This 1888 photo by C.E. Peterson catches a Carson River wood drive as it carries food and bedding for the crew. The men are working near Empire after having started the drive some 50 miles upstream in Alpine County.
Wednesday
150 Years Ago
The first train from Virginia – The first passenger train from Virginia arrived two nights ago on time consisting of the locomotive Reno, Main and Express, two passenger cars and a large number of passengers from Virginia, among whom were the Nevada baseball club on their western tour. A large crowd of citizens gathered at the depot to see the first through train and the carriages, omnibuses and hotel-runners reminded us of other times away down East.
140 Years Ago
The strongest Democrats are going about the streets asking the members of the central committee when they propose to call a convention.
120 Years Ago
Is he a taxpayer? The Appeal would very much like to know if Judge Harley pays any taxes in this state. He certainly doesn’t appear the tax roll of the county. It seems odd that a man would want to represent the state of Nevada in the United States Senate who does not thing enough of the state in which he has lived for years to own a little property in it and pay some taxes.
80 Years Ago
The old plant platform between the V&T office building and the main track is a thing of the past. By early this forenoon, workmen had removed every timber and plank and had loaded the material onto four or five flat cars.
40 Years Ago
Poisoned Tylenol claims No. 7.
20 Years Ago
Every night beavers gnaw down small trees near Taylor Creek and make dams. But in October, when Kokanee salmon need a splash, kick, and flop their way up the creek to spawn and then die, U.S. Forest Service employees remove the dams to make way for the fish.
Thursday
150 Years Ago
Chinatown. The celestial population who seek for the time being home among us, have an eye to the comfort of themselves. The China quarters of this town occupy two squares or twenty town lots and have on average about ten houses on a lot. Once a year ago, the whole town was burned, but Phoenix. Like it sprung from the ashes better and fresher than ever.
140 Years Ago
The Capitol and Mint gardens which have been unusually beautiful during the past summer are assuming a very fallish look.
120 Years Ago
The Republicans of Nevada seem to have considerable trouble keeping men on their ticket. For a while they believed that the Silver-Democratic people were alone in the deal, but at the eleventh hour they have a batch of vacancies to fill. Probably the heading for the article should be “No Fushion and Confusion in the Republican ranks,” but there is trouble enough without that.
80 Years Ago
Andy Hahn, highway department employee is today doing an artistic job of painting the old Civil War days cannons flanking the front steps of the Nevada heroes memorial building.
40 Years Ago
Photo caption: Kim Hughes, a senior at Carson City High School, was crowned Homecoming Queen Friday during halftime of the game with the Reed Raiders. Reed won, 29-6.
20 Years Ago
A last-minute twist in the competition forced five Carson High School teachers to shave their heads on Thursday.
Friday
150 Years Ago
Target excursion – We notice the grand target excursion of the second Brigade, Nevada militia, at Simmons’ ranch on Oct. 12 about five miles north of town online with the railroad. The Brigade consists of three companies; The National, Emmet and Sarsfield Guard; all of Storey County. There will be a special train of the excursion it’s and some good shooting may be expected.
140 Years Ago
A somnambulistic girl in Eureka who gets up in the night and saws wood in her sleep has received 42 offers of marriage.
120 Years Ago
Last evening while Alfred Chartz, in the company with his daughter, Miss Beatrice, and Miss Edith Kitzmeyer, was out driving in the vicinity of the Indian School when the horse, a spirited animal, shied, throwing occupants front the buggy. Mr. Chartz was dragged for a considerable distance; the reins having become entangled in his feet. He suffered multiple injuries. Both the girls were also injured. The buggy is a hopeless ruin and lies in the sagebrush near the school where the animal had drawn it.
80 Years Ago
Seen, heard, or thought by E.T.C. Unexpectedly acquired some souvenirs this morning when crossing Carson Street afoot. Happened to glance downward to see a light metal object the shape and about the size of a quarter. Removal of the dust filed revealed a “bingle,” or a trading check of the old Sagebrush Club. Each “bingle” was good for 12 1/2 cents in trade for goods at the club.
40 Years Ago
Gambling figure Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, injured by a powerful bomb planted in his car is released from the hospital.
20 Years Ago
Photo caption: Scaffolding around Piper’s Opera House signaled the beginnings of renovations on the Virginia City landmark. The project will cost about $332,000, which will be acquired through two grands and a gala fundraiser scheduled this month.
Trent Dolan is the son of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.
