Past Pages for August 31 to September 3, 2024

Saturday

150 Years Ago

Born in Carson Valley, to the wife of Luther Olds, a son.

Born at Clear Creek, Ormsby County, to the wife of George Bath, a daughter.

140 Years Ago

Adventists’ meeting: The Second Adventists, as they call themselves, or Millerites, are holding a camp meeting at the Reno circus grounds. The meeting will continue as long as they make any impression on the hardened hearts of the Reno sinners.

130 Years Ago

The wrong man: A lady was troubled with a boil on her knee but disliked the family physician. Her father suggested several others including a homeopathic physician who passed the house each day. The young lady showed him the disabled member. The little man looked at it and said: “Why that’s pretty bad. If I were you, I would send for a physician, I am a piano tuner.”

70 Years Ago

Anyone have some extra uranium? Uranium fever has left an imprint on Carson City. Chamber secretary W.E. Dunfield has released the following missive sent to his office recently: “Gentlemen: I have heard about uranium being beneficial for health. I wish you would send me an address where I can procure a few hundred pounds of the best grade of it as I want to use it in my home.”

60 Years Ago

Centennial song: The Clark County school board has approved use by Clark County schools of a new song that celebrates Nevada. It is called “Our Nevada.” The words of the song recount exploration and settlement of the state –

Chorus:

Onward came the pioneers, founding our great new land

with its lake and forests, mighty mountains and the desert sand,

those who came were brave and strong. Still, I can hear their song,

for I’ll always know that Nevada is, the state where I belong.

Sunday

150 Years Ago

A new enterprise in Carson City: Mr. G.C. Langtry and some workmen are engaged in the construction of something curious. The Lyon Mill and Mining Company of Dayton have a contract for supplying the mint with acids and are having evaporating pans for the concentration of the solution of copper — or reducing it to blue stone here.

140 Years Ago

A cheeky horse: A blind horse became frightened by some boys and taking to his heels ran square into the Stone Lodging House and up a narrow flight of stairs into the second story. It was 1 o’clock in the morning when lodgers were aroused by the tread of the old horse in the hallway.

One man who came out, and running against the horse, was kicked back into his room. Later some men, who had seen the horse go upstairs, followed it until a roomer came out, someone would call out: “Say, do you want to buy a horse?”

An attempt was made to turn the horse around in the narrow hallway, but he resented the attempt by kicking in the door of a room occupied by a San Francisco tobacco drummer who came out with a six-shooter.

The best way to get the horse downstairs was canvassed. Then Mr. Dodd, the horse trainer arrived and simply thrusting his thumb in the horse’s nostrils backed him down the hall. The animal landed in the street, followed by the profanity of the lodgers.

130 Years Ago

All sorts: W.J. Westerfield of Reno was up visiting the encampment, and many strangers were in town to witness the grand inspection of the soldiers.

70 Years Ago

Masonic lodge, new home: The old Virginia & Truckee depot begins a new era when the Masons hold their first meeting in the historic depot. The building was lengthened, new carpet, full sized dining room, and a kitchen and storage space were added. This is the fifth home since its inception here in 1862. The first was a building at the northeast corner of Musser and Carson Streets, the second the old Nevada Appeal building, third a building on the site of the Heroes Memorial hall and the last was the IOOF hall.

60 Years Ago

Photo caption: Carson Grid Drills – Bob Crawford takes out Gene Russell, and John Felesina pushes aside Bruce Glover as Butch Cattanach drives for yardage in a recent Carson City High School scrimmage. The Senators, who open their season Sept. 11 against Yerington, began their second week of practice.

Monday

150 Years Ago

The Bank Exchange Saloon, corner of King and Ormsby Streets, is becoming the favorite resort of this city. The great attraction is Fredericksburg Beer. A first-class billiard table, a cold lunch at all hours and a hearty good cheer for all are its recommendations to public favor. R.R. Brown is the proprietor.

140 Years Ago

Millions of carp: Isaiah Smelser has a ranch at Summit Springs, 28 miles south of Golconda. He built a reservoir to store water for irrigating purposes. A year ago, last winter he procured about five dozen carp from California and planted them in his artificial lake. Now there are millions of young fish. He says carp is an excellent food fish in the cool mountain waters of Nevada and resemble perch somewhat in appearance and flavor.

130 Years Ago

The encampment closes: There was a great deal of gunpowder and noise, and the boys were all eager to do things up brown for the wind up. The ladies were also full military enthusiasm and a great desire to parade themselves in their most fashionable attire.

When the time came to open the battle, the Washoe skirmishers went to the front and opened fire on the enemy. The fight grew very lively.

In the afternoon the governor and staff reviewed the troops, and it was everywhere conceded that the men drilled splendidly, and the encampment had been a success. There was a full-dress parade in the evening. The boys will break camp and leave for home today.

70 Years Ago

Old match factory: New Empire’s defunct Nevada Match Co. building will be the site of new industry for Ormsby County. It will be converted to a combination sawmill and planning mill operation by Tahoe-Reno Lumber and Timber Co. The mill site is within two miles of some of the planning and sawmills that were in operation in Eagle Valley during the heyday of the Comstock Lode.

60 Years Ago

Infant mortality high in Nevada: The local population study jumped as Nevada’s infant mortality rate was 1.5 time the national average. One hundred and sixty-one babies died last year.

Tuesday

150 Years Ago

Cold: After the prevalence of the “Washoe Zephyr,” linen suits suddenly went out of fashion and overcoats were in demand.

140 Years Ago

Wayside notes: A good many Comstockers go to Shaw’s springs to soak the rheumatism out of their legs and find the waters a certain cure.

130 Years Ago

All sorts: Nearly everybody is back from the lake.

70 Years Ago

Advertisement: “Sky-Vue Drive-in Theater, ‘Black Horse Canyon,’ with Joel McCrea and Marie Blanchard also showing ‘Fireman Save My Child,’ with Spike Jones and His City Slickers.”

60 Years Ago

Band fund: The Nevada Appeal Band fund has grown to $1,437.55 (goal is $3,000). The fund money will be used to pay expenses of the Carson City High School Band when it plays in the Rose Bowl Parade on New Year’s Day.

Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.