March 25
100 Years ago – 1925
The part of the J.D. Bassett Manufacturing Company plant which had been totally destroyed by fire the month before was quickly being rebuilt. More than 50 workmen including carpenters and brick-layers were on the job. The brick work already had been built up above the second story. It would just be a few more weeks before the building would be finished and production would begin there.
75 years ago – 1950
Census-takers for 1950 in Martinsville were Mrs. Lillian Davis Ussery, Mrs. Bernice M. Wyatt, Mrs. Martha M. Henry, Miss Nina Gravely, Mrs. Edith Crosby, Mrs. Rugh C. Whitner, Curtis Higginbottom and Virginia L. Hairston. Stafford G. Whittle III was the City crew leader. The crew leader for Henry County was Howard C. Bradshaw. There were a great many more census-takers for the County.
50 years ago – 1975
The Virginia State Police were in Patrick County, investigating allegations that illegal liquor seized in raids by deputies was going missing from evidence lockers at the sheriff’s department. The request for investigation was made by Sheriff Calvin Harbour and Patrick County Commonwealth’s Attorney Martin F. Clark, the VSP said.
Henry County Circuit Court Judge John D. Hooker overturned the Sept. 12 conviction of Virginia Drive-In Theaters Inc., the owner of the Martinsville Drive-In in Ridgeway. That company had been ordered by General District Court Judge Kenneth Covington to pay $500 of a $2,500 fine in an initial decision for showing an obscene movie, “Orgy and Revenge.” Hooker ruled that the film was confiscated through illegal search and seizure: that the Sheriff’s Department did not file with the court clerk an inventory of property seized within the 3-day deadline, that the prosecution failed to provide specific enough evidence to get a search warrant, and the Commonwealth Attorney’s office did not hold an adversary hearing as required by a 1969 Richmond Appeals Court decision.
25 years ago - 2000
The Martinsville Mounted Police held the Third Annual Team Penning Competition at Martin Stables on Mountain Mist Drive (off Chatham Road). More than 100 3-member teams competed.
Patice Holland was crowned Miss Martinsville-Henry County and Rebecca Newbill was crowned Miss Greater Franklin County 2000 during a joint pageant.