Carson City looking north from the top of the Capitol building in 1871.
Wednesday
150 Years Ago
Chinese ahead: The Chinese used the “Planchette,” as a toy. They used a basket as a sort of Planchette turned down and a reed or style thrust through it. They invoke the spirit and the basket often moves rapidly, as it rests on the tips of the fingers of two boys, and writing perfectly intelligent communications.
140 Years Ago
Raise them one: Mrs. John H. Kinkead, wife of our Governor elect, was presented with the third standard silver dollar coined at the San Francisco mint. But Superintendent Crawford of the Carson Mint presented her with the second standard silver dollar coined in Carson City in 1879. This time Carson is ahead of that wicked city at the Bay.
130 Years Ago
Deceived by the eclipse: A family at Unionville has a dog which has been thought to go up the canyon evenings and drive home the cows. Professor Williams says that when the total eclipse happened the dog hurriedly disappeared, fearing he might be scolded or whipped for neglecting his duty, and he started the cows homeward. While on the way back the sun returned and the intelligent animal ran ahead of the cows, stopping them and leaving the bovines where they were.
100 Years Ago
Brush fire: Brush in Chinatown caught fire. No damage was done except the burning of a portion of fence.
50 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Your old photographs can be restored. Then they will sparkle again as a highlight in your home or as a treasured gift… Randell’s Studio, 88 North Curry. Professional Photographers of American Inc.”
20 Years Ago
Top video rentals: “Armageddon,” “The Negotiator,” “The Mask of Zorro,” “Dr. Doolittle,” “Deep Impact,” “Small Soldiers,” “The Horse Whisperer,” and “Hope Floats.”
Thursday
150 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Carson Book Store, John G. Fox, Gift books, Diaries, 1869, clocks, jewelry watches, silverware, fancy stationery, Japanese goods, steel plate engravings, photograph albums, toys, notions of all sorts, Prang’s American chromos. At very low prices. John G. Fox, Carson Dec. 17, 1868.”
140 Years Ago
Items: This morning’s snow measured with a pocket rule, showed five inches on the level. Old Boreas did not blow in vain. The merry sleigh bells and the merrier sleighers were heard across the newly fallen snow. Mr. Lynch will be interviewed regarding the condition of the skating rink.
130 Years Ago
Wheelmen: Everybody is going to the dance tonight at the Armory Hall. The bicyclers have spared nothing to make it a social success. They have practiced their exhibition so they have it down pat. Tickets $1, admitting gentlemen and ladies.
100 Years Ago
Bootlegging: “Bill” Wheeler, well-known local character, will be arraigned on complaint of bootlegging. He sold two Indians, a quart of whisky for $5. The men have been held in jail on time as witnesses.
50 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Carson Theater: ‘Inspector Clouseau’ with Alan Arkin. Call the police! Inspector Clouseau is back!”
20 Years Ago
No pay raises: 15,000 public employees will not receive pay raises according to the proposed state budget for the state’s workers this year.
Friday
150 Years Ago
Low water mark: Treasure City is one of three towns in White Pine. It has altitude, silver, population and whisky — everything except water, only water that is brought in daily. A three-year old boy strayed from his home in Treasure City, while plucking wild flowers and chasing butterflies. He turned up in Hamilton tired, hungry and lost. A man stepped up and looked at the child then said, “Ah, I see, he lives in Treasure City. There’s no water up there and his baby face and hands haven’t been washed for a month.” (Reese Reveille)
140 Years Ago
Kindergarten: The Kindergarten which has become an indispensable institution to Carson will open for the winter. Miss Babcock still retains the valuable services of Mrs. Wasson. The parents of small children not already for school should visit the pleasant rooms and revel in the joyous innocents of a play school. The amount of solid and useful knowledge gained by these ladies and lassies is wonderful.
130 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Lost or strayed — From Bodie, two three-year-old horses, one bay, and one roan branded and vented “L”. Correspond with A. Keenan, Bodie, Cal.
100 Years Ago
Classified ads: “Wanted — Young lady boarder to share home at 514 East Proctor street. Mrs. W. J. Kneebone, phone 1608.
50 Years Ago
Test Vehicle at Tonopah: A test vehicle with a large amount of high explosive will be dropped by an Air Force B-52 bomber and detonated in the atmosphere high over the Tonopah Test Range. It will not involve the use of any radioactive material.
20 Years Ago
Guinn takes oath: Guinn was sworn in as Nevada’s 28th governor with him was Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, Controller Kathy Augustine and Treasurer Brian Krolicki — all newly elected.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.