Letters to the editor 10-28

Setting the record straight about the Ghost Walk

Recent statements in the Oct. 25 article on the Kit Carson Ghost Walk threw me for a loop. Someone seriously mislead participants in the Ghost Walk when he/she told them that the building that houses The Firkin & Fox restaurant and bar "used to be an old brothel and that it was in the red light district."

I wrote a history of the buildings on the southwest corner of Third and Carson streets for the late Bob McFadden. Bob had purchased the property listed on the National and State registers of historic places, refurbished the two buildings, and named the consolidated buildings the St. Charles Hotel in 1993.

The two buildings were originally completed in 1862 as the Muller and St. Charles hotels. The St. Charles was considered one of Carson City's first-class hotels and the Muller catered to a working-class clientele. These operations, and all that followed, were never brothels and were not located in Carson City's nearby red-light district.

I'm sure the Ghost Walk is a fun, special event involving many well-meaning folks and good for Carson City. However, those interviewed for the story stated they enjoyed learning the history of Carson City and the area. What they learned about the St. Charles Hotel is clearly not history, but rather represents someone playing tricks on the living and the dead for entertainment value. Perhaps it was one of those impish ghosts and that's why the claim is so transparent.

Guy Louis Rocha

Former State Archivist and Nevada historian

Stem cell research can benefit millions

Stem cell research should be legal in the state of Nevada. Our scientists are moving to different states such as California or even out of the country, such as to China, to work on stem cell research. Stem cell research is potentially beneficial to millions of people.

What is a stem cell? Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop in many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. If someone you love is suffering from a certain form of cancer, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease or even diabetes, the only hope for them being cured is through stem cell research. It is the most promising cure for these diseases.

Stem cell research can help millions of people by trying to find a cure for serious diseases. Would you do everything possible to help the one you love suffering every day of their lives? When you are thinking it's a bad research, just remember about your loved ones who fight their deadly diseases each and every day of their lives because you voted no.

Amber Gafford

Dayton