The Shadow
Echoes of the Past is a collection of historical articles curated from The Virginian Review and other publications archived since 1914. You may be exposed to content that you find offensive or objectionable. For historical purposes and accuracy, articles are reprinted in their original, unedited form, and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the publisher.
100 Years Ago
July 1923
Henry Ford is 60 Years Old
Henry Ford, maker of automobiles, and the world’s richest man, was sixty years old today. Twenty years ago, on his fortieth birthday, he was a poor man.
He had just quit a job at the Detroit Edison Company, where he worked for seven years, to organize the Ford Motor Company. While working as a master-mechanic for the Edison Company, Ford spent his nights working on a “horseless carriage.”
75 Years Ago
July 1948
Teachers Not Familiar With Comic Books: Do More Harm Than Good, Says Teacher
Five out of six grade school teachers questioned by the Virginian said they were not well enough acquainted with comic books to have an opinion on their effect on children.
The teachers said they kept children from bringing any comic books into the classroom, but the reason lay more in their distracting influence than in the comic books themselves.
August 1948
X-Ray Clinic Begins Week of Work Here
A chest X-ray clinic began a week of work in diagnosing tuberculosis this morning at the courthouse.
The clinic can handle only 150 persons, Dr. E. E. Sullivan, Health Officer for Alleghany County, said this morning. He said most of those whose chests will be X-rayed are persons who have had contact with the disease, have symptoms, or whose places showed traces when the clinic was here in January.
50 Years Ago
August 1973
Efforts Begun to Save Former Spa in County
Responding to reports that the space and the remainder of the buildings of the once famous Sweet Chalybeate Mineral Springs resort in Alleghany County may be sold, two members of the Board of Supervisors have begun efforts to arrange for purchase of the property by the state for preservation as a historic site.
Sweet Chalybeate Springs was also once known as Red Springs. Board Chairman David L. Waters and Charles E. Vass Jr., who represents the Boiling Springs magisterial district in which the remnants of the resort are located, hope to interest Gov. Linwood Holton in having the state acquire the property, located 22 miles south-west of Covington.
August 1973
Shriners to Sponsor Game
P.J. Riddleberger, president of the Covington Shrine Club, announced today that the club will again sponsor a Covington Astros home game to raise funds for the Shiners Hospital for Crippled Children at Greenville, S.C., the nearest facility of its type to Virginia.
Riddleberger said J. Richard Plymale has been named baseball game committee chairman for the club, and all 60 members of the club will be urged to help sell tickets for the game, an Aug. 18 battle between the Astros and the Johnson City Yankees.
Since this will be a boosters night contest, season tickets will not be honored at this game. Prizes will be given away during the game, and it is not necessary to be present to win.
The Shiners will be wearing their distinctive red caps, called fezzes, when they sell tickets on the streets downtown on Friday, Aug. 3; Friday, Aug. 10; and Friday, Aug. 17. Tickets will also be available from any Shrine Club member up until the start of the game. The game has been the major project of the club for at least the past five years.
Riddleberger noted that all proceeds of the game, after expenses, will go to the Greenville hospital, one of 19 Shriners Crippled Children’s hospitals and three Shriners burn hospitals in the nation.
August 1973
Forer Resident Now Dentist at Daleville
Dr. Fremont A. Vess Jr., son of Mr. And Mrs. Freemont Vess Sr., 0 Indian Valley has completed a two-year tour with the U.S. Army and is now opening a practice of general dentistry at Botetourt Plaza, Daleville.
Dr. Vess, received his B.S. degree from Mars Hill College from the Medical College of Virginia, School of Dentistry, with his D.D.S. degree in 1971. He is also a graduate of Covington High School, class of ‘63.
25 Years Ago
July 1998
Learn to Swim at Douthat Park
Learn to Swim Week will be offered by the Alleghany Highlands YMCA at Douthat State Park. This one-week class is designed for learning swim skills at a lakefront. YMCA aquatic programs water safety will also be taught in this course.
Learn to Swim Week will be offered twice in August — the week of August 3 and the week of August 10. Classes will run Monday through Friday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Class fees will be $10 per week for non-members and free for YMCA members.
Registration can be made by calling 962-YMCA.
