| Sources |
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 11 Oct 2004.
Hugh Glen Neas obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 26 Apr 2008.
Smith and newspaper to turn 75 on April 28
Photo by Duay O'Neil Betty Jo Smith of Parrottsville holds an April 28, 1933 issue of "The Knoxville Journal" which was published on the day she was born.
PARROTTSVILLE-Over 40 years ago, David and Shirley Ottinger bought the Frank LaFollette homeplace over near the Cocke-Greene County line and commenced a remodeling and restoration project of the two-story farmhouse.
During the process, the couple discovered several copies of Knoxville newspapers under the home's floor coverings, apparently put there as insulation.
Among the papers was a Knoxville Journal published April 28, 1933.
On that same day, also in Parrottsville, a new baby arrived in the home of Glenn Neas and his wife, the former Edith Stephenson, which stands today near the Cocke-Greene County line. Today it is the home of Kevin and Darby Neas.
Dr. Bell, beloved Parrottsville physician, answered the call to the Neas home that day and delivered the baby girl, who was named Betty Jo. The baby's uncle, Gray Neas, received the honor of christening his new niece.
Later this little girl, along with brothers James and Ronald, traveled into Parrottsville for their education.
The family joined countless relatives and neighbors in attending Salem Lutheran Church.
After graduating from Parrottsville High School in 1952, Betty Jo married Bill Smelcer, another Parrottsville boy, in 1953 and moved to a home near the Smelcer place.
Bill died suddenly in 1978 shortly before the couple's 25th wedding anniversary.
Meanwhile, Betty Jo worked at Electro-Voice for over 30 years, retiring in 1995.
In 1981, she married Charles Weaver Smith.
Today the couple lives near Natural Bridge out Harned Chapel way.
"Today this newspaper and I are growing old together," laughs Betty Jo. "We'll both be 75 on Monday."
Back in 1933, America wallowed in the depths of the Great Depression.
The Journal's headlines of the day reflected the country's predicament. The major headline announced "U. S. to Take Silver for War Debts" while another major headline told readers "Council Calls Mass Meeting to Boost Valley Project."
The second headline, of course, referred to the coming development of Tennessee Valley Authority. According to the Journal, Knoxville's city council had adopted a resolution "calling a mass meeting in Market Hall" in order to "perfect an organization to boost the proposal to build Cove Creek dam and develop the Tennessee Valley."
A study of the newspaper's advertisements emphasizes the changing prices of goods.
S. H. George & Sons, one of Knoxville's leading department stores, offered men's suits for $12 and a "grand lot of frocks" for $8.95 apiece. If these dresses were too pricey, others could be had for $3.95.
It was the day of the fountain pen, and S. G. George & Sons stood ready to meet their customers' needs with such writing utensils "complete in beautiful leather cases" for only 49 cents, plus the newspaper ad. However, mail orders required an additional dime.
Over at Miller's, a dollar would purchase a lady's new summer hat, while fashionable ladies' shoes cost $1.95. Men's and boys' Oxford shoes, however, were more expensive: $1.98 per pair.
Shoppers at Millers could enjoy "a complete dinner" for a quarter from 11-2 each day in the store's fifth-floor cafeteria. The menu offered the diner either fried sea bass or baked cured ham, along with a choice of vegetable, cornbread, dessert, tea, coffee, or milk.
If buyers had the cash, they could purchase a brand new 1933 Plymouth Standard Six for $445 or a Plymouth De Luxe Six for $495.
Used cars were offered, too. J. C. Mahan Motor Company listed five: a 1928 Buick Roadster for $125; 1929 Ford Roadster for $95; 1929 Ford Sedan for $95; 1925 Hupmobile Touring for $30; and a 1925 Ford Sedan for $10.
Knoxville Reo Company had a 1928 LaSalle Sedan for only $125.
Do you remember Kern's Bakers? For that week only, Kern's featured Chawklit, a "delicious home-type Chocolate Cake" for 25 cents.
Chapman Drug Company advertised John Ruskin cigars for a nickel apiece.
With today's soaring costs of gasoline, diesel, and motor oil, readers will be interested to know that in 1933 Sears, Roebuck, and Company charged buyers 13 and 3/4 cents per quart for Cross Country Motor Oil purchased in five-gallon quantities. Gas was 19 cents a gallon.
The famed Bijou Theatre's feature film of the day was "Tess of the Storm Country," starring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, "the screen's two perfect lovers."
Groceries were also advertised. White Store prices included a 27-ounce can of peaches for 9 cents, two packages of Post Toasties for 15 cents, while Cas Walker touted wieners at ten cents a package, ham at 23 cents per pound, and Proctor & Gamble giant soap bars at 4 bars for 15 cents.
The want-ad section was headed by "Sell or Trade Lamps, Stamps, or Camps---Hogs, Dogs, or Logs."
Under the "Personals" column, "Two young men going to New York today, Saturday or Sunday, want[ed] to share cost of trip with someone with car."
People's Store advertised for a porter "with experience on alteration with Men's Clothing," while in another ad, "a single white lady desire[d a] job as cook in private home or boarding house."
What will Betty Jo be doing on Monday? "Probably working in the garden," she laughed. By the way, anyone having any extra cabbage plants please give her a call. "I looked all over and can't find any that suit me," she laughed.
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1933 - (90 years)
(Age ~ 92 years)