150 Years Ago
Smallpox: The disease made its appearance in Austin. Dr. Wixom was called to see a man named Dunham who was lying sick in the stone-lodging house on Cedar Street, and there was no mistaking the disease. The man’s body was covered with pustules. He had arrived from Virginia City with 17 other passengers. A man who had stayed with Dunham later went on to Belmont — increasing further introductions in that area.
130 Years Ago
Ghost? The State Treasurer’s Office has a draught of cold air no matter how closed the windows and doors are shut — or how hot a fire is kept. Superstitious people aver that the place is haunted by the ghost of a man killed by the falling portion of the safe when it was being placed on board the cars for shipment to Carson. Any person sitting in that particular place will ask, “Where does all this wind come from?” (Virginia Report)
120 Years Ago
Liberty bonds: “Money is needed to back the nation. The sinews of war must be supplied. Uncle Sam has issued his call — not alone for men, but for the money with which to equip them, feed them and keep them in the field against the common enemy ... Put your dollars on the firing line with Old Glory.”
110 Years Ago
Cheeky auto man: The driver of a auto in Goldfield ran his machine through a funeral procession and came close to getting a good beating — Nothing stops an auto driver.
70 Years Ago
Gold strike: At a recent strike in Goldfield was made by Roscoe Wright. Goldfield has a normal population of about 350 people, but recently has had an influx of more then 500. High-grade ore was found at the old Florence mine.
20 Years Ago
Entertainment corridor: City redevelopment is hoping to create an “entertainment corridor” between the Nevada State Museum and an abandoned bank building at the corner of Carson and Caroline. The three critical areas to complete are the state’s expansion into the old bank building, redevelopment of the Golden Spike and to finish the last block of Carson Street.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.
