July 23
100 Years ago – 1924
Martinsville’s Company H 116th Infantry of the National Guard was in training at Camp Trinkle’s State Rifle Range in Virginia Beach. They were: Capt. Gerard W. King, 1st Lieut. Thomas S. Williamson, 1st Sergeant Claude S. Wells, Sergeants Harry W. Dorse, Carland R. Lewis, Thomas F. Shelton, Elmar B. Bryan, Russel J. martin. Corporal Harry F. Perry, Harry A. Cater, Isac H. Chestnut, Oscar B. Hensley, Charlie C. Graveley, Thomas J. Pratt, Privates Russell J. Slaydon, John T. Slaydon, Roy L. Barrow, George A. Barrow, Sam D. Clarke, Robert T. Turner, Cornith D. Willis, Edgar L. Winstead, Belva A. Barnes, James J. Boyd, Cala A. Boyd, Robert C. Cardwell, Harry Chaney, John Chaney, Sam Craig, George J. Compton, Harlow S. Cochran, John M. Clodfeltner, William P. Cahill, Albert H. Donovant, Carl S. Gleen, Freal J. Hawkes, Claude S. Haymaker, James H. Ingram, Curtis L. Johnson, Oscar R. Joyce, Thomas R. King, James H. Mays, Roy F. Mauldin, Ellis C. Mauldin, Malcolm G. Nelson, Thomas G. Oaks, Walter S. Parcell, Harry H. Robinson, John B. Slaydon, George F. Turner, Dewey R. Turner, Ivan J. Wingfield.
75 years ago – 1949
Henry County tobacco growers voted 458 to 9 for continued acreage controls for the following 3 years. Jesse Frank Wilson, secretary for the Henry County Agricultural Conservation Association, told the Bulletin that those 458 votes represented two-thirds of Henry County tobacco growers. In the Martinsville magisterial district, another 27 votes were cast in favor of the plan, with no opposing votes.
1960
Debra’s Beauty Bar opened on Virginia Avenue in Collinsville, across from Roy Stone Transfer Co. The beauty shop, open Tuesday and Friday nights by appointment (Dial MI 7-8305) offered special prices on permanents and noted that children were welcome.
50 years ago – 1974
People had been able to camp at five areas at Philpott Lake for free, but the Army Corps of Engineers instituted prices: $2 daily at Bowens Creek and Jamison Mill and $3 at Goose Point, Horseshoe Point and Salthouse Branch. The fees would help pay for installing drinking water, trash cans, toilets, fireplaces, access roads and trailer spaces.
25 years ago – 1999
Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association (MURA) was holding the TGIF concert series, and the concert on July 23, 1999, featured Sunset Drive. The local group, which played beach music, was composed of Cecil Akers on keyboard and vocals, Warren Rodgers on bass guitar and vocals; Joe Owens on guitar; Carlton Wilkes on saxophone; John Stone on drums; Chris Wilks on trumpet; and Ben Prunty on lead vocals and saxophone. Warren Rodgers Jr. assisted with sound engineering and production.
DeWitt House, 36, a former Martinsville High School principal, was named as assistant superintendent of instruction for Henry County Public Schools, replacing Betsy Mattox.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin accessed on microfilm at the Martinsville Branch Library.