Looking Forward to a New Year - While Looking Back to 1925

 J. Mark Lowe

Today is the last day of 2024. What happened years ago has always interested me.  As I wrote articles I often looked back 100 years or so.  As we contemplate the beginning of the New Year – I want to predict what was appeared in the newspapers on January 1, 1925 – the Robertson County Times.  

Well, I don’t have to predict since the paper was published on that day.  Let’s look at a few articles..

Happy New Year – Today marks the advent of a New Year. Last night was a momentous birthnight in which, upon the stroke of twelve, the old year went out, the new came in: 1924 departed, 1925 arrived. Where did the one go, from whence came the other… Man, now, is a creature of time; but he shall not be forever. He is mortal, but he hopes to putting on immortality. Until then, there is no antonym for time or the consummation of his hope, he lives in bondage to his allotted portion of duration.  “Time is precious,” time is valuable,” are the familiar expressions. In recognition of this truth, mankind from earliest days have tried to measure this thing. All over the civilized world calendars hang up on office walls, clocks are hung in towers and placed on mantelpieces and watches are worn on wrists and in waistcoat pockets.

Calendar from 1925

“Live in deeds, not years,” doing not measuring. From the thoughts here poorly written frame a slogan for 1925, a slogan pointing to worthwhile objectives and lofty aims. Review and appraise the old year, and welcome the new with worthy, well considered resolutions,  ambitions, plans and noble purposes.[Editorial Comment for the New Year]

All-Color Picture Due

“Wanderer of the Wasteland: a Zane Grey paramount production, directed by Irvin Willat and featuring Jack Holt, Kathlyn Williams, Noah Beery an Billie Dove comes to the Princess [Theater] on Saturday.

You’ve  heard about the wonderful colorful photography in Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments?” Well, this one’s done entirely in color.  There’s not a black and white sequence throughout the length of the film.  Think of it?

Even if it weren’t for the great story, it really is, you should go see this picture just for the novelty of the thing. Remember, it’s the very first really practical all-color production to be shown on the screen anywhere. But it’s more than just a novelty – much more, it’s Zane Grey greatest story brought to life. They say you can even see the different shades of sunburn on the players!   Skeptical? Why not take it it?

 

Billie Dove, George Irving, and Kathlyn Williams in Wanderer of the Wasteland (1924) Although the picture was filmed in all color, the photo print shots taken on set are black and white. 

New Bridge Over Railroad

The State Highway Department announces that the contract for building the overhead crossing of L&N railroad, 2 miles South of town, near Glenview will be let on January 23rd. Tourist whose route leads over the Dixie highway as well as the people of the county will be gratified to learn that work on the project will begin at once after the contract is LED the bridge or crossing is to be of the deck girder type of 226 foot spans and a 32 foot span and will be a splendid improvement over the old narrow sharp turned dangerous crossing. Work on the underpass at Hygiea will begin in early spring and with the completion of these two crossings the road from Springfield to Nashville be one of the finest and safest in the state.

Good news let the work go on. All roads lead to Springfield let them be made hard, smooth, durable, comfortable, and safe.

[This would have been the bridge that crossed the railroad behind Midgard Storage – where Old Greenbrier Pike extended between the Dollar Tree and Tidal Wave car wash.  That bridge has since been removed.]

Couple, Married In Wrong County, Are Wedded Again Cookeville, Tennessee. December 31.

 An amusing event occurred here today the county court clerk of this county recently had returned to him by mail a marriage license which he had issued a few days before. The return on the license showed that the couple to whom the license had been issued had been carried by a White County justice of the peace. County court clerk Moore of this county wrote a letter to the White County magistrate, whose return on the license showed that he had performed the ceremony and in his letter suggested to the White County justice of the peace that he had acted without authority in marrying a couple on Putnam County license. Today the White County magistrate came to Cookeville, accompanied by the quote happy couple UN quote who had imagined for the past few days that every requirement in the solemnization of their marital intention had been met. Upon arriving in Cookeville they promptly reported at the county court clerk's office, procured their returned license and going into the room in the courthouse in which Squire R.P. Capshaw holds his court, they were married again by Esquire Capshaw.

[I haven't determined the names of this couple.  There names were not mentioned in the Robertson County Paper, but I will look for this story in other newspapers across the state.  This will definitely be a update for 2025.  Thanks.]

Thank you for sharing my stories of both family and local history.   I will continue in 2025 although I might only share a story weekly in the new year.  You can subscribe to the Blogger, but I will also continue to share with my Facebook friends.   May you and your family have a great wrap-up of 2024, and a truly blessed and healthy NEW 2025 YEAR!!!