Sept. 17
100 Years ago – 1924
For three days members of Leatherwood Primitive Baptist Church battled in court over control of that church. The plaintiffs were W.S. Minter, John F. Adkins and J.S. Coles the legally appointed trustees. Defendants were Rev. J.T. Jackson and members Mr. and Mrs. Jim Minter, Mrs. Truman Draper, Gemima Thomason, Lula Pace, Mrs. Bill Dove, Harvey Minter, Georgia Bray, Mrs. J.T. Jackson and Mr. and Mrs. P.J. Washburn. The complaint asserts that the pastor, who also is a justice of the peace in Fieldale, preached doctrines that are not in accord with the doctrines of the church. One allegedly was declaring the doctrine of two salvations – mixing Scripture in temporal and earthly matters with that referring to eternal soul salvation. The plaintiff also complained that the defendants accused the plaintiffs of believing in predestination of all things.
75 years ago – 1949
The Henry County Fair was going on at Liberty Heights.
1960
A new tobacco warehouse was operating and getting ready for the season’s sales. It was Woody Brothers warehouse, the former Liberty Warehouse. The Woody Brothers, Allen O. Woody Jr. and A.B. “Buck” Woody, came from Rocky Mount. They were assisted by their father, A.O. Woody Sr., who had once lived in Martinsville. Page Matherly was the floor manager, and James Smith was the head bookkeeper. G.D. “Dock” Powell was the auctioneer there, as well as at the other two warehouses, Farmers’ and Franklin.
50 years ago – 1974
The Henry County Baptist Association, composed of 26 churches, including six in Martinsville, opposed the passage of the Martinsville liquor-by-the-drink referendum which would be voted on Nov. 5, and it was trying to enlist other civic and religious organizations to join them in the battle.
25 years ago - 1999
Belk had a fall shoe sale with clogs and slides priced from $29.99 to $49.99. Calico & Madison Studio shoes (loafer style) cost $39.99. Pumps cost from $29.99 (for Lifestride) to $49.99 (Etienne Aigner).
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.