Carson City looking north from the top of the Capitol building in 1871.
Saturday
150 Years Ago
Riff Williams dead. We notice flags of the engine companies at half-mast yesterday and learned the cause to be the death of this noted fireman, whose memory is revered by the fraternity whenever he was known. Mr. Williams lived in Virginia and Gold Hill and was at one time chief of the Virginia Fire Department.
140 Years Ago
The delightful weather has such balmy effect on the people that Democrats and Republicans drink at the same bars.
120 Years Ago
Notice to voters. Use the rubber stamp only in marking your ballot, the law so directs. The use of pen or pencil will invalidate your ballot and cause it to be thrown out. Do not scratch the name of any candidate as it will cause the ballot to be thrown out. If Francis G. Newlands is your choice for United States Senator, vote for all the Fusion legislative candidates.
80 Years Ago
Some of us who took a few practice shots in tuning up the rifle for the 1942 deer season, probably did not fully realize the amount of coin “burned up” every time a trigger was pulled for practice.
40 Years Ago
While Cave Rock Manny’s owner Manford Beals has been winning his battle with the Douglas County Commission concerning confiscation of his liquor license, he may not have lost the war with the Nevada State Health division to force him to meet health codes.
20 Years Ago
Railroad and history buffs from all over the country are expected for a three-day symposium starting today in Carson City. About 150 are expected for the annual event.
Sunday
150 Years Ago
Good Templar’s Ball. Attention is called to the advertisement in today’s issue of the Good Templar’s Ball to be given by Union Lodge at Moore & Parker’s Hall on Friday evening for the benefit of the Good Templar Orphans Home.
140 Years Ago
Colonel Rosser and a party of friends caught one hundred and fifty catfish in Washoe Lake on Sunday. Mrs. Rosser hooked forty of the number.
120 Years Ago
The mountains west of this valley were covered with snow yesterday morning as the result of the storm the night before.
80 Years Ago
Advertisement: Hardware. The Better the Tools, the Longer they Last. But you don’t have to pay outrageous prices to get them. We understand your needs and know how to buy the BEST at prices everyone can afford to pay. Stop in and see us. George H. Meyers, Phone 332.
40 Years Ago
A federal jury has convicted John Birges Sr., and Terry Lee Hall of trying to extort $3 million from Harvey’s Resort Hotel at Stateline.
20 Years Ago
During the initial week of his first job as high school band instructor, Ryan Rothschild had to lead his students through a homecoming prep rally assembly then the halftime show of the football game the next day.
Tuesday
150 Years Ago
Almost a fire. About 12 o’clock yesterday, one of the coaches of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad Company standing on the main track caught fire from the heat of the stove in the rear end. Fortunately, it was discovered in time by Mr. Ardery, the efficient and gentlemanly telegraph manager, who displayed considerable agility with a bucket of water, making very lively time from the railroad office to the scene of conflagration — time, seven seconds, and succeeded in subduing the flames. Damage trifling.
140 Years Ago
T.J. O’Conner, a man of 60 years old, sawed seven and a half cords of wood yesterday in the Capitol square, and stowed it away between sunrise and sunset.
120 Years Ago
William Musgrove, one of the pioneer residents of this city, was found dead at his home in this city yesterday afternoon. Mr. Musgrove was one of the pioneers that helped carve history in Nevada. He came to this coast from Missouri and when a boom took place, erected one of the first sawmills in the state. This was in Musgrove canyon.
80 Years Ago
A press release to the Appeal from the aviation cadet center at San Antonio, Texas, states that one of the recent arrivals for training is Bud J. Giglieri son of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Giglieri of Washoe Valley.
40 Years Ago
A Storey County Jury has asserted brother owner Joe Conforte held “unusual influence and power” over local politicians but said there was not enough evidence to bring a criminal indictment. The report was issued after Conforte fled to Brazil to escape serving a federal tax evasion conviction.
20 Years Ago
Speaker emeritus Joe Dini, who is retiring after a 36-year career in the Nevada Assembly, will be honored today by the Carson City Democratic Central Committee.
Trent Dolan is the son of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.