Wednesday
150 Years Ago
Terrific storm: A terrific storm of wind visited this city continuing with unabated fury. The belfry and steeple of the new Catholic church as swept away down to the roof, but the building was not materially injured. The stage from Genoa was blown out of the road. The resident of Captain F. D. Todd’s stable blew down and caught a calf inside. Telegraph poles, wires, hats, shingles and fragments of loose awnings filled the air. Then the wind died away and a gentle rain set in.
A relic: The tall flag staff which for years has stood in front of the Carson Theater was blown down by the gale. It is believed to have been the first one erected in this portion of what was formerly Utah Territory. It was upon this staff that Johnny Newman threatened to hoist the Confederate flag in 1861, which threat drew out a strong guard of armed men headed by Jack Williams, who slept upon their arms during the night on which the threat was expected to be executed.
140 Years Ago
Roller skating: A roller skating rink is now open at the Carson Theater. The best of order will be maintained, and no improper characters will be admitted. The ladies and gentlemen of Carson are respectfully invited to patronize the rink and engage in the healthful and enjoyable exercise of roller skating. Ladies entrance at side door. H. T. Tucker, Proprietor.
120 Years Ago
Municipal affairs: The citizens need training that will be more conducive to order and cleanliness. The stuff that is thrown away by careless people just litters up the streets and vacant lots. A small effort on each individual’s part would reduce the expense of keeping the city clean.
100 Years Ago
Special train for free dance: A train will leave Carson City on March 4
th for the Mechanics Union dance at Virginia City. Round trip on the train is $1.20 which includes war tax. Dance and banquet are free.
70 Years Ago
New books: Non-fiction biographies—"Horace Greeley by William H. Hale; Lincoln Treasury by Abraham Lincoln. Non-fiction miscellaneous—“The Planet Mars” by Gerard De Vancouleurs.
20 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Kerak Shrine Circus, All new 3-ring circus extravaganza—elephants, tigers, jugglers, aerialist, clowns at Reno Livestock Events Center, March 2 through 4. General Admission Adults $10/Child $8…”
Thursday
150 Years Ago
Church at Empire: The citizens will hold a meeting on Sunday for the purpose of organizing a movement for the erection of a church building in that quiet village.
Empire: The good people of Empire City are about to organize a dancing school to teach the young idea how to cut the pigeon wing (buck and wing dance).
140 Years Ago
A naturally bad man: Fayette King deserted his family in Carson and ran off to Eureka with a girl of ill repute is making himself the subject of unfavorable comment. His wife learned of his whereabouts and took her children and went to Eureka. He provided for them but the girl with whom he ran away had to be recognized as a member of his family, and then he began neglecting his wife and little ones. The charitable ladies of Eureka hearing of the condition of King’s family found them absolutely destitute. This gay Lethario’s [sic] principles might be improved by the application of the tar bucket.
120 Years Ago
All sorts: Fresh Eastern oysters, French clams, prunes and dates, just received at Tyrrell’s. There’s a tiger loose in town. A snapshot may be seen and full particulars learned by calling at Sam Cohn’s.
Harry Westwood Cooper, the California crook was arrested in Ogden. He passed some worthless checks in Winnemucca, and he asks to be brought back to Nevada for trial.
100 Years Ago
Remember the date: March 9
th, the place—armory hall; the show—Ladies Minstrels, the music for dancing afterwards; the American Legion orchestra; the cast—the very best; the price $1.10. Two days now until the great minstrel show at the Armor hall, and after the show there will be dancing. The admission fee of $1.10 and will include a good supper.
70 Years Ago
Nevada Legislature Repeal: In 1943 an act promising a $25,000 state bonus for the first the producing oil well in Nevada will be repealed.
20 Years Ago
Nevada growing: Nevada is the country’s fastest growing state according to figures from the 2000 census with the state’s population climb since 1990 from 1.2 to 2 million people. A flood of Californians have crossed the border to live in Carson City, Douglas County, Reno and Sparks.
Friday
150 Years Ago
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church choir: The choir will give a vocal and instrumental concert at the Carson Theater assisted by Mrs. Storer, Mrs. Wiley, George N. Eels, Robert Lindsey and other vocalists of Virginia City. The entertainment will consist of a choice selection of ballads, trios, and quartettes. The choir has recently purchased a fine organ and takes this method of raising means to pay for it.
140 Years Ago
Queen of Beauty: Adam Forpaugh wants a “Queen of Beauty” for his circus. He will pay $10,000 to the woman whom a jury has selected, the honor of being the most beautiful of American women. This will afford an excellent opening to Mrs. Langtry, the famous London beauty, who, if the newspaper reports are correct, is getting to be a rifle monotonous to the Britishers.
120 Years Ago
St. Peter’s Church: The rector, Robert L. MacFarlane, will give the sixth of a series of addresses on “Twelve Great Men” on the subject “Napoleon Bonaparte.” For the offertory Professor VouWiel will render a clarinet solo. The public is invited to attend. Service is at 7 o’clock.
100 Years Ago
Carson High School carnival: The Carson high school students will give a carnival on the evening of March 10
th to help pay part of the expense of a trip to Tonopah. If there is money left over after the trip is paid for, it is hoped that sweaters may be purchased for the basketball players. The Carson teams have made better showings than any of the small school teams of the state.
70 Years Ago
Pope Pius XII: The Pope observed his 75
th birthday and the 12
th anniversary of his election to the papal throne. He requested no official celebrations in the Vatican state but its 1,600 citizens worked as usual.
20 Years Ago
Threats against classmates: A McQueen High School student was arrested as he made threats against classmates. Students are told if they hear something about a potential attack to please report it in order to stem violence. This was after a shooting in Santee, California where two died and 13 were wounded in a high school shooting.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.
