Feb. 1, 1925 - 1950 - 1961 - 1975 - 2000
100 Years ago – 1925
Dentist Dr. N.R. Mitchell of Bassett took over the practice of Dr. C.T. Womack, who retired from dentistry to become president of the newly organized Pannill Knitting Mill.
The last survivor of the Virginia Veterans of the War Between the States (now called the Civil War) was badly hurt. He had slipped on ice while crossing the street from his house to his place of business in Martinsville.
75 years ago – 1950
Martinsville residents surveyed about President Truman’s giving the order for the development of the hydrogen super-bomb overwhelmingly stated that the weapon was needed for the defense of the nation, yet they expressed shock that the new bomb would be 100 times as destructive as the atom bomb. Whitney Shumate, furniture store proprietor, told the Martinsville Bulletin, “If we don’t do it the other crowd will.” Attorney Robert Carter said Russia would be more anxious for peace if the U.S. had that weapon. Justice of the Peace John Matthews said the same, adding that the Soviet Union would make every effort to develop it themselves.
Three Martinsville men were arrested by city police on charges of running a “numbers game” lottery.
1961
Five-year-old Soodie Stultz of 708 Circle Court was Miss Heart Fund of MHC. Her mother brought her to Richmond to make video tapes to be played during Virginia TV stations during the annual Heart Fund drive in February, including the Jack Paar show at 11 p.m. on Channel 10, and the morning show on Channel 10 the next day.
50 years ago – 1975
Mrs. Frances Hodges of Stultz Road shared a surprising delicious way to serve redeye gravy: over fried apples. It usually accompanies grits and biscuits.
25 years ago - 2000
Martinsville Superintendent Ira Trollinger took Juelyan Via, 9, and five other students from Clearview Elementary School to the hospital to see how cardiac probes were used, and other aspects of medical care. It was their break between sessions; Clearview was a year-round school.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.