Past Pages for Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014

140 Years Ago

Charley Friend. His observatory has been built and the transit instrument erected. At night there has not been much late loafing in Mr. Friend’s store because at about half past nine or 10, Charles gives himself a stretch and yawns and yawns and yawns and says to his visitors, “Wal, I b’lieve I’ll go and take a look at the stars,” whereupon he shuts up shop and breaks for home ...

130 Years Ago

“Painting the town red.” Many people inquire about the origin of this expression. Like most catching slang, this came from the Wild West and in California it was first heard. It soon became common and is used all over the country to describe a wildly hilarious method of flaunting one’s personality.

110 Years Ago

All sorts. Tonopah is bidding for a male teacher for her public school — salary $125 a month.

70 Years Ago

Every section of the state was blanketed by an unusually heavy snowfall. A record of 50 inches at the 8,000 foot high Marlette Lake. Reno recorded a 3.8 fall and Elko received nine inches.

50 Years Ago

Photo caption. First ride — Terry Dunfield, six-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. William Dunfield, climbs into a new Cessna Skylane for his first airplane ride. Accompanying young Dunfield was his grandmother, Mrs. Arabella Woodgate, pictured with the pilot Eric Gourley, Carson City High School senior.

15 Years Ago

Employees from Harley-Davidson Financial Services donate blood to United Blood Services. The company employs 415 employees and of that number 96 volunteered to give — 80 were allowed to donate. Francis Ross, Human Resources coordinator, along with Lesley Felesina, Macie McCurdy and Susan McElfish put together one of the most successful business drives in Carson.

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