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.
Wednesday
150 Years Ago
Acknowledgement: In the name of the children of the Orphans’ Home, the superintendent gives thanks for the following donations: turkeys for new year’s dinner, and a handsome little sum of money to buy confectionaries, to the gentlemen of the capitol for contributing to buy 10 turkeys for Christmas and to Mr. Fox for 49 volumes of miscellaneous juvenile literature. Gentlemen, in the name of the grateful orphans, thank you.
140 Years Ago
Greenaway party: Under the auspices of the Episcopal young ladies the Greenaway party was without question, one of the most delightful social events in Carson. The charming projectors of the dance were attired in a sort of a “Mother Hubbard” costume. The attendance was very large, the music was good, and even those who were merely “lookers on in Venice” hugely enjoyed the occasion.
130 Years Ago
Coast news: San Jose is putting the unemployed at work on the streets.
The new Washington soup-kitchen is now in operation. Each week soup is furnished to families who send for it. No soup is served in the house.
100 Years Ago
Fire in Silver City: The residence of Paul Bennet was destroyed by fire caused by hanging the clothes of a child over the stove. The clothes ignited, and before the water could be thawed the house was a mass of ruins.
70 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Carson Theater, bargain night, ‘Mary Me Again’ with Marie Wilson and Robert Cummings. A rip-roaring comedy, cartoon and two-reel western ‘Rhythm Wranglers.’ Bargain prices: Adults 40 cents, students 38 cents, children 14 cents, including tax.
Thursday
150 Years Ago
Distribution of Indian goods: A shipment of goods was opened at the Stone House Station, 20 miles west of Battle Mountain. The goods were sent on by G.W. Ingalls, special agent to N.W. Ingalls. At 7 o’clock the Indians had formed a circle around the packages, and the opening chorus commenced on the boxes. Blankets, coats, pantaloons, flannel shirts, calico, sheeting, cotton cloth, red flannel, combs, needles, thread, knives, axes, frying pans and tobacco were plentifully disbursed. One hundred sixty Indians including men, women and children were present.
140 Years Ago
All sorts: George Verrill Doane, the only son of Jonathan and Emma V. Doane, died of scarlet fever. He was two years and two months old.
130 Years Ago
Geary Act: The Carson Chinese people are getting in line on the Geary Act and are having their pictures taken as required by law. Marston has photographed nearly 100 in the last two days.
100 Years Ago
All sorts: The sleighs went out of commission as the streets were swimming in mud.
There are 60,000 head of sheep wintering between Steptoe Valley and Toano.
70 Years Ago
Real estate for sale: Three-bedroom house, modern, furnished, hot water, bath, garage, chicken house, well fenced, $4,000, New Empire.
Friday
150 Years Ago
Advertisement: “First Annual Ball S T. Swift Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 11 in honor of Washington’s birthday to be held at Moore & Parker’s Hall, Feb. 23, 1874. Tickets $2.50.”
140 Years Ago
Small Amazons on the warpath: Two pocket editions of the demi monde, named Emma Hall and Polly Cunningham met in front of Edgecomb’s stable and engaged in a fisticuff encounter in the most approved style. They fought three rounds, striking from the shoulder, scratching, pulling out false bangs and gouging in a manner to make Sullivan’s blood curdle. Polly won the last two rounds. The girls came out of the fray in anything but presentable condition.
130 Years Ago
Hy Downs’ mistake: Hy Downs was at the state fair in Reno on the last day. He was interested in the livestock exhibit so he didn’t notice that all the buses had left the grounds. He looked all over for a passenger wagon and saw a covered carryall leaving loaded with men. He hailed the driver and asked if he had room for one more. Hy managed to squeeze in. Two men had fallen asleep, one was praying, another was kissing a photograph, a fifth was counting the buttons on his coat and was separating his fingers and mumbling something to himself. I asked, “Say driver, who is the conductor on this train and where you going to.” The driver turned to Hy and laughing responded: “This is the insane asylum wagon, and these men are all lunatics…” Hy had heard enough and jumping out, walked into Reno.
100 Years Ago
Smallpox: There have been several cases of smallpox in the McConnell family at Spring Creek. One of the children has the disease now, according to Dr. Gardner. There have also been cases of the disease in the Luther Butler family in Lamoille. Neither families made the disease known. This is not fair treatment to the rest of the community. Dr. Gardner went out to fumigate both places. (Independent)
70 Years Ago
Party Honor Dowager Queen: Ninety-two-year-old Mrs. Emma Nevada Collins, dowager queen of 1953 Nevada Day, was guest of honor at a dinner party at Melody Lane given by the R.C. Sewing Club.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.