Past Pages, Feb. 19

130 YEARS AGO

John Parker, who died alone on his ranch between Rye Patch and Oreana, was known to have considerable money. When the coroner arrived, he instituted a search for the money and unearthed a box of $2,100 in gold coin and $300 in greenbacks. Parker had previously agreed to sell his property before he died and return to England to spend the remainder of his days.

100 YEARS AGO

Good news for the high school auditorium. In the past the low stage and dead-level floor made it impossible to see entertainment under school management. Most have stayed away unless they could secure seats near the front. Funding has been the culprit. But now work will be complete by the close of the week for the new floor.

70 YEARS AGO

The Ormsby board of commissioners have taken a preliminary step to fund the construction of a hangar at the airport near the Carson Hot Springs. The Pathfinder Flying Service agreed to sign a lease for the $5,000 building for $50 per month.

50 YEARS AGO

The doors of the new Security Bank on Carson Street will swing open tomorrow. Ed Blanchard is assistant cashier and assistant manager.

20 YEARS AGO

The head of Nevada's mental health programs quit saying he was being made the scapegoat in $3.8 million in cuts to state programs for the mentally ill.

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