Nov. 3 through the years
100 Years ago – 1925
For sale at “Roberts Drug Store, Corner of Walnut and Church: Hollingsworth’s Unusual Candies for those who love Fine Things. At the selected store whose immaculate service appeals. Most naturally, to discriminating people.”
75 years ago – 1950
The Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals heard a charge that Virginia has never repealed its pre-Civil War immunity from death sentences for white men convicted in rape cases. Attorneys for the Martinsville Steven S.W Tucker of Emporia and Martin A. Martin of Richmond argued that the death penalty in rape cases is used only for black people. Martin said that before 1865, Virginia law require more lenient punishment for convicted white men, and he stated that that law was still being practiced even though the law was no longer in effect. The Martinsville Seven were seven black men sentenced to death for the rape and assault of a white woman. Martin said the defendants’ rights were violated because the death penalty on rape cases is used only for black people in Virginia. The execution dates for the men had been pushed back a few times and now was set for Nov. 17 and Nov. 20. The new execution dates were set by the Martinsville court after Judge M. Ray Doubles refused to grant the habeas corpus petitions. The Virgina Supreme Court of Appeals upheld a Richmon Hustings court order denying writs of habeas Corpus.
50 years ago – 1975
Lumber company president Wilbur S. Doyle, independent, was challenging incumbent state Sen. Virgil H. Goode Jr. So far, Goode had raised $10,654 from 859 contributions, and Doyle received $14,326 from 328 contributions. Goode would end up winning the election with 26,292 votes to Doyle’s 4,193, on Nov. 4.
25 years ago - 2000
Reebok sneakers were on sale at Shoe Dept. in Mountain View Plaza. The ladies’ princess style cost $29.99; men’s & women’s classic leather, $54.99; kids’ Hyper Hoop II, $29.99; and Kids’ Radiate, $26.99.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.