North E Street near the railroad depot in Virginia City, probably in the late 19th century.
Wednesday
145 years ago
Court-House in Storey. — Yesterday the County Commissioners of Storey opened bids for the building of a new Court-House an ten prison-cells. Peter Burke was awarded the contract for the building of the Court-house. The formatting be of Philadelphia pressed brick, for the sum of $66,989.55. John R. Simms of San Francisco put in the lowest bid for the building of the ten cells, namely $7,068.
140 years ago
Mackay Coming. A Decided Bracing Up of the Market. A man who when he sets foot on one edge of the continent can make the other side tremble must be a bigger man than David Davis. When John Mackay landed on the pier in New York with his little black carpet sack the market felt the influence and the excitement will grow daily as the old king pin nears the ledge.
130 years ago
Bodie is said to be infested with a band of highway robbers. Several citizens have been “held up” recently. There is strong talk of organizing a vigilante committee to rid the town of the gang.
120 years ago
Dick Sides, better known as “Uncle Dick, died at the home of Theodore Winters in Washoe Valley Thursday. Dick Sides was one of the pioneers of Nevada, having lived in Washoe Valley for nearly half a century. It was commonly said in and about this section that “Uncle Dick” was here when Slide Mountain slid.
100 years ago
Following a session of the miners of Virginia City and Gold Hill held last evening it was decided that the men would leave their jobs with the Nevada Metals Exploration company as a protest against the cut in wages that takes effect today.
Thursday
145 years ago
The largest timber’s ever taken to Virginia City went up there yesterday by rail for the use at the Combination Shaft. There were five of them, a they measured 160 feet in length and 16 inches square. The curve of the tunnel at Gold Hill allowed them but a few inches of room, as they were hauled through it.
140 years ago
The Capitol roof is being painted a brick color. High time it was looked after.
130 years ago
Bodie Wiskey. Jim Townsend discourses as follows on the effect of Bodie whisky at long range: Bodie whisky seems to acquire a longer range year by year. It used to be considered sure shot at 40 rods, but some of it is now good for a mile or more.
120 years ago
About half of Carson was at Washoe Lake Sunday fishing. The fish are biting, and big catches reported.
100 years ago
From the sublime to the ridiculous has come the question fo the appointment of a district judge to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge Lunsford. Lunsford resigned during the absence of Governor Boyle. No sooner had the resignation been filed that several Reno lawyers decided to their own qualification to fill the bill and filed. Along wit the applicants for the position came Homer Mooney, secretary to the governor.
Friday
145 years ago
Gold Hill is now lighted with gas manufactured by the Virginia Gas Company. The Enterprise says the gas in Gold Hill makes a whiter and better light than the same gas does in Virginia. This is believed to be owning to the fact that impurities exist in the pipes in Virginia, while the pipes in Gold Hill are free from impurities.
140 years ago
A New Counterfeit. Counterfeited five dollar pieces have reached this city. One was shown at this office yesterday which would have been accepted in a moment in payment of half a year’s subscription. The new counterfeit bears the date of 1869 and the workmanship is good. It’s ring closely resemble gold, but a slight scratch betrays the fact that the bogus pieces is gold-plated on some white metal somewhat harder than silver.
130 years ago
Last Saturday’s observance of Decoration Day was regarded as a special event in this city, by reason of the added interest of the unveiling of the soldier’s monument, a full description of which has already been given in these columns. The Cemetery was never so profusely decorated with flowers, and the only event which aired the celebration was the blustering wind and occasional showers.
120 years ago
For some years past the State has been quite short of water in the dry season, but arrangements are now being made to augment the water supply and if possible double it. The water used by the State comes from the springs in the mountains about four and a half miles from the Capitol.
100 years ago
The tempest in a teapot, which has been boing over the Washoe judgeship appointment, was finally extinguished yesterday afternoon when Governor Boyle announced the appointment of George A. Bartlett to fill the vacancy.
Trent Dolan is the son of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.