Nevada State Library and Archives photo Carson City Fire Station No. 1 was built in 1954 to house the all-volunteer Warren Engine Company.
Wednesday
150 Years Ago
Born in Carson City: To the wife of R.E. Kelly, twins – son and daughter.
Died in Carson City: Infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Kelly.
140 Years Ago
Singing school proposed: Phillip Krall intends to start a singing school for young people ages 12-15. It is proposed that students learning the elements of music and reading notes by sight. Terms will be moderate. All those desiring to visit the school will please call at the vestry of the Episcopal Church.
130 Years Ago
Attempted robbery: A footpad held up Will Londergan near the Odd Fellows’ building. The footpad went through his clothes for money but finding none allowed him to pass.
70 Years Ago
Pigeon to get service honors: The Army approved a service citation for a pigeon called “G.I. Joe” as an outstanding hero of World War II. “G.I. Joe” is described as a blue-checked splashed coco and is one of the outstanding heroes of World War II as he saved 1,000 British troops from a possible annihilation in Italy.
60 Years Ago
Saigon, Viet Nam: Sixty-six U.S. Air Force jets hit road convoys and a ferry site in Communist North Viet Nam. Four U.S. Marines were wounded while on patrol 13 miles south of Da Nang Air Base.
Thursday
150 Years Ago
Spelling match: A grand etymological contest between the ladies and gentlemen of Carson will be given for the benefit of the Presbyterian choir. The leading professional gentlemen will have a spelling match against the schoolmarms and other ladies. Reserved seats can be secured at an admission of 50 cents.
140 Years Ago
Local notes: It is said that prairie chickens will be more plentiful this year.
The Nevada and California Railroad Co. has discharged all their Chinese help and now have nothing but white laborers on the track.
130 Years Ago
Death of G.W.G. Ferris: For many years a successful farmer of Douglas County, and the first gardener of the State Capitol grounds died at his home in Riverside, Calif. He was the father of Mrs. A.M. Ardery, Mrs. Fred Dangberg, Mrs. Charles M. Schulz and G.W. Ferris, of Ferris Wheel notoriety. He was a man of sterling worth and integrity and liked by everybody. The beautiful elms surrounding the Capitol square were planted by him and will always remain monuments in his memory.
70 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Carson Theater — ‘White Christmas’ with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney. Irving Berlin’s Musical with 13 of his songs! Cartoon.”
60 Years Ago
New type C-Ration at Camp Lejeune: The food is pre-cooked and dehydrated. It comes in a small bag about the size of a tobacco pouch and is called a Survival Ration. The soldier pours half to three quarters of a canteen cup of hot water into the waterproof bag, lets it sit for 20 minutes and out comes such delicacies as chicken stew and beef hash. There are also powdered beverages and desserts.
Friday
150 Years Ago
The Presbyterian Sunday School: The Sunday School will have a May Day picnic. Special songs are being selected for the occasion.
140 Years Ago
A wonderful woman (Truckee Republican newspaper): Miss Annie E. Sylvester, the champion lady bicyclist of the U.S., is to give a performance at the Opera House. She has taken Truckee by storm. Her beauty, grace and lady-like demeanor, her artistic posing and amazing performances on the bicycle, won the highest admiration, and she has attained the perfection of equilibrium. She rides a single wheel with a steady, unwavering equipoise that baffles description.
130 Years Ago
A big tooth: While working on their placer claim in Gold Canyon the King boys found an immense tooth according to the Dayton Times. The masticator was found at the depth of about seven feet below the surface. In was split in two in taking it out. It is about 20 inches in circumference and two feet long. It evidently belonged to some mammal that roamed this country in the prehistoric age.
70 Years Ago
Civil defense observers at atomic test site: In the 12 atomic blasts over Yucca Flat and Frenchman Flat since the first of the year are three hardy elements — the sagebrush, rattlesnakes and gamblers at Las Vegas. A few rattlesnakes around “Ground Zero” have no doubt been fried, but this persistent breed remains. Gamblers are just too occupied with slot machines, roulette, dice and blackjack to be interrupted. When the blasts light up the sky, many employers of the plush hotels on the Strip go outdoors to watch the spectacle, but the gambling casinos remain packed with thousands of visitors. 2,500 Civil Defense volunteers, the newspaper, wire service correspondents, radio and television people from cities and towns throughout the land, and observers and military officials from friendly foreign countries are included.
60 Years Ago
Advertisement: “See Stardust Estates in northwest Carson City from $15,500 with $500 down to $20,500 with $144 down includes taxes and insurance. FHA-VA at 6 ½% 30-year conventional, NW Carson City, office 2700 N. Mountain St.”
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.