Last week of December, 1925-2000
DECEMBER 22 100 Years ago – 1925
Judge Henry McDowell ruled that a September sale of peach orchard in Patrick County did not bring in enough money, and he reversed the sales. He ruled that Patrick Orchards was worth half a million dollars. The property had been sold on Sept. 17 in a bankrupt proceeding, but the sale brought only a quarter of its value.
75 years ago – 1950
In its first year in operation, Christmas Cheer assembled food baskets for more than 140 city and county families. Another 143 families would receive Christmas baskets prepared by local clubs and organizations. Contributions to Christmas Cheer totaled $1,275 to help the needy.
A three-judge federal panel ruled in favor of CBS color television but held up the start of other telecasts until April 1. The FCC had set Nov. 20 for the start of commercial telecasts in color, but legal proceedings including a complaint by Radio Corporation of America caused delay.
50 years ago – 1975
Sambo’s Restaurant on Route 220, Collinsville, served pancakes for 49 cents all day for all children who came to see Santa Claus. A soup and sandwich cost 99 cents, and a chef salad cost $1.09. Sambo’s was open 24 hours a day.
25 years ago - 2000
Shopping at Liberty Fair Mall was intense. Some people rested in the islands of the mall’s corridors, while others pushed around shopping carts full of packages. Santa Claus was at the mall for children to visit. Greg Williams, 38, of Bassett helped Santa to make arrangements (so to speak) to go the mall. Williams had worked at Pluma for 8 years, then was laid off. It was his second year helping Santa with his appearance at the mall. The children who visited him that year included Emily Martin, 4, daughter of Kay Martin, and Chris, 10, Andrey, 8, and Brandon, 4, children of Susan Wimbush, Kay’s sister.
DECEMBER 23 100 Years ago – 1925
“For the Merriest and Longest Remembers Christmas of All,” promised Maury Electric Company in the Aaron Building on Main Street, “Give Something Electrical. Our large stock offers many suggestions for beautiful and useful gifts: Waffle Irons, Electric Toasters, Curling Irons, Electric Stoves, Electric Percolators, Electric Irons. Our line of Floor, Bridge and Table Lamps is complete, also all kinds of electric appliances. For your wife, mother or daughter no gift would be more welcome or appropriate than a Eureaka Vaccum Cleaner. Ask for the special Holiday price and a set of attachments free.”
75 years ago – 1950
The Martinsville Civilian Defense Authority had begun recruiting firemen and policemen for training in event of an emergency. It was in response to a directive by State Defense Coordinator J.H. Wyse, who instructed local officials to get from three to five auxiliary firemen and policemen for every regular or volunteer fireman or policeman. The city had 17 paid firemen, 33 volunteers and 26 regular policemen, so the new order meant it would have to get at least 150 auxiliary firemen and 78 auxiliary policemen. All recruits would be provided the normal training for policemen and firemen, plus first-aid and instruction in atomic defense.
25 years ago – 2000
Christmas was made a little brighter for needy families in the area thanks to members of Peaceful Zion Full Gospel Baptist Church (pastor Dr. Roy Dalton, Deacon Donell Martin, Deacon Randolph Hodges, Devin Gravely, Vanessa Gravely, Dionysus Hodge and Melvin Hodge among them), who assembled and gave away 15 food baskets; and the Sportsman’s Club, which delivered 75 food boxes (by members including Melvin Carter, Club president, Sam Gamble and Donald Edwards). Employees of VF Imagewear donated 18 bicycles, coats and shoes as well as gifts to provide Christmas for 150 children through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree project. Some of those employees included Lydia Hairston, Mary Louise Gibbs, Carol Hubbard, Linda Briggs, Susan Hazelwood and Marvin Slade.
DECEMBER 24 100 Years ago – 1925
Santa was at Millner’s Variety Store every afternoon from 3 to 5 o’clock. For sale were: Tricycles, $2.85 to $15; Steam Engines, 69c to $10; Steam Shovels, 98c to $5.49; Roller Skates, $1.75; Children’s Chairs, 59c to $6.75; Sleds, $2.25 to $2.65; Doll Beds, 10c to $3.79; Tea Sets, 10c to $2.10; Tinker Toys, 65c; Banks, 10c to $2.25; Block Sets, 10c to 98c; Kiddy Cars, $1.49 to $4.98; Air Rifles, 98c to $4.98; Rubber Balls, 5c to 98c; Wind Up Trains, 49c to 98c; Indian Suits, $1.50 to $2.50.
75 years ago – 1950
More than 3,000 furniture workers in the city and county had Christmas bonuses and were promised that they would receive a general pay increase when going back to work on Dec. 27. The increase was 5 cents an hour at American Furniture Company and Bassett Furniture Industries.
25 years ago - 2000
Some of the homes which were heavily decorated with Christmas lights included those of: Barbara and Wayne McCraw of Riverview Court in Martinsville, helped by daughter Beverly Hall and granddaughter Leanne Hodge; their neighbor, Margaret Davis; Jackie and Paul Horsley of Collinsville, whose children were Chad Horsley and Kelly Horsley; Bud Wells and Ann Martin of Ellsworth Street, Martinsville; and James and Liz Fleming of Old Quarry Road, Figsboro.
DECEMBER 25 100 Years ago – 1925
The Community Christmas Tree and program were set on Courthouse Lawn at 2:30 p.m. Gift baskets were given to the needy. The back-up location, in case of bad weather, had been set to be Banner Warehouse.
75 years ago – 1950
Patrick Henry Lodge, Knights of Pythias, held their 28th annual Christmas Tree party on the courthouse lawn at 2 p.m. The event, which normally attracted hundreds of people, was started in Martinsville in 1916 by members of the Danville Elks lodge and taken over 8 years later by the Pythians. The program was directed by the Rev. C.M. Wales with speaker Malcolm H. McBryde Jr. The Martinsville High School band performed music. At the end of the program, candy, fruit, other treats and toys were give to more than 1,200 children. The Pythians arranged for the Homer Dillard post of the American Legion to distribute gifts to black children at the Rex Theatre on Fayette Street.
The Community Chest provided baskets with “groceries and dainties” to needy families for Christmas. The community had raised $500 ($9,185 in today’s money), and the Pythians raised an additional $200 ($3,674). (Henry County’s population in 1930 was 20,088, and Martinsville’s was 7,750, compared to 13,485 and 50,948 in 2020.)
50 years ago – 1975
Some families had Christmas dinner the convenient way: prepared by Holiday Inn. An entre to serve eight to 10 people was a turkey, 3 pounds of dressing, 2 quarts of giblet gravy and a pint of whole cranberries, for $17.95. The Holiday Inn also served Christmas meals for those who would like to dine in. On the menu: chilled fruit juice, Fantasy of Fruit Cocktail, turkey gumbo, vegetable soup, shrimp cocktail for $2 extra, a relish tray, candied sweet potatoes, whipped potatoes, parsley potatoes, vegetables, tossed salad, pumpkin pie, apple pie, Jell-O with topping, ice cream, sherbert and rice pudding. The cost of the meal depended on which entrée a diner chose: turkey with dressing, giblet gravy and cranberry sauce, $4.50; baked sugar-cured ham with raisin sauce, $4.95; flounder with tangy sauce, $4.95; roast top sirloin of beef with natural gravy, $5.95. A children’s meal cost $2.50.
The Christmas meal at the Dutch Inn was a roast young Maryland tom turkey with chestnut stuffing, candied yams, cranberry sauce and giblet gravy for $3.95 or a baked sugar-cured Virginia ham with pineapple and prune garnish and candied yams for $3.95. Each meal included choice of soups or appetizer, unlimited salad bar and dessert (apple pie, pumpkin pie, Jell-O, sherbert or ice cream.
The P.L.G. Club held a Christmas Dance Dinner at the Club’s building at 316 W. Church St. It started at 9 p.m. and was for ages 21 and older. The Trans-International Band performed music. The dance was a fundraiser for the Second annual Christmas Party for Children on Dec. 27.
25 years ago - 2000
The Mission Center and volunteers served about 800 Christmas dinners to people for free at The Gallery, a convention center and banquet hall on Memorial Boulevard. About 50 of the people ate there, and the grand majority of people had their meals delivered to them, such as Meals on Wheels. About 250 pounds of turkey and 150 pounds of ham were cooked. Scott Norman was the coordinator.
Suzanne Terry of Collinsville was recuperating from having donated her bone marrow the week before, to a 47-year-old man with leukemia. She did not know who he was. Her operation was done at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C. She and her husband, Scott, were the parents of Kemper, 5, and Britney, 2.
In the days leading up to Christmas, Bassett Church of the Brethren presented a live nativity outside. Participants included Rachel Alderman, Erin Shelton, Allen Alderman, William Stovall, Daniel Alderman, Justin Colley, Colby Cooley, Kim Stout, Richard Stout, Rhonda Alderman, Gary Reeves, Phyllis Chelton, Teresa Reeves and Christina Reeves.
DECEMBER 26 100 Years ago – 1925
A community Christmas tree for Spencer was at the Homestead, under the direction of Mrs. M.S. Buchanan. The tree was funded by Mrs. S.H. Knox of Buffalo, N.Y., a good friend of Mrs. Buchanan. Mrs. Knox had liked the area and previously had given gifts to some local schools. She sent Mrs. Buchanan $1,000 (worth $18,371 today) to use to provide the tree for the hundreds of tenants on the large plantation owned and operated by Mrs. Buchanan.
75 years ago – 1950
Piedmont Trust Bank announced that it would establish a drive-in banking service installed on the R.R. Lee estate on Broad Street, adjoining the Henry Hotel. The bank already owned the property, which was used as a parking lot. It would construct a building with two teller windows and one full-time teller on duty. Customers could drive up to the window to conduct transactions. The rest of the lot not taken up by the Piedmont Drive-In Bank would be available for the bank’s customers to use while attending bank business at the main bank on Church Street.
More than 200 underprivileged children attended the annual Christmas party at Club Martinque, hosted by management. Branton Martin of duPont was master of ceremonies. The children sang carols, saw movies, heard the Christmas story and had refreshments. Then each was given 5 pounds of candy, gifts and a sweater, all donated by local firms.
50 years ago – 1975
Heilig-Meyers at 35-37 W. Main St., Downtown Martinsville, put everything in the store on sale for 20% off for 2 days.
25 years ago - 2000
Former Martinsville mayor W.C. “Bill” Cole Jr. died at the age of 91. He had served on City Council for 14 years, including 4 years as mayor, starting in 1976. Among the projects he worked on were getting federal money to upgrade the sewer system, building the social services building which went on to become the headquarters of the city sheriff, changing the city’s paid parking to free and getting the Virginia Museum of Natural History into the former Joseph Martin Elementary School. He also created the Drug Task Force Inc. of MHC and was the chairman of the Blue Ribbon Drug Study Committee. He spent the later years of his life living in a log cabin in Franklin County which he had bought in 1997 and renovated.
DECEMBER 27 100 Years ago – 1925
Fashion advice in the Henry Bulletin was that the scarf should be incorporated “as a very part of the frock, rather than consider it as a mere accessory. Not only is it a charming idea, that of attaching the scarf to the dress to which it is related by virtue of being created of the same medium as the frock itself, but from the standpoint of service and comfort, it is providing a genuine joy.”
75 years ago – 1950
Construction of a new bridge over Smith River at Route 57 in Bassett was placed under a complete shutdown until spring because of winter weather and the lack of steel. The contractor promised an early spring delivery of steel and that construction would start in March or early April.
50 years ago – 1975
The top winner of the Junior Chamber of Commerce Christmas Decoration Contest was the home of Dr. and Mrs. J.W. Clark of 224 Starling Ave. They won a silver cup and $10 cash. Other winning homes, which each had a prize of $10 cash, were that of Mrs. J.H. Minter of 27 Gravely St.; Mrs. H.S. Freeman of 916 Highland St.; and Mrs. Eldon Holsinger, 712 Mulberry St. Honorable mention went to Mrs. C.D. Weaver of 119 Broad St. and Mrs. R.S. Brown Sr. of Mulberry Road.
The P.L.G. Club held its Second Annual Christmas Party for children from 2-5 p.m. at the National Guard Armory.
25 years ago - 2000
The fundraiser for the Horsepasture Rescue Squad was going door-to-door to offer free family portraits and glamour photo sessions in exchange for contributions.
DECEMBER 28 100 Years ago – 1925
A still was discovered by State Officer Z.C. Ramsey and Constable I.E. Nolen at the house of Robert Lancaster near Cherrytown. The still was in full operation on the second floor of the house, which had been cut open into one large room to fit everything. (Cherrytown was in East Martinsville around the area that became Jordan Street, where Dry Bridge School operated from 1928-1960.)
75 years ago – 1950
Rct. Glen R. Joyce, who was spending a furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Watson Joyce at their home south of Stuart, lost all of the fingertips of his left hand while sawing wood. He was treated at Stuart Hospital and then discharged the next day so that he might return to his post at Camp Pickett.
50 years ago – 1975
When you were processing your hog, you could rent a sausage grinder from Azco Rental in Martinsville.
25 years ago - 2000
A 21-year-old and 12-year-old saved an elderly man from a fire. Elmer Deal, 80, lived in an apartment above Denton Music Co. on Henry Street. Joe Brock, 21, was the son of Martinsville Fire Chief Jerry Brock. Joe Brock and his girlfriend, Tessa Spencer, 18, were driving by the area on their way back from seeing a movie when they saw smoke coming from the building. They called Brock’s father and then 911. Then Dennis Lorenzo Carter, 12, and his mother, Velma Wade, pulled up. Deal was beating on a window until it fell out. He asked for a quilt to land so he could jump out the window, but Brock told him not to jump. Brock and Carter went into the building to rescue deal, having to crawl to get under the smoke. They dragged Deal to safety and firefighters arrived 3 or 4 minutes later.
Denton Music Co. on Henry Street (parallel to Memorial Boulevard near Bridge Street, the road where Ashley’s U.S. Lock & Security is) was destroyed by a late night fire. One person was inside the building when the fire began and was rescued soon after.
DECEMBER 29 100 Years ago – 1925
“Usher in 1926 With a Savings Account,” advertised People’s National Bank of Martinsville. “There’s no more important resolution than that of saving systematically, with a minimum among each and every week. Father Time welcomes in the New Year, just as this strong Bank welcomes a Savings Account from you.”
75 years ago – 1950
The Axton community Cannery closed for the season.
50 years ago – 1975
It was the end of the Matthews century in Henry County. The Matthews family had held the office of Henry County Circuit Court Clerk for nearly 100 years. John Matthews had been the clerk since 1952 In the November elections, Robert P. Crouch Jr. defeated three opponents to become the new Circuit Clerk Court. He was sworn into office on Dec. 29.
Edwards Furniture was at 900 Starling Ave., across from Southside Fire Station. Its living room suites were in velvets, nylons, damasks, hurculons, prints, tweeds and vinyl. It also sold Boston rockers, swivel rockers, recliners, bean bags and more.
25 years ago - 2000
Bills for natural gas more than doubled, with a 113% rise, over the past month. Between increases in cost and colder weather that meant more gas used to heat, the December 1999 average bill was $74 ($92.12 today) but the December 2000 bill was $156 ($194.25 today).
DECEMBER 30 100 Years ago – 1925
Martinsville was a stop on more and more new bus lines. A latest one was a line between Winston-Salem and Charlotte, N.C., to and from Roanoke. That line would be operated by the Camel City Coach Co. and use the modern yellow coach patrol car, with a carrying capacity of 17 passengers. Two bus line representatives were in Martinsville to make plan for the line, which would start operating by Jan. 15 or 16. Other bus lines were active as well. Because of increased holiday traffic, four large buses were needed out of Rocky Mount on a single trip to carry all the passengers from Stuart and Martinsville. The Roanoke line was growing daily, and the Danville line was especially heavy, requiring the addition of several new buses, including an 18-passenger Studebaker. It was speculated that a Union terminal may need to be built by the end of the year.
75 years ago – 1950
State Office of Civilian Defense officials ordered that three more chairmen be appointed to the Martinsville Civilian Defense organization: a plant protection officer, a chief air raid warden and a communications officer.
50 years ago – 1975
Wildon Adkins Jr. of Bassett Forks made wooden toys including a biplane, in a company he and some men from Roanoke founded, Tree Toys. Adkins was a furniture designer for Lane Furniture Co. in Franklin County. The men got the idea the year before after seeing wooden toys at a store in Roanoke and deciding that they could do better. The researched the market and discovered that there were only three wooden toy-makers in the country.
25 years ago - 2000
Pillowtex was starting a website to sell some of its products online. It was doing this through the San Francisco company the Vendor Showrooms program of Tradeweave, an internet subsidiary of QRS. The first Pillowtex brands to go online were Royal Velvet and Charisma.
DECEMBER 31 100 Years ago – 1925
The latest style hat for women was a velvet hat with a large, wide turned-up brim. A heralded trim for an amber-colored hat was gilded leather with triangular insets of gold kidskin. Another popular style was of gazelle-colored yarn for buttonholing every seam and edge of hat which had chenille bouquets. Another new stye was like a Russian headdress.
75 years ago – 1950
Franklin County farmer Filmore Jamison, 51, had been missing since Monday, Dec. 18. Searches by the sheriff’s offices of Henry and Franklin counties had been conducted, to no avail. His family offered rewards totalling $1,500. He and his family lived on Figsboro Road just north of the county line. A third of the reward money would be paid for the discovery of his body, dead or alive; and the other $1,000 was offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of his killer, if he were found dead. Commonwealth’s Attorney Virgil Goode of Franklin County, Sheriff Curtis Ramsey of Franklin County and Sheriff Morton T. Prillaman of Henry County all speculated that he had been killed and robbed of the about $1,700 ($22,770 in today’s money) that he had been known to be carrying. He was last seen by neighbor G.C. Richardson, who cooked for him. Richardson said he left his house when an automobile horn sounded in the yard. The case would never be solved – his body was never found. In 1959 officials allowed the distribution of his estate, which was valued at $40,000 ($535,625 in today’s value).
50 years ago – 1975
A reception was held for John Matthews, 70, to honor his 24 years of service as Henry County Circuit Court Clerk. It was his last day of work. He was first elected clerk in 1952 but had worked in the clerk’s office since the 1920s. His grandfather, John H. Matthews, was elected Clerk of Court in 1875. It was a century of Matthews in the position except from 1947-52.
Bargain Center on Fayette Street was “the home of Krazy Prices.”
The Town of Stuart grew by 18.03 acres as about 16 to 18 houses in the Mountain View Heights area were added by annexation. Twenty people who said they were in the majority of that area’s residents had petitioned for the annexation so that their neighborhood could have sewage system services extended there. The annexation was approved by Circuit Court Judge John D. Hooker.
25 years ago - 2000
Brian M. Root was named news editor of the Martinsville Bulletin. His role was to oversee the daily news coverage of the Bulletin and work with reporters on story development. He came to the Bulletin from The Daily Progress, where he was the assistant city editor, in Charlottesville.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.