Dec. 1 through time
100 Years ago – 1924
The Craig-Bassett store in Bassett was considerably damaged by fire, however, the fire was discovered and extinguished in time to save adjoining buildings, First National Bank and the Bassett Furniture Co. offices and post office.
In Bassett, Rev. Mr. Powell preached a powerful sermon to the Order of Fraternal Americans.
A joyful church fundraiser ended in tragedy in the New Town section of Bassett. Store owner Bud Hairston organized an old-fashioned cake-cutting to raise money for the church. People came from miles around, visiting in the store and the home. Chas. Estes attempted to rob the storekeeper, and Hairston shot him. Estes died the next day in the hospital in Martinsville.
75 years ago – 1949
An ABC official from Richmond listened to testimony in favor of revoking the beer license at Belle View Inn on Highway 220 South of Martinsville. Sheriff Morton Prillaman and Deputy C.D. Martin testified that cabin at the inn were used for immoral purposes and several people were arrested there in a raid three weeks prior.
Christmas lights in downtown Bassett were turned on by the Bassett-Stanleytown Professional and Businessmen’s Association. G. Fred Craig was the president of the association. He said that the association had not been able to extend the lights to Stanleytown and North Bassett as it had wanted to do; the lights they put up had cost $1,000 already. Bassett Furniture Industries Inc. was supplying the power.
Three city and county banks distributed more than $100,000 in Christmas savings. The Bank of Fieldale had 450 Christmas Club members who have saved, and will be given, $28,929.25 since the previous November. The First National Bank in Fieldale held $44,741.25 for 626 Christmas Club members. The Industrial Bank of Danville had 483 members with $28,296. They were the only three banks which had Christmas Clubs in 1949, but J.B. Dillon, cashier of First National Bank, said his bank was starting one.
1960
Christmas Cheer mailed letters soliciting help to more than 200 civic groups in Martinsville and Henry County. The goal was $6,500 in donations, and $236.27 had been donated so far.
Does anyone know why there would not have been water in Fairystone Lake? We don’t, but we came upon this in the Bulletin’s Stroller on Dec. 1, 1960: “One of our staffers took a ride the other day and reports: Fairystone Park just doesn’t look the same – without water. It could well be a small Death Valley from all outward appearances. … The Park without a lake, even in winter, is like a tree which has lost its leaves for the first time in the autumn and it isn’t quite sure whether or not it has the strength to gain them back.”
50 years ago – 1974
Ad: “Kmart gives satisfaction always – BOMBSHELLS Monday Tuesday – Lark or Eve cigarettes: Lar, $1.99; Eve, $2.09 – Antron III nylon slips, panties $2; Ban-Lon knit shirts for men, $2.97; Boys’ no-iron dress jeans, $3.99; Boys’ knit shirt sale, $2.58; Corduroy decorator pillows, $1.88 each; Luxurious deep-pile bath set, fabulous acrylic/modacrylic pile, rug, 2-pc. Tank set, lid cover, lucious colors, $7.44
25 years ago - 1999
Frank Draper cooked twice a year for the Exchange Club, and he and his wife, Jeannie, along with other members of Fontaine Baptist Church, had cooked Thanksgiving dinner for more than 800 people at The Gallery. Afterward, in a “Cook of the Week” story in the Bulletin on Dec. 1, they shared this recipe for Apple Breakfast Sandwiches: Combine ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar, 2 TBS flour and ½ tsp. cinnamon and set aside. Separate biscuits (from one 10-oz. can refrigerated buttermilk biscuits) and press each into a 3-inch circle. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle each circle with shredded sharp cheddar cheese (be prepared with 1 cup cheese total) and top with pieces of apple, from 2 large apples which had been peeled, cored, chopped and microwaved for 2 minutes. Sprinkle with sugar mixture and drizzle with 1 TBS melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until crust is golden.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.