1924, Axton farmer “well pleased” with making $999.74 on 14,000 tobacco plants; 1949, after Stuart High School boys are found drunk in school, it’s discovered that a taxi driver bought them the booze; 1974, Converse shoes on sale at H&M Shoes in Downtown Martinsville; 1999, Bassett Ruritan Club officers.

1924, “feedstuff” for sale at J.W. Booker & Co. included daisy, shipstuff, Cow Chow Dairy Feed and oyster shells; 1949, DuPont ranked 16th in Virginia for employment; 1974, City alleys were too dirty even for the rats; 1999, most area schools were below average on SOLs; 2024, Phillips wins election; Republican headquarters vandalized.

1924, a ban from town for running a “house of ill fame”; 1949, the Martinsville Seven arrested, based on tip from a 12-year-old witness who allegedly was given a quarter not to tell, and also, an engagement which would merge two furniture magnate families; 1974, City’s 10 voting precincts merged into five; 1999, a big Saturday with breakfasts, Brunswick stews, music show and a dance; 2024, the Dutch Inn restaurant has reopened under Austin Boyd and Justin Haley.

This day – 75 years ago – was the start of the Martinsville Seven saga. Also in our area, 1924 – Town Council meetings addressed electricity for homes and rates for “frigid air machines” and a labor for a storefront sidewalk; 1974, the Bulletin wins the prestigious Copeland award; 1999, price of stamp raises to 33 cents.

1924, City Pressing Club on Fayette Street promises “pleating of all kinds” – 1949, specialist urges MHC farmers to grow more cigarette tobacco instead of heavy tobacco; 1974, questions over the special police forces that were funded by both industries and the county, and nationally, 22 straight months of Daylight Saving Time coming; 1999, Trade Show canceled.

1924, Henry Clay Preston of Chestnut Knob died outside in the coldest night in 30 years – 1949, all six county high schools accredited – 1974, some schools to go on “sun time” (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) – 1979, Norman Mills of Axton wins a trip and Ray Bans on Price is Right.

1924 - Dodge Brother Type-B Sedans sold in Martinsville, Bassett and Stuart offers “closed car warmth and protection … almost as inexpensive … as an open touring car” – 1949, Edith Doyle’s Millinery and Bettie’s Beauty Shop and Eanes Atlantic Service – 1974, Sale in Globman’s Basement Store – 1999, unemployment rate goes from 5.1% to 6%.

1924, the holdings and officers of Martinsville’s three banks – 1949, what’s playing at the Roxy and the Rives – 1974, school systems vote to operate on “sun time” (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.); 1999, Laurel Park Bingo dishing out $10,600 in prizes every weekend.

1923: Dueling advertisements for break bakeries, including Schilbe’s – 1949, $30,000 in construction in Martinsville in a month – 1974, parents sue hotel in sniper death of newlyweds – 1999, Pluma closes two plants and six outlet stores

Christmas Clubs paid 4% interest in 1924 - A committee of 100 will consider if Martinsville should get a city manager in 1949 - In 1974, gas prices hit 50 cents, and Lee Sigmon has a way to help his regular customers - head of county government in 1999

1923, Emancipation Celebration at High Street Baptist Church; 1948, Bring your hog to Carter’s Frozen Foods for processing and storage; 1973, Franklin and Patrick Schools to run on “sun time,” from 10 to 4 p.m.; 1998, Virginia Home Inn to be used by New Life Worship Center to fix food boxes for the needy.

Prices of electronics in 1923; bodies of WWII servicemen James Joyce, John Dillon and Lester Terrell arrive home; early controversy over answering machines; Rangeley Ruritan Club officers of 1998.

Police in 1923 capture Dodge Roadster loaded down with booze; 1948 gas prices; Remember Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Geter with Pine Hall Grocery?; Donnie and Timmy Myers are Eagle Scouts in 1973; when cell phones were new.

Martinsville Building & Loan Association advertises houses on a monthly payment plan in 1923; Clarence Kearfott and W.M. Shaw represent a soldier denied meal service in 1948; Roscoe Reynolds takes on Mason’s Department Store for Blue Law violations in 1973; LaRhonda Johnson, Pamela Gunter and Chris Hinson have winning essays in 1998.

1923 movies showing in Martinsville; Model A driver sues school bus driver in 1948; Robert Armstrong joins Commonwealth Attorney’s office in 1973; icicle lights are all the rage i8n 1998.

November 2023 school nursing report - nine Christmas Day arrests in 1948, most for drunkenness; sewage treatment negotiations between City and County in 1973; Construction of jail on Kings Mountain Road; 1,000 houses without electricity in 1998

On this day in MHC: Khorassan wives honored; 150-gallon distilleries destroyed; a potential precedent by Judge Kennan Whittle; Ronald E. Smith; $3 million in local Christmas bonuses; county’s first Family Christmas in the Park.

Christmas Seals raise money for tuberculosis sanitoriums and a Public Health Nurse; Banner Warehouse sales; American Furniture officers; 4-year-old houses on Oak Street condemned; Marvin Kendall killed at his sawmill.

1924 officers of the Henry County Fair Association and the Red Cross; 1948 officers of the Variety Club; Georgia Ward of Preston hung more than 80 handmade stockings; Wrap, Pack and Mail at Liberty Fair Mall; the Roundtable Foundation’s Christmas Shopping Spree and Pizza Party.