Looking toward the east at the Carson City Airport in 1960.
Wednesday
150 Years Ago
Shooting affray: D.R. Sessions, filling in for the editor of the Appeal H.R. Mighels, was involved in an affray with E.J. Parkinson, son of the editor of the Carson Tribune. A card was issued by E.J. Parkinson requesting a meeting at the corner of King and Ormsby Streets. A half a dozen shots were fired, one severely fracturing the bone in the left hand of Sessions. Another shot took effect in the left thigh of Mr. E.J. Parkinson, the bullet lodging near the surface in the back part of the thigh. Sessions was arrested by Sheriff Swift, brought before Justice Witherell and was admitted to bail in the sum of $10,000. S.C. Wright and T.D. Edwards became his bondsmen.
140 Years Ago
Prison composer: Jules M. Lazard, a convict at the state prison, has composed a Mazurka for the piano and dedicated it to Mrs. Dorsey who leads with the organ when the episcopal choir sings for the prisoners. It is entitled “Le Bonheur” and contains some beautiful passages. Lazard was sent from Winnemucca for appropriating some watches. He plays the violin with great skill, writes music that looks like print and speaks several languages – without a doubt he is the most educated man in the prison and in the state.
130 Years Ago
All sorts: The Appeal is in receipt of a call from the Horace Greeley Statue Committee of New York City, requesting that 250 men who Greeley advised to “Go West,” put up $10 each to assist in erecting a statue of him.
70 Years Ago
Sky-Vue: The drive-in theater will reopen at 6:30 p.m., only over weekends until after May 1 and then it will go on a seven-day schedule, according to owners George Gessler and Cecil Perrin. A new wide cinemascope screen is being installed. Heaters that plug into the speaker post and then placed inside the car for heating will be available.
40 Years Ago
Watergate: Seven members of President Nixon’s team pleaded innocent to criminal charges in a cover-up of the Watergate scandal. Two former White House aides John D. Ehrlichman and Charles W. Colson both pleaded innocent to charges stemming from the Ellsberg break-in.
Thursday
150 Years Ago
Bigamy: The state of Nevada versus Anna Maria Lang is the first case of bigamy tried by any Nevada court. It is alleged that the first marriage of the woman was consummated in Falmouth, England; the second in Dayton, to Thomas Hall. Lang went to the state prison a few weeks ago for attempting to kill her first husband. The defense claims that the first marriage must also be proven before conviction of bigamy. There is no lack of authorities on either side of the question. The jurymen will be lucky to escape brain fever.
140 Years Ago
Lost man department: Inquiries for lost men have been on the increase in the west. Persons who make these inquiries are more than anxious to find the persons. Most lost men have drifted away from home. The Appeal once received a letter inquiring for a lost son as it had been 12 years. She wrote in full confidence that her early teachings were still remembered by him. The Appeal has started a “Lost Man Department” and will keep advertisements for a year at least, or until the missing people turn up.
130 Years Ago
What a woman should weigh: A woman five feet should weigh 150 pounds; 5 feet 1 inch, 106; 5 feet 2 inches, 113; 5 feet 3 inches, 119; 5 feet 4 inches, 130 pounds.
70 Years Ago
Photo caption: Warren Engine Company’s new fire station may be a reality as work has started at the site in back of the courthouse. The modern structure will replace firemen’s hall, which has been sadly outgrown. Money has been raised by private donations plus city, county and state aid.
40 Years Ago
Historic caboose: The Carson City Chamber of Commerce will begin refurbishing the displays of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad in the caboose on North Carson Street (on post office grounds). Historic artifacts will be on display including photos of the Virginia and Truckee Railway and the Comstock boom days.
Friday
150 Years Ago
A fowl conspiracy: A Gold Hill man while on the Carson River, put up the meanest job on a lot of barnyard fowls. The superintendent of one of the mills invited him to take a walk out to the barnyard for the purpose of showing him some choice breeds of fowl. The Gold Hill man ascertained surreptitiously that a large white rooster was the boss of the barnyard, and he seized him and carried him into the house and with the aid of brush and boot black, he polished the white rooster until he was black, then he turned him loose in the barnyard. The disguise was so complete, some of those barnyard fowls wanted to know who the newcomer was. There was an uproar in that barnyard, and that much abused chanticleer was obliged to whip, in succession every rooster in the yard – when done he flapped his wings and gave a tremendous crow. (Gold Hill News)
140 Years Ago
In brief: The Appeal is indebted to anonymous donors for a copy of Shakespeare and the King James Bible.
Rev. Mr. James of Tuscarora has formed a class here to teach memorizing systematically.
130 Years Ago
Largest first-class opal: The opal was taken out of the famous Shirley mine near Opaline, Idaho. Persons who have seen the great gem state that it is about the size of a hen’s egg, nearly the same shape and without a flaw – magnificent red and green fire.
70 Years Ago
Advertisement: “See E.W. Miller and son to select your new home in Meyer subdivision. Two and three bedrooms – choice of frame or block construction. Floor plans on display now. Low down payment to vets and non-vets.”
40 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Lake Glen Manor. Wildlife in a natural native Nevada atmosphere. Luxurious, secure, carefree, adult living. Patio, split entry, town type homes. $30,000 to $65,999, best available financing.”
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.