May 7 through the years
100 Years ago – 1925
A meeting of the Patrick Henry Medical Society was held in the offices of Dr. G.B. Dudley in the Burch street building. Most of the doctors of both counties, and several from out of town, attended. Dr. S.S. Gale of Roanoke gave a program on “Some Fractures Illustrated by Lantern Slides.” Dr. Sam Newman of Danville gave a talk on Celiacs Disease. “Other business of importance came before the society after which a smoke-fest was indulged in, the meeting later adjourning,” the May 8 report by Dr. Geo. Divers of Stuart, Society president, and Secretary Dr. G.B. Dudley stated.
Millner’s Variety Stores on Walnut Street had just received a shipment of the newest patterns and colors in broadcloths, silks & crepes, ginghams and curtain goods. Percale and gingham aprons in all colors, with stripes, checks and other designs, cost from 25 to 98 cents. Underwear for men, women and children in summer fabrics in ankle and knee lengths with long and short sleeves were for sale.
75 years ago – 1950
A mongrel dog was killed an diagnosed as being mad (rabid). He had been killed in the Chatham Heights area after biting other dogs around Banks Road. In response, City Health Officer R.M. Wilson invoked a 45-quarantine on dogs; owners whose dogs had not been vaccinated against rabies or who were not wearing muzzles were required to be confined on their properties. Dogs without licenses and/or proof of rabies vaccination could be shot by police.
Lester Roberton’s store in Horsepasture was robbed – for the fourth time in a year and a half. Stolen were three pairs of shoes and a carton of cigarettes.
50 years ago – 1975
In 1975 Dr. Phillip Sprinkle, who was from Martinsville and died in Martinsville in 2016, had been the chairman of the division of laryngology at West Virginia University for 10 years. A photograph circulated around Martinsville showing Dr. and Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Wilson Cadger Sprinkle with Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller IV.
25 years ago - 2000
John Dowdy opened American College of Martial Arts at 3100 Virginia Ave. in Collinsville.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.