell rang, the ghost would just stick its head clear through the key hole and see who was there before the door was opened.

 

And there would be no sweethearts loafing about the kitchen Sunday nights ah, no.

 

Truly, a ghost would be a great boon to the home, and if any of our readers know of a ghost out of a Job, send him at once to this office.

      The Argonaut.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume X, Issue 2026, September 15, 1883, page 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

       

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