Past Pages Jan. 7

130 YEARS AGO

Jottings: Only a lady with a new bonnet may fearlessly enter a church after the services have begun.

120 YEARS AGO

Chinese slave: A Chinese woman, whose eyes and face were bound so as to exclude all light, was taken to Sierra City on the stage. She had been purchased by Yee Gee, a merchant and no one else could see her face until her lord and master had first seen her. It is strange reading in a country that is supposed to have abolished slavery. Downieville Messenger.

70 YEARS AGO

Classified ads: Two-room furnished apartments. Also 2-room furnished cabins, $15 per month, lights and water included. Also bedroom $10 per month on Division Street. Phone 368.

50 YEARS AGO

A leading dictionary-maker accepted as officially incorporated into our language such words as "rock 'n' roll," "space station," hard sell," "whirlybird," and "jet stream."

20 YEARS AGO

The wrecking ball swung another length closer to the historic Virginia and Truckee Engine Shops after a Reno contractor applied for a demolition permit.

10 YEARS AGO

Photo caption: Firefighters can do nothing but watch as a 129-year old home burns in Silver City. While the fire didn't get to any other houses, the structure was deemed a total loss.

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