Past Pages for Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016

150 Years Ago

Spanish Mill. The dilapidated old castle has gone to decay and is only fit for an ice house. The water-wheel goes the wrong way and the engine rusted. It is a faded memento of bygone days.

130 Years Ago

Artesian wells. There is a great boom in Sierra Valley. It is an elevated park-like enclosure surrounded by lofty peaks. Here the boring of artesian wells is being pursued with unprecedented success.

110 Years Ago

Tapped the machine. Sometime Friday night, burglars wrenched off the back of the nickel-in-the-slot machine at Tom Heidenreich’s saloon. They made away with all the cash that was in the sack and all quarters — about 40 dollars. Before leaving, the parties who raided the place pasted a piece of paper over the broken glass, and the robbery was not discovered until the morning.

80 Years Ago

Brain activity. Tests conducted at Colgate University say that brain activity is better when the feet are placed higher than the head ... it gives the brain more blood.

50 Years Ago

Earthquakes. Major earthquakes can be expected along the Hayward fault. The survey was published by the Department of Interior and noted four spots of discernible earth movement from Berkeley to Fremont.

10 Years Ago

Benefits plan. A new plan to unite all of Nevada’s public employees is being considered by the legislative committee studying the state health insurance system. It would improve services and reduce costs.

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