This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: JerryStout99 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.tennessee.counties.carter/1159.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Linda. Glad to help. Found this interesting news item in my Stout files for James L. FLETCHER. "Elizabethton Star," Elizabethton, TN - Sunday October 5, 1947 J. L. Fletcher Star Subscriber All Of Its Life by Charles Roy Vance A very interesting citizen came into The Star office the other day to renew his subscription. He mentioned he had been a subscriber ever since there had been a Star published in Elizabethton. "I took the paper when it was called "The Mountaineer", J. L. Fletcher said. J. L. Fletcher has been with the E.T. & W.N.C. railroad, for 56 years. He was agent first at Blevins, in 1891, later being transferred to Cranberry, N. C., where he served for 11 years. Because there was no school at Cranberry, Mr. Fletcher resigned and moved back to Elizabethton. He was called back in a short time as agent and telegraph operator on September 1st, 1912, 35 years ago and has been with the company ever since. Mr. Fletcher is now, clerk, telegraph operator and report clerk having charge of over and short freight, damaged shipments etc. The Fletchers live at 406 East "K" Street. In 1892 Mr. Fletcher married Miss Mary Allen and three children were born to this union, two daughters, Mrs. Joe L. Chambers, and Mrs. D. E. Treadway, both of whom are living at the Fletcher home and a son, Joe Allen Fletcher, who lives in Johnson City and has been an accountant at American Bemberg Corporation for twenty years. Mr. Fletcher was born in Elizabethton and told a most interesting story of the town when there wasn't much town here. "All there was to Elizabethton then was on the east side of the river; the streets were muddy when it rained and dusty when it was dry" Mr. Fletcher said. This gentleman who has spent a lifetime here said the progress of Elizabethton has been wonderful, especially for the past few years. Fine homes, good schools, good churches, and so many new homes and business houses being constructed." The only bridge in the town back in those days was the old covered bridge", Mr. Fletcher said. We enjoy talking to Elizabethtonians who have lived here practically all their lives. It is the only way to get the real picture of the growth and the possibilities of the future of our city. We frequently drive over the city and it is remarkable how much building is going on. We believe that within five years we will have one or two sky scrapers here. . . . maybe a ten or twelve story office building, a modern department store, a hotel with 200 rooms, all with bath . . . a coffee shop in connection. And, maybe an auditorium where great crowds can gather. Doe River will be walled in and pretty parks developed along this beautiful stream. There might be a large park and a few lakes scattered around, who knows. Hundreds of thousands of tourists will swarm in from the east. And they will come from Mobile, New Orleans, Memphis and Atlanta to enjoy the wonderful climate and to see the most beautiful mountain scenery in all the land. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.