davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
DEPLORABLE ACCIDENT
SUNDAY AFTERNOON

A deplorable accident occurred
Sunday afternoon when Dabney B.
Sitton attempted to climb onto a
Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio freight
train en- route to Erwin. The fatal
accident happened at the Spring
street crossing. The unfortunate
youth was badly mangled, his legs
and one arm being ground eff. His
face was not disfigured. He was
conscious when medical aid reached
him and he gave farewell messages
to his loved ones. The funeral was
held at the home Monday afternoon,
being conducted by Rev. George
Greene, pastor of the Central Bap-
tist church. Burial was in Oak Hill
cemetery. The home was crowded
with sympathetic friends, thus show
ing the high esteem in which the
young boy was held.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30

had been realized. He may see de-
pleted shelves, and look upon his
books to see the profits that resulted
from the sale of goods, but he does
not give serious thought to his own
depleted energies, OF pause to con-
slider what he has received in ex-
change.
Yet there can be nothing more inn
portant than that which concerns the
individual. What is received and
what is given out by the individual
is far more important than that
which comes in or moves out of the
store or factory. 1t, is better for one
to build the structure of his own life
securely than to found business es'
tablishment that outliyes him be-
cause of it's solidity. And one can
not build living structure like this
without considering all the elements
that enter into it. There must be
periods of reckoning. times when the
impulses of the heart must be
weighed and the deeds growing out
of these impulses are considered in
their relation to the future.
The individual who habitually does
the wrong thing can no more hope to
grow in the right direction than can
the merchant who habitually follows
the wrong course in merchandise
hope to attain success. The law of
cause and effect operates in the
heart as well as in the counting
room.
Growth rarely is perceptible to the
eye. One cannot look upon child
in the morning and, returning in the
evening, find evidence of increased
breadth or height or weight. But
the growth is in progress just the
same, and if the record of twelve
months ago is compared to that of
today, then the change is surprising
in most instances. So is it with the
growth of the individual character
istics that shape character and des-
tiny. The foundation upon which
character is being reared may seem
as firm and strong in the evening as
ii was when the rising sun sent the
shades of night far westward. Yet
the record of year may reveal er-
rosions that threaten the superstruc-
ture. Therefore, it is we'll that pc
riods of self analysis come at times;
periods when men are prone to take
stock of self as well as of worldly
possessions. And if these periods do
not develop that which is satisfying
TO the soul, then it is time for a
change of methods; a time for wip-
ing out the old accounts and get
ting rid of the riff-raff that has ac
cumulated in the storehouse of self.
This requires courage. as matter
of course. just as it takes courage for
the merchant to rid his store of un
saleable goods and to- wipe worth
less accounts from his books, but it
is the only way to clear the deck for
the victory that awaits the strong
and purposeful.
The way to face the future with
assurance is to face the past with
frankness, purposing to profit by its
failures as well as by its triumphs.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30

w. N. Walker, a prominent citizen
of Limestone. and feed and seed i'm
spector for East Tennessee. was in
the city the first of the week.
Mr.. and Mrs. c. e. Burchfield,
formerly of this place, but now of
Knoxville. are visiting friends here
this week.
Mr.. and Mrs. G. A. Barlow were
the guests OF friends at Bulls Gap
on Sunday.
r. N. Dosser had as his guest
Sunday Landau Patton of Jonesboro.
Miss Eliza Wood has gone for an
extended stay with friends in Flor
ida.
r. A. Russell has returned from a
short stay in Greeneville.
Mr.. and Mrs. r. J. Galloway have
had as their guest this week, Miss
Edith Galloway Of Boone's Creek.
C. e. Feather was business Wis
itor in Greeneville the first of the
week.
Mrs. Josie Hughs has as her guest
this week. her son, F. E. Hughs, Of
Bluefeld, W. Va.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
UNIQUE DISPENSING Of
JUSTICE IN KNOXVILLE

Zen city prisoners were released
Saturday morning by Recorder Kobt
p. Williams, of Knoxville, so that
they mighU spend Christmas day,
Christs birthday, outside the contin-
ing walls of the city bastile. To
each of the men and women ar
raigned in police court Recorder
Williams presented Testament,
upon the t1y leaf of which was writ
ten the name. of the one to wnom it
was given, with the inscription
From Robt. P. Williams, City Judge,
Christmas, 1915
The scene in the city court room
was most impressive. one negro wo-
man, seven white men, and Two ne
gro men, stood before the Judgment
bar and listened with bowed heads
while Recorder Williams explained
in simple terms with kindly voice the
working OF the law which had been
transgressed. Il cannot nullify the
law" said Recorder Williams, but
by the authority invested in me !
may suspend the fine which in your
plea OF guilt enforces me to impose.
Now in remembrance of Him whose
birthday is today being celebrated
in church and home, in town and
country throughout the civilized
world, in memory of Him who came
to live and die among the peoples
of earth that all might learn from
Him the lessons of Justice and of
Righteousness and that all might
be inspired with the hope of eternal
life; in memory of Him who said,
in that wonderful sermon on the
Mount, Blessed are the merciful for
they shall obtain mercy" | am going
TO release you in the name of the
law, shake each of you by the hand,
wish you a very happy Christmas,
and bid each of you to go to your
place of abode, and in the undying
words of the Savior of the world
pray you to "Sin no more"
There was solemnity in the oc-
casion which is seldom witnessed in
city court. Police officials stood
silently with bowed heads, listening
to the words of the man upon the
bench.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30

ture, rthings darker and more des-
olate? Does the record show profit
or loss; the certainty or continued
growth, or the assurance Of failure?
These are big questions, and they
must be answered in fairness by ev'
cry individual if the record if to be
kept straight and one is to profit by
the knowledge that comes by expert
ence.
Questions of this character are not
always agreeable. The merchant who
apprehends that stock taking will re-
veal heavy losses does not approach
the task with joy. Yet, if he is
wise, he realizes that it is only by
looking into his affairs in this wise
that he is to know the truth and be
in a position to overcome the diff
culties that obstruct the way to sue
cess. He must know how he stands
and what he has before he can plan
intelligently to meet the situation
presented by diminishing profits. 1t
may hurt him to throw out worth
less accounts and to mark down
out-of-date goods until they represent
heavy loss, but if he is wise he
goes about the work with thorough
ness and when the task is done he
is prepared to face the future, know
ing what he has and what he can ex-
pect.
Refusal to face conditions as they
are has brought ruin to many busi-
ness institution. Many times have
men deceived themselves about the
quantity of goods in their establish
ments, about the worth of the ac-
counts upon their books, and about
the effectiveness of inefficient meth
DDS, until the sheriff came and open
ed their eyes by closing their estab-
lishments. In business, as elsewhere,
the fact has been demonstrated time
and time again, that ignorance of a
situation, or refusal to see an obvi-
ous truth, alters the situation in no
wise. Refusal to see the approach
ing cloud offers no protection against
the downpour.
AS a rule men of business under
stand these things, and they have
trained themselves to face the truth,
however disagreeable it may prove.
But it is not SO with the great ma
iority of individuals. The very man
who is most insistent upon accuracy
in stock taking, and in bringing out
the whole truth about the develop
ments of his business, may be most
Indifferent about the developments
that affect his own life in the most
intimate fashion; may offer the firm
est negative when it comes to weigh
ing his own motives and habits and
to considering where these things
are leading.
When the end of the year approach
es one may want to know every de-
.ail of his business; how much
goods were bought, how much sold.
and at what profit. and how much
money went for overhead expenses,
and. yet he may not give single
thought to the way in which his own
time and thought and energies have
been expended and how much profit
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
FIRE AT
MILL|GAN COLLEGE

Milligan College, prosperous in
stitution, conducted under the aus
pices of the Christian church, at
Milligan, Tenn, faces the spring
term amid trying circumstances.
Just as the students were being dis
missed for the Christmas holidays.
fire destroyed the boys dormitory, a
three-story structure, erected at a
cost of $4,000. Those in the building
made their escape without panic.
The blaze is believed to have resulted
from defective wiring. The loss is
fully $4,000, with just one-half that
amount in insurance.
1t is announced that the school
will open on January 4th, and that
emergency provisions are being
made. Arrangements will be made
for the rebuilding of the dormitory.
The first alarm of the fire was
turned in at 12:1s o'clock Friday
morning and by ! O'Clock the build
ing was in ruins. The Johnson City
fire company responded to the alarm
and went Immediately to Milligan,
but was too late to be of any assist
ance in saving the building.
The dOrmitOry was a three story
brick building and was erected at a
cost OF $4,000 When the fire start
ed it was first noticed on the second
floor of the building. About fifteen
persons, including some students at
the college, were in the building, and
it is the general opinion that the fire
vas started from a defective electric
wire.
The loss is one of the most severe
in the history of this institution and
while those in charge of the school
are deeply shocked. there is no doubt
but that the building will be rebuilt
at an early date
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
TWO HUNDRED MACHINISTS
ARE WANTED ON JOR

Knoxville, Dec. 28.-Two hundred
machinists, to be employed in MAX
ing six-inch shell cases, on contract
for the Italian government, are want
ed by the William J. Oliver Manufac-
turing company, according to l.. F..
Wooten, general manager. Men who
are experts in the manufacture of
ordnance ares desired, and for imme-
diate service. Mr.. Wooten stated
that his company is already prepared
to turn out great number of shells,
but that additional machinery had
been ordered and would be installed
as soon as it arrived.
I'm addition to the war order, y
stated Mr.. Wooten, 1--WE have secured
a contract calling for 100000 worth
of dump cars, of the standard type,
to be used by the United States gov
ernment on a dam project near Yu-
ma. Arizona. These cars will be
built at once"
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
AIS A REALITY AND NOT
STUFF FOR DREAMS"

When asked by the Bristol Herald
Courier for confirmation of a story
brought here by two enthusiastic
Roanokers Monday, to the effect that
the new industrial town of Kongs-
port is revealing industrial wonders
one after another, l.. L. Griffiths,
general superintendent of the Clinch-
field Portland Cement Company, al
though not disposed to boast, de-
clared that the new town was NOV
ing on towards the queenly state of
a thriving young city. He confirmed
all that was said about the wonder
full development in connection with
the new dye plant, except that he
said its power plant, instead of cost
ing $4,000, would probably cost five
times that amount.
The Roanoke visitors reported that
the land company has sold over $780,
600 worth of lots since December l,
having sold as much as $4,000
worth in single day. The brick
plant, they stated, was turning out
100000 daily, and still could not
meet the demand. The new tile
plant will be ready for business in
the early spring.
An independent company, 1t is
stated, Is negotiating for land to
erect an industry that will mean an
investment of $350,00O. 1t Is claimed
that the dye plant will eventually
consist of about forty buildings. not
including club house and various
residences that are planned.
The land company is planning to
build about thirty houses at a cost
of from $4,000 to $4,000 each, and
many cottages smaller in size. DR..
Hebden is quoted as anticipating
that he will have need for 1000 adj
ditional men by February 1. Among
the new industries in contemplation
Is q tannery.
Business lots, selling a week ago
at $4,000, are said to have advanced
at the rate of about $500 each. Store
rooms are bringing fancy rents.
A moving picture show has just
been opened in new building erect
ed for the purpose at cost of $13,
000.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30

Now comes the season of the year
when men begin to reckon their pos
sessions.
The old year draws to it's close,
and the old earth swings nearer the
invisible line across which it will
plunge into the new.
Until now the eyes of the people
have been turned upon the future.
With the coming \of the new period
they will be cast backward for lit
tie while, end What Has Been will be
considered as men plan for What Is
to Be.
With the passing of December 81,
twelve months OF tremendous effort
will have been put forth and multi
tudes will pause to weigh the results.
Dawning at time when the bust
ness world stood hesitant in the face
OF conditions unparalleled in the his
tory of organized effort, the Old Year
unfolded things better than prophets
were able to discern. and as results
are tabulated there will be cause for
qualification in many places of com
merce and industry.
The prosperity brought by the Old
Year may not have been SO abundant
as some had hoped, and 10 many the
record will not be all the heart could
desire, but as whole it will prove
SO much better than men had reason
to expect, that ample cause for re-
joicing will remain.
Things are great or small as they
are brought into contrast with things
of similar structure, and as the busi-
ness men of America take stock of
the things done in the twelve months
now drawing to q close, and consid-
er what has befallen those of other
lands, there will be cause for con-
graduation in shop and counting
room.
Paralysis has laid its hand upon
commerce and industry in many
lands. but not so here. Temporary
stagnation came, but the New Year
witnessed the introduction of new
conditions, and as it wanes the clouds
which hung low in the beginning no
longer are visible.
But while the review of the year
Will oION plOEl Coo thC
great business interests of the coun-
try are concerned, it will not prove
true OF every firm and corporation.
Some will have suffered loss, some
will have made barely enough to ex-
list, and some will have fallen by the
The great majority will
have survived, and will be able to
find satisfaction in the resume of the
years developments, but to many
there will be no pleasure in consid-
ering that which has transpired.
There is no pleasure in counting
losses; in taking stock when the re-
suit points to failure.
And as it is with firms and cor
porations, SO Is it with individuals
The New Year comes as a time of
reckoning. What has the Old Year
brought. and of what is it prophetic? !?
Does its developments indicate bet
ter and brighter things for the flu
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
LOCAL MILITARY COM
PANY RATED As GOOD

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.-The chief
of the division of military affairs of
the war department has sent to the
chief of staff his annual report on
the status of the national guard in
the various states, making detailed
report as to each individual company
in Tennessee, including its rating as
recorded at the war department.
The report shows that of the 10
commissioned officers in the state
guard of Tennessee, twelve were not
present at inspections; of the en-
listed men, numbering 1,703, there
were 355 absent from inspections,
and that the average number absent
from 21 drills during the year was
1853. The record the companies in
this section on inspection made un-
der the federal law and under which
Tennessee militiamen secure appro-
priations from the government fol-
lows:
Company D, Elizabethton, good"
total enlistment s.; at inspection
so; all three officers present; num-
ber actually absent at the 81 drills
in year, s.
Company E, Hampton, good" to-
tai number, 55; total number at in
spectioL, 49; all three officers pres
ent: total absentees from all drills
during year, ten.
Company f, Johnson City, good
enlisted men, So; at inspection, So;
one of three officers absent; number
actually absent from all drills dur
ing year, 26.
Company H, Bristol, fair en-
listed, 81; at inspection. Al; one of
three officers absent; average abb
sentees from drills during year, IL.
Company d Erwin. poor" en-
listed. 6S; at inspection, 4s; one Of
ficer absent; no record of attend
ance.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
OFFERS sGs.0OO TO
MINISTERIAL FUND

l. Louisville, KY, Dec. 2S.-Con-
ditioned upon the church raising
twice the amount during the next
year. George W. Watts. of Durham.
N. c.. wealthy member. has offered
to give $6S.00 to the Southern Pres
byterian church endowment fund for
ministerial relief. DIR. Henry III.
Sweets, Louisville. secretary of the
boErd which has charge of the fund,
made this announcement here today.
with the exception of 100000 con-
tributed about six years ago by the
late H. r.. Inman. of Atlanta, Ca. the
announcement says, this is the larg-
est gift ever made for superannua-
ted preachers of any denomination
in the South.
DR.. Sweets plans already made
insured that the terms of Mr.. Watts
gift would be met and that the adj
ditional money would swell the
Southern Presbyterian fund for min
IsterIal relief 30 $536,0OO.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
WALL BOARD FACTORY
PLANNED FOR KINGSPORT

Bristol, Tenn, Dec. 27.-That a
new industry, said to be affiliated
with the Columbia Paper company,
which has plant in Bristol, will be
established in Kingsport, is reported
by a Bristolian who returned re-
Gently from that place. According
to him, the new plant will manufac-
ture wall board and will use the out
fall of pulp from the extract plant at
Kingsport. The organization is said
to be capitalized at 100000 and will
employ more than 100 men.
Work on the plant, it is said, will
be begun as soon as the weather
permits and will adioin the site of
The extract plant.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE
TO MEET in GREENEVILLE

Greeneville. Dec. 28.-Members of
the republican congressional commit
tee of the first district have been
called to meet at this place on jan
uary l at 1890 p. m. A way will be
provided and the time named for
nominating candidate for congress
from the first district, the time and
manner for selecting delegates to
the republican national convention
will be named and the reorganization
of the committee will occupy the
members at the meeting Saturday.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
LITTLE STORIES Of
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS

PITTSBURG. December 25.-Stock-
holders of the American Window
Glass Machine company were notified
this morning that the directors yes
terday had ordered dividend of 81
q share of the $7,0O0,OO0 preferred
stock, the second dividend of 81 to
be paid within sixty days. This dis
bursemcnt reflects the extraordinary
prosperity of the window glass in
dustry, du elargely to the withdraw
al Of Belgium from the international
market and the activity of the build
ing trades in this country. Leading
window glass men said that orders
for window glass from abroad were
pressing in this market, with some
being for quantities as high as 10000
and $4,000 boxes for customer.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
JAMES A. PARSONS
PAINFULLY INJURED

Jas. A. Parsons, one of our pro-
gressive merchants, met with quite
painful accident on last Sunday
morning. A chair in which he was
occupying gave way and in doing so
gave him hard fall and severe
shock to the nervous system. 1t
was thought at the time that he had
received internal injuries but we are
glad to say that he is rapidly recov
ering and we hope to be able to an.
nounce complete recovery at an
early date.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
IMPERSONATING OFFICERS
AND BOUND TO COURT

Walter Gauff, Roy Henson and
Corbon Baker were arrested Monday
and taken before Judge w. C. Pierce,
charged with making false arrests
of several parties on Christmas
night. They are said to have been
wearing detective badges and consid-
cred such badges as authority for
making arrests. The trio were bound
to court. Baker failed to make bond
and was taken to jail at Jonesboro.
Gauff and Henson gave bond.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
COUGHS AND COLDS ARE DAN
GER0US.

Few of us realize the danger of
Coughs and Colds. We consider
them common and harmless ailments.
However statistics tell us every third
person dies of lung ailment. Dan
gerous Bronchial and Lung diseases
follow a neglected cold. AS your body
struggles against cold germs, no bet
ter aid can be had than Or. Kings
New Discovery. Its merit has been
tested by old and young. In use
over As years. Get a bottle today.
Avoid the risk Of serious Lung all
ments. Druggists.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
FIFTY DOLLARS MINIMUM
FINE FOR TIPPLERS

Nashville, Dec. 2S.-City Judge
Madison Wells stated Monday that
in the future he intended to fine tip
piers $50 in addition to binding them
over to the criminal grand jury. Mr..
Wells says he took this step after
consulting the opinion of the city at
torney and other prominent lawyers.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30

Connections made at Jacksonville
for all points in Florida.
THE ROYAL PALM is AN ALL
STEEL ELECTRIC LIGHTED TRAIN
carrying free reclining chair cars.
dining car, Pullman sleeping cars and
observation car.
Ask for information about reduced
fares to Florida, Cuba, Alabama,
Louisiana and Texas points.
G. M. ELLIS, D. P. A.
Knoxville Tenn.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
MARYVILLE EDITOR
VISITED PARENTS HERE

Clyde B. Emert, editor of the
Maryville Times, together with Mrs.
Emert and little daughter, Dorothy
Jean, were Christmas guests of his
parents, Rev. and Mrs. John M. En-
ert, pastor of the First NJ. E. church.
Mr.. Emert was for six years city ed
itor of the Knoxville Sentinel, but
believing that country journalism
offered better field fo rthe impress
of personality, purchased The Mary
Vile Times the first of last January
and is making a success of the pa
per.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
MEMPHIS POLICE CHIEF
TO BE 0USTED SATURDAY

Memphis. Dec 27.-Fire and Po-
lice Commissioner w. T. McLaine to-
day announced that Chief of Police
w. J. Hayes would be deposed jan
uary / because of the charge that he
had failed to carry out certain or
ders to close up certain saloons and
gambling places. He will be sue
ceeded by 0. H. Perry.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
MESSENGER Roy ATTEMPTS
TO TAKE HIS OWN LIFE

Knoxville, Dec. 2S.-Clarence Con-
ner, a messenger boy. who attempted
hts life because of disappointment in
love affair, will survive his wound.
He shot himself in the left lung, but
the bullet was extracted. The shoot
ing occurred in the basement of the
local Western Union Offices.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-30
WATAUGA AVENUE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Dayton A. Dobbs, Pastor

Sunday School, 9:15; preaching,
1890 and 700; Junior C. E., 2:30;
Y. P. S, C. E., 600; prayer meeting.
Wednesday, Z p. m.
The pastor will preach at 1890 on
"The Spiritual Prospect" At p. m.
the congregation will join. in the
union service to hear S. D. Gordon.