Thanksgiving Week in Barbourville – 1925

As we make our annual preparations for family and friends to come together for an afternoon or evening of fellowship and fabulous food, the Museum Corner thought it might be interesting to see what was happening in Barbourville during this week one hundred years ago.

We used our subscription to newspapers.com to find the Mountain Advocate’s articles on the fourth week of November 20, 1925, Volume XXIII, No. 3. Above the masthead, it reads, “Trade in Barbourville—Ask for Coupons.” Newspaper Manager at this time was H. R. Chandler and Ben H. Gregory was listed as Associate Editor.

Several short articles on the front page give a plethora of information. They are
excerpted here and not in any particular order. Subsequent pages contained personals columns and news from several communities in Knox County.

UNION THANKSGIVING SERVICE The Union Thanksgiving Service for all the churches of the city will be held in the First Baptist Church on Thanksgiving Day at 10:30 a. m. C. N. Barnette, pastor of the Christian Church, will deliver the message. All members of all the churches are urged to come to this service and worship God as “The Giver of All Good and Perfect Gifts.”

DR. G. H. ALBRIGHT PASSES SUDDENLY FRIDAY EVENING. Aged Physician Came to This County in 1884 Where He Has Been Actively Engaged in the Practice of Medicine. Founder of the Drug Store. Dr. Albright was born in Rockcastle County, Kentucky May 21, 1856, and came to this county in November 1884 and opened the Albright Drug Store, the first store of this kind to be in the city. For many years he managed this store and actively engaged in the practice of medicine, practicing in almost every home in this section. The store was later sold to Mrs. W. F. Costellow, who managed the business for a number of years under the firm name of Costellow Drug Company, transferring the store a few years ago. It was operated under the name of Grant Drug Company.

Funeral services were conducted at the home on Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. C. N. Barnett of the First Christian Church of which he has been a lifelong member, officiating and the interment was in the City Cemetery. Monday morning at 10 o’clock, the Masonic Lodge of this city conducting the services.

JOHN TYE OBITUARY. John Tye, age 60 years, died last Saturday at his home on Fighting Creek where he was born and raised. John had been in the employ J. T. Henson for nearly forty years. He had many friends in this county and was well known.

Funeral and burial services were held Sunday at a graveyard on the Henson farm at Fighting Creek. FATHERS AND SONS IN ANNUAL BANQUET AT BAPTIST CHURCH. Various Subjects Concerning Relations of Fathers and Sons Ably Discussed by Speakers on Program. C. E. Vogel, Toastmaster. Seventy fathers and sons were present last Friday evening at the First Baptist Church when the annual father-son banquet was given under the auspices of the Barbourville Kiwanis Club.

Dr. E. T. Franklin, one of the speakers, spoke on the subject, “What it Means to be a Dad.” He told of the enjoyment and pleasure derived from being a father. He was followed by Maurice Vincent whose subject was “What it Means to be a Son.” Vincent said that the father must take a good deal of interest in his son’s welfare and must give his son some of his time. Robert Weed sang a solo, “The Silent Voices.”

FOUNT NEWS. Mr. and Mrs. Orlie Cottongim are the proud parents of a fine baby girl, named Ida Leslie. Weight 10 pounds.

GIRDLER NEWS. The little son of Rev. Elijah Hubbard got his leg broke at Locust Grove schoolhouse one day last week while playing. Dr. Crit Jones was called at once and set his leg and is getting along fine.

Also in Girdler, G. W. Hammons killed three fine hogs last week.

PARK HILL NEWS. The Honor Roll for the fourth month consists of the following in eighth grade: Chester Black, Earnest Samples, Bertie Vaughn and Ruby Bryant.

SWAN LAKE NEWS. Misses Verdie and Minnie Sanders of Barbourville spent the weekend with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Sanders.

ELLIOTT – BOYD WEDDING TAKES PLACE. Miss Gertrude Elliott and Mr. N. B. Boyd of Rockhold were married Friday, October 17 th , in the presence of a few relatives and intimate friends at the home of Miss Minnie Williams on North Main Street. Rev. Pfoff of Rockhold performed the ceremony. Mrs. Boyd is the youngest daughter of the deceased Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Elliott. She is a very attractive and accomplished young lady.

PERSONALS AND LOCAL. Miss Ida Lawson of Union College dormitory spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Detherage on Black Street.

Misses Marjorie Cole, Margeret Mitchell, Harriett Myers and Selden Steele were the guest of Miss Lucille Myers in Pineville last week.

ARTEMUS NEWS. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence West and Mrs. Louis King spent last Wednesday in Corbin, Ky, the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Will Lawson.

UNION COLLEGE NOTES. Wednesday evening saw another victory under the collars of the Bulldogs when they defeated the local high school, on the B. B. I. field 6 to 0. We only hope the “Pups” will continue their winning streak. They meet the Baptist on Union Field on Thanksgiving Day.

We hope you’ve enjoyed looking back at Barbourville’s happenings from 100 years ago.

We wish everyone a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving filled to the brim with life, love and lots of wonderfully delectable treats. Happy Thanksgiving from the Museum Corner.