Saturday
145 years ago
On Thursday evening the residents of Chinatown were startled from their opium couches and checker-boards by the report of a deadly weapon. While such a report is not unusual it invariably produces the greatest excitement. The circumstances, as near as we could gather them are as follows: It seems that a select crowd of high-toned Celestials, composing something analogous to the Washoe Club, were giving a grand banquet at the Sam Yup Restaurant. The fatal shot was fired from the opposite side of the street. The restaurant is on the second floor. The bullet was from a rife, entered the region of the heart, passed through the body and struck the stone wall behind him. Ah Song died on the spot.
140 years ago
Captain Joe, the local chief of the Washoe tribe, informs the Appeal that there is a squaw nearly 150 years old living on the outskirts of Carson. He says she has not been on Carson street for nearly 20 years; enjoys good health and eats and sleeps well. Her grandson, 60 years, was one of General Fremont’s guides when he crossed the plains forty years ago. If Captain Joe’s not mistaken, she is certainly the oldest person alive.
120 years ago
It was rumored on the street yesterday that a half a dozen cases of smallpox had developed in Reno. The fact that the Reno paper stated that the patient who had been confined in the pest house was about well and that the quarantine had been raised from the hotel where he was taken sick, would lead the public to believe that the rumor was exaggerated. it is hoped that this is the case, as smallpox in the quantity rumored would be enough to scare even Reno.
80 years ago
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents today raided residences of alien Japanese near the North Island Naval Air Station near San Diego in search of contraband.
40 years ago
City officials are saying it, but prospects for a city-state contract on development of the state-owned Marlette-Hobart watershed have never looked bleaker.
20 years ago
A firm has been chosen to direct the restoration of Piper’s Opera House in Virginia City.
Sunday
145 years ago
Yesterday was the first day of the Chinese New Year, and Chinatown presented a somewhat animated appearance. During the preceding night the firing of guns, firecrackers and other fireworks continued, and but very little sleep was obtained by residents of the neighborhood. The festival is generally continued for three days, and among the Celestials is considered the greatest of the year. Everyone had on his best suit, and a visit to some of their stores showed the best of spirits and a great deal of enjoyment among them all.
140 years ago
A Tin Wedding. Old Uncle Bailey, the owner of six angular steeds, known to be the oldest resident of Carson, will celebrate his “tin wedding” at the family mansion, the “Plank House” this evening. It is going to be a “way up” affair, and the colored people will be there in full gala attire to honor the “blow out.” The Appeal will have a reporter and special artist on the spot. Readers of the Appeal may look forward to an elaborate mention of the affair.
120 years ago
Fred Dangberg, who has had a large quantity of apples stored in this city has about cleaned out the crop. Most of the apples were shipped to California. What are left are being sold in this city and surrounding towns. All together nearly twenty cars of apples have been shipped from this section in the past three months.
80 years ago
The federal government’s suit for condemnation of Nye county lands wanted for the bombing range near Tonopah, has been answered with a demand for compensation in the amount of $2,175,000.
40 years ago
District Attorney William Maddox has filed for the post he assumed in August when he replaced David Small, who resigned. Maddox, 34, plans to stay the entire four years if elected.
20 years ago
Carson City and Carson Valley appear to be immune to the recession and Sept. 11 attacks posting gaming wins while the rest of the state posts losses.
Tuesday
145 years ago
The District Court has six indictments on its Calendar, and three of them being against Ah Hun, Ah Chung and Ah Sam for burglary, and three against Patrick McKenna, two of these being for arson and one for assault with a deadly weapon.
140 years ago
“Haunted” It is reported that the elegant residence of one of the most prominent citizens here is haunted by “spooks.” The neighbors say that in the dead hours of the night the most unearthly and mournful sounds emanate from that house. A gentleman who is well acquainted with the family informed the Appeal yesterday that the report is true; that the trunks in the closets dance about, chairs tip up and back and frequently other pieces of furniture cut up queer antics.
120 years ago
Representative Newlands, of Nevada, of the ways and means committee, who was the author of the resolution annexing Hawaii, today introduced a joint resolution inviting the republic of Cuba to become a part of the United States, first as a territory and then as a State of the Union, to be called the State of Cuba.
80 years ago
FBI agents led 90 officers in simultaneous raids on Japanese homes and farms near Sacramento, especially around McClelland Field, Mather Field, and the Sacramento Airport. The officers reported that some of the aliens had contraband in their possession, are known to favor the axis and may have engaged in espionage.
40 years ago
Several homeowners in the Kings Canyon area were warned to temporarily evacuate their homes because of flooding caused by recent rains. Rains caused minor flooding in Carson City.
20 years ago
It’s time to grab your binoculars, bird book and head to the backyard. Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology in Ithaca, N.Y. Wants you for their Great Backyard Bird Count.
Trent Dolan is the son of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.
