Looking west from William Street at the Dutch Mill restaurant, corner of William and Carson streets in the 1950s or '60s.
Wednesday
150 Years Ago
“Double header” – Two engines from Virginia City were coupled together and both attached to the same train arriving at the Mexican switch. The first one turned to pick up some empty dumps so that when the engine backed down with six dumps there was a collision. A stationary engineer named McKean was hurt when he jumped off into a gulch – Dr. Waters can’t say how badly.
140 Years Ago
Advertisement: “J.H. Cowing – The Pioneer – Carriage and sign painter of Carson City. (Established 1860). Prices to suit the times. Shop opposite Leete and Leary.”
130 Years Ago
All sorts: Legislators will find clean rooms and warm beds at the Arcade lodging house. John Wolmering does very satisfactory work behind the bar.
The Warrens’ benefit to Ed Peterson was a pleasant and well-attended affair. An excellent supper was served. Zimmer’s orchestra furnished splendid music – A snug sum was netted.
110 Years Ago
Smallpox disappearing: A rigid enforcement of quarantine, and prosecution of persons guilty of violating the rules of the Board of Health, made for the prevention of further spread of smallpox. Dr. Mooser said in his report to the council that the epidemic is now on the downgrade. There are twenty-three cases at the present time, and no new cases in Carson.
70 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Carson Theater – Judy Canova and Stephen Dunne in “The WAC from Walla Walla.”
30 Years Ago
Photo caption: An awning fell on a vehicle at the Frontier Mobile Home Park when rain saturated the snow, and it grew too heavy for the structure. Heavy rains fell for a second night, melting more snow and creating more flooding problems throughout Northern Nevada.
Thursday
150 Years Ago
All sorts: Lost – A lady’s handkerchief was lost on Carson Street between Frisbie’s Saloon and the Penrod House. Whosoever will return the same to this office shall be rewarded, and no embarrassing questions will be asked.
140 Years Ago
A fight: A crowd of nearly a hundred men and boys collected in front of Benton’s stable to witness a fight between a cur and a bulldog. After a fierce battle—it was declared a draw.
130 Years Ago
Rather absent minded: Senator La Grave, when he reached his lodging house, tried nearly half an hour to get his rubbers off. He only desisted when Geo. Nixon came wabbling in and called his attention to the fact that he had no rubbers on. Still, La Brave was always an absent-minded man.
110 Years Ago
Good plan: Every other state in the union has recognized the automobile and enacted laws for its operation and control. Nevada has done nothing in this regard. Every town has a different speed law which keeps the tourists guessing. The legislature should adopt a universal speed law for every town in the state and pass a state license law taxing autos according to their rated horsepower. (Courier)
70 Years Ago
Early dance and band music: Two early pieces of sheet music found by Graham Hardy, lend an interesting touch to the legislative session. One is “Nevada” by A.L. (Prof) Smith, director of the Nevada State Band in Carson. Music was copyrighted in 1900 and published as “The Official March of the State.” It is a march and two-step. A second piece of music is called the “Legislative Schottische.” It was written and printed about 1870 composed by Thomas Brotherhood of Carson City and dedicated to the state legislature, according to C.W. Friend.
30 Years Ago
State of the state: A tight budget is the big topic where there will be no expansion of the class size reduction plan to third grade, there will be no cost of living raises for state employees and schoolteachers and no new major tax increases.
Friday
150 Years Ago
Funeral rites: The remains of H.S. Mason’s little son Louis were performed by the Rev. Mr. Allen of St. Peters Episcopal Church. Little Lewis was in the intermediate department of the Carson public school and the entire school was dismissed at 12 o’clock and the children of the four departments went to the burial and grave of their deceased schoolmate.
140 Years Ago
In brief: Telephones are being put up in the Mint building.
Nathan Smart, Sr., a gentleman 65 years old, the head of the Smart family in this city, is very sick with pneumonia.
130 Years Ago
Accident: Mrs. Sam Wright slipped on the walk-in front of Fox’s store and in endeavoring to save herself, fell on her right wrist. Upon reaching home she endeavored to open the door but found her hand so helpless that she was unable to turn the knob. Dr. Lee was called in and found her wrist was broken in two places. She is now an interesting invalid with many visitors.
110 Years Ago
Death from smallpox vaccination: Mrs. William P. Harrington was a native of Virginia City. Her life had been spent in Nevada. She was the mother of a daughter, Dorothy, and one son, William, both small children; and is also survived by her husband, assemblyman Harrington of Ormsby County, her mother, and brother. She was one of Carson’s most charming wives and endeared herself to all.
70 Years Ago
Photo caption: Rita Hayworth won her divorce from Prince Aly Khan in Reno. She first established Nevada residence at Glenbrook in 1961. Since then, she has been working in Hollywood and traveling extensively, but she told the judge today that Nevada is definitely her home.
30 Years Ago
Big winner: Home Box Office swept the 14th annual CableAce Awards for cable television excellence with 32 honors. The Disney Channel was second with seven awards, Showtime received five and four each were collected by the Arts & Entertainment Network. Twenty-eight top awards were presented in a nationally televised ceremony. Categories on cable include a Talk show Special; Comedy, Actress in a Dramatic Series…
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.