Past Pages for May 15-17, 2019

Wednesday

150 Years Ago

Riding a velocipede on a wire: Mr. Paul Martinetti, the daring young gymnast gave a private exhibition at the Mechanics’ Pavilion. A wire was stretched from one end of the pavilion to the other. Mr. Martinetti road back and forth on the velocipede several times. The feat is a difficult one but accomplished with apparent ease. (S. F. Times)

140 Years Ago

Lepers: There are several lepers in Chinatown. This disease is what is known as dry leprosy where the patient dries up and his flesh becomes scaly and peels off like the bark of a tree.

130 Years Ago

A serious joke: The editor of the Appeal reached down into his side coat pocket and pulled out a complete set of false teeth. He held them in his hand while his wife looked at him. Then he put them back in his pocket. On the way home, his wife demanded an explanation.

He feels assured that some wag dropped these false teeth in his pocket in a vein of humorousness, a queer idea of fun.

The teeth do not fit the jaw of the writer. The owner of the teeth may be grinning over the joke, but how a man can enjoy laughing with his lower teeth in some other man’s pocket is a mystery.

110 Years Ago

Who wants goldfish: Visitors to Bowers Mansion will receive as a present a number of goldfishes. The recipients must bring their own receptacle to take them home.

50 Years Ago

Advertisement: “Carson Theatre—‘Stay Away Joe’ with Elvis Presley, Burgess Meredith, Joan Blondel—Elvis is kissin’ again-and also friends, friends of friends, and even strangers!”

20 Years Ago

Advertising: “Ironwood Theater, 1760 U.S. Highway 395, Minden, NV: ‘Star Wars, Episode I, The Phantom Menace’ – Every saga has a beginning…”

Thursday

150 Years Ago

Ice cream under the trees: Doctor Bob Sharp is prepared to supply his fellow men and women with ice cream—and he wants to say to the lovers and old married folks of Carson who come to his garden, to recline under the shade of trees and scoop all the ice cream that they have money to pay for.

140 Years Ago

A new infliction: A Second Advent preacher is pitching a tent on Musser street below the railroad track for a meeting house. It is any religious denomination or mode of worship, but judging from Eastern dispatches, the second advent business is productive in driving people with weak minds insane and leads them to the commission of fearful crimes. If you value your peace of mind and contentment, steer clear of the Adventist show.

130 Years Ago

The greatest show on earth: Sells Brothers, Barrett’s Circus and Menagerie—Sells Brothers has combined with S. H. Barrett to add 150 thoroughbreds to the circus. Under the vast canvas of the main tent, including a five-acre area, there are three rings, each continually occupied by dashing riders of both sexes, acrobats, trapeze performers, tight-rope walkers and performing elephants. To be seen in Carson next week.

110 Years Ago

Advertisement: “Lake Theater, opened Saturday. Admission 20 cents—Children 10 cents. Five reels of the latest films, illustrated songs and solos. Introducing Master Chas. Steed—Little boy with a big voice. Two performances every evening. Saturday and Sunday Matinees.”

50 Years Ago

Hunting Loch Ness: Scottish highlands clan protest the hunting of the Lock Ness monster in a yellow submarine. “I’m all for observing the monster, but I’m against molesting it,” said Lord Lovat, 59, a famed commando leader in World War II. Scots consider the lake with its legend their second most important liquid asset.

20 Year Ago

Missing Sund trio: A woman was indicted for mail theft as she had the checking account and automatic teller numbers belonging to Carole Sund who was abducted and killed with her daughter and young traveling companion at Yosemite.

Friday

150 Years Ago

Vaccinating Indians: Doctor Munckton vaccinated a drove of the Washoe tribe. Small pox made its appearance among the Indians of Carson Valley. After the Doctor had put through about fifty Indians, there was the most tremendous squalling of warriors that was heard. The Indians seemed to think it was fun to have the doctor puncture them.

140 Years Ago

“Sagebrush Leaves” Book: Mr. Mighels who is in poor health has made public his literary project, given it a name and actually placed his “copy” in the hands of a San Francisco publishing house. He has read a considerable portion of the printer’s “proofs” and the long talked of book is fairly upon the stocks. The prospects indicate the complete finishing of the entire edition of 1000 copies very soon.

130 Years Ago

Emma Nevada: The guileless Emma Nevada has struck a fine advertising lead that she is not working in Italy — with good results — She has received a letter threatening her life by dynamite. This is much better than having diamonds stolen and is regarded as a new fake which is full of merit.

110 Years Ago

To Illuminate the block: The electric company with Manager Campbell stuck around all day. They will run a streamer of lights across Carson street at the office to help illuminate the post office block.

50 Years Ago

Calaveras Jumping Frog: Tom McCall won the Governors Jump — of the Jumping Frog Jubilee of Calaveras County. Mr. Oregon, the frog, leaped 15 feet, 2 inches in three jumps to be awarded the top frog award. Governor Ronald Reagan’s entry, Jumping Jelly Bean III only managed 4 feet 7 inches and placed 17th. In the Mayor’s Jump, the frog Howard Hughes II, Las Vegas Mayor Oran Gragson’s frog leapt 11 feet, 9 inches and captured the contest.

20 Years Ago

Two Carson City men, Kenney J. Beshears and Boyd R. Stapley were among 18 individuals named as recipients of the Carnegie Medal. Kenny J. Beshears, Boyd R. Stapley and Concord, California resident Charles H. Ray rescued Catherine E. Summers from assault. A bronze medal is given by the Carnegie Hero Fund to persons who risk their lives while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.

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