Downtown Carson during the Nevada Day Parade in about 1950.
Saturday
154 Years Ago
Nearly a fire: A coal oil lamp in the state controller’s office overflowed and the oil took fire. James Sturtevant seized the door mat, threw it over this burning mass and taking it in his hands walked down the long flight of stairs. The fire came though the mat and badly burned both his hands.
145 Years Ago
Part II: The Chinese New Year, the service: The church is a small wooden building 12x5’ and has a red flag bearing the golden dragon and fringed with white. The devotees stand in front of the altar and indulge in a series of solemn genuflections to the port and then bend back and forth as they do when sawing a stubborn stick of mountain mahogany. At the sound of the gong the congregation gets down quickly on their knees and remain there for several minutes.
The Preacher: Rev. Ching Cowe, the pastor, was a man of about 60 years. He was completely bald. His attire was neat. His flock here have confidence in his piety and zeal for the good work of converting backsliders to the faith of Confucius.
135 Years Ago
Friend’s meteorologic estimate: Washoe, Lander and Humboldt snow is reported in depths from 20 to over 100 feet. Lake Tahoe has risen over 12 inches, snow on all sides will increase that as the snow melts.
Cattle have suffered for want to feed, scarcely any hay is obtainable. The greatest amount of precipitation was 11.12 inches at Pioche, then Leonard’s Creek at 9.43, Tuscarora 9.28, Lewers Ranch, 5.44 and Genoa, 7.55. Tuscarora had 81.50 for the month and 42.00 on the ground on Dec. 31. The mean precipitation for the entire State was 4.09 inches and average snowfall 2,300 inches.
115 Years Ago
Sparks Alamo farm: John Powell who has been in charge of the Alamo Farm is spending a few days in this city (late Governor Sparks home). He is trying to secure the home ranch as a country club. It is situated a few miles this side of Reno on the line of the V&T R.R. and has 75 acres of land. The natural hot water swimming tanks and artesian wells, make it an ideal place. In order that the place may be considered as a memorial to John Sparks and not to lose its identity, it is proposed to call it the Alamo Club. (The house was moved to Washoe Valley and is now a private residence.)
60 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Carson Theater, ‘Kisses for my President’ with Fred MacMurray and Polly Bergen. The hilarious story of the first woman president of the U.S. and a look at the new First Lady!”
Sunday
155 Years Ago
A Wild Cat (Felis catus as we say in the zoological class) can be seen by going up to the Carson office of the V&T R.R. This varmint is of another family than that with which old Nevada miners and “feet” speculators used to be so familiar; inasmuch as it is an honest ear best than that, showing its feet for what they are worth and making no bones of what it naps in a feelin’ way. It belongs to Conductor Harry Sears, who imported it from California.
140 Years Ago
The Silver Convention met at the Old Theater Hall yesterday. It was called to order by Senator Briggs, chairman of the Senate committee. C.C. Stevenson of Storey was elected temporary chairman and A.C. Pratt of Douglas was elected temporary secretary. At present the U.S. government seemed to be trying to pay the national debt out of the pockets of bullion producers.
120 Years Ago
Five applicants took the examinations held in Reno Monday for positions in Panama. Once applicant was trying for civil engineer, one for irrigation engineer and one for physician.
60 Years Ago
There is no doubt about it — Carson City is in for six weeks more of winter, if the furry Little Rock chuck didn’t see his shadow in today’s bright sunny weather, then he’s blind as a mole. This is because today is officially known as Groundhog Day.
40 Years Ago
While the number of child abuse cases in Nevada has skyrocketed, problems still exist with convincing professionals to report child abuse or neglect, Clark County abuse expert John Sara said.
Tuesday
155 Years Ago
Destructive fire at the Carson Race Course — seven horses burnt to death. A fire broke out in the stables in the center of the course and seven horses, and fifth barn yard fowls were burned.
140 Years Ago
A Nevada execution. Indian Dave, a murderer of a Chinese person, hanged in Belmont last Friday — The good effect of the execution. Arriving at the scaffold he asked permission to talk to the Indians who had been permitted to witness the execution. The immediate effect of that decision was to make the Indians of this vicinity believe that they could rove, rob and murder with impunity. This is the first judicial execution of an Indian by whites in this state.
120 Years Ago
The heaviest storm that has struck this section this season is on. All of yesterday snow fell, and while it did not attain any great depth owning to the warmth of the day, yet the reports form the mountains show that a generous fall has covered the ground
60 Years Ago
State Treasurer Mike Mirabelli has been appointed chairman of the fifth annual Nevada Governor’s Prayer Breakfast, scheduled at the Carson City Nugget, Gov. Grant Sawyer announced today.
40 Years Ago
Gerald Gallego has been moved from Death Row to a high-security lockup because officials say they heard a report that he was planning an escape. Gallego was convicted of the 1980 murders of two Sacramento-area girls: “I consider him an extreme escape risk — and we did get information that he was planning to escape.”
Trent Dolan is the son of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.