April 8

By Holly Kozelsky and Pat Pion

100 Years ago – 1924

Classified ad in the Henry Bulletin on April 8, 1924: “FOUND – Man’s suit and Woman’s skirt on Public Square, no questions asked. Give description and pay for ad. Edgar Winstead.”

The final of a series of three weekly clinics for typhoid inoculations in Bassett concluded on this day with 263 people fully vaccinated. Average death rate in Henry County from typhoid fever: 1914-1918, 51.78; 1919-1923, 13.52. Reported by Health Officer R.M. Wilson.

1949

Henry County officials obtained the deed to property where a new colored high school would be built between Fieldale and Horsepasture. The County paid $1,875 for a 23-acre tract of land belonging to Robert J. Walker. The building would serve up to 500 students and was expected to “be large enough for needs in the next 25 to 30 years, unless there is an abnormal increase in the number of Negro high school students in the county,” the Martinsville Bulletin reported.

1960

The Mayors of Martinsville and Danville decided to begin sounding out sentiment toward construction of a joint airport. They would contact citizens, Chambers of Commerce and governing councils. At that time Danville had a $5 million airport investment partially built with federal funds; there was a possibility that past commitments would preclude moving the facilities.

The building deficits of the Community Recreation Center on Cleveland Avenue received a $5,000 check from the Martinsville Jaycees, who shared their profit from the operation of Walker Swimming Pool and the Henry County Horse Show. The check reduced the building deficit to $23,000.

50 years ago – 1974

The Stroller column shared this tip from R.W. Jones, horticulture teacher at Laurel Park High School: To propagate azaleas, take some new azalea growth, break it so a joint would be exposed, and insert it int a pot filled with a mixture of peat moss and sand. Water it thoroughly and place a jar over it, inverted, to create a greenhouse effect. In about a month, new roots should have grown, and the new azalea would be ready to be planted.

25 years ago - 1999

Riddle Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge on Rt. 220 South, Martinsville: 1997 Passport LXW, $20,988; 1998 Caravan, $16,999; 1998 Accord EX, $19,999; 1995 Civic LX, $8,998; 1993 Ranger XLT, $5,999

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