Early Johnson County Tidbits
From various resources we try to create some of the little tidbits of life that occurred within and around the borders of Johnson County. Blue Color is new item this week
Jan 7, 1926 - New Years Party A lovely New Years party was held at the home of Mrs. Conrad F. Kirk and Mrs. A. J. Kirk Jr. on Friday night. Miss Betsy Rule the charming daughter of C. T. Rule was hostess.
Jan 7, 1926 - Miss Irene Patton had her tonsils and adenoids removed this week.
June 24, 1926 New Company Takes Over Paintsville Plant and Will Push the Business Plant Working J L Ewing and L P Johns of Pikeville, experienced in bottling business, have purchased the Paintsville bottling plant and are now in charge of the works. With the organization of this company the plant is being overhauled and new equipment added which will make it a first class battling plant in every respect. All kinds of soft drinks will be manufactured for the trade in this and surrounding counties. It is the only plant of this kind in the county and will supply not only Johnson but Martin, Floyd and Magoffin Counties. No bottling plant is located in either of these counties.
July 29, 1926 Aunt Lizzie Prater visits Paintsville Paintsville had a very prominent visitor last Saturday in the person of Mrs.. Elizabeth Prater, widow of the late Capt Jeff Prater. She is known by her many friends as "Aunt Lizzie" Prater and possibly has more friends than any other person in all this section of Kentucky. For many years she was the person in charge of the Prater Hotel, known over the entire state as the best place to get good eats. In years past traveling men made an effort to reach the Prater Hotel for good things to eat and the comfortable homelike setting. "Aunt Lizzie" was always on the job and you enjoyed your stay at her place. Since the death of Capt Prater she has been living at the hotel but a short time ago she went to housekeeping at the age of 73 years. Last year she underwent a serious operation that almost cost her her life, but she is now as spry as a woman much younger than she. Doing good has been her life work. Her money and time is always spent freely in helping others and her noble Christian life can be seen in her happy countenance and putting it into her own words, " The Lord has spared my life for some purpose and I am thankful that I am still able to live and meet my friends." This grand old woman is a valuable asset to any community and she will leave her family and friends with the perfect satisfaction of a long life of service. The Paintsville Herald Thursday
These men know the bottling business and have selected Paintsville as a distributing point for the surrounding territory. Drinks are now being manufactured and the plant will be improved from time to time and new drinks added.
Heretofore it has been necessary to ship into this area bottled drinks but now merchants and consumers will be able to handle the home product that will be first class in every particular.
July 29, 1926 - Rescuer in Attempting to Remove Body of Dying Man Falls Back, Dies Removed by Hooks Two Magoffin County men lost their lives in a peculiar manner last Friday, according to the news reaching Paintsville from that county. Shafter Patrick, age 30 and Dona Allen 35, a neighbor, died at the bottom of a water well near Royalton, as a result of inhaling deadly fumes from the well. Patrick had been employed by Add Miller to blast his well deeper as the long dry spell experienced in this section has dried up his present supply of drinking water. Patrick placed a charge of dynamite in the well at about eleven o'clock and at 12:30 entered the well to remove the loose rock. While working at this he was overcome by poisonous fumes and died within a few minutes. The Miller family called to Mr.. Allen, a neighbor who lived nearby, and he rushed to the rescue of Patrick. Allen entered the well and fastened a rope about the unconscious man and then started to climb the from the well, when he too, was overcome by the deadly fumes and fell back into the well. By this time a crowd had gathered around the mouth of the well and a rope was finally secured about the two bodies by means of hooks fastened to long poles. When the two men were drawn to the top they were dead. The men were both good citizens of Magoffin county and each is survived by a wife and family.
(Paper missing) The Paintsville Herald
Sept 23, 1926 Tidbit Mr. and Mrs. C C porter will move this week from Paintsville to Huntington where they will make their future home. Mr. Porter has purchased another glycerin factory in West Virginia and will operate it in connection with his plant in this county and will have men in both places to shoot wells. He can better look after his business from that point.
-Friday is Red Goose day in Paintsville and the big red goose will start from the store of Pelphrey and Hucman and parade over town. Free gifts will be given to the children and they are invited to join in the parade. The big goose will visit many schools and a general good time is assured. This display is advertising Red goose shoes for children and we can assure you that there are none better anywhere!
Oct 7, 1926 TIDBITS - Peach crops are plentiful in this section but no so many apples.
-Mr. and Mrs. Escom Murray little 5 year old daughter Anna Louise of Garrett who has been with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Murray for seven weeks returned to her home Friday.
-Saturday and Sunday was church at his place. Uncle John J Brown's funeral was preached, a large crowd attended. Rev's D K Daniel and his two sons Walter and Lloyd from Ashland attended church here Sunday, and preached an interesting sermon.
-Henry Pack of Ashland was visiting many friends and relatives thru Saturday and Sunday.
-Mrs. Leo Murray, Mrs. H C Lemaster and daughter Ruby, were the Sunday afternoon guests of Mr. and Mrs. Bud Brown. Mr. Brown who has been ill for some time is no better at this writing.
Nov 11, 1926 NOTICE TO COW OWNERS You are herby notified that you will be fined $1.50 and %5.00 for each additional offense for letting your cows run on the streets or in the alleys of Paintsville. It is against the law to let your cows run in the city and hereafter this law will be rigidly enforced by the police force. W, A Ward Chief of Police
Nov 11, 1926 C C Ward moved his family from Boons Camp to Paintsville and is occupying the old Flax home across the creek having purchased the property a short time ago. We are glad to have Mr. and Mrs. Ward here.
Nov 11, 1926
A gas well was found on the Salyer property. It is said to be of paying quality. The next location that will be tapped will be on the farm of Robert Johnson on the head of the fork of Rockhouse Creek.Nov 11, 1926 S P Stambaugh has been made the store manager of the Consolidation Coal Company stores at Van Lear. Mr. Stambaugh had been a clerk in the store for ten years starting with the company at the very bottom. He is a hustling young business man.
Nov 11, 1926 Duluth Couple Celebrate 50th Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Ben F Brown, married fifty years ago in Paintsville celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in Duluth, Mn recently. Seven children were born of this union, of whom five are living. Lauren Elen Brown married Clyde F Johnson, manager of the carpet department of J L Hudson Co., Detroit, Mi, Elizabeth Brown married Nehemiah S Bates, factory manger of the Hartford Special Machinery Co, Hartford Conn. Susan Brown married Howard V. Linhard, district manager for Detroit Wholesale Plumbing Corporation, Detroit. Elummia Jane Brown married Robert Miles McAlpin of San Francisco, Ca George W. Brown married Jessie Lincoln of Duluth Mr. Brown is a farmer and owns the farm Adjoining his father and mother a few miles northeast of Duluth. George F Castle, brother of Mrs. Brown, owns the farm on the east adjoining the property of Ben F Brown and makes his home with his sister. Mr. and Mrs. Brown received many gifts and a purse of gold from their children Mr. Brown was born March 1, 1849 in Lawrence Co Ky. Mrs. Brown was born in Hancock Co Tn on Nov., 15, 1858. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brown are enjoying good health.
Nov 25, 1926 Miss Mary May Salyer, now a teacher in Ashland arrived Friday for a visit with her parents Mr. and Mrs. W H Salyer, Miss Salyer had her tonsils removed at the Paintsville Hospital on Saturday.
June
23, 1927 BOY DIES AT PAINTSVILLE HOSPITAL Resie Preach,
the four year old little son of Mr and Mrs Liberty Preach died at the
Paintsville Hospital Friday after a week's illness from appendicitis. The
little fellow underwent an operation on e week ago, but his condition was so
serious that little hope held out for recovery. The body was shipped to
Stanford, Ky for burial the former home of Mr and Mrs Preach. Mr Preach is
located at Conley with the Huff & Duff Oil Co. The Paintsville Herald
June 24, 1927 19th child arrives to Johnson Co family Mr. and Mrs. Shade Ward are the proud parents of a new baby girl which Dr. Paul B. Hall delivered to them last week at their home on Greasy Creek, making the 19th child born to the couple. Mrs. Ward is only 42 years of age. The 19th child was just as welcome as the first. Both parents expressed the desire of having a family of twenty children and they were so elated over the arrival the arrival of the last one that Dr. Hall has been retained as the family physician in the future.
Aug 18, 1927-LITTLE BABY DEAD The four month old baby girl of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Haney, Jr died at the home of her parents in West Paintsville, Wednesday morning after a short illness. The Paintsville Herald
August 18, 1927 Death Claims Mrs. Davenport Former Johnson County Woman Died after Prolonged illness Death claimed Mrs. Laura Johnson Davenport after an illness of seven months. During the greater part of this time she had been a patient at the Baptist General Hospital at Ashland. She was removed from her home several times at Catlettsburg during her illness but each time her condition grew worse and she was taken back to the hospital where she died. Mrs. Davenport was born near Paintsville and was 48 years of age at the time of her death. She is survived by her husband, D J Davenport of Ashland, one son Hubert Davenport of Henderson, Ky., and two daughters, Mrs. Frank Damron of Pikeville and Beatrice Davenport of Catlettsburg. Mrs. Davenport was a devout member of the Methodist Church and took an active part in the work of the church. She has been a resident of Catlettsburg for 32 years. Funeral services were held at the home and burial followed at the Catlettsburg Cemetery. Mrs. Davenport has many relatives in Johnson County who will regret to learn of her demise. The Paintsville Herald
Sept 8, 1927 MERCHANT KILLS SELF J H Davis about 70years of age, Lackey merchant, committed suicide by sending a revolver bullet through his brain. It is believed that despondency over ill health lead to the act. His daughter and her children were asleep in their home at the time. The Paintsville Herald
Sept 22, 1927 - R L Williams Of Flat Gap, Johnson County, Found dead in Y M C A Room at Ashland With an empty bottle which is believed to have contained some deadly poison lying nearby, the lifeless body of Robert L Williams, age 31, of Flat Gap, this county, was found in a room at the YMCA building at Ashland last Saturday afternoon by a janitor who had gone to wake him. Mr Williams was a fireman on the Big Sandy Division of the C & O and was well known in railroad circles. The janitor notified the clerk of the discovery and the coroner was then notified. The body was removed to an undertaking establishment and was readied for burial. The body arrived in Paintsville Sunday morning and transferred to the home of his father for burial near Flat Gap. No note was left and the family of the dead man are at a loss to account for his rash act, as far as is known he had been in good health. Mr. Williams was a son of Powell Williams who resides on Mud Lick near Flat Gap. The Paintsville Herald
Oct
6, 1927 Robert Ernest Bradley Died Sept. 27, 1927 Robert Ernest
Bradley, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Bradley died at their home Sept,
27 after a short illness. Much sympathy is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Bradley in
the loss of their little son.
The Paintsville Herald
Oct 6, 1927 Robert Ernest Bradley Died Sept. 27, 1927 Robert Ernest Bradley, the little son of Mr and Mrs. L. M. Bradley died at their home Sept, 27 after a short illness. Much sympathy is extended to Mr and Mrs. Bradley in the loss of their little son. The Paintsville Herald
Oct.
6, 1927 - Johnny Crum Succumbs to Injuries
Johnny Crum, age about 23 years, a former football player on the Ashland High
School team, who was injured about two years ago in a game between Ashland and
Paintsville High at Paintsville did as a result of his injured at his home in
Inez, last week according to news received here. Young Crum was
well known in football circles in the Big Sandy Valley where he had many
friends who are grieved to learn of his death. Young Crum was knocked out in
the Ashland-Paintsville game and for sixteen moths afterwards he was a patient
in the Baptist General hospital at Ashland, later going to Louisville where he
was treated for a time. He was finally taken to his home in Inez where the end
came. He is survived by his parents, Mr and Mrs G W Crum, seven brothers,
Frank of Jenkins, Carlos of Kermit, W Va., N. W. Crum of Akron Ohio, Shirley
Crum of Freeburn, Ky, Charles, Clark and Woodrow of Inez. Three sisters, Mrs.
Thomas Goble of Edgarton, W Va., Mrs W,G, Cornette of Ashland and Lundy Crum
of Akron Ohio. Funeral and burial took place in Inez.
Oct 13, 1927 Thursday FALL ENDS MAN'S LIFE Bill McNabb, age 48 years, fell from a chestnut tree near his home at Red Bush last Saturday morning and sustained injuries which resulted in his death Sunday afternoon, He died without regaining consciousness, Together with his wife and children he had gone to hunt chestnuts. After locating a chestnut tree the father climbed into the upper branches to shake the nuts and in some way lost his balance and fell a distance of twenty five feet, landing on a fence. Mr. McNabb was a well known citizen of the county and his death has caused much sorrow throughout the section. He was one of the best citizens of the county. The Paintsville Herald
Oct
27, 1927 Mrs. Ed Blanton of Elna died Monday at the Golden Rule
Hospital and her remains were shipped to Elna for burial. Mrs. Blanton had
been sick for some time with bladder trouble.
The Paintsville Herald
Nov. 10, 1927 Thank You. We wish to thank the people who were so kind and helped during the sickness and burial of Crock Murphy who died last week at his home on Tom's Creek. We especially want to thank Rev Guy Preston, Rev Winfrey Meek and Moses Castle. He leaves one sister, Mrs. Julia Castle and four children. We will miss this jolly old man who was always full of life and very happy. Mrs. Stella Sadler. The Paintsville Herald
Dec
1, 1927 Johnson Boy Fatally Shot Willie Osborne, 27 of toms Creek
was instantly killed while hunting at Charley Monday when a shot gun in the
arms of Willie Daniels accidentally discharged and tore a gapping wound
through his head. The tragedy occurred on the farm of Green Hays as the party
of three, Osborne, Daniels and Ernie Davis were returning for dinner. Daniels
had just picked up a rabbit he had killed and had placed his shotgun on
automatic, in the hollow of his arm. In some unknown way it fired, the load
taking effect in the head of Osborne who was walking besides Daniels. The load
entered the head between the eye and the temple, tore its way through the
brain. Death was instantaneous. Daniels immediately became prostrated with
grief and had to be taken home in a car by P M Dixon. It is said he was unable
to walk and that he is yet in dangerous condition. An Ambulance from
Paintsville conveyed the body of Osborne to his home in Johnson County.
The three hunters were all residents of Tom's Creek, Johnson Co. and had come
down to Charley for a visit to Mr. Daniel's sister, Mrs. John Wallace and to
hunt. Mr. Osborne leaves a wife and three children.
The Paintsville Herald
March 30, 1939 - Daughter sold by mistake Sally Roane Wickliffe who was sold as a slave as a baby dies at the age of 85.
July 20, 1939 - Welch - Kazee Wedding Miss Mary Mae Welch and Mr. Howard Kazee were married Sunday evening at 7 o'clock at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Darwin Slone. Miss Welch is the daughter of Mr. Ulysses Welch and graduated from Paintsville High school and the Booth Business College. Howard is the son of Mr and Mrs. Howard Kazee and a graduate of Van Lear High School.
April 24, 1941 - CCC Enrollement Fifty boys sign up in what is termed as one of the largest groups to be sent to the Civil Conservation Corps. A total of 50 men were sent in April.
August 14, 1941 - Welch Reunion The Welch Family Reunion was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Neal. James Garfield Welch was the oldest member, 80, who also traveled the furthest away. He arrived from Okmungee, Oklahoma to visit with his family. They were U G Welch, E P Welch, T J Welch, and John Welch. He was accompanied by his daughter, Mrs. Bryon Fullerton and her husband, and their daughter, Mrs. Stanley Voss and her husband. Ninety eight relatives were in attendance from all over eastern Ky.
May 21, 1942 Preston Baby Buried The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Guy W. Preston, born Sunday, was buried Tuesday at Hendricks in Magoffin County. The baby had been named Sonny Boy. A large group of Brother Preston’s church accompanied the family to Hendricks. Elders J. C. Sparks and Roscoe Lemaster officiated at the funeral services.
October 15, 1942 - Scrap Drive Scrap drives under the of the supervision of the Johnson County Salvage committee are underway with Thealka Schools leading the drive effort. All Scrap collected will go to help fuel the war effort.
September 17, 1942 - Sipp Burns It is reported in the Paintsville Herald that the Sipp Theater was completely destroyed in an early morning blaze. The fire of an unknown origin completely destroyed the building and all of the equipment.
May 25, 1944 Bank Mules Defeat Meade and Auxier The van Lear Bank Mules have been playing some exceptionally good baseball this season. On Wednesday, may 10, they defeated Meade memorial, 7-4. The following Wednesday they went on to greater victories by winning over Auxier, 10-9. Again on Sunday, may 14 they defeated this same team 6-3. Again Monday they defeated Meade Memorial 5-4. Good ball was played by all the teams and the two outstanding players for the Bank Mules were Jack Williams and Burdette Kretzer. Two of the team’s pitchers, Burdette Kretzer and Coon Castle left for the Navy soon after their last game.
July 27, 1944 ~ Dr. W. R. Dadd Resumes Practice After recovering from a prolonged illness, Dr. R. W. Dadd has resumed his veterinary practice in Johnson and surrounding counties. Due to the dry spell and excessive heat, numerous cases of rabies and black leg among cattle all over the county are being reported. Dr. Dadd emphasizes the importance of having dogs and cattle vaccinated at once. {Dr. Dadd was the first person in Johnson County to receive penicillin. The above a report on his condition after the treatment.]
AUGUST 24, 1944 ~ Van Lear Schools Open Monday: Supt. Hysell Burchett has announced the opening of the Van Lear graded school and high school on Monday, August 28. The teaching staff consists of the same teachers as last year with the exception of three. Mrs. Alva Rice replaces Miss Ethel Anderson who is now working at Huntington. Winfrey Meek has replaced J. W. Pinkerton who has accepted a position in Ohio, and Miss Helen Wheeler Pack will take the place of Mrs. Harvalee Preston who has also left the community. A meeting of the teachers will be held Saturday morning, Aug. 26 at 10 o’clock. Mr. Burchett became the superintendent at Van Lear last January when Verne P. Horne was appointed county superintendent. Since that time, Mr. Burchett has applied himself untiringly to the interest of the school, and residents of the Van Lear community look forward to a prosperous year for 1944-1945.
October 5, 1944 Northern Regional Baptist Training Convention ~ Attendance goal is 300 and you must get your reservation in early.
October 5, 1944 Convention Time ~ Mrs. C F Walters was in Louisville to attend the Women's Union Mission of the Baptist Church.
January 27, 1949 Society ~ Mr. Hannibal Wheeler left Friday for a ten-day vacation in New Orleans, La.
February 3, 1949 ~ Paintsville City School Honor Roll: “The following students of the Paintsville City School are listed on the Honor Roll of the school for the fourth period of the first semester. Second Grade: Elizabeth Mollett, Marietta Patrick, Nicky McCubbin, Jerry Meek, Roy Conley, Roger Dean Minix, Jimmy Wiford, Clarence Baldwin, Maurice Minix, Georgene Happeny, Stella Vivian Rice, John Samuel VanHoose, Sandra Lee Oppenheimer, Betty Ann Pelphrey, Joyce Ann Ratliff, Neva Carolyn Owens, Carol Ann Pratt, Joan Conley, Betty Lou Grimm.
February 3, 1949 News of the Court: The following cases have been filed with the Johnson County Court Clerk since the last term of the Circuit Court. Equity : Edna Stapleton vs. Ella C. Stapleton.
February 10, 1949 ~ Funeral home Open Guy’s Funeral Home will be open for business on March 15, it was announced this week by G. W. Preston, owner and operator.
April 14, 1949 Hen “Lays Big Egg” On April Fools Day: “This little hen laid a big egg. The little hen belongs to Mrs. Cora Pelphrey, Barnetts Creek. The big egg the little hen laid weighed 4 ½ ounces. It is 8 ¼ inches around in the basal apex direction, and is 7 inches around the quick way.”
October 20, 1949, - Just Visiting Mrs. Cecil Auxier and daughters , Ollie and Ann, and son, George, spent Saturday night and Sunday with Mrs. Edna Picklesimer and Mrs. Mitchell Price and families.
October 27, 1949 - First time for TV William C. Martin and Tom Gullett, owners of Sauders Radio Shop, provided about 100 residents with a sight they will never forget. They were treated to the first look of a TV program that came in from Huntington. The name of the program was "Stop the Music." Continuous broadcast will start on Nov. 1st.
November 24, 1949 - Scout Leadership Training Mr. Leon Preston returned Monday from Midvale, N. J., where he completed a course in leadership instruction in Scouting at the Schiff Scout reservation. The course was offered to key men in each council for the purpose of instructing in leadership and training chairman that might instruct in their individual districts.
March 20, 1956 - Fulbright Scholarship Miss Joan Welch will be the recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship for the 1956 -57 school year at Georgetown College. She will obtain her Masters in Art from the University of Paris. Joan is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Welch, formerly of Paintsville, and the granddaughter of Mr. U G Welch and and Mrs. Fred Meade.