Feb. 25

By Holly Kozelsky and Pat Pion

1925

On Feb. 25, 1924, the Henry County Board of Supervisors considered whether or not to hire a traffic officer and passed a motion instead to allow the sheriff, deputies, constables and police officers to look after the traffic and speeding on the county’s roads. Also, the Henry Bulletin reported on Feb. 26, “A motion to allow J.B. Walker the value, $15, of three sheep, which were killed by a dog, was carried after a great deal of argument by both sides.”

1949

In his monthly report, Martinsville Postmaster Robert Gregory Jr. announced that gross revenues of the City post office in January reached $11,042.78, an increase of $1,398.71 over the previous January. It still was lower than the highest January, which was in 1945, with $11,306.52.

1960

Cooper and Ratcliff offered U. S. Choice Boneless round steak for 73 cents a pound, Valleydale smoked picnics for 27 cents a pound and US Choice rolled rump roast for 79 cents a pound.

It seemed likely that Congress would raise the minimum wage to $1.25; it was currently at $1. The measure would represent a raise to over 3.5 million workers.

At the Kiwanis Club meeting, Julian F. Hirst, Martinsville City Manager, discussed the importance of the upcoming sewer bond referendum. Abatement of the pollution of the Smith River and its tributaries was a significant concern. In addition, 35 percent of the City’s developed area was without sewer, and the services for the remaining areas were inadequate. Further, raw sewage was being dumped into Jones Creek and the Smith River. The point was made that lack of services would restrict industrial development in the area.

1974

At Collinsville Furniture Mart, you could get your choice of a “Vinyl Comfort Control Sofa,” “Vinyl Spanish Sofa,” traditional sofa or Early American sofa for $178, or a solid pine bedroom suite for $388.

1999

Tultex Corp. announced a loss of $36.5 million, or $1.23 a share for 1998.

During February teachers from all 21 Henry County schools were taking classes on the state Standards of Learning (SOL) tests, which were new at the time. Linda Door, the workshop leader and director of vocational and technical education for Henry County Schools, was the coordinator.

PHOTO: 1933 - Interior view of the Horsepasture Store from inside the front door; looking toward the rear of the store. 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. translated 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.