Nichols - George D.
GEORGE D. NICHOLS
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Source: Daily News Review Tuesday evening, 10-21-1902 p 1
George D. Nichols, an aged farmer of Madison Twp, met death head
foremost into an open cellar way. The accident occurred at the home of
his son-in-law, Richard SOWDERS, about 6 o'clock in the evening. Mr.
Nichols had called to see his daugther about 3 hours previous and was
just leaving when he took the misstep that caused death. To the left of
the rear door, out of which he passed, there is an open cellar way about
7' in depth. Just as he stepped out the old gentleman turned to say
something to his daughter and in so doing lost his balance. He plunged
head foremost through the opening and struck the plank platform below
with a thud and a groan. Mrs. Sowder called to her husband who was
feeding and he ran to the house. His wife explained that her father had
fallen and Sowder started down but backed out and jumping in Mr. Nichols
buggy which was hitched and waiting for him he drove rapidly to Levi
Martin's house and telephoned for Dr. Elliott. Sowders then drove back
on the run and Mr. Martin followed him. The latter was the first to go
down the cellar way and when he did the old gentleman was dead. He was
not removed until Coroner Daniels reached the scene about 9:30 o'clock.
The inquest shows that the skull was fractured and Dr. Dennis is of the
opinion that the deceased lived but a very few minutes after his fall.
Something connected with the affair gave rise in the neighborhood to
fault suspicions of foul play but there is nothing in the evidence to
warrant anything of the kind. Mr. Nichols was 72 and until a few years
ago his daughter, Miss Hattie Killen, kept house for him. Sowder was a
farmhand in her father's employ and when she married him it was very
much against Mr. Nichols' wishes. There was a bitter feeling between
them for awhile and at one time Mrs. Sowders brought suit against her
father, the controversy being over the title of 40 acres of land. It was
settled out of court and for two or three years past, according to the
evidence, Nichols and the Sowders have been on friendly terms and have
visited back and forth. It was regarded as a suspicious circumstance
that Sowders should go for medical aid before making an effort at least
to determine the extent of the injuries but this is accounted for by
Mrs. Sowders. She says she knew her father must have met injuries that
would prove fatal and that it was at her suggestion that her husband
went first for the doctor. She had a confused idea that it was against
the law to move an injured person or a dead body until the Coroner had a
chance to investigate and a desire to conform to the letter of the law
prompted her suggestion. As stated there are no sucpicious circumstances
whatever but Coroner Dennis will hold the case open a few days for the
purpose of a complete investigation. - typed by kbz