Oct. 7
100 Years ago – 1924
This editorial in the Henry Bulletin, published on Oct. 3, 1924: “Next Tuesday, October 7th, the greatest county fair every seen here or, perhaps, elsewhere in any county, will open in Martinsville. The Bulletin feels that all business houses and especially all manufacturing concerns in Martinsville should, if possible, give their employees an opportunity to see this great fair and could appropriately close their places of business for at least a few hours on the opening day. The creation of this great educational and amusement event has required that several of our citizens concerned in the management of the fair, and particularly its efficient president, devote much of their time and take a great deal of trouble, without pecuniary compensation, to make it a success, the appreciation of every business man and citizen of the community should be accorded these public spirited men and women, and their co-workers in Martinsville and the county in a way that will be helpful to its complete and splendid success. With this in mind, the management of the Bulletin has decided to omit its next Tuesday’s issue, that its working force may have a holiday on the first day of the great fair and be able to ‘take in’ all the program of wonderful attractions on that day including the splendid display of exhibits at the fair grounds. … Remember also that the first day of the Fair is children’s day, when the schools throughout the county will be closed and teachers and children admitted free.
However, the advertisement for the fair specified: “White school pupils and teachers admitted free – all white schools closed for holiday.”
75 years ago – 1949
The future of the Central Grammar School was up in the air. More classrooms would be needed in Martinsville, but the cost to remodel the Central Grammar School building was prohibitive. The students who were taking class at Central Grammar School would transfer to the new Patrick Henry Elementary School as soon as construction on that school finished, expected to be within a month. It was suggested that Central Grammar School be used to house the municipal offices.
Police were investigating a breaking and entering of the office of Dr. Dana O. Baldwin at St. Mary’s Hospital in Baldwin Block. A meta box had been badly damaged, and $13 was taken from it.
1960
The United Fund helped 12 post-polio crippled children from Henry County and two from Martinsville to receive emergency services of orthopedic shoes, shoe and brace repairs and transportation to and from clinics.
50 years ago – 1974
The price of a pickup truckload of firewood rose to $15, up from $12, said to e due to the rising prices of gas and equipment.
25 years ago - 1999
Employees of Hooker Furniture Corp. sent $2,600 to help victims of flooding by Hurricane Floyd.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.