September 4 through time
100 Years ago – 1925
Ad for Sam Kolodny store on Brown’s Corner in Martinsville: “For Afternoon Wear – Smart Dresses. Silks and satins occupy the stage for this season. Tailored models with straight lines the vogue, also are shown. The high collar is expected to reach the height of popularity, while others are distinguished by their flared hem lines and puff sleeves. The scarf collar is certain to please a great number. A shipment just arrived includes all the newest colors, styles and a full range of sizes.”
75 years ago – 1950
It was Labor Day, and several men from Martinsville attended a doubleheader baseball game between the Senators and Boston Red Sox in Washington D.C. The group included Firemen Dick Warren and George Craig and Policemen Murray Barrow and Robert Lee Stowe.
50 years ago – 1975
Two lawsuits totaling $265,000 were filed against the City of Martinsville in connection with an Oct. 3, 1974 accident in which Tammy Lynn Ellis, 6, was injured. A city school bus had stopped to let her off at home, 717 Lester Lane, and after she had gotten off, she was hit by the front left wheel. The bus driver said that after she had gotten off the bus, he waited a few seconds, checked his mirrors and started driving again. The bus felt as if it had run over a bump, and when he looked in the rear view mirror he saw the girl trying to crawl toward the sidewalk. He stopped the bus, called police and ran to help the girl. She was taken to Memorial Hospital, where she spent 3 weeks.
The class “The Total Woman” was taught for four Thursday nights in a row at Patrick Henry Community College.
25 years ago - 2000
The annual Sportsman’s Charity Club Labor Day picnic was held at the old farmers market on Fayette Street. A least 1,000 people came to the free meal of 500 pounds of fried fish, 12 hams and 1,000 grilled hamburgers, as well as hot dogs, barbecue, baked beans, cole slaw and sodas. The club had been holding those picnics for 7 years. Melvin Carter was the club president, and Earl Preston was the head chef.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.