Doing some research in Special Collections here in UT’s Hodges Library yesterday and came across this little gem – an assignment book from the Knoxville Journal & Tribune, 1911. The book gives a day-by-day snapshot of the year’s stories and the reporters assigned to them.
Below is a copy of two pages from exactly 102 years ago this week. The handwriting is a little hard to read but once deciphered, reveals tidbits of local goings-on. (Handwriting hint: the writer places a dash above an ‘n’ and a dash below a ‘u’.)
Each page in the assignment book was divided into “Stories to be in today” and “Look up today.” On October 5, 1911, the editor was expecting a review of Oscar Straus’ 1908 opera “The Chocolate Soldier” which was playing at Staub’s Opera House. Reporter Anderson was given the bulk of stories to look up that day including Ft. Sanders Ladies Aid Society, St John’s orphanage board, and a day nursery meeting.
Unsurprisingly, one of the assignments for Friday is “Football Saturday.” Friday also saw a visit from Congressman Oscar Underwood (House Majority Leader), with the note, “Get interview.”
Click on the image for a larger version.
