150 Years Ago
Nevada tobacco. A specimen of Nevada grown tobacco can be seen at the Sazarac. Mr. P. H. Clayton of Carson has grown it in his garden. The leaves are not less than 18 inches in length and the plant vigorous and healthy. With proper attention to early planting, as good tobacco could be raised on the sage plains as is grown in Connecticut.
130 Years Ago
Shot his hand off. Oscar McMann, the eldest son of Rule McMann, was digging a giant powder cap out of the dirt when it exploded. It took away the thumb and a portion of the fingers of his left hand. The wound was a very painful one.
110 Years Ago
The hanging of Hancock at Nevada Prison. He suffered the extreme penalty for the brutal murder of two men in Pahrump Valley named Engelke and Edminston. A woman who was his mistress gave the testimony that sent him to the gallows — eight years later.
70 Years Ago
Advertisement. “C. A. Montgomery Wild Animal Circus, Most Prodigious and Amazing Array of Acts, Artists and Animals ever Assembled under one Management. Babylon, largest elephant since Jumbo, world’s largest traveling menagerie of rare wild beasts, Snookie, largest ape-man in captivity. A truly big circus ... teeming with wondrous sights ... brimming with thrills ... lit with laughter ... and all to be enjoyed for the price of one single admission ticket. Twice daily 2 and 8 p.m. 35 cents for children in the afternoon with ticket clipped from the Appeal.”
50 Years Ago
Tourist for a day. Some unsuspecting tourist coming through Carson City will be stopped by the Carson City Police Department and given a citation as “Carson City Tourist for a Day.” The guest will be given a key to the city by Mayor James Robertson and conducted on a mansion tour of Carson City. Then they will receive free accommodations and entertainment.
20 Years Ago
American Flats. In Gold Hill, lies American Flats, a 73-year-old crumbling skeleton of what once was the largest gold and silver cyanidation mill. From 1922-1926, 2,000 tons of dirt and ore went through American Flat’s elaborate cyanide leaching process. The complex of hollow buildings is filled with graffiti, random sink holes, some five stories deep.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.