October 21

100 Years ago – 1925

At the Henry County Fair the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries had an exhibit of all native birds, animals, reptiles, etc. that inhabit the woods, fields, mountains and streams of the state, from day-old partridges to full-grown bears. Contractors and carpenters had built cages and pens for the animals in the Fair Building. There was no admission fee to see that exhibit.

75 years ago – 1950

James Dalton, 42, died after being crushed by a bale of hay. Dalton had been walking on Highway 220 at Ridgeway when the bale of hay fell off a moving truck. Ropes that held bales of hay broke, and several bales tumbled off and left hay strewn across the highway. The falling bale broke Dalton’s neck and both legs. Dalton died while en route to Saint Mary’s Hospital (run by Dr. Dana Baldwin). He left three children, seven sisters and five brothers. The driver of the truck, a Pennsylvania man, was arrested and charged with manslaughter.

50 years ago – 1975

Eddie Lee “Shanghai” Thomas, who charged with killing Sally Aliff of Preston and her four children, asked the court that he be tried somewhere else because he could not get a fair trial in Henry County.

25 years ago - 2000

A miniature-air-show was held at Kings Mountain Park, and about 500 spectators attended. People including from the Patrick Henry Remote Control Club flew remote-control airplanes. Local flyers and members of the Flights Unlimited group of Danville gave a show similar to the barnstorming shows of the 1930s. They also had chances to pilot a plane under the supervision and co-piloting of a club member.

— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.