Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Old papers spur bygone memories

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Nov. 4, 1999 | 9:25 a.m.

Ruthe Deskin is assistant to the publisher. Her column appears Thursdays. Reach her at deskin@vegas.com.

Mary Helen Powers of Oklahoma City, Okla., gave me cause to indulge in a favorite pastime of seniors -- reminiscing about the old days.

Recently she was going through her mother's belongings and came upon two old Sun newspapers. Not wanting to destroy these relics of history, she sent them to the Sun, pointing to a story regarding Helen McDonald, who was a close friend of her mother.

I knew Helen McDonald as the wife of Justice of the Peace Harvey McDonald. She was a court aide when Harvey took office. They were married soon after. She had served under JPs Mahlon Brown, Paul O'Malley, Gene Ward, Gus Blad, James Down Jr. and John Lytle. She became the first woman ever to file for the office. As I recall, she was defeated by John Mendoza in the general elections.

The front page of the old Sun newspaper had a picture and story of primary winners in the Democratic Party. Many, like myself, will remember Butch Leypoldt, who was our sheriff for many years; and Ray Germain, a Sun executive and university regent. George Dickerson became the Democratic Party's nominee for district attorney, a position he won and served in for several years. Republicans nominated Rex Bell as lieutenant governor, an office he won in the general election. Later he ran for governor, but died at a political rally of a heart attack before election day.

It wasn't all local news on the front page. A headline announced it was feared that Ernest Hemingway had been killed in a plane crash in Africa, a story which turned out to be untrue (he later shot himself to death). Another headline read: "GOP Solon Blasts McCarthy's Hitler Tactics." How well we remember the witch hunts by Sen. Joe McCarthy in his search for alleged Communists, and his confrontation with Sun Publisher Hank Greenspun in the old War Memorial Building.

The advertisements contain some startling comparisons with today's prices: the Co-Ed shop had dresses for $17.95; Johnson's was selling shoes for $1.85 a pair; Bernards offered U.S. choice lamb for 51 cents a pound; Molasky Constructioin Co. would change a carport into a bedroom for $1,675, with three years to pay.

The editorial pages featured Hy Gardner, Walter Winchell and an absolutely hilarious column on dieting by Robert Ruark. And oh, yes: The price of a single paper was 10 cents. A year's subscription went for $15 -- which we advertised as the best bargain in town.

Lillian Ramsey can qualify as a true senior-on-the-go.

At age 84 Ramsey participates in a local bowling league and senior tournaments. After winning the Nevada state competition for her age group, Ramsey won the silver medal in Orlando, Fla., at the national seniors tournament.

Remember when the halftime activities at college football games were broadcast on TV? I loved watching the bands as they performed intricate routines. Now we are forced to listen to a running commentary on the game by a bunch of motormouths who lay claim to being expert analysts. Maybe they are, but give me those enthusiastic kids marching to the music of a big band.

"Remember now: These are the good old days you're going to miss in 20 years" (Alan Thomas).