Carson-Tahoe Hospital's first campus in 1955. A fire in 1968 destroyed the building, and the infirmary at Stewart was called into play. Construc tion for this building in 1949 topped out at $80,000.
Wednesday
150 Years Ago
The circus: The circus will be here in all its spangles and glory. There will be a balloon send off. The Nevada State Journal referring to the performance by this circus says: “The astonishing feats of Harry Clark, the man with the iron jaws, were duly appreciated… The bareback riding of master Johnny Cook was excellent, and this youngster bids fair to be a bright star in the profession.”
140 Years Ago
Investing spiritualism, Richard Roberts of Foreman-Roberts House: During the past few months there has been considerable excitement in this city over manifestations given through a young boy named Richard Roberts. It is claimed that young Roberts can materialize the forms of the dead so that they will be recognized by the living. The writer witnessed certain remarkable performances in the house of the medium so remarkable in fact that the idea of machinery and a confederate seemed to be the only sensible explanation.
130 Years Ago
Advertisement: “The Keeley Cure—An Institute possessing the sole and exclusive right to sell and administer in the state of Nevada the double chloride of gold remedies… for the cure of the liquor, morphine and tobacco habits and neurasthenia, will positively be opened in Carson City, about July 10 by doctor Sussdroff…”
120 Years Ago
A card: “Editor Appeal: My attention has been called to an article that appeared in the Carson City News… regarding Sandy Bowers. Among other things, the article states that Mrs. Bowers died a public charge sometime since. The truth of the matter is that Mrs. Bowers is not dead at all but is being comfortably cared for in the Kings Daughters Home at Oakland. In view of the fact that I am her nephew, it places me in rather an embarrassing position… I have been employed in the lumber yard in this city and am paying all the expenses of my aunt’s keeping at the daughters’ home and have been sending her a monthly remittance for the past 18 years… H.G. Livingston.”
70 Years Ago
New theatre: Sture Svensson has been awarded construction of the new $150,000 Carson Theatre, designed by Vincent G. Raney of San Francisco. The building will be 63 feet wide on Carson St. and 128 feet deep on Washington and equipped to show 3-D and cinemascope. Special features will be a mothers’ room where crying babies may be taken, a special section wired for hard-of-hearing patrons and the latest in air conditioning…
30 Years Ago
Photo caption: The Governor’s Mansion—Nevada was proclaimed a territory in 1861 and a state three years later, but the Governor’s Mansion was not built until over 40 years later in 1908-09. Until that time the governors and their families had to find what lodging they could.
Thursday
150 Years Ago
A town government for Carson: God made the county and man-made the town. The county commissioners are the men who made Carson City a town. The first S.E. quarter is about the town end of Sam Wright’s graveyard. The mile west and mile and a quarter south embrace Chedic and Clarke, run up and take in Miss Clapp’s place, go on down and corral Duffy and that part and take in Chinatown. The racecourse is just east of the plot.
140 Years Ago
Investigating spiritualism, Roberts questioned: When Roberts was asked if he could do these things in any house, he asserted that he could, and in fact did so in the presence of a number of people at the editor’s house. Some leading people of the city have been made full believers, while others pronounce it a humbug. One thing should be said in favor or Roberts. No person who has become sufficiently interested to give him a fair trial has pronounced him a fraud.
130 Years Ago
Frisbie “in it”: Lyman Frisbie says if he cannot win the beauty contest there is something wrong with the intelligent female voting population in Carson. He has purchased a new pair of curling irons and curls his mustache, uses cologne by the gallon. One can scent him a mile off. He is open for inspection, can be found on the sidewalk in front of Livingston’s between two and five o’clock in the afternoon. “I’m in it to win and I’m in it to stay.” (Tribune)
120 Years Ago
Local news: It is reported that another bowling alley will be opened in the building formerly occupied by Ross Wilson.
70 Years Ago
Sunny Acres: Sture Svensson took his third major job when the state planning board awarded him construction of various improvements at Sunny Acres children’s home to build a hospital unit and outdoor dining facilities and repairing and painting the main building and gym. Work will start within the day.
30 Years Ago
Photo caption: Paramedics transport an unidentified man suspected of going on a shooting spree in the SIIS offices in Las Vegas.
Friday
150 Years Ago
Insane: John May, a young English miner, crazy on the subject of religion, married to a young wife who he sent word to come and meet him in the promised land of America, was brought down from Virginia City to be transported to the Asylum at Woodbridge. He is 21 years old, in the county six weeks, and has a lifetime of madness ahead.
140 Years Ago
Investigating spiritualism, the tests: It is proposed to subject young Roberts to a series of tests to more thoroughly determine the character of his performances. It is proposed to tie him securely by the hands and feet, place him in an ordinary dry goods box and cover the box with wire netting, securely nailed down and sealed. He asserts that under such conditions he will materialize a figure which can be seen and felt by those present.
130 Years Ago
The Phiz race: Top five in the men’s beauty pageant: Wm. V. Watson (26), Tim Dempsey (10), Fred Gladding (10), Geo Gates (10), H.B. Van Etten (8).
A lady’s protest: “Ed. Appeal—I think the Appeal’s male beauty show one of the greatest humbugs I ever saw… If I am any judge of male beauty, I should say that the homeliest collection of men in Carson have been entered in the “Phiz Contest” as you call it… signed, A Carson Girl.”
120 Years Ago
The Brougher Mansion (Brougher-Bath): The plans of Holesworth & Fowler, of Reno, have been accepted by senator Brougher and the erection of his mansion in this city will begin. The plan calls for an expenditure of $15,000 but before the building is completed, $20,000 will probably be spent. The residence will be one of the handsomest in the state as the plans call for all the modern improvements, both exterior and interior and will be an adornment to this city.
70 Years Ago
Birthday party: The sixth birthday of Lenny Pierini was celebrated at a party given by his mother Mrs. Pete Pierini. Highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of gifts to Lenny by Mark Gottschalk, Robert Austin, Billy Lewis, Brooks Bartlett, Bobbie Shannon, Vickie and Elaine Rabe, Stanley Pochop, Eddie Smith, Bruce Woodgate and Ronald Pierini.
30 Years Ago
The Department of Wildlife, fish plants: The Carson River was scheduled to be planted with 375 pounds and Paradise Ponds in Reno received 525 pounds of Rainbow Trout.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.