Past Pages for Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014

140 years ago

(Continued from Saturday). The case of John Murphy, deceased, is entirely peculiar, and if he had been tried under similar circumstances in San Francisco, the case would have given able counsel on both sides instead of today’s catastrophe. General R.M. Clarke was his attorney, and as it was too late. Murphy said to Clarke he was sorry he had nothing to pay him, but he could have his corpse, if he could make any use of it. When burial was suggested to him, his monomania cropped up and he became wild in his denunciations. Whether such mania is insanity and sufficient ground to base a plea. In the end, Murphy claimed a dying man should have all he wants. (Continued on Tuesday).

130 years ago

New Year’s callers. The most unique and elegant lot of gentleman’s calling cards ever displayed in this city are to be seen in Cagwin & Noteware’s show window. They are artistic in a high degree and reflect great credit upon their designers.

100 years ago

There has been two days violent battle raging on the Vosges front. It is reported also that heavy cannonading was heard in Switzerland Friday and Saturday and fighting is believed to be proceeding there. A remarkable flight is reported of a French aviator, who crossed Muelhausen and located the enemy’s artillery. He signaled the range and French artillery is now pounding the enemy.

70 years ago

Drunken driving is decreasing among motorists in Nevada, Raby J. Newton, head of the driver’s license division of the state highway department, said today. Violations which are reported directly to his office decreased in the first 10 months of this year. It also was shown motor vehicle accidents decreased 36 percent.

60 years ago

Zoe M. Riley, county recorder and auditor for the past 27 years, will retire at the end of this week. Mrs. Riley was the first woman to hold the post in Ormsby County.

50 years ago

Nevada’s White Christmas arrived a few days late this year, but did so in heaps and gobs. Two feet of snow fell in the Sierra Sunday and early today. Water washed away the Loyd Bridge, making the structure unsafe, and making the 25 residents of Pinon Hills go the long way.

Trent Dolan is the son of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.