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
All sorts: Mr. George Tufly has recorded his health to be about usual. He says he has lost a half a ton; but any commonly proportioned fellow citizen who can outweigh one side of him now, had better try him on.
Mr. Sessions was better enough to take a short ride with Dr. Davidson who reports his patient decidedly better.
140 Years Ago
Washoe Lake fish: George A. Smith and A.P. Marker of Washoe tell the Reno Gazette that the cold winter has “played hob” with shoal-water fish in Washoe Lake. Thousands upon thousands of fish were caught in the ice as it froze during the cold snap. They lay in piles along the bank of the lake.
130 Years Ago
Row in Carson: Members of the new Athletic Corp. of Reno, called upon the governor to see if he would allow the Corbett-Jackson fight to be pulled off in Reno. The request was refused, and the members of the Athletic Corp. attempted to clean out the executive chamber, but were all licked and pitched out by Vanderleith, the private secretary and Secretary Boyle. (Midwinter Appeal)
70 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Carson Theater, indoors — ‘Combat Squad’ with John Ireland and Lon McCalister. Also, Gene Autry in ‘On Top of Old Smokey.’”
40 Years Ago
Impeachment: President Nixon faces the possibility of being impeached because of the indictment of seven of his former aides, the omnibus report and Internal Revenue Service. He also faces public dissatisfaction, problems with inflation and gasoline shortages.
Thursday
150 Years Ago
Advertisement: “O.P. Willis, apothecary, corner Carson & King Street, constantly on hand a large and complete stock of drugs, medicines, perfumery, etc., wholesale and retail. Prices reasonable. O.P. Willis.”
140 Years Ago
In brief: There is pneumonia in the air and our people should guard against contracting colds.
It is hoped that the proposed federal building will be placed in the center of a whole block, surrounded by a well-kept garden. (The post office, now Laxalt building)
All sorts: There are three cases of scarlet fever in Virginia City.
130 Years Ago
Rumor: A rumor that nearly all the mines on the Comstock will close down on April 1. This unwelcome news came by letter from a prominent citizen of Storey County. It is hoped, however, that it is unfounded. (Journal)
70 Years Ago
Eleanor Roosevelt: Eleanor Roosevelt will give an address at the University of Nevada in Reno on “The United Nations and National World Affairs.” For years she was chairman of the human rights commission of the UN.
40 Years Ago
Advertisement: “A reminder from your postmaster. Postal rates change — first class letters 10 cents; airmail letters 13 cents…”
Friday
150 Years Ago
Hank Monk: We learn from Hank Monk that even some fisherman who came to Genoa from Lake Valley report the snow in that valley at 4 ½ to 5 feet on a level.
140 Years Ago
All sorts: The Easter music at St. Peter’s Church will be something grand.
130 Years Ago
All sorts: Most of the Easter music of the Episcopal Church was composed by John P. Meder, who is making quite a reputation as a composer.
The Knights Templar banquet was arranged by Gilbert Briggs of the Briggs’ House, and those who were fortunate enough to see and partake of it, speak in the highest terms of Gib, as a caterer.
70 Years Ago
Meyer subdivision: According to E.H. (Bud) Miller, agent, there are 38 planned houses in the Meyer subdivision. All of the houses will have hardwood floors, 21 will have two-bedrooms and 47 will have three bedrooms.
40 Years Ago
Photo caption: Appealing O’Miss(es) — sure and its as Irish as they come, dark young Anni and her blonde colleen sister Erin Riley of Genoa with their Irish setter “Brandy.” Both students at Gardnerville Elementary… and enjoy just about everything, but Riley is partial to horseback riding while Anni tends to like reading and cooking.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.