North Carson Street looking northeast in the 1950s.
Wednesday
150 Years Ago
Firemen: There is as much spirit displayed by the members of the different companies of firemen in this city as there was in New York and Philadelphia in the days when the boys of the soap-lock “ran with the machine.” Wherever you find a group of young men, the conversation is sure to be about 1s, 2s and 3s and Swift’s and Curry’s. It is hoped such will continue to be the feeling between “the boys.”
140 Years Ago
Oldest man: Frank Bankus’ name appears upon the list of registered voters in the Reno.
Precinct. His age is recorded at 82. He was born a slave and remained in bondage for more than 50 years.
130 Years Ago
Fire at Dayton: A fire broke out in the woodyard of the Douglas Mill. The Dayton Fire Department turned out, but the fire was so fierce that little could be done. Four thousand cords of wood were destroyed, 2,111 cords belonging to the Carson and Colorado Railroad and 1,760 to S. Longabaugh. They were insured for $5 a cord. The C.& C. track was badly warped and a quarter of a mile of new track had to be re-laid.
70 Years Ago
Bar limit: Limitations on the number of bars to be licensed in the city was proposed at the trustees meeting. At present there is no way they can limit the number. They directed the city attorney to contact Yerington for the city ordinance limiting bars there.
60 Years Ago
Astronauts in Nevada: The nation’s 14 new astronauts were scheduled to start roughing it this week on the Nevada desert in preparation for a future Gemini space launching. Highlight of the training will be when the space trainees start living in 120-degree heat on the sagebrush-dotted desert northeast of Reno. They will be equipped with four pounds of water and no food; they will camp in pairs with parachutes and mockups of their spaceships.
Thursday
150 Years Ago
Look out boys: Juvenile members of the community, who are very eligible candidates for hoodlums, have been breaking their way into the storehouse belonging to Frisbie, where they appropriate apples and etc. They were seen yesterday by a man engaged to watch the premises.
140 Years Ago
Since the collapse of the H.& N. deal the Comstockers eat baked beans and brown bread.
It is reported from Tombstone, that the miner’s strike at that camp has ended, and that they have resumed work at $3 per day.
130 Years Ago
Flaming tree: In Hamilton, there is a very large luminous tree that the Indians have a wholesome dread of known as the ‘witch tree.” It is a great landmark as it can be seen half a mile away. The tree of Nevada was a curiosity near Wells Station but was cut down for firewood by a party of campers. Parties who have examined the stump says that it is still luminous and full of phosphorus. The explanation is that it grows over a phosphorous deposit, and the mineral is absorbed by the cottonwood tree.
70 Years Ago
Miss Swim Pool: A swimming pool sweetheart contest is being planned by the Federation of Service Clubs. An all-expense trip to Hollywood for a week’s stay in the Hollywood-Roosevelt hotel for the winner of the contest and her chaperon will be provided by Dick Graves of the Nugget. Winner of the contest will be decided through the sale of tickets and will be announced at the party. Ormsby County girls between the ages of 15 and 18 wishing to participate are asked to contact Leon Postawako at the Carson Liquor Store.
60 Years Ago
Photo caption: Donald J. Young, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald H. Young of 1071 Fairview Drive is home on leave from the Naval Training Center in California. He has completed his basic training and will returning to San Diego to complete 24 weeks of radio schooling.
Friday
150 Years Ago
Police matters: Two women, a lady and a tenant, whose disagreement have extended over a considerable period of time and who have been threatened to interview Justice Witherell, finally met in the sheriff’s office. It was a convenient place for a scrimmage. They engaged in the best fight of hair pulling and scratching and were arrested. Their interview with Justice Witherell was granted, and they were fined $30 each, or 15 days in jail.
140 Years Ago
Advertisement: “B.F. Meder, painting, kalsomining (whitewashing) and paper hanging. Sign painting a specialty.”
130 Years Ago
All sorts: There is quite an excitement in Virginia City over the expulsion from a ball room of a young lady of irreproachable character.
70 Years Ago
Rescuing a child: At a VFW and Auxiliary Bowers Picnic 60 Veterans of Foreign Wars and their families were present at Bowers Mansion for the annual joint picnic when Pete Pierini went to the rescue of a supposedly drowning child. It wasn’t until he was in the water, clothes and all, that he discovered the child did not need rescuing.
60 Years Ago
Ex-president’s birthday: The nation’s oldest living former President, Herbert Hoover, spent a cheery 90th birthday with close friends and family. There wasn’t any baseball game to watch on television that day. He has been an avid baseball fan since his youth. He has been confined to his suite in the Waldorf-Astoria Towers, where he seldom misses watching a baseball game.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal until his death in 2006.