Past Pages March 5

130 YEARS AGO

Barkeepers economy: A gentleman connected with the Ormsby House came downstairs and saw a bright light and raised the cry of "fire." He had mistaken the reflection of Gilhooley's cluster diamond for a conflagration. The man now uses the jewel to take his medicine by in the night.

120 YEARS AGO

Lyman Frisbie has two skeletons behind the bar, which are supposed to be the remains of an ancient race of cock-eyed Lilliputians.

70 YEARS AGO

Comstock Costume Ball and the movie "Virginia City" - The climactic event of the days program in connection with the premiere of the motion picture will be the Virginia City costume ball. Highlight of the costume ball will be a grand march, which will be led by Governor Carville, Miriam Hopkins, Mrs. Carville and Errol Flynn. In the pageant will be many direct descendants of Virginia City's pioneer families - Mrs. Robert Z. Hawkins (Kay Mackay, granddaughter of John Mackay), H. M. Gorham to portray himself, Dr. Harold Cafferetta to portray his grand-uncle, John Piper.

50 YEARS AGO

Dick Lane wins a speech contest at toastmasters with his talk on "Camp Perry." The speech contest was held at the Bandanna Inn. Assignments for the next meet are Everett Randall, Bill Dolan, A. A. Autrand.

20 YEARS AGO

Gold production in Nevada surpassed five million ounces in 1969, with a 36 percent increase over the prior year.

10 YEARS AGO

Carson officials go straight to the top with their request for a bike path to accompany the Carson City freeway.

• Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.