Gladys Belknap Rowley, 1900-1983

Gladys Belknap Rowley was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 30, 1900 to Edwin and Harriet Belknap. She came to Reno briefly in 1934 and liked it so much that she returned permanently in 1936 as a single parent with her two small sons, Fitch "Sonny" and Richard D. Rowley.

Rowley began writing from necessity after loosing most of her financial support in the Depression. She already had a way with words, so she decided to try journalism, took several correspondence courses in writing, and approached the Reno Evening Journal with her column, "The Reno Revue." The Journal's editor liked her style and hired Gladys to write seven columns a week for a salary of $5.00 per week. Subsequently, she was given a $2.00 raise, then the number of columns per week was reduced to six, five, and finally, once a week.

Rowley soon knew many people in Reno and her columns reflect her wide acquaintances and friendships (she often wrote on the theme of Reno's friendliness). With two children to support and only a small salary from writing, she began to supplement her income by selling advertisements for the paper and by selling insurance. She also earned a real estate license, but according to her son Richard, she hated the field and devoted little time to it, prefering instead to sell insurance. Eventually, she made more from insurance than writing, and with the family fortune revived after World War II, decided to devote herself fulltime to selling. Her last "Reno Review" was written in mid-1946. Rowley died March 1, 1983 in Reno.

Scope and Content

The Gladys Rowley collection consists of two bundles of loose newspaper clippings of the column "Reno Review" from the Reno Evening Journal, plus thirteen scrapbooks containing the column, other newspaper clippings, letters, and penciled-in comments about the column. The scrapbooks were compiled by Rowley and include all of her columns, dating from March 13, 1938 to June 9, 1946; as well as her brief series entitled "Exclusively Reno," which ran from April 24, 1955 to June 24, 1956. The collection was donated to the Special Collections Department in 1984 by Rowley's son Richard Rowley.

Rowley's column, "Reno Revue" provides a unique glimpse of Reno as she progressed from a "social columnist" to a commentator on Reno life and values from the late 1930s through 1946. Rowley often included letters sent to her in conjunction with her writing, providing an encapsulated view of the community's reaction, as well as illustrating how many of her subjects came to her. She frequently penciled in the comments, compliments, and critique she received, along with her own thoughts on that correspondence. For many years Rowley's "next door neighbor" in the paper was Brewster Adams' column "Values in the Rough"; their quips often provided an amusing running conversation laced with affectionate respect. Adams'columns with mention of Gladys are inserted in date order with Rowley's.

As Rowley grew as a writer, her work ranged over a wide spectrum of subjects. Her two sons, Fitch "Sonny" Rowley and Richard D. Rowley; her parents, Edwin and Harriet Belknap of New York; and the Rowley pets and activities were frequent subjects, as was her own love for and thoughts about them. Reno culture, social life, visitors, and reputation as "divorce center of the U.S." provided many columns. Perhaps the most valuable from an historian's point of view is her picture of World War II and its effect on life everywhere. Here we see Reno sending off the "home boys" to Camp Hahn, near Riverside, California, and subsequently to their new quarters in a Walt Disney studio in Hollywood. As the Reno boys scattered around the world Rowley's columns kept them in touch with home and in return they communicated their own experiences. Sadly, we also witness the death of her own son Sonny, an 18 year old paratrouper, killed during the invasion of Holland, and her final letter to him. Then, as the war ends, the columns give evidence of the return to normalcy in Reno and Nevada.

Although many of Rowley's themes reflect her era, she wrote a number of articles which seemed to have transcended time and are just as relevant today. The subject of working mothers was one which she could and did speak to personally and often. Other themes she addressed were the condition of both the city and county jails, rude drivers, the behavior of children, and the promotion of Reno. Together, they provide a personal history of Reno unavailable from any other source.

This guide was compiled from notes written by Rowley and an unknown author (possibly a relative because of the personal pronouns used). Occasionally there was no entry for a column; in such cases the subject was provided by Manuscript Curator Susan Searcy by consulting the column itself.

Processed by: Susan Searcy
Date: October 22, 1987

Book I - March 13 to October 23, 1938. Columns 1-175.

Initial columns are primarily of "society column" nature. Included in this volume are congratulatory letters and telegrams (on initial publication) and the first of many letters from various prisoners, as well as copies of The San Quentin Sports News.

3/13/38 - Warm-heartedness of Nevadans; lunching at Club Fortune.
3/20/38 - How to make a coal garden; Kenneth Foster's new home; Brewster Adams' column.
3/22/38 - Society event at the Reno Tavern; Mrs. Fulton panning for gold in kitchen sink.
3/23/38 - End of Louise Shillaber's visit to Reno; Mrs. Schmuck's trip to Greece for archaeological dig.
3/24/38 - Friendliness of Reno-ites; magazine ads; Letty and Joe Lozano's grandson; Rex the dog.
3/25/38 - Basques; Mr. & Mrs. Silas Ross; Don Bland; magazine reader-prejudice.
3/26/38 - Reno, the "valiant" city; sale of Nevada sheep to Japan; apricot desert; saleswoman at Woolworth's.
3/27/38 - Gem collection at UNR; Mrs. William Woodburn Jr.'s luncheon.
3/29/38 - Bar Association dinner; event at Reno Tavern.
3/30/38 - Princess Tourkestanoff's departure from Reno; Boulder Dam.
3/31/38 - Easter shopping; Mrs. Vinton Muller; face powder; Hazel Lehner.
4/1/38 - Shorty the dog; Pro American luncheon.
4/2/38 - "Who wore what" at the golf course on Sunday.
4/3/38 - Idea of distributing unemployment funds through local churches; Mrs. Everett R. Simms' address at the Twentieth Century Club; answer to riddle.
4/5/38 - Denver Dickerson; golf club party.
4/6/38 - Maud Wheeler; Tonopah; Rowley's grandfather's saying about achieving success.
4/7/38 - Nursemaids in Central Park, New York; puzzle question.
4/8/38 - Friendliness of Reno; letter from Culbertson Studios on "five-suit" bridge.
4/9/38 - Reno Little Theater's presentation of "Romance"; Y.L.I.-Y.M.I. fashion show.
4/10/38 - Judge Curler in court; "Big Brother" movement; Mrs. Walter E. Clark's speech before the Century Club.
4/12/38 - Tea at Sherry Stadtherr's house.
4/13/38 - Beverly Blackmers' house at Pyramid Lake.
4/14/38 - Reno's cooperative play-school; Mayor Harry E. Stewart & wife at the Reno Tavern.
4/15/38 - Story of Rowley's dad as errand boy; recipe for candy Easter eggs.
4/16/38 - Women's Golf Club champions; interfering with child's mistreatment.
4/17/38 - Statue of Christ of the Andes; flowers; Reno Boy Scouts.
4/19/38 - Edna and Joe Bulasky's party; Reno Tavern attendees.
4/20/38 - Travels of Mrs. Richard Kirman Jr.; Maud Wheeler; Reno Little Theater production of "Romance"; telegrams.
4/21/38 - Virginia City; household hint.
4/22/38 - Games and amusements, bridge; Dr. LaRue Robinson's speech at Mt. Rose School.
4/23/38 - James Cagney's house; gossip of men and women.
4/24/38 - Marriage of Loretta Miller and Harry E. Wheeler; United Air Lines employees at Reno airport.

4/26/38 - Wedding of Mrs. Robert Ogden Bacon, Jr. to John R. McLean; exhibition of sketches by Mrs. C.E. Piersall.
4/27/38 - Junior Century Club fashion show; visit of Dr. Lewis Michelson.
4/28/38 - Latest divorcees; crowd at Colombo Cafe.
4/29/38 - On remembering names and faces; appeal for guest columnists.
4/30/38 - Marriage of Evelyn Shirley Hardie and Robert Cole Caples; Junior Century Club fashion show; Pro America organization in Reno.
5/1/38 - Little Theater group meeting; pioneer women honored at Century Club.
5/3/38 - Stories of Silas E. Ross family; visit of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas MacKinnon; snow in May.
5/4/38 - Denny and his ponies; Reno Lions Club prizes; Pat Tobin's clothes.
5/5/38 - Arrival of Wallace Beery; visitors from out of state.
5/6/38 - Reno residents "seen about town"; Chinese proverb.
5/8/38 - Marriage of Mrs. Seward W. Pulitzer, and her brother A. Boldermann's Reno visit; Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Smellie's return to Reno; Reno Women's Golf Club tournament report.
5/10/38 - Divorce stories.
5/11/38 - Easterner's discoveries of culture in Reno.
5/12/38 - Social notes; support for Scouts; recipe for coffee fluff dessert.
5/13/38 - Speech by Mrs. Josephine Duveneck on progressive school of education.
5/14/38 - Son Richard's early hours working on Mother's Day present; where to find information about Nevada.
5/15/38 - Photo and request for identification of daguerreotype; Stokes castle.
5/15/38 - Article by Rowley "New York Woman Studies Lottery Problem in U.S."
5/17/38 - Newcomers luncheon and recent Reno arrivals.
5/18/38 - Social notes; birthday of pioneer Mrs. Lottie Shaber Rockey; Eve Curie's new book.
5/19/38 - Elcey Williams' luncheon; perfect complexion of Reno-ite; scrambled egg recipe.
5/20/38 - Telephone acquaintances; contributions to column by readers.
5/21/38 - Social notes.
5/22/38 - Need for community chest; change in behavior of child when properly motivated; Dr. William Henry Hood.
5/24/38 - Play "Personal Appearance".
5/25/38 - Mae Cassinelli's pony Lucky.
5/26/38 - Maud Wheeler's wedding; anecdotes.
5/27/38 - Danberg Ranch; long distance phone calls.
5/28/38 - Harpist Vera Varega; Reno Women's Golf Club tournament.
5/29/38 - Travels of Reno-ites.
5/31/38 - Walter Winchell's reference to Reno and reaction in Reno.
6/1/38 - Visit of the Austin Sperrys to Reno; misc.
6/2/38 - Remedies for sunburns; visitor's comments on Reno.
6/3/38 - Learning to drive on Nevada's dry lakes; scenic trip to Tahoe.
6/4/38 - Elderberry Club anniversary and activities.
6/5/38 - Interview with baritone Richard Bonelli.

6/7/38 - Son Sonny's injuries after fall from horse.
6/8/38 - Early Washoe Valley stories.
6/9/38 - 20th Century Club winning entry in Garden Gate flower show.
6/10/38 - Sonny's comments on hospital experience.
6/11/38 - Social notes.
6/12/38 - 25th wedding anniversary of Silas and Emily Ross.
6/14/38 - Opening of Cal-Neva Club at Tahoe; Oscar Morgan story.
6/15/38 - Rise of Lake Tahoe.
6/16/38 - Walter Winchell; misc.
6/17/38 - New Reno residents' reactions; drunkenness.
6/18/38 - Grand Cafe; anecdote about Pres. Roosevelt.
6/19/38 - Death of Senator Copeland.
6/21/38 - Tyrone Power story; Club Fortune luncheon.
6/22/38 - Story on Comstock in Nev. Highways and Parks; anecdotes.
6/23/38 - Letter from San Quentin prison.
6/24/38 - Tea at Edna Bulasky's; misc.
6/26/38 - Golf legends George Von Elm and John Montague to Reno; Reno Women's golf Club.
6/28/38 - Rodeo lunch of Women's Golf Club.
6/30/38 - Virginia City clock; Museum of Memories.
7/1/38 - Nevada pioneer Mrs. Jennings W. Carter interview.
7/2/38 - Death of J.B. Lain.
7/3/38 - Austrian woman's letter.
7/5/38 - Rodeo days.
7/6/38 - Reader's Digest articles.
7/7/38 - Reno's "hornitis"; misc.
7/8/38 - Ely Culbertson's letter to bridge teachers; poem.
7/9/38 - Visitors to Reno; cigarette smoking.
7/10/38 - Rowley's article "Giant Foot Prints Found in Nevada Intrigue Science."
7/12/38 - Mrs. Jack Warner's party in Hollywood; anecdote.
7/13/38 - Anecdote.
7/14/38 - Building stories.
7/15/38 - Dog Sage run over deliberately.
7/17/38 - Oscar Morgan article about famous personalities who built Reno.
7/18/38 - Visitors to Zita and Roy Pike; art of Richard Guy Walton; letter to Rowley.
7/19/38 - Wanting to tell story of woman before she dies.
7/20/38 - Registered mail; anecdotes.
7/22/38 - Rowley's photo heads column; letter from San Quentin.
7/23/38 - Rowley's radio broadcast - history of U. of N.
7/24/38 - On John G. Taylor.
7/26/38 - Column by Jannie Madden about the younger set's summer diversions.
7/27/38 - Letters from out-of-town readers.
7/29/38 - Mary Hastings Bradley interview.
7/30/38 - Skating rink; misc.
7/31/38 - Reno's Bank Club; misc.

8/2/38 - Harriet Belknap; Nevada Unlimited.
8/4/38 - Mary Stilwell Buol's letters from world trip.
8/5/38 - Continuation of 8/4.
8/6/38 - Continuation of 8/4.
8/7/38 - S. Frank Hunt's wealth.
8/9/38 - Response to Buol's letters and univ. broadcast.
8/10/38 - Problems of being 8'8" tall.
8/11/38 - Mrs. Herbert Hoover's visit to Nevada.
8/12/38 - Dishonest schemes.
8/14/38 - New York World's Fair.
8/16/38 - Grooms' 2nd double wedding.
8/17/38 - Visit of Anna Roosevelt and family to Reno in 1928.
8/18/38 - Letter from S. Frank Hunt; letter from Jean McElrath of Wells.
7/26/38 - Article in Elko Daily Press by Rowley "Reno Writer Praises John G. Taylor as a True 'Son of the Nevada Range.'"
8/19/38 - Bar Francis of Pyramid Lake and his way with horses.
8/21/38 - Patsy Souter's engagement and dance.
8/23/38 - Dress with Nevada cattle brands; Frederick Vajda opens studio in Reno.
8/26/38 - P. Souder and Abe Kendall engagement party; Boy Scouts at funeral of friend's mother.
8/27/38 - On William Bayard Okie, Jr., window dresser.
8/28/38 - On Rev. Mr. Willis of Sparks' First Methodist Church.
8/30/38 - By Denver Dickerson.
8/31/38 - By Ethel Zimmer.
9/1/38 - By Lester D. Summerfield.
9/2/38 - By Dorothy C. Caffrey.
9/3/38 - By Dryden Kuser.
9/4/38 - By Harriet St. Claire.
9/6/38 - By LeRoy F. Pike.
9/7/38 - Rowley's return from Calif. vacation: bus trip.
9/8/38 - No billboards in Monterey, CA; Reno is the proper place to raise children.
9/9/38 - Mrs. Lindsay Howard and horse Seabiscuit.
9/10/38 - Herding cattle by truck; misc.
9/11/38 - Letter from Mary Hastings Bradley.
9/13/38 - Women's committee promoting Nevada at N.Y. World's Fair.
9/14/38 - Reno Tavern crowd.
9/15/38 - By Bernard B. "Bobbie" Robinson.
9/16/38 - Nev. Dept. of Highways' "Guide to Safe Driving."
9/18/38 - Reno Women's Golf Club.
9/19/38 - Advice from readers on proper content for column.
9/20/38 - By J. Aloysius Finlay "Good Night."
9/21/38 - Letters from readers.
9/22/38 - Louise Zimmer and Martadel Cooper off to good start with musical careers.

9/24/38 - Nevada bigwigs lunching; keeping young looking; call for Community Concert membership.
9/25/38 - By Henry F. Benntt Jr.
9/27/38 - Opening of U of N. football season.
9/28/38 - Changing name of Peavine Mt.
9/29/38 - Pal the dog is lost.
9/30/38 - Opening up column to readers' opinions, discussion.
10/1/38 - Story of pal's return home.
10/2/38 - Letters from readers on Peavine Mt; Reno way of speech.
10/4/38 - Reno Little Theater's "Yes, My Darling Daughter;" social notes.
10/5/38 - Reno-ite's comments on Calif. sights and general selfishness of average Am. tourist.
10/6/38 - The Doris Wilson Shop; grand opening of Robert's Beauty Salon.
10/7/38 - Western-trained horses; Jo Moront's impression of Reno.
10/8/38 - Misc.
10/9/38 - Nevada couple's rekindled marriage.
10/11/38 - Social notes.
10/13/38 - Notes on traveling Reno-ites.
10/14/38 - On circumstantial evidence.
10/15/38 - Speaker at Century Club; Prof. J.P. Puffinbarger's philosophy.
10/16/38 - Temporary resident's opinion on Reno.
10/18/38 - Frances Frey Memorial Silver Tea; changing name of Peavine Mt.
10/19/38 - Reno's YWCA.
10/20/38 - "Any-thing-can-happen-in-Reno."
10/21/38 - Peavine Mt.
10/22/38 - Urging boys to "fight the herd spirit."
10/23/38 - By Pat Tobin on boosting Nevada.

Book II - October 25, 1938 to June 1, 1939. Columns 176-357.

The "Reno Review" becomes less of a social column and more of a commentary on life in Reno. Highlights include the beginnings of the Red Cross; memories of Armistice Day in New York City in 1918; the YWCA-sponsored program at UNR on "Vocational Opportunities for Women"; Reno Little Theater; Nevada's high school essay contest; stories of Goldfield boom days; and the Stewart Indian School. Rowley begins a new column, "Lid's Off the Chatterbox;" the Nevada State Journal's regular columnist Brewster Adams ("Values in the Rough") writes the first of many references to Rowley.

10/25/38 - Names and party news.
10/26/38 - Washoe pines; Golf Club membership.
10/28/38 - Fernley luncheon.
10/30/38 - Tea by Mrs. Richard Kerman.
10/31/38 - Carson Day and Nevada [wealth of].
11/1/38 - Admission Day and DAR.
11/2/38 - Social news; Community Concert.
11/3/38 - Hunting.
11/4/38 - Court House; anecdote; Memorial Day poppy sales.
11/5/38 - Hitching posts; bank club.
11/6/38 - Beginning of Red Cross.
11/8/38 - Election day.
11/9/38 - Carl Laemmle and movies.
11/10/38 - Election night at newspaper office.
11/11/38 - Armistice Day.
11/12/38 - J.O. Greenan and his career as mining engineer.
11/13/38 - Poem, advice to someone who doesn't like Nevada.
11/15/38 - Social notes; Town House; Reno.
11/16/38 - On the dog "Butch".
11/17/38 - Lectures at the University sponsored by YWCA.
11/18/38 - J r. Athletic League; lst girls' basketball team; nursery schools.
11/20/38 - Reno Community Concert featuring Richard Boneili of the Metropolitan Opera, NY.
11/22/38 - 20th Century Club program and costumes.
11/23/38 - Anecdotes.
11/24/38 - Thanksgiving.
11/25/38 - Social notes.
11/26/38 - Reno Little Theater.
11/27/38 - Nevada essay contest.
11/29/38 - World's Fair in New York and California.
11/30/38 - Anecdotes from Rowley's son Sonny and kids; buy Christmas seals.
12/1/38 - Movie to be made in Reno; anecdotes; end rumors.
12/2/38 - J.C. Penney's loaned stork for showers.
12/3/38 - Story about O'Henry.
12/4/38 - Stories about Butch the dog and O.O. McIntyre.

12/6/38 - Scavenger hunt.
12/7/38 - Social notes.
12/8/38 - Snow Carnival.
12/9/38 - Stories of Goldfield boom, patriotism.
12/10/38 - Anecdotes.
12/11/38 - Death of a horse.
12/13/38 - Anecdotes.
12/14/38 - Workings of a column, size of children
12/15/38 - Telephone voice at bank; anecdotes.
12/16/38 - Colds; west line of Nevada.
12/17/38 - Programs at Billinghurst and Mt. Rose schools; anecdotes.
12/18/38 - "Uncle Dan" Wheeler's dinner and eulogy.
12/20/38 - Social notes.
12/21/38 - Social notes.
12/22/38 - Turano twins.
12/23/38 - Reno at Christmas.
12/24/38 - Rowley family Christmas.
12/25/38 - Quotation of "The Magic Gift of Praise."
12/28/38 - Social notes.
12/29/38 - Are women more easily affronted; divorce problem as debated in Readers' Digest.
12/30/38 - Exhibition of paintings by Dr. Wm. B. Johnson in his home.
12/31/38 - New Years Eve.
1/1/39 - Social notes; David Vhay's suggestions for beautifying Reno.
1/3/39- New Year`s Eve social notes.
1/4/39 - Social notes.
1/5/39 - Peg, the Savier's Boston bull terrier.
1/6/39 - Frank Morris praises Reno.
1/8/39 - On a short story, an essay, and an author.
1/10/39 - Deaths of Nevadans Everett W. Cheney, Dr. Donald Maclean, and William Shepherd Dana.
1/11/39 - Social notes on skiing.
1/12/39 - Mailbag.
1/13/39 - Social notes.
1/14/39 - Mining at San Mauricao, Philippine Islands.
1/15/39 - Fear.
1/17/39 - Annual Bar Association dinner.
1/18/39 - Social notes.
1/19/39 - Anecdotes.
1/20/39 - Anecdotes.
1/21/39 - Social notes.
1/22/39 - Judge H.W. Edwards, social notes and poem.
1/24/39 - Mrs. John Davidson's hot house cacti collection.
1/25/39 - Ditches vs canals.
1/26/39 - On calculation of leap year.

1/27/39 - Proposal of gold and silver for license plates and use of "One Sound State" on radio announcement.
1/28/39 - The Snow Carnival.
1/29/39 - Denver's Opportunity School.
1/31/39 - Social notes and divorce of Mrs. Clark Gable (Maria Rhea).
2/1/39 - On venereal disease.
2/2/39 - Letter about ranch in Fallon.
2/3/39 - Venereal disease.
2/4/39 - Anecdotes.
2/5/39 - C. Hewitt Wellington comic strips.
2/7/39 - Little Theater.
2/8/39 - Mrs. Finlay's letter on skiing; Judge Edwards.
2/9/39 - Reno Women's Golf Club luncheon and tournament.
2/10/39 - "Family" charm bracelet; anecdote.
2/11/39 - Tea by Reno's National League of American Pen Women.
2/12/39 - Oscar Morgan's quotation; broadcast on Clarence H. Mackay.
2/14/39 - Social notes; dinner at Judge Edward's.
2/15/39 - Meeting of Monday Club.
2/17/39 - Anecdotes.
2/18/39 - Reno's Mardi Gras.
2/19/39 - DAR meeting.
2/21/39 - Rowley family anecdotes.
2/22/39 - Anecdotes.
2/23/39 - On the Mardi Gras Ball.
2/24/39 - On words.
2/25/39 - Rowley's mother's (Belknap) electric car.
2/26/39 - Reprint of letter on Calvary Cemetery in San Francisco.
2/28/39 - On Reno weather, beauty, and listening.
3/1/39 - Naming of Lovelock, NV.
3/2/39 - George M. Cohan's daughter Mary; Father Flanagan.
3/3/39 - Reactions to reading Your Life magazine.
3/4/39 - A woman's walk; clothes and the unmistakable look of a woman wearing a new hat.
3/5/39 - Jeannie Wier and Nevada State Historical Society collections.
3/7/39 - Boy Scouts; hiking.
3/8/39 - Poem "River Gold;" letter from teenager on developing personality.
3/9/39 - Response to letter on developing personality.
3/10/39 - Century Club lecture on World's Fair - Treasure Island by Mrs. Alfred McLaughlin.
3/11/39 - Carved heads from Java and Bali.
3/12/39 - Joe Bush's views on marriage.
3/14/39 - Benny the "seeing eye" dog and his master.
3/15/39 - On promoting Reno.
3/16/39 - Table decoration exhibit in window, celebrating anniversary of Girl Scouts.
3/17/39 - Mrs. S.A. Sawyer and her hobby; children.
3/18/39 - Phone call; light in phone booth.

3/19/39 - What to wear in Reno.
3/21/39 - Spring dinner; column is a year old.
3/22/39 - Anecdotes and Rowley's boys.
3/23/39 - A day with Inez Callaway Robb.
3/24/39 - Quote of Bob Dan's column.
3/25/39 - Pen Women's luncheon with Bertha Damon (Grandma Called it Carnal) as guest.
3/26/39 - On overcoming shyness; Dale Carnegie's course.
3/28/39 - Herb Brown, composer.
3/29/39 - World's Fair at Treasure Island.
3/30/39 - Replacement of Spode plate and Governor Carville's veto of cigarette tax.
3/31/39 - Myrna Loy's visit to Rowley's parents` rock garden in New York.
4/1/39 - Mrs. Damon's speech at Pen Women's luncheon; anecdotes.
4/2/39 - Billboards.
4/4/39 - Amateur night at Club Fortune.
4/5/39 - Memories of Mrs. Sam Pickett and Pearl Bartlett.
4/6/39 - Anecdotes.
4/7/39 - Anecdotes.
4/8/39 - Anecdotes.
4/9/39 - On praise.
4/11/39 - Lecture by Eloi-Sun on youth.
4/12/39 - Restaurant happenings; getting car fixed.
4/13/39 - Campfire Girls.
4/14/39 - Sin.
4/15/39 - Quote of article on civic pasts.
4/16/39 - Poetry by John B. Cook.
4/18/39 - Kiddies' Ball.
4/19/39 - Exhibition of paintings by F. Enid Stoddard.
4/20/39 - Shoeshine boy uses rhythm.
4/21/39 - SpringFestival; Reno's 5 great schools.
4/22/39 - Norman Biltz Building; keep trees.
4/23/39 - Lectures "As a man thinketh".
4/25/39 - Stewart, Nev. Indian Schools.
4/26/39 - Women's work, son's comments on mother as columnist.
4/27/39 - 100th birthday of Nevada Governor Colcord.
4/28/39 - Private showing of "The Great Waltz;" death of Mildred Havisan Wilder.
4/29/39 - Anecdotes; son's comments on tour of State Prison.
4/30/39 - Camera work of James Griel.
5/2/39 - New colts at Alamo Ranch and goat for luck.
5/3/39 - Dan Muller, artist.
5/4/39 - Book on food allergies by Helen Morgan of Reno.
5/5/39 - On "tamarix" shrub.
5/6/39 - "Information Please"; on cost of sending newspaper vs part of newspaper; selling of time.
5/7/39 - Good luck charm given to Richard Byrd by Rowley's mother.

5/9/39 - Things missed because Rowley's younger son Richard broke arm.
5/10/39 - West 2nd Street Cafe.
5/11/39 - On "Tamarix" or "Tamarad" tree.
5/16/39 - Hospital Day.
5/17/39 - Review of The Women by Maisie Muller.
5/18/39 - On golf.
5/19/39 - Transcontinental private plane flight.
5/20/39 - Anecdote.
5/21/39 - Education of children.
5/23/39 - Amateur night at Club Fortune.
5/24/39 - Letters and calls from readers.
5/25/39 - World's Fair in San Francisco.
5/26/39 - 16 boys who paraded RENO in San Francisco.
5/27/39 - " " " "
5/28/39 - Physician's advice to have backward child examined.
5/30/39 - Commencement program of Carson Indian School.
5/31/39 - A dog poisoned.
6/1/39 - Why are graduates from Univ. of Nevada not desirable as teachers?

Book III - June 2, 1939 to Jan. 13, 1940. Columns 358-520.

Highlights include a column written on the death of Rowley's mother; the Golden Gate Exposition; the openings of the Cal-Neva Club and the State Line Country Club at Lake Tahoe; the appearance of Sally Rand; Reno Little Theater; and Speidel Newspapers' purchase of the Reno Evening Gazette and the Nevada State Journal. Rowley begins a new column, "Lake Tahoe Beckons."

6/2/39 - Boston's Junior Police Corps; young drivers.
6/3/39 - Indian babies; abandoned pets.
6/4/39 - On youngsters not drinking; poem "The Guy in the Glass."
6/6/39 - Seasonal signs of Lake Tahoe; opening of Idlewild Park swimming pool.
6/7/39 - Radio here.
6/8/39 - Letters.
6/9/39 - Riddle; response to radio column.
6/10/39 - Local carnival.
6/11/39 - Your own Home, a book on home planning offered free.
6/13/39 - Anecdotes.
6/14/39 I- nterview of Los Angeles attorney and his comments on STARS.
6/15/39 - More on teachers from Univ. of Nevada situation.
6/16/39 - Answer to puzzle of 6/9.
6/17/39 - Maps Building transformation; rodeo; out of state licenses.
6/18/39 - Father's Day.
6/19/39 - A solar halo.
6/20/39 - Dining at Lawton's; musical at Baptist Church.
6/21/39 - Oxygen for relief of inebriates.
6/22/39 - Column by "Joe."
6/23/39 - Quotes from San Francisco, a Dying City magazine articles.
6/24/39 - Anecdotes.
6/25/39 - On Lake Tahoe; where to stay, to eat, etc.
6/27/39 - Opening of Cal Neva Club.
6/28/39 - On LeRoy F. Pike.
6/29/39 - Sally Rand.
6/30/39 - Social notes; pamphlet "Nevada."
7/1/39 - Opening of State Line Country club.
7/2/39 - On trying harder.
7/4/39 - By Rosalind Smith-luncheon by Reno Women's Golf Club.
7/5/39 - Rodeo.
7/6/39 - Facial contour.
7/7/39 - Oak-We-No.
7/8/39 - Chuckles from England; avoiding motor accidents.
7/9/39 - On baseball.
7/11/39 - Bal Bijou.
7/12/39 - Mr. George Hellman, author.

7/13/39 - Peacock Copper.
7/14/39 - Justine Franklin, A. Griffin of San Francisco; anecdote.
7/15/39 - Correspondence and anecdote.
7/16/39 - Dr. E. Mona Mack takes class on route of early settlers (Mormons always planted rose bushes and poplars as windbreaks).
7/18/39 - By George Hellman on Nevada.
7/19/39 - Victor Viteh and State Line Country Club.
7/20/39 - Blind Miss Hazel Hurst, her seeing eye dog, Robert McClure and blind piano tuner.
7/21/39 - Anecdotes.
7/22/39 - A riddle; social notes.
7/23/39 - Column by Mary Louise Griswald on Nevada history.
7/25/39 - Sally Rand at Club Cal Neva.
7/26/39 - J.P. McEvoy.
7/27/39 - Mr. & Mrs. J.P. McEvoy.
7/28/39 - Lost puppy; number of licensed vehicles in state.
7/29/39 - Baseball; answer to quiz of 7/22.
7/30/39 - Letter on present day pioneering.
8/1/39 - Evening garden dinner party with rain; possible move to be made at Tahoe.
8/2/39 - Coming regatta at Tahoe; hotel bands; seashore musical ability test.
8/3/39 - Boners from nation's newspapers.
8/4/39 - Nevada movie to be made; car licenses of China; fashions.
8/5/39 - Vandalism; beautifying Truckee River banks.
8/6/39 - Making Good Before Forty -Pitkin; evening at Tahoe with son.
8/8/39 - Anecdotes.
8/9/39 - Anecdotes.
8/10/39 - Column by Judge Edwards.
8/11/39 - The missed interview of Alice Roosevelt Longworth.
8/12/39 - Of Una Jeffers, a book by Edith Greenan.
8/13/39 - Meeting place for tourists.
8/15/39 - A 64th wedding anniversary of the H.H. Baileys.
8/16/39 - The "oomph" horse (a hobby horse); movie making at Pyramid Lake.
8/17/39 - Found dogs; cruelty to pets.
8/18/39 - Miscellaneous.
8/19/39 - Letter from stranger on lack of meeting friends in Reno.
8/20/39 - Reprint of advice on writing a column; thanks to those guest writers; and a vacation farewell.
8/22/39 - Column by Mrs. Frank E. Humphrey on glass.
8/23/39 - By Mrs. Harriet Spann of W.P.A. on visit of June J. Owens, chief regional supervisor.
8/26/39 - By Edwin Semenza on understudies; summer work and season's work.
8/27/39 - Column by Polly Gelder, president of the 20th Century Club, on history of the club.
8/28/39 - Jannie Madden from Sacramento on the younger set and activities in Reno, Tahoe.

8/29/39 - By Al Miller, miner, on new method of recovering metallics lost in old mill processes.
8/30/39 - By Kay Hawkins on her first visit (with her father, C.H. Mackay) to Virginia City.
8/31/39 - Column by Samuel Platt on Community Concerts.
9/2/39 - By Mrs. Bertha Raffeto on Tony's El Patio; need of shell for municipal band.
9/3/39 - Column by Mrs. John Davidson on native cacti.
9/4/39 - By Anne Henrietta Martin, 1st woman to be nominated to U.S. Senate on Nevada and Reno.
9/6/39 - By Mrs. Vera G. Sale of W.P.A. on hobbies.
9/7/39 - By Marjorie Baring on Nevada Frontier Club (International).
9/8/39 - Vacation at Sutcliffe and death of Bar Francis; San Francisco Exposition.
9/9/39 - Pets left at Tahoe; need for SPCA; why is beautification of river bypassed.
9/10/39 - New warden at San Quentin; parolees.
9/12/39 - Anita Day Hubbard of S.F. Examiner.
9/13/39 - Anecdote; publicity for Reno.
9/14/39 - 4 year old newspaper boy; ducks in Idlewild.
9/15/39 - The Phillip Y. Gillson fireplace of Nevada stones and metals.
9/16/39 - Anecdotes.
9/17/39 - Nevada exhibit at San Francisco Fair.
9/19/39 - Anecdotes.
9/20/39 - Charles M. Schwab of Bethlehem Steel Corporation and anecdotes.
9/21/39 - Greetings from owners of Pyramid Lake Ranch; etiquette of introductions.
9/22/39 - United Air Lines; aviation history.
9/23/39 - On candy.
9/24/39 - On jobs.
9/26/39 - Weather; Orvis Ring pet show.
9/27/39 - Story on source of chocolate patties.
9/28/39 - On moving and storing things.
9/29/39 - On Hamilton ghost story.
9/30/39 - 20th Century Club fashion show.
10/1/39 - Fires.
10/3/39 - PTA.
10/4/39 - Anecdotes.
10/5/39 - Lawyers' Club.
10/6/39 - Interview with George W. Kerr who had just crossed on ship "Aquitania" (wartime conditions).
10/7/39 - Power of press to sell.
10/8/39 - Island of flowers in the Truckee River; hidden love of beauty in Reno businessman.
10/10/39 - Dog shows.
10/11/39 - Devi-Dja dancers; Community Concerts.
10/12/39 - Miriam Hopkins.

10/13/39 - Interview with Mrs. Malbone W. Graham, AAUW on Nazi domination, especially on women.
10/14/39 - Continuation of Mrs. Graham's interview.
10/15/39 - Hunting; dog story.
10/17/39 - National Business and Professional Women's Week.
10/18/39 - Advice to young girl who talks of leaving home.
10/20/39 - Lillian Egleston's landscape architect anecdotes.
10/21/39 - Teachers' Institute.
10/22/39 - Stories of Lee Price, advertising man.
10/24/39 - Homecoming week; anecdotes.
10/25/39 - Anecdotes.
10/26/39 - On music.
10/27/39 - Airless school rooms.
10/28/39 - WPA meeting on youth and democracy.
10/29/39 - Celebration of the dedication of Our Lady of Snows Church; anecdotes.
10/31/39 - Beautification of Truckee; Camp Fire Girls' party.
11/1/39 - Police sponsored Halloween party for youngsters at Civic Auditorium.
11/2/39 - Nevada's diamond jubilee celebration.
11/3/39 - National Art Week, showing of Florence Humphrey art collection.
11/4/39 - Horse show; answers to questions on dogs and cats lost.
11/5/39 - Books.
11/7/39 - Display in the Grey Shop of lace bedspread that won 1st prize in 1893 Chicago World's Fair; family history.
11/8/39 - Anecdotes.
11/9/39 - Voices.
11/10/39 - American Education Week.
11/11/39 - Armistice Day.
11/12/39 - American Legion.
11/14/39 - Community Concert; Girl Scout dance; plays.
11/15/39 - Oak Park, IL. Largest village in world.
11/17/39 - Libraries and books.
11/18/39 - Guest column by Ian Campbell, engineer-writer.
11/19/39 - Child adoption laws desired for Nevada.
11/21/39 - Little Theater`s "Out Town" and "Susan and God."
11/22/39 - Mrs. Frank Humphrey's work in placing children for adoption; anecdotes.
11/23/39 - Organ grinder; anecdotes; difficult words to spell.
11/24/39 - Want a dog? Paragraphs about dogs, including seeing-eye dogs.
11/25/39 - Diamond jubilee chorus; sagebrush pictures - musical suite.
11/26/39 - On naming of Reno.
11/28/39 - Outcome of response to 11/24 column on dogs; killing of dogs.
11/29/39 - Column by Mrs. Joe Bush.
11/30/39 - Thanksgiving.
12/1/39 - Letter from England asking for pen pal; thank you letters.

12/2/39 - Silver anniversary of Judge & Mrs. H.W. Edwards; previous changes of Thanksgiving Day.
12/3/39 - On bringing up children.
12/5/39 - Harm to pets; owner's obligation.
12/6/39 - Fire Dept. anecdotes.
12/7/39 - "What a Life" by University players with Grant Sawyer; anecdotes.
12/8/39 - Birds at Virginia Lake, etc.
12/9/39 - Richard Hillman, teacher at Sparks High School takes orchestra to 24 foreign countries; Devi-Dja and Co. to arrive for dance program for Community Concert.
12/10/39 - Make-up on young girls.
12/12/39 - Florence Mayberry, author; poem "Nevada" by Mrs. Frank H. Fuss.
12/13/39 - Miscellaneous.
12/14/39 - Words on the post office and expected rush.
12/15/39 - Publicity and hits.
12/16/39 - Dr. Leon Wilson Hartman inaugurated as president of U. of N.
12/17/39 - By Judge H. William Edwards.
12/19/39 - Robert Stack; Clark Gable Pancho, an Indian 3 year old in Reno nursery school.
12/20/39 - Miscellaneous, ending with letter from man in prison.
12/21/39 - Reprint of "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus."
12/22/39 - Written while ill with temperature of 103.
12/23/39 - Merry Christmas from your ill correspondent.
12/27/39 - Flowers from Elks Club, and gifts.
12/28/39 - Column by "Joe."
12/29/39 - Dogs; rescued fawn.
12/30/39 - "Ghost Town" by Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo at Metropolitan, NY.
12/31/39 - A list of interesting things by Christie A. Thompson, Nev. State Dept. of Health.
1/2/40 - Season's notes.
1/3/40 - Newsboys.
1/4/40 - Questions and answers on grammar, etc.
1/5/40 - Praise for newspaper boys; dog stories.
1/6/40 - Items that column cannot include (requests for jobs, etc.).
1/7/40 - Butch and Oscar (dogs).
1/9/40 - WPA course on psychology of dealing with people.
1/10/40 - Bonanza Inn.
1/11/40 - Homeless dog; old cards for hospitals.
1/13/40 - Rowley's mother's death.

Book IV - Jan. 14 to May 14, 1940. Columns 521-624.

The column continues to develop from purely "social" to commentary on Reno and Nevada. Brewster Adams' column "Values in the Rough" (Rowley's next door neighbor in the paper) is included whenever Adams mentions Rowley; over the years they frequently refer to each other with joking affection and respect. Highlights of this volume include the formation of the "Association for Beautifying Reno;" the appointment of the City "tree warden"; Eleanor Roosevelt's Reno visit on April 10-11; and extensive notes on Emma Nevada.

1/14/40 - Quote from Scotch columnist.
1/16 - Seeing-eye dog of Billy Tully's.
1/17 - Finnish relief; Chet Christiansen; Orson Wells story.
1/18 - Skating accident and safe rink for children.
1/19 - Tom Cooke and Ray Garamendi; dog poisoning in Sparks.
1/20 - Walter B. Meiller letter; Alaska.
1/21 - Selfishness of sorrow; letters of sympathy on Rowley's mother's death.
1/23 - Puzzles; party

Manuscripts | Special Collections

Please direct questions to Jacquelyn Sundstrand
Updated June 22, 2008