Jan. 23 through time
1924
Gerald W. King, distributor, (Phones 17 & 454) of Martinsville sold the Anderson Aluminum Six car, with optional Balloon Tires, described as 32x6 tires inflated to only 20 pounds pressure. “These tires ride over stones, holes, cobbles, railroad tracks and almost every form of obstruction as though on an asphalt boulevard. They will revolutionize motoring. … You have never experienced anything like the sensation of riding in the Anderson equipped with these balloon tires. Everyone will be talking about it soon.” King’s slogan was “A Southern Car for southern People.”
1949
Counsel appointed for the Martinsville Seven: Frank Hairston Jr., 18, was assigned attorney William F. Carter of Martinsville; Joe Henry Hampton, 19, Joseph H. Whitehead of Chatham; James Luther Hairston, 20, Clarence P. Kearfott of Martinsville; Booker T. Millner, 19, Claude E. Taylor Jr.; Howard Lee Hairston, 18, S.D. Martin; Francis De Sales Grayson, 37, W.L. Joyce of Stuart; John Clabon Taylor, 20, Frank P. Burton of Stuart. Prosecution would be by Commonwealth’s Attorney Cubine and W.R. Broaddas Jr., former Commonwealth’s attorney for Henry County.
The following day would be election day, with the matter to be decided whether or not Martinsville should move to a city-manager form of government. Two cab companies, Virginia Cab Company and Southside Cab Company, offered free rides to the polls, but asked that only people with no other way to get to the polls take advantage of the offer. Arrangements were made through the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Citizens Committee for City Manager.
1974
Martinsville and Henry County officials signed a regional sewage treatment contract, ending nearly 10 months of controversy, the Bulletin reported. It provides for treatment along U.S. 220 south to Ridgeway, along U.S. 58 east and the Beaver Creek watershed. The City and County are to cooperate and share the expense of the present and any future facilities. Melvin Brown was the chair of the Henry County Board of Supervisors and Francis T. West was the Martinsville mayor. John G. Adkins was the Public Service Authority chairman.
1999
At the Flying Dutchman Lounge, Tuesday Night was Ladies Night, starting at 9 p.m., while Wednesday night was Karaoke America. Movies playing at the Rives Theatre were “You’ve Got Mail” and “Thin Red Line.”
The 1998 Martinsville-Henry County Association of REALTORS Diamond Sales Award winners, who had $4 million in sales for that year, were Doris Berry, Dee DeHart, Mary Rives Brown, Alice Elmore, Anne Marks and Cathy Spencer. Platinum Award Winners, with between $3 million and $3.99 million, were Vern Berry, Hilda Cockram, Brenda Vaughn and Jan K. Wright. Wanda Green was the REALTOR of the Year; Liz Leach was Affiliate of the Year; Dee Dehart was winner of the Unit Production Award for the year and V. Rod Berry was the Rookie of the Year.
2024
Aaroa Hairston is Teacher of the Year for Martinsville.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin accessed on microfiche at the Martinsville Branch Library.