Saturday
150 Years Ago
The year was inaugurated by unrestrained festivities, in this case a skating carnival/masquerade given under the auspices of the D. O. B. Skater Della Crandelle appeared as Young America, in Red, White and Blue, with “buttons all over him.” Dr. J. M. Benton had a complete suit including the large spectacles of the cloth of Dr. Ah Kee, a Chinese botanical physician of this city. A costume and mask contest included nine members of the D. O. B. No. 1 (James R. Finney) was gorgeously gotten up as the Grand Duke Alexis, noted for his graceful movements and dexterous skating. No. 2 (Wallie Buckingham) impersonated uncle George Tufly proprietor of the St. Charles Hotel. Wallie is not so large as Tufly by about three hundred pounds, but eight pillows and a few shirts sufficed to fill up Uncle George’s old gray suit.
145 Years Ago
Stereopticon: The stereopticon proved a great attraction to the little folks at the Sunday School room of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church which was crowded. A young man whose father is an editor, describes the display of pictures as the “beauifullest”[sic] he ever saw, and Mr. Foote the best man he knows, except for his papa.
130 Years Ago
All sorts: The snow is soft and slushy. The boys are snowballing everybody and smashing windows.
120 Years Ago
All sorts: For sale two fresh milch [sic] cows. Apply at this office.
The icemen are cutting on the city reservoirs. Six-inch ice is being stored and is of a superior quality.
110 Years Ago
Cold work on the RR: In the winter locomotives have been rigged with storm aprons. All precautions taken to keep passengers warm and comfortable.
100 Years Ago
New silver dollar: Ray Baker, Director of the Mint, has started coining a new silver piece. It is likely that the silver contents come from Nevada, and possibly Virginia City. “Inasmuch as there has been no change in the design of the silver dollar since 1878, I thought that the time was ripe for a new design,” said Mr. Baker. The design cannot be changed within twenty-five years, but after that it may be changed with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury.
Sunday
150 Years Ago
Boots: A man walked into a downtown store and asked for a pair of boots. The proprietor brought boots out. The man put on a pair and walked off without paying. The merchant called in Sheriff Swift and explained the matter to him. The thief refused to pay, return or remove the boots so Swift “went for him,” and arrested him, threw him down, took off the boots and landed the fellow in the county jail.
145 Years Ago
Gaslights: The new gaslights at the Capitol were lighted, and their appearance added an additional attraction to the grandeur of that building.
130 Years Ago
A hero: Joe Muller was attending an evening party at Mrs. Dorsey’s, when Mr. Brown of the Bullion Bank, upset a lamp spreading oil over the carpet and it burst into a blaze. The girls screamed, several fainted. Joe Muller rushed forward and with one bound sat down squarely on the burning spot allowing the terrible heat to scorch his twelve-dollar-and-a-half pants that he had purchased from Abe Cohn’s the day before. By rocking back and forth he subsided the flames.
Joe was saturated with kerosene and a half an hour later retired to the smoking room to discuss the matter when he inadvertently scratched a match on the leg of his pants to light one of McDonald’s cigars when it set fire to him again. Five men had to roll him in a blanket and spank him with bed slates.
120 Years Ago
Married in San Francisco: The marriage of Miss Mary E. Roberts of this city and Phillip J. McGrath of Hawthorne, Nevada, was solemnized at the residence of Dr. A. Fine on Jackson Street, where Miss Roberts has made her home (of the Foreman-Roberts House, 1207 N. Carson, Carson City). The wedding was witnessed by a few relatives. The bride was married in her traveling gown, a tailor made suit of dark blue. A large white hat completed the stylish costume. The only ornament worn was a sunburst of diamonds, the gift of the groom. Miss Kittie McGrath was bridesmaid, and the groom was attended by Thurman G. Roberts. The Appeal wishes to extend congratulations as both of the contracting parties are favorites in this city. The happy couple are expected to arrive in Carson City in a few days.
110 Years Ago
Horse thief: Ed Drawdson of Elko County who was wanted for horse stealing has been captured by Sheriff Harris. In his possession were a horse, saddle and other items that didn’t belong to him.
100 Years Ago
C.H.S. Jazz (news from the high school): Old School Bell—Walsh’s window display has attracted crowds, because the remains of the old school bell are on display. The bell had tolled and is sadly dilapidated, never to work again. When the upstairs of the school were cleared out, the remains of the bell were found. The bell was given to the firemen in honor of the valor displayed in saving the school from utter ruin.
Monday
150 Years Ago
Bad roads: The roads between Double Springs and Aurora are in horrible condition—no stage or pony mail carrier could travel them. Billy Wilson, the mail contractor and stage man, has employed a number of Indians to carry the mail regularly. The Indian carriers go on foot day and night, taking to the hillsides where the road is muddy--They always come in on time.
145 Years Ago
New Year’s Resolution: Yesterday was the day for forming new resolutions. Today will be soon enough to be breaking them.
130 Years Ago
Vonderhyde’s Meteorite: The meteorite fell from a cloudless sky and made a nice round hole in the back window of the harness shop. Lindsay who claims to be a geologist grabbed the fragment, the size and shape of a thick lima bean, and took it over to Harris’ drug store to test it. He returned and said “That sir, is a meteorite and weights a half an ounce. It will be on exhibition until Monday and is then to be sent to the Smithsonian Institute.
120 Years Ago
Spiritualism: The Supreme Court of Nebraska has decided that spiritualism is a religion. The court held that it is essential in character and not changed because only a few believe in it and many deride it.
110 Years Ago
Frozen lakes: Washoe Lake has been frozen and is the heaviest in years. The snow is falling on the ice and skating is not recommended. Carson Lake, below Fallon, is also frozen and affords plenty of amusement to skaters from the valley.
100 Years Ago
New York Yanks: Babe Ruth is slated to play first base for the New York Yanks. New York will not be surprised to see the Swat King switched from control of the sun garden to the doorkeeper of the American League champions’ infield.
Tuesday
150 Years Ago
Chickens stolen: A thief took sixteen chickens from Mrs. Penrod’s place. Two weeks ago 28 chickens were stolen from the same neighborhood, Frank Ludlow having lost twelve fat hens in ten days.
Bierstadt: The artist who painted so life-like a picture of a snow storm in the Sierra, left Omaha for the Pacific and is now locked up in the snow on the Union Pacific Railroad where he will have to study a painting of a snow storm in the Black Hills.
145 Years Ago
All sorts: The Ladies Aid Society of St. Peter’s church will meet in the Sunday School room of the church. A full attendance is requested.
Mr. H. H. Howe, the worthy Principal of the public schools, has been presented with a handsome gold watch chain by his appreciative scholars.
A sheet and pillowcase ball has been the latest novelty among the amusement seekers of Virginia (City). Professor Varney is in charge of the affair.
130 Years Ago
Oyster Bay Chop House: The Chop House is located opposite M. Cohn’s and will be prepared to furnish all who so desire, an oyster and chicken supper with all the delicacies of the season. Please notify the proprietor an hour before coming.
120 Years Ago
For sale: A ranch near Mound House. Good locality for sheep or would make a splendid chicken ranch. Good house of five rooms: barn with room for eight horses. A good spring near the house. Must be sold. Price $300.
110 Years Ago
Measles: Superintendent McKinnon and wife at the Orphans’ some have been taking care of thirty cases of measles. The little patients have recovered now having had the best of care.
100 Years Ago
Grand Theater tonight, “Forbidden Fruit,” a big Paramount Special. Price 25 cents and 55 cents. William Desmond in “A Broadway Cowboy.” It has laughs, thrills, suspense, and romance, and action aplenty. Aesop Fables Cartoon; Hal Roach Comedy, and Pathe News.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.
