Daun Bohall Collection/Nevada State Museum
Saturday
150 Years Ago
Presentation: The Masons and Odd Fellows of this city have presented the public schools with a fine-toned melodeon which was the joint property of the two Orders. The melodeon has been used by the schools and several of the scholars have become expert players.
140 Years Ago
In brief:
The thermometer at Mound House indicated fifteen degrees below zero.
At the Hole-in-the-Wall thee will be served clam chowder, Boston baked beans and the usual doo [sic] funnies.
Rev. Mr. Davis will hold service at the Prison. The choir of the Episcopal Church will furnish the music.
120 Years Ago
All sorts: Jim Benton has the mining fever and has located a claim north of this city where he has some flattering assays.
The next attraction to be offered the people of Empire will be a minstrel show. It will be all home talent and a good show will be given – a dance will follow.
80 Years Ago
Burglary: There was loss and damage in the slot machine burglary at Kelly & Lindsay’s store — approximately $200. The backdoor was jimmied and another one broken. Two slot machines were broken into and the contents stolen.
70 Years Ago
March of dimes: The Bingo party is scheduled to go on unless the weather gets worse. According to Mrs. Kay Johnson, “Most roads out of Carson City are closed, and there’s no place to go, so Carson people might just as well turn out for the bingo party…”
20 Years Ago
Photo caption: Chris Beattie will run with the Olympic torch donning a prosthetic leg that he has had since he lost his leg in a car accident when he was 18.
Sunday
150 Years Ago
Empire Mills starting: The Mexican dam on the Carson river, having been fully repaired, was to resume operations. The new Brunswick mill, with its fifty-six stamps, will start up tomorrow.
140 Years Ago
Autophone: J. M. Hetrich of the Mint has received from San Francisco an ingeniously constructed musical instrument called an “autophone.” It produces music similar to that of a first-class hand organ. If Gus Hebbeling had only kept his monkey, what a bonanza the two would be able to secure.
120 Years Ago
Powder explosion: Dr. Huffaker was called to Mound House to attend to three victims. Mr. Fisher at the gypsum quarry was thawing a stick of giant powder in the stove when it exploded. He received a severe scalp wound. His little child received a bad scalp wound. Mrs. Fisher, an invalid, was thrown to the floor and injured.
80 Years Ago
Carole Lombard, airliner crash: The broken body of Screen Actress Carole Lombard who was killed with 21 others in a airliner crash was being prepared for shipment to Hollywood. Her body is in the custody of her husband, Clark Gable. Carole’s mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Peters, was also a victim of the crash.
70 Years Ago
Sleighing: The city will blockade certain streets in Carson City so that boys and girls can enjoy sleigh riding on the weekend. Jack Butti, street foreman, will set up barricade near Robison street near the Governor’s Mansion and on West Fifth at Thompson.
20 Years Ago
Bomb hoax: A passenger jet on its way from Britain to Florida was diverted to Iceland after the crew found a bomb threat and an anti-American messages written on a bathroom mirror. There were 340 people aboard. The Boeing 747 landed safely at Keflavik, Iceland. “We believe this is the work of a hoaxer…” said Ben Hall, spokesman for Virgin Atlantic Airways.
Monday
150 Years Ago
Warm: During several hours of the forenoon, whittlers, were strung along on the Plaza fence like so many lizards on a log — lawyers, discussing riparian rights; doctors, awaiting the effects of the malaria from the soaked plains and Farmer Treadway, canvassing the state of affairs in general. There was not a speck of a cloud, and the sunbeams gave to the genial atmosphere of a tremulous motion…
140 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Lake Tahoe Stage. J. M. Benton’s line of stages, carrying the U.S. Mail. Will leave Carson daily at 10 A.M. Summit, Spooner’s and Lake Tahoe, returning the same day. Connecting with the Lake Steamers for all points on Lake Tahoe. For Passage, etc., apply at the office of Benton’s Stable, corner Carson and Third Streets, Carson City. J. M. Benton, Proprietor.”
120 Years Ago
All sorts: Frank Helm has sold his King St. residence to Mr. Heidenreich in consideration of $600.
The Colorado-Nevada Company is to erect a steam hoist in the Wedekin district, Washoe county.
80 Years Ago
Ice skating: Many Carsonites were skating, many spills reported, but no serious injury. Numerous bonfires were built, and the skaters assembled to warm up after cutting fancy figures on the ice.
70 Years Ago
Truck convoy: Snowbound residents of South Lake Tahoe were caught squarely in the middle of the storm. A relief caravan preceded by a highway snowplow is bound for the paralyzed area. In the convoy there was a meat, bread and butane truck, along with pickups carrying an assortment of other supplies.
20 Years Ago
Poll on nuke dump: Opposition is strong in 2002; however, many Nevadans believe it is inevitable. A poll taken for the Las Vegas Review-Journal also shows an increase in support for politicians fighting against a repository.
Tuesday
150 Years Ago
Wax flowers: Magnificent wax bouquets and glass vases are on exhibition at the Ormsby House and will be raffled off. The flowers are the handiwork of two ladies of this city. They are gorgeous bouquets in tasteful arrangements. There are two prizes, the highest throw taking one and the lowest the other. Get your raffle tickets now. This is a rare chance to obtain a superb parlor ornament.
140 Years Ago
All sorts: There is excellent skating on Washoe Lake. The ice hasn’t been so thick in many years.
“Hackmetack,” [sic] a lasting and fragrant perfume is on sale--price 25 and 50 cents.
Fire: Peter Van Sickle’s large barn in Carson Valley was totally destroyed by fire. At the time of the fire it contained a large quantity of hay and grain, thirteen fine horses, a number of cows, wagons, harnesses, and other valuable property, all of which were destroyed. The fire may have originated from a candle that a hired man used at night while feeding the stock.
120 Years Ago
All sorts: Will Minetti, a fourteen-year old boy of Reno, lost a finger and thumb from the explosion of a giant cap.
80 Years Ago
Tonopah alarm: Tonopah residents jump for cover when they hear a loud “boom” echoing through the mining community. In response to complaints, the County Commissioners have ordered two small air raid sirens for the city to replace a powder cache defense authorities had prepared as an air raid alarm. Residents were warned that when they heard a loud explosion, chances were that Japanese bombers were winging overhead.
70 Years Ago
Square dancing: More square dancing is on tap for the Pa’s and Taw’s [sic] in the Civic Auditorium. Dancing is enjoyed weekly until near midnight.
20 Years Ago
Photo caption: Tom Metcalf stands beneath a cross cut of a concrete slab which utilizes cables instead of beams in the construction of the medical complex on Nye Lane and North Carson … The cables make the building more earthquake tolerant.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.
