Saturday
150 Years Ago
Successful runaway: A span of horses belonging to Dr. Benton were hitched to a wooden wagon and had been left for a moment standing at the Third Street corner of the stable. All at once they started off at a panicky gait running as far as the White House, then into Plaza Street, passed the Appeal office, rounded Rails corner at a four-minute gait, then to the far end of Benton’s stables through buggies, wagons and horses – and never broke a thing.
140 Years Ago
In brief: There are 18 persons employed in the state printing office.
There are about 40 strange young ladies visiting Carson.
For a splendid four-bit lunch go to the Catholic Fair at the Opera House at noon.
130 Years Ago
Sad affliction: The family of William Burke postmaster at Shellburne, and a gentleman of high standing in the community has been sadly afflicted with sickness. At last accounts all the children, four in number, were down with the scarlet fever and one had died. Latest news states that a change for the better had shown itself. (White Pine News)
100 Years Ago
Serious ending: A drummer who was in Virginia City a few days ago stated that as a result of putting his fist through a mirror in the International Hotel, Eddy Leonard with Haverly’s Minstrels had to have his hand amputated. It is said that Leonard was crazy with absinthe when he broke the glass. (Virginia City Enterprise)
70 Years Ago
Tuberculosis: Three licensed institutions making special provision for the treatment of the disease are now open according to the state department of health—Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital in Las Vegas, Washoe Medical Center at Reno and Silver Star Sanatorium at Steamboat. Dr. Daniel J. Hurley, state health officer reports that tuberculosis deaths in the state totaled at least 21 for the first 11 months of 1953 with newly reported cases still increasing in Nevada.
Sunday
150 Years Ago
The popular mind needs preparing for the great event promised by the Swift Engine Company on the night of the 22nd of next month. The festivities are celebrating Washington’s Birthday and then a ball by the first steam engine company established in Carson.
140 Years Ago
In Vick’s Floral Guide for 1884, on page 55, will be found a steel engraving of a new flower, called “Althea, Rose of Sharon,” and is described as being a hardy shrub, “blooming in the early fall when scarcely any other tree or shrub is in flower.” This new rose ought to be in great demand all over Nevada.
120 Years Ago
A Carson Peeking Tom is apt to be well filled with bird shot, as a number of household guns have been loaded for the occasion.
60 Years Ago
The Los Angeles promoter who is trying to sell Nevada some 13,800 acres of Lake Tahoe land for $15 million said, “I’m terribly sorry, I’m not more convincing” when the senate finance committee grilled him concerning the details of his ownership of the land. Charles G. Johnston, who claims he and two partners have exercised an option on 20,000 acres of the Lake Tahoe property of George Whittell, came out of the two-hour senate hearing with a noticeable crimp in his tail.
40 Years Ago
There shouldn’t be any flooding along the Truckee River this spring but there may be minor problems on the Carson River, federal watermaster Claude Dukes said Tuesday.
Tuesday
150 Years Ago
Billy Wilson’s stage continues to run on time. During the three or four days of blinding snowstorm and rain, last week, they arrived a little late — but arrived, always, nevertheless. He has stout horses on his line and careful, sure drivers who know the way and never miss it.
140 Years Ago
The jury in the Lindsay case came in at 9:30 yesterday morning and announced they had agreed upon a verdict. It was murder in the second degree. The court announced it will pass sentence on Feb. 11. Judge Stewart will move for a new trail.
120 Years Ago
The county commissioners met yesterday morning and after transacting the usual business they took up the matter of supplies for the County Poor Farm. The first matter taken up was that of supplying the institution with groceries for the next six months. Bids were also had for supplying coffins for burial of the dead at the county poor farm and for coffin hearse, lot and funeral complete for indigents buried from other places. The bid was awarded for $22.50 for a funeral complete.
60 Years Ago
Vail M. Pittman, former Nevada Governor and the state’s Democratic National committeeman, died early today following a long illness, he was 80. Pittman’s death ended an era in Nevada politics. He was the youngest and the last surviving of four brothers active in government, including the late U.S. Sen. Key Pittman, chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee when he died.
40 Years Ago
The sheriff’s office will receive the biggest budget increase “dollar-wise” of all city departments if the tentative budget is approved. The sheriff’s office budget is set to go up 22 percent or about $115,000, but this is “not out of line” according to city manager Don Hathaway.
Trent Dolan is the son of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.