Jan. 4, a century back from 2025

1925

Miss Elma O. Williams, the manager of the local office of the Western Telegraph Company, had just returned home from a visit in Troy, N.C., where she spent the holiday with her parents. She went by car accompanied by J. Moss Prillaman. Her sister, Miss Mary, who was a teacher in Axton, was still with their parents but would be returning soon.

Owners of automobiles, trucks and other motor vehicles were required to pick up their license tags before Feb. 1 at the office of Town Sergeant W.R. Shumate.

1950

Appalachian Electric Power Company just completed construction of 12 miles of high voltage line to connect to Duke Power Company. The line went from the Fieldale substation to Duke’s new steam-generating plant near Spray, N.C. The cost was $349,000.

1961

Andy Beckner of 210 Starling Ave. pointed out that “1961” can be turned upside down and still be the name number, “1961.” E.W. Hodnett of 904 Gates St. noted that the last time that occurred was in 1881, and the next time it would happen would be in 6009.

The Civic Music Association held a concert in the auditorium of Martinsville High School. It was one of the first times that one of the greatest violins in the world, valued at $100,000, was played in over a generation. The Guarnerius del Gesu violin, known as the “ex-Kochanski,” was made in 1741 and owned by violinist Aaron Rosand and pianist Eileen Flissler. Its tone was characterized by a vibrancy which in modern terms would be called “hi-fi.” It was varnished in red-gold with a stunning lustre.

Leath Zentmeyer  the Stroller newspaper column how the community of Stella was named: after Miss Stella Buchanan, who once was a girlfriend of his father, the late Peter Leath Zentmeyer, a prominent landowner. People were asked to propose names for that community, and that’s what he suggested and was accepted.

1975

Big sale at Roses: Vick’s NyQuil, 6 oz., $1.27; Vicks Formula 44, 99 cents; Vicks Vaporub, 48 cents; Noxzema skin cream, 6 oz., 93 cents; Close-Up toothpaste, 48 cents; “Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific” shampoo, 58 cents; 8-track or cassette carrying case $3.74.

2000

Company president Emilie Wooldridge announced that the J.C. Wooldridge Inc. moving company would close. Located on U.S. 220 South, it was the area’s only moving company, both freight and residential. The 50-year-old company had been in business for 50 years. Chamber of Commerce President Larry Aydlett said that the company’s closing would provide an opening for other people to create another moving company and that SCORE, the group of retired business people which advise small businesses, and the Small Business Development Center both would be available to help.

— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.