Carson City looking north from the top of the Capitol building in 1871.
Wednesday
150 years ago
Almost a Fire. Megarrigle, who occupies a room under the droppings of Miss Clapp’s school. House came near being burnt out night before last by a defective chimney. A lady discovered the fire and the alarm being given, Firemen B.S. Mason of Esmeralda, Moulton of Washoe and Shakespeare of Stratford on Avon, together with the said Megarrigle, went to work with buckets, pitchers and other utensils and subdued the devouring element. Loss, two dirty shirts, one paper collar and some broken crockery. No insurance.
130 years ago
The election. News coming in slowly. Both sides claiming the lottery fight. The election yesterday was about the quietest and best natured affair ever witnessed in this city; as one of the wags remarked, it seemed to be a case of where the Democrats and Republicans were voting against the Mugwamps.
100 years ago
No Funds Available for Reward. When told of the atrocious murder that had been committed in Chinatown, Governor Boyle says that he would like to offer a reward for the apprehension of the perpetrators, but there were no funds on hand for the purpose.
80 years ago
Nevada’s expansive desert did not provide large enough for a hideout for Bert Davis, 24, wanted in Pueblo, Colo., for burglary committed there in September. He was taken into custody at the Nevada-Massachusetts tungsten mine near Mill City.
50 years ago
The long line of White House pets which began, probably, with Abigail Adams’ silkworms, and includes some other unlikely fauna along the way, now boasts two dogs which are bilingual. The Richard Nixon’s Pasha and Vicky understand both Spanish and English, with a probable preference for Spanish.
30 years ago
Editorial. We understand why the Carson City Chamber of Commerce has decided to remove itself from the Whistle-Off. The chamber, although the event captures lots of nationwide publicity, has decided to re-emphasize on serving the business community.
Thursday
150 years ago
Judge Berry of Humboldt is here among the law makers, looking like a good, honest, sturdy Black Republican. Pity that so handsome a man should be a Democrat. By the way, his paper, the Register, has been sold to the Humboldt County brand of the Anti-Coolie League. This, we suppose, leaves the Democratic Party without any regular “organ” in the state.
130 years ago
Last evening the community was startled by the report that smallpox had broken out in the Ormsby House. Yesterday, Albert Johnson, a black man employed there was taken down and Dr. Davison pronounced it smallpox. City authorities were called and the house placed under quarantine.
100 years ago
The senate continued its burial procedure this morning, committing to the tomb — otherwise laying on the table — three more bills recently introduced and deemed unnecessary for the welfare of Nevada’s citizens.
80 years ago
Ely 20-30 Club Favors Mint for a Museum. The Ely Times reports that the Ely 20-30 Club at the regular meeting held last night, went on record as approving the converting of the U.S. mint building at Carson City to a state museum and so notified Nevada’s representative in Congress.
50 years ago
John Gaskill was tough when it counted. And for that reason he’ll represent Carson City in the Nevada State Masters Bowling Tournament, scheduled for the first two weeks of May in Las Vegas.
30 years ago
Serious crimes in Carson City dropped 3 percent in 1988, while minor crimes were up 17 percent last year primarily due to a huge increase in vandalism, Sheriff Paul McGrath said Friday.
Friday
150 years ago
Col. Abe Curry is going East to-day — means to be in Washington on the 4th of March in order to see Grant inaugurated. He will also stir up the lazy officials at Washington and Philadelphia with regard to our Mint matters; and he expects, when he returns, in about two months the orders and documents and instruments to set the coiners at work. Good luck to him!
130 years ago
An ordinance to prevent the spread of small pox. The Board of Trustees of Carson City do ordain: Sec. 1 — It shall be the duty of the City Marshal, or any policeman under his direction, to put up at the door of any house in said city wherein a patient may be sick of small pox, a yellow flag indicating the presence of said disease immediately upon its being brought to the knowledge of said City Marshal.
100 years ago
The local doctors report the flu epidemic in Carson as having come to an end, not a case existing at the present writing. Its return is not looked for, as the recent storms have clarified conditions. Still, people should not grow careless and become too confident, the doctors say.
80 years ago
Sprains Thumb. Lester Growth Jr., had a thumb sprained badly in an accident while skiing today. The injury is not serious, however.
50 years ago
Peter Bandera, local crew member of the seized U.S. intelligence ship USS Pueblo, testified this morning he was surprised that no effort was made to defend the ship against the North Koreans.
30 years ago
A bill that would require private companies to post signs if they allow smoking was denounced Friday as “un-Nevadalike” intrusion on business.
Trent Dolan is the son of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.
