The first Territorial Legislature meet Oct. 1, 1861, at Abraham Curry's Warm Springs Hotel. Today the Nevada State Prison occupies the site.
Saturday
150 Years Ago
Stone building: Col. Rosser’s stone building, corner of Robinson and Carson streets, is lifting its head up into the regions of a second story and so far, as it goes is the most finished and elegant front of any business house in the city. We admire the Colonel’s taste and the skill displayed by the contractor.
140 Years Ago
The celebration: There was a meeting of the Fourth of July committee. The general idea seemed to be to treat the citizens to a big fireworks display in the Capitol Square at night, as a parade would interfere with the picnic.
For sale or rent: A hard finished house, corner of Third and Nevada streets. Six rooms, city water, ample front yard. For terms apply to S.C. Wright.
130 Years Ago
Dragged to death: Two vaqueros spent time in Carlin drinking and carousing. They left the ranch where they were employed and proceeded about a mile and a half when they got into a quarrel. One of them was armed with a pistol and the other fearing that he would use it took it away from him and threw it into the river. This angered the man who was deprived of his gun. He lassoed his partner, jerked him from his horse and dragged him a short distance. The injured man was picked up shortly afterward and taken to Carlin. He lived only long enough to tell the story of the tragedy. The citizens want a lynching.
110 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Thorne Ranch Road House, Andrew Drake, proprietor, catering to the trade of the traveling public, big opening event, Saturday evening and Sunday, Old time barbecue. All are invited. Everybody is welcome.”
70 Years Ago
Dr. E.J. Rinckel buried: One of Carson City’s best-known citizens, Dr. Edward John Rinckel was buried in the family plot in the Catholic cemetery. Dr. Rinckel was born in Carson City in 1880, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Rinckel, Carson pioneers who built the beautiful Rinckel mansion here. He attended local school and the University of Nevada and secured the degree of doctor of dentistry. He married Ella Youncker in 1916, who survives him. He is also survived by his daughter, Mrs. J.D. Lindstrom, a sister, Mrs. George Blakeslee, a niece and four grandchildren.
30 Years Ago
Green men: Broadcasts from little green men in outer space doubt they’ve discovered 164 mysterious radio signals. “Please don’t have a headline saying, ‘Berkeley team discovers extraterrestrial life,” said Dan Werthimers at the American Astronomical Society’s annual meeting. It’s much more likely that they are human-made interferences or natural sources.
Sunday
150 Years Ago
Smallpox: An emigrant car of the C.P.R.R. is one of the latest horrors reported in Sacramento. Between the leprosy lies, the earthquakes and his traveling pest house story, California will be lucky if her substantial attractions aren't largely ignored the coming season.
140 Years Ago
Water famine: There was but little snow last season and the light squalls that fell in the spring only fell an inch or so in depth and moisture was lost in evaporation. The only supply of water was from the Carson Water Company which consists of springs in the mountainside which have to be collected at night when the water is shut off and used throughout the day.
130 Years Ago
Married or single: Who will win the beauty contest, a married or a single lady. Several parties have gathered up over 100 votes to cast during the week.
The Empire entry, Miss Fannie Morris, heads the list now with 76 votes. The top five are Fannie Morris, 76; Mrs. Sam Wright, 53; Miss Lottie Gladding 47; Miss Ida Brule, 38 and Emma Vanderleith, 20.
100 Years Ago
Local news: A new porch is being built around the Park Hotel.
Nevada wool of this year’s clip is quoted at 12 1/2 cents per pound.
70 Years Ago
New seafood service (France): A swank casino at this smart Riviera resort has introduced a new “seafood service.” The tables are installed in the water and waiters wearing bathing trunks with white tuxedos from the waist up will paddle from table to table to serve.
30 Years Ago
New Boys and Girls Club: There will be an open house at the new facility located at the former Northern Nevada Children’s Home. Youths ages 7 to 18 are invited according to director Connie Easley. “The program exists for kids to have a place to come in their spare time, so they have a productive use of their time.” The activities include ping pong, video arcades, pool tables, foosball, weekly movies, special events and organized sports.
Monday
150 Years Ago
Crazed with drink: A young man was crazed with drink, or the effects of a prolonged spree, and laboring under the fearful effects of an imaginary mob. Sheriff Swift being called on, took the unfortunate man into his care and gave him safe keeping in the county jail.
140 Years Ago
Fire: The residence of George McLaughlin, pressman of the U.S. Mint, was found to be on fire. The City Water Company had been turned off about ten minutes and not a drop was to be had. It was turned on inside of five minutes after the alarm and in time for the hose company. The fire got into the roof of the main building and was fanned by strong wind. It burned the roof from end to end with the only damage $500 from water.
130 Years Ago
All sorts: The Dayton people say that the new dredge is all the inventors claim it to be.
Ross Lewers has made an important gold discovery in the bed of the old creek near his house in Washoe. He is panning out nuggets weighing half an ounce.
100 Years Ago
Power: Power and lights were furnished by the electric company from Floriston. The break in the flume near Carson has been repaired sufficiently to carry water to turn the wheels.
70 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Sky-Vue Drive-In Theatre, north of Carson City, Tuesday bargain night $1 per car, - Snack bar — ‘Tyrone Power, Piper Laurie, Julia Adams in ‘The Mississippi Gambler.’ The world’s most beautiful girls, Technicolor, Cartoon, News…”
30 Years Ago
Classified ads: “The Prudential. Get the low down… plus the owner will finance, 2-bedroom, 975 square feet, brick condo with garage and patio. Centrally located close to schools and shopping. $63,500.”
Tuesday
150 Years Ago
Changing hands: The Union Market has changed hands; John Rosser having sold out to Adam Uhl and Johnny Meder.
140 Years Ago
Get out the tar bucket: A man residing in the northern part of town left the picnic with a larger cargo of bad beer than his register warranted, and upon arriving home and in the presence of two children, gave his wife a severe beating and kicking. It is a pity that the whipping post cannot be made constitutional for such brutes.
130 Years Ago
All sorts: The veiled woman was again seen in the Capitol square last night.
100 Years Ago
Lightning strike: Several men who were working on the electric wires between Virginia City and Reno were on the poles when the wires were struck by a bolt of lightning. The men, Fred Brown and Wright and Hugh Farley, were burned across the chest and all received a shaking up that they will not forget in a hurry.
70 Years Ago
2,000 cattle dead: The number of cattle dead on southeastern Nevada’s powder-dry rangelands was estimated at 2,000. Ellis Folsom, state civil defense director, and Thomas Buckman, representative of the University of Nevada extension service informed the governor’s office they would not be able to complete the tour of eight stricken counties. President Eisenhower earlier informed the governor’s office that appropriation action would be taken on Russell’s plea for $7 million in federal aid as soon as a report is received and investigated.
30 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Carson City Toyota – 1992 Toyota Corolla, auto transmission, air conditioning, power steering – two to choose from, $10,995.”
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.