Saturday
145 years ago
Murders come thick and fast in Virginia City these days, notwithstanding the seeming certainty of conviction which follows trial in that county. Yesterday morning at about 7 two low fellows, named Frank Reidy or Rata, alias “Spanish Frank,” and James Rice or Prince, alias “The Kid,” had an altercation in The Kid’s putting his antagonist to death with a pistol.
140 years ago
Walter Blair, formerly of the Carson Mint, has just returned to San Francisco from a tour of the world. It is not stated whether he went in the capacity of a capitalist, or before the mast.
120 years ago
The trial of the men accused of participating in the Modoc lynching is not on at Alturas. Much difficulty is being experienced in securing a jury and a great deal of feeling is present on both sides. Some of the principal witnesses of the prosecution are Indians.
80 years ago
Mayor C.B. Austin, discussing the shutting off of the white way, other street lights and illuminated advertising signs in Carson last night said “the action taken last night was due to a misunderstanding.” “Tonight all lights, except on the capitol dome, will be in use as usual.”
60 years ago
Carson City’s highly respected volunteer fire department will soon receive the very latest in fire engine equipment. Chief Lester Groth stated the state of Nevada has purchased a Pitman Snorkel Model Truck to be delivered at the end of December.
20 years ago
A Tuesday morning fire destroyed much of the 76-room Carson Valley Motor Lodge in downtown Minden. The cause of the fire at the time was unknown.
Sunday
145 years ago
A sad case is that brought on by the death at Silver City of Mrs. Thomas Jolly, who leaves a family of six children, the youngest but 6 weeks old. She died of pneumonia, so says The News.
140 years ago
There will be a Christmas tree at the Orphan’s Home. Although not unauthorized by Col. Mills, the Superintendent, the Appeal suggests to those who have something to spare to contribute it to gladden the hearts of the whittle waifs at the Home.
120 years ago
John Dapoli has given up the chase after his 14-year-old daughter who eloped with her lover from the family home at Dayton last Tuesday night. Mr. Dapoli went as far and Reno in pursuit of the levanting couple without finding any trace of them.
80 years ago
Carson City’s trail blackout has been sent for the evening of Thursday, Dec. 18, continuing from 8 until 8:30, the board of control for civilian defense of Ormsby County decided last evening. A special siren for air raid service has been ordered by the board of city trustees.
60 years ago
Carson City’s veteran stage driver was real optimistic this morning about the start of Christmas. he said, “Christmas really starts for me the Friday when the Carson City police department sets aside their meter reading as a Christmas present to the community. You ought to have the marking meter bill that a stagecoach and six horses run up if you don’t believe it.”
20 years ago
A Carson City mother was relieved Wednesday night and a New York private investigator had another success under his belt after finding a teenage runaway who had been on the lam for three weeks.
Tuesday
145 years ago
Dropped into the Deadly Depths. Just as we go to press, says the Gold Hill News of last evening, we learn that a cage was coming up the shaft of the Imperial mine a few minutes ago filled with miners, and when within a hundred feet of the top, one of the men fell off, dropping to the bottom, a distance of 1,200 feet.
140 years ago
“Ginger Blue,” the well known man from China, will, after a thirty years’ residence on this coast, soon return to his native land.
120 years ago
The town of Winnemucca is now lighted with electricity, the current being turned on Tuesday night.
80 years ago
(Ely, Nv) Kenneth Shelley was found guilty in the first degree in slaying Deputy Sheriff Clifford Drietzler on Nov. 8, 1941. Shepley showed no emotion when he heard the verdict.
60 years ago
Gov. Grant Sawyer will be 43 years old tomorrow, but his executive assistant says the day “will be booked up from morning to night with rounding office work.” Sawyer, the youngest man ever elected governor of the state, was 39 when he beat incumbent Gov. Charles Russell.
20 years ago
No matter where people go in Carson City, eventually going to end up walking somewhere whether it’s through downtown or from the store to their cars. Carson City Senior Engineer Rob Fellows is starting to work on a plan that will show the gaps in the capital’s pedestrian transportation network.
Trent Dolan is the son of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.
