Feb. 24
By Holly Kozelsky and Pat Pion
100 years ago, 1924
The first real snow of the season fell in Stuart on Feb. 24, 1924, resulting in 2 ½ inches of snow the next morning. Also, Stuart had “quite an epidemic of whopping cough” at that time, the Henry Bulletin reported on Feb. 26.
75 years ago, 1949
Mayor Nick Prillaman, 57, announced that he was running for governor of Virginia. His 14-point platform included abolishing the State Compensation Board; the standardization of new school construction; establishing a State Insurance Division for all city, county and town public buildings; and opposing the sales tax. [He would not win; John Stewart Battle was the governor from 1950-1954. From Henry County, Thomas Bahnson Stanley was governor from 1954-58, and from Patrick County, Gerald L. Baliles, from 1986-1990.]
1960
The Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce held its first meeting with its ratified new name, changing it from Martinsville Area Chamber. The meeting of the newest Chamber of Commerce in the US was attended by over 150 members. The principal speaker was Clem Johnston, a past president of the US Chamber of Commerce. Among those in attendance were Jeff Warner, executive manager of the new group and W. F. Franck, president of the local chamber.
The City Council again delayed consideration of the ordinance placing stricter regulations banning hogs, sheep and goats within city limits. Many concerned citizens had not yet been able to voice their concerns.
50 years ago, 1974
United Enterprises, operating locally as United Enterprises of Martinsville and Henry County, had been reported on numerous times to the Better Business Bureau of Waynesboro and the Chamber of Commerce in Lynchburg. The company marketed Emdeko brand products with discounts through buying in package deals. Claims were that misleading statements and deceptive practices were used to persuade people to buy; items sold cost hundreds of dollars more than they are worth; the company’s sales techniques were so strong that even a pair of undercover investigators were tempted to buy. Local people who spoke up publicly about the company included Mr. and Mrs. James Barrow of Patrick Springs and Art Heberer of Mulberry Court.
25 years ago, 1999
Bryan Nowlin of Spencer was in his second year of studies at the Henry County Public Schools – Memorial Hospital School of Practical Nursing. He designed a pin for the Region VI Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and his design won the contest.
PHOTO 1933: Interior view of the 1930s lean-to addition, showing the commercial storage and space and the addition's roof framing; looking north - Horsepasture Store, U.S. Route 58 & State Route 687, Horse Pasture, Henry County. Historic American Buildings Survey, Creator, John Atkinson, Benjamin Watkins, Paul Clifton, James Lester Roberson, John H Schoolfield, Robert A Schoolfield, et al., Ryan, Robert A, photographer. Horsepasture Store, U.S. Route 58 & State Route 687, Horse Pasture, Henry County, VA. Horse Pasture Henry County Virginia, 1933. translateds by Christianson, Justinemitter, and Mcpartland, Marymitter Documentation Compiled After. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/va1719/.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin accessed on microfilm at the Martinsville Branch Library.