May 20

By Holly Kozelsky and Pat Pion

100 Years ago – 1924

Officers J.B. Steagall and J.W. Slaughter “brought in this morning a special-six Studebaker with 150 gallons of illicit liquor aboard,” the Henry Bulletin reported. “The officers found the car parked on the side of Fieldale highway with one wheel broken.”

75 years ago – 1949

Noted in the “Bulletin Briefs” column on the newspaper’s front page: “Attorney Steve Martin spent yesterday [a Thursday] in Patrick County fishing. O.B. Hensley said yesterday he feels ‘lost’ after having disposed of his grocery business on Bridge street to Rosville Gilley. John Yeaman had a number of ringnecked pheasant chicks on display in front of his office on Church street today. The birds were hatched recently. W. Russell Shumate, city treasurer, is able to be out briefly each day after a recent operation at the hospital. He is unable, however, to return to work. Large crowds have been attending the revival at the Koehler Baptist church. It will continue through Saturday night …”

1960

The formal opening of the new track of the Fieldale Kart Club finally took place, with the speedy little cars zipping around the track in sunshine rather than rain. There were 171 members of the club, with 41 karts using the new track frequently. The track near Appalachian Power Company was the only paved track in the area. The club was organized because of the danger of operating the karts on highways. On the straight, a kart could easily travel 90 miles per hour. Ages of the drivers ranged from 10 to 50.

Four area community pools were preparing for the summer: Druid Hills, Cleveland Avenue, Southside Martinsville and Villa Heights. Collinsville would soon follow.

50 years ago – 1974

The Henry County Historical Society held a meeting to discuss Bicentennial plans. Melvin Brown, chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors, advised the group to send a list of possible candidates for a Bicentennial Committee to the Board of Supervisors. The Historical Society agreed to send letters to area civic groups to ask about interest of participation. The next meeting would be held June 24.

25 years ago - 1999

Sixty-three people were charged in a drug sting in which officers said they were selling drugs drive-by style in the area of Fayette Street, Armstead Avenue and Terry Street as well as One Hall Road and Wray, Second, Third and A streets; and Sandy Level, Piedmont Estates, Tanglewood Trailer Park and Longview Trailer Park. Thirteen of those arrested were juveniles. Three more people, including another teenager, were arrested the next day.

— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin accessed on microfilm at the Martinsville Branch Library.