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.
Saturday
150 Years Ago
“Spotted fever” panic: The fatal disease has made an appearance in Tehama County. Within five days twelve or fifteen deaths have occurred, the majority of the victims being children.
140 Years Ago
False report: The rumor has been circulated that the Voltaire mine was closed down and the machinery shipped to San Francisco, but in fact the old machinery has been shipped away to make room for new. The tunnel is now being pushed with three eight-hour shifts a day and seams of quartz indicate a near approach to the ledge.
130 Years Ago
Mackey improving: John W. Mackey is still improving, and there is thought to be no danger from his wound. Rippey, who shot him, is still alive at the Receiving Hospital. (San Francisco)
110 Years Ago
V&T: A special train coming from Mound House loaded with gypsum was ditched, and it was an all day and all-night work to get the heavy cars back onto the track.
70 Years Ago
Premier Joseph Stalin: Premier Stalin lay paralyzed and unconscious from a brain hemorrhage and the council of ministers and communist party central committee took over his powers in the emergency.
30 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Meadowvale Theatres & Video Shoppe – Walt Disney Pictures ‘Homeward Bound’ and a four Academy nomination including Best Picture and Actor, ‘Scent of a Woman.’
Sunday
150 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Ah Kee, botanical physician, office on Third Street, (short distance east of Carson Street), Carson City. Successfully treats the most difficult cases of disease by the use of medicinal herbs. Has cared for many patients in town. Persons in need of his professional services are invited to call at his office.”
140 Years Ago
Hank Monk: “Buffalo Bill” telegraphed Hank Monk to await an important letter from him. The letter was received by the deceased. It contained splendid inducements for him to go east and take part in “Buffalo Bill’s” dramas, but Hank was too far in the grave to avail himself of anything of that nature.
130 Years Ago
All sorts: The dispatches state that suffrage will probably prevail in Arizona.
A St. Patrick’s Day Domino party will be held on March 17th. Tickets are available for $1 at Mrs. Kolbe’s.
100 Years Ago
Divorces: The two district courts of Washoe granted a total of 742 divorce decrees. The main cause given is cruelty.
70 Years Ago
Atomic bomb test includes homes: The government announced that it is making atomic
bombs only three-fourths as powerful as the “Model T” versions that rocked Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Two “typical American farmhouses” will be exposed to atomic fire.
30 Years Ago
Top five retailers: Sears was the U.S. third largest retailer in 1991, the latest year for which complete figures are available. In billions of sales, 1991 – Walmart, $43. Kmart, $34.5. Sears, $31.4. Kroger, $21.4. (Source: National Retail Federation)
Monday
150 Years Ago
Legislative lodging: A lady who kept lodging rooms was looking for a couple of lobbyists who she did not find. A third lobbyists had introduced them to her, and she believed the latter to be good men. She overlooks the fact that these parasites are only concomitant with, and not a part of that body polite.
140 Years Ago
In brief: Lake Tahoe tourists from the east will greatly miss Hank Monk this summer. There will be no driver to entertain them with wonderful yarns.
130 Years Ago
Scoundrel’s work: Tombstones at the Carson Cemetery were hit by sledgehammer and large pieces of marble were mashed off some of the most expensive tombstones. There is no clue (sic) to the perpetrators of the outrage. The Wright estate offers a $50 reward for apprehension of the parties.
100 Years Ago
Oriental orchestra: The Carson Social Club has engaged Miss Lucy Paka and her Hawaiian orchestra for their dance in March. The orchestra has many Hawaiian entertainers. The special feature will be presented along with an evening of “something new and different.” Admission, couples $1.10.
70 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Carson Theater – Here’s wonderful entertainment. ‘Atomic City with Michael Moore and Nancy Gates.’ A story laid in the Atomic Research City of Los Alamos. “
30 Years Ago
Fish planting: Ormsby county streams will receive the first quota allotment of fish. The season opens in April. Allotted out of the county’s total share are 2,400 of which 960 will be brook trout.
Tuesday
150 Years Ago
St. Patrick’s Day: A Grand Ball will be given on Monday evening at Moore & Parker’s, Carson City. All proceeds go to the Catholic Church. Tickets are $5 and include supper.
140 Years Ago
Hard to please: The neighbors box factory was delighted with the aesthetic whistle which blares that come morning, noon and evening. The blood curdling shriek calculated to frighten horses and split the ears of groundlings now contains a soothing chord composed of three notes. Now they want to change that chord to give them a fresh chord – some like sunset melody such as are wafted from the calliope of the Mississippi streams.
130 Years Ago
All sorts: Joe Frazier who worked at the box factory was pronounced insane. It is of a mild nature and with proper treatment he may soon recover.
There is no truth in the rumor that the Ormsby House is to be taken down. It is just a change of proprietors.
100 Years Ago
Historical picture: The Nevada State Historical Society has just received a picture of one of the state’s oldest landmarks, the old Mott residence in Carson Valley. The Mott house was located on property which is reputed to have been the second land claim entered in Carson Valley. Mr. Mott became the founder of the town of Mottsville, located six miles south of Mormon Station. The first school in the history of Nevada was held in 1854-55 was held at their place.
70 Years Ago
Workplace moans and groans: Top ten complaints from office workers are its: Too hot, too cold, not enough office space, not enough conference rooms, not enough storage space, elevators too slow, poor janitorial service, poor air quality, inadequate parking, uncomfortable chairs. (Source: International Faculty Management Association; Research by Cordelia Gaffney.)
30 Years Ago
Lillian Gish dies: Lillian Gish, fragile looking, but resilient actress whose career started in the silent movies to the television age died in her sleep. She was 99. She was a favorite of director D.W. Griffith, starring as the purehearted daughter in the 1915 Civil War epic “The Birth of a Nation.”
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.