150 Years Ago
Fireworks: John G. Fox has replenished his stock of pyrotechnics and flags in preparation for the celebration of the Fourth of July. His stock consists of rockets, wheels, serpents, Joe Darters, Roman candles, nip-cats, snap dragons, devil killers, torpedoes, jimcracks, and kerilikews.
130 Years Ago
Fourth of July at Carson: There was hardly a private residence in town that was not fluttering with flags and bunting. The parade began at noon with a huge line of soldiers, firemen, civilians, school children, chaplains, orators, poets and equestrians. On the east side of the capital the literary exercise were heard. Judge Virgin read the declaration. The prayer was given by Rev. J. L. Woods, a poem by Rollin Daggett and benediction by Rev. Davis.
110 Years Ago
Russian giant: A 26-year-old Russian peasant arrived at Ellis Island Immigration. He is 9 feet, 2 1/2 inches high. For breakfast he ate six fried eggs, 12 butter cakes, one quart of coffee, five oranges, half a loaf of bread. For lunch he has two and a half pounds cold roast beef, three glasses iced tea, nine new potatoes, four large rolls, three cuts of shortcake. Dinner: one pint of cold soup, two and a half pounds porter-house steak, half peck lettuce salad, 12 butter cakes, one quart of coffee, five oranges, half a pound ice cream, quarter of a pound cake and two glasses of lemonade. He has to sleep on a specially constructed bed, sit on dry goods boxes or barrels and drinks from a quart cup.
70 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Austin’s Market, we deliver. Phone 63. The best green vegetables in town, fresh fruit, milk, cream. We feature Monarch finer foods, 210 S. Carson Street, Carson City, Nev.”
50 Years Ago
Underground housekeepers for civil defense: Four women tried housekeeping in a 20-foot square space. The exercise was in shelter management and the last part of a survival course in civil defense. For lunch, the group was given a four square of survival crackers for 35 calories. Carbohydrate supplement came in the shape of hard candy and water completed the meal.
20 Years Ago
Free coffee will be offered to sleepy drivers travelling along Interstate 80 at the start and finish of the July Fourth holiday. Fatigued drivers are a leading cause of fatal traffic accidents. The program is cosponsored by the Gold Ranch Casino and Smiths Food Center.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.