April 12

100 Years ago – 1925

Styles for women as seen in the Henry Bulletin were coats and dresses with dropped waist or no defined waist, and ending above the ankle. Hats were cloche-style, close to the head. A fashion article read, “In the procession of styles for the coming season, that division comprising coats made a quiet but effective entry and is now passing in review. And stylists have a right to point with pride to the high merits of these new examples of the fine art of tailoring. They flaunt no startling departures from the modes that made winter coats most becoming and decorative. A kind fate has preserved the slender silhouette, with simple and graceful lines …”

75 years ago – 1950

Judge Kennon C. Whittle entered an order in City Council setting new execution dates for Joe Henry Hampton, Frank Hairston Jr., Booker T. Millner and Howard Lee Hairston – May 26 – and for Frances DeSales Grayson, John Clabon Taylor and James Luther Hairston – June 2. All black men, they had been found guilty of the rape and assault of a white woman on Jan. 8, 1949.

50 years ago – 1975

Imperial Savings and Loan Association at 33 Spencer St. advertised to tell people to put their tax refunds in a 5 ¼% Passbook Account.

25 years ago - 2000

Irisburg Elementary School got new playground equipment, purchased with a $4,200 contribution from its Parent Teacher Organization. PTO officers were Joyce Childress, James Adams, Lisa Taylor, Hope Thompson and Doris Merriman. During ceremonies to celebrate the playground equipment, a time capsule full of items from Irisburg students was buried. Did anyone imagine then that the school would close in 2011? The property now is the home of Compassion Church.

— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.