March 30

100 Years ago – 1925

Mrs. George T. Davis, who was from Martinsville, and moved to Bristol. She painted and designed posters for use in teaching mission and Bible classes. She had painted 14 posters. Her latest poster illustrated the dangers of modernism. Two of the posters had won prizes.

75 years ago – 1950

Slot machines were controversial. The Martinsville Ministerial Association opposed them, as did other organizations and individuals. City Council in a regular meeting voted not to amend ordinances: Slot machines would not be allowed. Commonwealth’s Attorney I.W. Cubine and Police Chief Harold W. Stultz said that it would be difficult to enforce any gambling restrictions on the machines, if they were allowed to be legal in the City.

J.C. Stone and Mrs. Evelyn Stone received a building permit for the construction of a trucking terminal on West Fayette Street between First and Second streets. It would be the home of the Virginia-Carolina Trucking Co., and work was scheduled to begin on April 1. The site was that of the former Henry Cunty Training School for Negroes. The Stones bought it after the County School Board sold it the year prior. The site fronted West Fayette Street for 360 feet and extended 360 feet deep. A trucking terminal was built, and neighbors reported being bothered by the noise and other matters. In November 1996 the City of Martinsville, with the assistance of the Martinsville Bulletin and an anonymous donor, purchased the property, and Environmental Transportation Services moved out in January 1997. Later, houses were built there.

50 years ago – 1975

Raymond “Doc” Ward, 47, of Horsepasture was famous for his whittling. One of his first pieces was a bookholder with folding ends made from a single slab of wood. His carving included wooden balls inside hollowed-out pieces of wood, such as on a wooden cradle put together with wooden pegs instead of nails. His biggest project was a four-post walnut double bed, which also had the wooden balls inside the carved-out areas. He also made ships and other items inside bottles. He owned more than 40 pocket knives.

25 years ago - 2000

Mary Martin, the manager of the Super 8 motel, sponsored a poetry contest for students at the Center for Community Learning. Forty students took part. A winner in the junior and senior school each received a $10 gift certificate to Walmart and a free lunch at any restaurant. All of the students were treated to pizza.