Past Pages 7/2

30 years ago

Balloon Accident: The man who attempted to ascend in the balloon last evening met with a very painful if not serious accident. The balloon was an old patched up concern, inflated with head from a fire made from odds and ends of wood picked up in the vicinity. After it was filled to bursting, the venturesome astronaut clambered on a sort of a trapeze upon which he intended to electrify the crowd. But the rim at the mouth of it came undone at about 30 feet, with the balloonist falling on his head from that height. His full condition is not known.

100 years ago

This is the first day of the big three-day jubilee at Virginia City to celebrate the discovery of silver and gold bearing quartz on the Comstock Lode. Virginia City is in gala attire. She has been decorating herself, and getting ready for the biggest celebration in her history.

70 years ago

The Nevada state prison's truck used to bring persons in from the county seats has been driven more than 60,000 miles the past two years. The prison is putting in for a new one. Behind the driver's seat is a secure cage through use of steel mesh and special locks and doors, is known in prison circles as the "dog wagon." Tom Berryman has been the driver for seven years and has a 100 percent record for delivery.

50 years ago

Four miners died this year in accidents in Nevada mines, reports inspector Mervin Gallagher. Only two actually died in work connected directly with underground operations.

20 years ago

The world's largest casino-in-a-tent is open and operating at the Hyatt Lake Tahoe. The 13,000 square foot tent will be open seven months while the regular casino is renovated.

10 years ago

Western musical comedy is filing the air for four nights alongside the V&T Railroad in Virginia city when Shooting' Starr Stage Co. presents plays similar to those in St. George, Utah.

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