May 10

By Holly Kozelsky and Pat Pion

100 Years ago – 1924

Henry county native Hon. James P. Davis, who was living in Kokomo, Indiana, had been nominated as Democratic candidate to Congress from Indiana’s ninth district.

75 years ago – 1949

Martinsville High School seniors Beverly Parrish and Harold Burgess were designated by the Virginia Academy of Science as eligible for scholarships in state colleges and universities. Parrish’s project was a model filtering plant, and Burgess presented a paper on “A Graphic Study of Inorganic Crystal Systems.” Fifteen other students from across Virginia were similarly honored.

Martinsville City Council authorized the organization of a Volunteer force to augment the Martinsville Fire department.

1960

A 1960 4-door Comet with a heater and 47 actual miles went for $2,095 at Mitchell Motor Company in Bassett.

The 1960 Census reflected the following population count: Martinsville, 17,849 and Henry County 31,319. The Mayor was John W. Shultz and Chairman of the Board of Henry County Supervisors was Sam S. Gusler.

50 years ago – 1974

Holding books in one arm, 9-year-old Julia Harrell rode her unicycle to Druid Hills Elementary School from her home on Corn Tassel Trail several times a week.

25 years ago – 1999

The Fieldale Community Center Booster Club had just bought a new pitching machine for the center. Buster Ferguson was the director of the center.

— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin accessed on microfilm at the Martinsville Branch Library.