90 YEARS AGO
August, 1931
August 10, 1931: Public Picnic At Lexington
Seth E. Gordon, Washington, president of the American Protective Association, will be among the speakers at a public picnic and barbecue near here Tuesday.
Others speakers expected include Dr. Francis Pendleton Gaines, president of Washington and Lee University; Representative Harry St. George Tucker, William E. Carson, state conservation and development commissioner; Henry G. Shirley, state highway commissioner, T. McCall Frazier, state motor vehicle director, and county demonstration agent John Whitehead, of Nelson County. Major A. Willis Robertson, chairman of the game and inland fisheries commission will preside.
One thousand pounds of young lamb have been ordered for the barbecue to be attended by those in this section interested in the conservation of wild life, as well as the public generally.
75 YEARS AGO
August, 1946
August 10, 1946: To Die In Chair On Friday, Sept. 13th
A jury returned a first-degree murder verdict against two young Salisbury, Md., negroes last night in the country lane killing of George Broughton, Salisbury carpenter, and were sentenced to die in Virginia’s electric chair.
In imposing sentence on James Fletcher, 24, and Robert Holland, 22, Accomack County Circuit Court Judge Jeff F. Walters called the July 23 killing the “most cold-blooded murder” of his judicial experience.
Selma
Mr. and Mrs. L.L. Wade of Radford are spending a few days in Clifton Forge.
Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Rider accompanied Mrs. Rider’s mother, Mrs. Powell back to Buchanan Sunday.
Robert Lawler has received his discharge from the navy and returned to his home here.
Cpl. Paul Curtis of Fort Belvoir spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Curtis.
Mr. and Mrs. Cletus Paitsel and family, Mr. and Mrs. Houston Mays and family and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Faitsel of Norfolk are visiting relatives here.
50 YEARS AGO
August, 1971
August 10, 1971: Transfer In State Fast Pitch Event
Covington Transfer with a record of 15-3 in city fast pitch competition, will take part in the 1971 State Fast Pitch Tournament set for this weekend in Winchester. The team is coached by Jerry Firebaugh.
Covington will play at 9 a.m. Friday night at Grimm Field, taking on Godfrey Volkswagen of Winchester. The winner of the Transfer – Volkswagen game will play Saturday at 3:30 at Preston Field, Winchester against the winner of the Stacys of Charlottesville – Dutton Drug of Christiansburg contest.
The semifinal encounter will take place Sunday at 2 p.m. while the championship match will get underway at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Progress reports on the play of Covington Transfer will appear in Saturday’s edition of the Virginian.
25 YEARS AGO
August, 1996
August 10, 1996: Clifton Forge Lions Club Holds Annual Picnic
The Clifton Forge Lions Club met Thursday, August 8, 1996, at the Virginia Power picnic shelter in Low Moor.
The event was the club’s annual picnic and ladies night. A large crowd was in attendance.
Lion President Jerry Peck presided. Lion Bill Clanahan led in the Pledge to the Flag and Lion chaplain Bill Colvin gave the invocation.
The picnic meal was prepared by the Trailer and House Committees chaired by Lions Richard Miller, Jack Kimberlin, Hiram Detwiler, Charlie Whitmer, a group of Lion ladies and other volunteers.
Following dinner Lion Peck expressed a big thank you to the committee.
Lion secretary Hiram Detwiler announces and presented pins to 31 Lions who had achieved perfect attendance the past year.
Outstanding awards were presented for longtime perfect attendance. Other club business was conducted, including a raffle of unused picnic supplies. There were a number of lucky winners.
The event concluded at 8:30 p.m. with the announcement that the next meeting will be August 22, 1996 at the Western Sizzlin in Covington.
10 YEARS AGO
August, 2011
August 10, 2011: Clifton Forge Bridge Work To Begin Later This Month
Construction on the new Main Street Bridge over Smith Creek in downtown Clifton Forge will begin Aug. 17.
Charles S. Stokes, are manager for Orders Construction Company in St. Albans, W.Va., presented town council with updated information on the bridge project Tuesday night.
Orders said contractors will place a traffic light at the intersection of Ridgeway Street and Main Street will be removed and some traffic signs and lines will be installed to Ridgeway Street. Two-way traffic on Ridgeway will be permanent.
The estimated cost of replacing the bridge is $6.3 million, with the scheduled completion date Dec. 18, 2012. The estimated cost includes $781,000 for engineering of the roadway plans; $718,000 for right-of-way acquisition; and $4.8 million for relocation assistance and utility relocation.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.