May 17
By Holly Kozelsky and Pat Pion
100 Years ago – 1924
Classified ads: LOST or STOLEN, One Sorrel mule weight about 650 lbs. Little spring in front knees, about 12 years old, from I.M. Young, Koehler, Va. Vinder Please notify me and receive award. / Dr. G.H. Rice, Dentist, Over Roberts Drug Store. / Tomato and pepper plants for sale. See Taylor Finney at Mr. R.S. Brown’s.
75 years ago – 1949
A severe electric storm wreaked havoc in Martinsville: The Howard home at 904 Spruce Street was struck six or seven times by lightning, cause roof to fall in; city fire department was called to four fire calls, including theirs, all in one hour; damage done to Morris Novelty Furniture Co.; in Forest Park, several electric light bulbs knocked out and Mr. and Mrs. George E. Morris said one bolt was so severe it knocked an electric stove into operation.
1960
The 1960 Miss Martinsville-Henry County Beauty Pageant would be June 3-4. There were six entered contestants to date in the contest sponsored by Martinsville Civitans and Bassett Rotarians. As in Miss Virginia Pageants, the contestants would participate in swimsuit, evening gown and talent presentations for the two-night event, with a guest appearance by Miss Virginia 1959 Sue Williams. The Civitans would use their proceeds for the benefit of the new Community Center while the Rotarians would donate to Bassett Recreation and to a scholarship fund. Five cash prizes were offered as well as the winner’s opportunity to compete in the Miss Virginia Pageant in Roanoke.
Danville City Council voted to hold an advisory referendum on the future of a library being operated for white citizens only in the Confederate Memorial Building. A federal judge had issued an injunction prohibiting the city of Danville from operating the library on a segregated basis and the city had appealed the ruling. The library was currently closed. The vote would occur on June 14. Voters would choose from among five alternatives: Close the library system; close the system if it appeared that private library facilities were available; keep the library open as a reference library; or close the building for public use and dispense books by bookmobile. Danville Library Foundation received a charter from the State Corporation Commission and made plans to operate a private library for white persons if the city voted to close the libraries rather than integrate them. “We believe the people would prefer a private library rather than making any concession to the NAACP,” was the statement made by Stuart Wheatley, director of the foundation.
50 years ago – 1974
Help Wanted ads: Two mature persons willing to work, part time, must be 21. Come to Pizza Hut, Virginia Avenue, Collinsville. No phone calls please. / Bassett Printing Company has a fine opening for 2 young men to ear, learn and grow in one of our printing departments. Apply Bassett Printing Co., Bassett.
25 years ago - 1999
The playground equipment at Carlisle School was dedicated to the late Archie Vipperman, who was killed in a plane crash on Oct. 2, 1997. He was the husband of lower school director Anne Vipperman.
John Floyd, the director of the Henry County Parks & Recreation Department since 1982, was named its special projects manager, a newly created position, at the start of an initiative to revamp that organization, including with dozens of beautification and enhancement projects. He attributed that to the improved economy.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin accessed on microfilm at the Martinsville Branch Library.