Oct. 20 through the years

100 Years ago – 1925

Schools were closed on this day so that children could attend the Henry County Fair, which was about agriculture and thus was educational. Free tickets were given to teachers and students for Children’s Day. The fair started with a parade. Prizes were given for decorated cars: $30 first place, $20 second place and $10 third place. Additionally, local car dealers were offering special prized for their categories.

75 years ago – 1950

The strike at Fontaine Converting Works, where men were demanding an increase of 20 cents an hour, was in its second day. Plant manager Julius Hermes said that 66% of employees were still at work, but Harold Griffiths, head of the Textile Workers Union of America, CIO, said he calculated that only about half of the workers were still on the job.

50 years ago – 1975

Sparky, the fire department’s mascot Dalmatian who visited school children each year, was badly injured in a motorcycle accident. Sparky was portrayed by city fireman Giles Martin, 21, of Vine Street. He started out for treatment at Memorial Hospital and then was sent to University Hospital in Charlottesville for a spine operation.

Henry County Public Service Authority voted for the construction of a $1 million sewer collector line for Bassett and Stanleytown.

25 years ago - 2000

In the “Wanted to Buy” section of the Martinsville Bulletin’s Classified Ads: “Looking for 9-foot pool table – Invisible Fence (for dog) – Rabbit Ear Shot Gun” / “Scrap Batteries Southwest Virginia Battery Distributor, South Daniels Creek Road, Collinsville” / Speedweigh Recycling Inc. 2-cent bonus with ad; Aluminum, copper, brass, radiators & stainless steel. 608 Stulz Road.”

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