Carson City looking north from the top of the Capitol building in 1871.
Saturday
150 Years Ago
Indian dwarf: T. Marshall, clerk in the office of the Secretary of State, has a servant about 18 years of age, who is a natural curiosity. He is three feet seven inch in height, measures 29 inches around the waist. He is happy and content in his new quarters. His intelligence is far above the average members of the tribe, and he can whip any one of his size. (State Capital Reporter)
140 Years Ago
New temperance society in Eureka: The society seemed to be in a flourishing condition until recently when a saloon keeper invented a new kind of punch, with a Jamaica rum foundation, and the temperance society is dissolving like the baseless fabric of a vision.
130 Years Ago
Poor dog: Mrs. George McLoughlin went to San Francisco on a short visit and took her three children. They were the constant playmate of “Old Abe” a bull dog about 12 years old. The day after they left, the dog began searching everywhere, moaning and refused to eat. He got thinner and weaker. Mr. McLaughlin wrote to his wife to come home immediately or the dog would die. When she returned with the children, the dog put up a cry of delight and when the children offered him food he ate ravenously. He has now recovered his spirits…
100 Years Ago
Thriftograms by Benjamin Franklin
“Save and have.
Every little makes a mickle.
Little strokes fell great oaks.
A rolling stone gathers no moss.
The way to wealth is as short as the way to market…”
50 Years Ago
William Otis Wright dies: Former State Highway Engineer W. O. Wright, died at Carson-Tahoe Hospital. He joined the Highway Department in 1922 as a chairman on a survey crew and resident engineer. Wright was born and raised in Reno, attending Reno schools and the University of Nevada school of engineering.
Sunday
150 Years Ago
The truth about the Velocipede: C. A. Dana, the “velocipidist (sic) in New York,” tells the truth. It is a very amusing and very exercising machine. It has two wheels, one before the other, connected by a steel or iron reach, bearing a saddle in which the rider sits. It is driven by pedals attached to the fore wheel. On a smooth track, such as a board floor, a new Nickelson or asphaltam (sic) pavement, it can be driven at 15 or 20 mph with little effort. On a soft or rough road its propulsion is laborious. They are in operation every evening at the school of Messrs. Pearsall. The cost is from $100 to $125. (New York)
140 Years Ago
Playing for “keeps”: A number of Senators gathered in the upper hall of the Capitol building and began pitching half dollars. The game caused more excitement than any bill introduced, and a large crowd collected to watch the fun. Hon. George Cassidy of the Eureka Sentinel, won all the loose silver ($16.50) from the crowd in 20 minutes.
130 Years Ago
Roll of honor, Carson City Public schools: Miss Martin’s class — Herbert Yerington, Liva Bartine, Ernest Sweetland, Willie Circe. Miss Davie’s class—Idelle Atherton, Edna Catlin, Lottie Schulz, Della Tobriner, Will Wilson. Miss Starling’s class — Josie Roberts (of the Roberts House), Edna Moills, Nora Nulty. Miss Wasson’s class — Kate Atherton, Mamie O’Brien, Chas. Kennedy, Flora Tobriner. Miss French’s class — Charlie Glanzman, David Winters, Joe Smith, Nettie Lynch.
100 Years Ago
Leisure Hour Club: Vaudeville entertainment to be given at the Leisure Hour Hall promises to be a “scream” from start to finish. Price of admission, 25 cents.
50 Years Ago
Nixon: Named to the 30th annual best-dressed list of the Fashion Foundation of America are President Nixon and Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Nixon was selected for the statesman category, and Trudeau for international government.
20 Years Ago
Douglas High Band: The marching band, directed by Bill Zabelsky, has been invited to participate in the national televised Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco. According to Zablesky there are 80 people, band members and chaperones and $8,000 is needed for the trip. He proposes an “Adopt a Bandmember” member program to raise money.
Tuesday
150 Years Ago
State Legislature, introduction of Bills (in part):
By Mr. Mullan—An Act to provide for the taxation of the net proceeds of the mines.
By Mr. Monroe—An Act to amend an Act to create counties and establish their boundaries. (Changes the boundaries of Churchill County).
By Mr. Hillyer—To take the constitutional amendments relating to suffrage from the table, and refer the same to the committee on constitutional amendments.
140 Years Ago
Fatal accident: The wife of Daniel Murnane was run over by a train of cars loaded with wood. She had been gathering chips around the lumber piles on the Ophir ground and returning to her home on 115 E St., which faces the north end of the railroad bridge. The bell sounded for the engineer to back up and take the switch. Mrs. Murnane attempted to cross and get out of the way and while doing so, slipped on the snow. Medical aid was summoned. Both legs were broken, and she died at 11 o’clock. She was a native of Ireland, 45 years of age. (Virginia Chronicle)
130 Years Ago
Hats off, Ladies: An Act to promote the pleasure of the people in public places of amusement, Section 1 — It shall be unlawful for any spectator in any place of amusement to wear covering for the head which shall reach more than three inches above the crown of the head, and any person wearing such a covering for the head shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined a sum not less than five or more than ten dollars, or imprisonment in the County Jail not less than two days or more than five days… This Act shall not apply to women over thirty-five years of age.
100 Years Ago
Skating carnival: Arrangement for the Skating Carnival are under way with races for boys, girls, men and women; also, a prize for the best lady skater and the best couple. Get out and practice. The V & T auto car will run to Minden and return that day, and music will be provided by the Carson band.
50 Years Ago
More for State Parks: Gov. Paul Laxalt recommends a capital expenditure of $4.14 million for state parks including four new parks in Lincoln County (Bristol Wells, Eagle Valley Reservoir, Echo Canyon Reservoir and Gleason Canyon). The largest appropriation would go to the Lake Tahoe state park — $752,000.
20 Years Ago
Advertisement: “New Meadowdale 3 Theaters—Grand opening. Featured shows are “Payback” with Mel Gibson and ‘Simply Irresistible,” with Sara Michele Gellar.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.