August 29 through time
100 Years ago – 1925
Dr. G.T. Divers, head of Saint Martins Hospital in Stuart, was found dead in the hospital’s bath room, shortly after making his morning rounds. He had not been known to be sick, but shortly before he died he told nurses that he had been spitting up blood in the morning. He built the hospital 2 years before, after his father-in-law died, near the Martin home, as provided for in Mr. Martin’s will. The doctor’s funeral service was conducted by the Masonic Lodge, of which he was a loyal member.
School would start on Sept. 9. Millner’s Variety Stores ran this ad (with an unsettling sketch of one eye wide open, staring straight ahead): “Full Line School Supplies. Tablets, Pencils, Inks, Pens, Paste, Crayons, Rules, Etc. We have taken great care in preparing to serve the school children this year and ask you to see our stock before buying. SCHOOL STOCKINGS Guaranteed to give satisfaction. All sizes for boys and girls.”
75 years ago – 1950
Troxler Furniture ad: “Harvest Sale Value – Lane Cedar Chest with automatic tray. Only $49.95 ($663 in today’s dollars) - $1 ($13.27 today) Down, $1 a Week – As advertised in LIFE, Big Roomy Chest No. 2525.”
50 years ago – 1975
Taylor’s Superette downtown, across from City Parking Lot No. 1, offered hot dogs, barbecue, fountain drinks, magazines, papers and groceries.
25 years ago - 2000
The Virginia General Assembly issued a resolution honoring the late John Evia Tinsley, the husband of Kate Smith Tinsley and the father of the Rev. John W. Tinsley of Bassett and the pastor Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Cascade. Tinsley played country blues music.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.