10 Years Ago
• Mike and Jessie Thomas grew a 60 pound pumpkin at their home in Hawthorne. The couple grow many pumpkins and give to friends.
• A temporary closure of the Esmeralda Mine near Aurora was in effect until further evaluation.
20 Years Ago
• On Sept. 29, 1994 the ownership of the Mineral County Independent News changed hands from Jack and Pauline McCloskey to the present owners and operators, Frank E., Tony and Ted Hughes.
• Two days of exciting and fast moving BMX races were held at the Hawthorne Odd Fellows/-Mineral County BMX Association track. More than 75 riders competed for points in the three Silver State BMX Qualifiers. Riders came from all over the state as far away as Las Vegas, Parhump, Battle Mountain, Lovelock, Schurz, and even riders from Apple Valley, Calif.
• Mineral County received $250,000 in PILT money. The PILT program compensates counties and local government entities for non-taxable federal lands within their borders.
• Donald M. (Don) Anderson, a resident of Mineral County and Gabbs area for more than 50 years, died at Mt. Grant Hospital following an extended illness. Don was very active in civic affairs and served as Trustee of the Mineral County School District. He also served several terms as County Commissioner of this county.
• Serpents defeated Spring Creek 18 to 13 in a football game played in Elko.
• More than 30 shooters participated in Turkey Shoot at the Hawthorne Trap Club shooting range.
• Jody Gonzales of Hawthorne caught two very nice trout at Virginia Lakes, California. One weighed 4 ½ lbs., the other 5 lbs.
30 Years Ago
• Mineral County Commissioners found themselves between the traditional rock and hard spot at their mid-month meeting after attempting to adjust an issue of salary increases for certain county employees. Three employees in the recorder and auditor’s office had tendered their resignation because of the dispute.
• A man who had escaped from the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, Indiana 18 years ago walked into the Mineral County Sheriff’s office and turned himself in.
• Pepper’s Fine Meats was attempting to establish a delivery route in town
• At the El Capitan Classic race held at the Western Nevada Dirt Track, Bob Terry accepted the fast time trophy and he also won the main events on both nights. Jim Scott received the trophy for setting a new track record.
40 Years Ago
• The tracks of the Southern Pacific Railroad were blocked in the Nolan area on the east side of Walker Lake when five loaded ore cars going from Mina to Reno derailed.
• The consensus of a crowd that appeared before the Regional Planning Commission was that there was opposition to the closing of the Cliff Beach to overnight camping. A petition with 200 signatures was submitted in opposition at the meeting.
• Four female Desert Bighorn lambs were released into the Dutch Creek sheep enclosure near Hawthorne.
• Ninety-four students were participating in the Cooperative Education work/study program offered by the high school. Work sites included the Naval Ammunition Depot, defense property disposal office, and various businesses in Hawthorne, Babbitt, Walker Lake and Schurz.
50 Years Ago
• The Serpents were defeated by the Manogue Miners 12-6. A pass from Frank Graham to Jim Griffin gave the Serpents their first and only score in the second period.
• Mr. and Mrs. Warren Johnson purchased Gilbert’s Clothing Store in Hawthorne from Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gilbert.
• MCHS Serpents fought Winnemucca to a 6 to 6 tie in their second football game of the season.
• Uncle Vane Day said, in referring to the weather, when you’re trying to entertain the children while keeping them inside, “Think how a mother kangaroo must feel on a rainy day when the kids can’t play outside.”
60 Years Ago
• Following a vigorous political speech at the Democratic Rally held at the Hawthorne Civic Center, U.S. Senator Pat McCarran collapsed and died. Rescue workers tried to revive the 78-year old senator who had survived previous severe heart attacks in recent years, prior to his fatal attack in Hawthorne that evening.
• Ralph G. Meyers filed his petition as an Independent candidate for Recorder and Auditor and assured a race against Mrs. May MacBride.
• Mrs. Vera Noble, City Clerk of Hawthorne tendered her resignation and the City Council was accepting applications for the job.
• The El Capitan Club offered a free 17-jewel wrist watch each hour from 7 to 11 p.m. on Wednesdays.
• Deer Hunters were advised that frozen food lockers, suitable for deer, were available for $20 per year in Babbitt from Frank Logar.
• Reno Ramblers downed the Serpents 19 to 7.
70 Years Ago
• Emerson D. “Dick” Taylor, son of Mr. & Mrs. Edward B. Taylor of Hawthorne, serving as an army paratrooper, was killed in a plane crash during training maneuvers in North Carolina. Taylor was the first Mineral County registrant to lose his life in the service of his country. (It should also be noted that an Indian soldier, John J. “Ollie” Jones, son of Mr. & Mrs. George Jones of Yerington, and brother of Nellie Collins of Schurz, was killed in action on August 10. A memorial service was conducted by American Legion Post 19 in Schurz. A eulogy in the language of the Paiute Indian was translated into English and read by Rev. Blaisdell of the Methodist Church in Schurz. Mrs. Virginia Baxter (who was an honorary member of the Paiutes) sang a beautiful solo at the service.)
• Former western movie star, Rex Bell, who was a candidate for the U.S. Congress, spent two days in Hawthorne campaigning and visiting friends.
• A baby incubator was donated to the Mineral County Hospital by the matron of the hospital, Mrs. Leslie S. Mortensen.
80 Years Ago
• Boy Scouts of America were getting reorganized in Hawthorne and Al Bernes, principal of the Hawthorne Elementary School, was serving as Scoutmaster.
• George Daugherty’s English class at Mineral High was providing high school news for publication in the Independent. Earl LeBeau was news editor and Weldon Walsh and LeLand Eckley were in charge of sports.
• Bill Kinniken, Reno postmaster and Americanism chairman for the Nevada Department of American Legion, came to Hawthorne to give talks on Constitution Week to the local American Legion Post and the 20-30 Club.
• Hawthorne Civillian Conservation Camp was to remain for a third six-month assignment. Capt. John S. Livengood would continue as directing officer at the camp, and Capt. H. S. Babbitt, Commanding Officer at Hawthorne Naval Depot would continue as directing officer of CCC work projects, most of which were performed within the Naval Depot reservation.
• Rose Morgan advertised in the Independent that she no longer was with Anderson Hotel in Reno but had redecorated the Morgan Hotel at the northwest corner of Second and Center Streets in Reno and was offering rooms and apartments for rent, some with showers.
