Oswayo Valley Mail, November 18, 1914 (Shinglehouse, Potter Co., PA)

W. A. Nichols Killed by Train

Met Instant Death at Babbit Crossing a Mile and a Half Southeast of Shinglehouse, Monday  Forenoon, Nov. 16, 1914

"Lon" Nichols, one of the best known citizens of Shinglehouse, met with instant death Monday forenoon at just 11:33 o'clock, when he was struck by the N. Y. & P. R. R. passenger train at the Babbitt crossing on his farm above this borough. He was driving a team hitched to a stone boat, with a valuable colt running with its mother. It is believed by his son, Earle, who was a few hundred feet ahead and witnessed the accident, that his father heard the train but the young colt had run across the track and fearing it would return, he tried to drive across ahead of the train. The team crossed safely but Mr. Nichols was struck by the pilot and instantly killed, the stone boat being completely demolished. Both of his legs were broken in two places, both arms broken, his skull fractured and there were other bruises about the face and head. The body was carried about 150 feet down
the track and thrown into the ditch. His watch cases were crushed in and it had stopped at 11:33.

The train was stopped as quickly aas possible and the body placed on board and brought to Shinglehouse, accompanied by his son Earle. The body was taken to E. T. McDowell's undertaking rooms where it was prepared for burial, and later in the afternoon was taken to his home on Lincoln street.

No blame is placed on the train crew as they whistled and rang the bell for the crossing, and neither of the enginemen saw the rig more than a second or two before the engine struck it.

Willard Alonzo Nichols was born Feb. 9, 1848, on the old Nichols homestead in Sharon township, and had resided there until about 14 years ago when he moved to Shinglehouse. In 1868 he was united in marriage to Lydia Warner, who survives, together with two daughters and three sons: Mrs. Ira Bixby of Sharon Centre, Mrs. Myrtie Lewis, Arad F., and Benjamin F. Nichols of Shinglehouse, and Earle Nichols who resides on the farm. He is also survived by one brother, Frank A. Nichols of Sharon township.

The greater part of his life was passed in farming, and for many years he was engaged in lumber operations in the Oswayo Valley for the Gordon Lumber Co. of Portville, and looked after the driving of the logs from the landings to their saw mill. He was also interested in the mercantile business in this place with his son, A. F. Nichols. He was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Dana Drake as County Commissioner and afterwards was elected and served a full term. He was also a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank and a member of the Borough Council.

He was a good citizen, a true friend in every sense of the word, and devoted to his family and home where he will be greatly missed. In the death of "Lon" Nichols, the community loses one of its best and most universally liked citizens.

The funeral will be held at the M. E. church tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon at two o'clock. The pastor, Rev. S. W. Crocker of Angelica will speak. The interment will be made in Maple Grove cemetery in this place.