THE LEESVILLE LEADER

Thursday, December 17, 1931

JAS. NICHOLS

DIES SUDDENLY

LAST THURSDAY

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Vernon Parish Pioneer

Passes Away At Age

of Eighty-One

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James Nichols, Sr., a prominent Vernon parish pioneer, 81 years old, died suddenly at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. J. Bullock, at 10 o'clock last Thursday morning. He had been in bad health for more than a year and was resignedly awaiting the end, which came, however, so instantaneously as to be a great shock to those about him. The remains were transported Friday to the Cooper cemetery between DeRidder and Merryville where they were interred beside the grave of the deceased pioneer's wife, who died 14 years ago.

The funeral service by Rev. E. M. Stewart of DeRidder and Rev. J. V. Tinnin of Leesville, was very impressive. In the assembly were people from DeRidder, Merryville, Leesville and Rosepine, Louisiana, and some from Jasper, Texas, in all of which places Mr. Nichols was well known and held in high esteem.

James Nichols, Sr., was born in Birmingham, Alabama, March 30, 1850. When he was about eight years old he came with his father's family into Louisiana and they located in Walnut Hill, from which time he continued to reside in Vernon Parish until his death.

In 1871 he married Miss Amanda Hozier, residing in the community which is now known as Rosepine. Eight children were born to them, six of whom are still living, as follows: H. L. Nichols, a prosperous DeRidder farmer; James Nichols, Jr., of the Dixie Cafe, Leesville; D. A. Nichols, a Merryville merchant; Mrs. A. J. Bullock of the Rouss Racket Store, Leesville; Mrs. S. R. West, wife of Major S. R. West, Leesville, and Mrs. L. A. Helowin, whose husband is a Leesville registered pharmacist.

James Nichols was a man of noble character and pure life. He grew up at a time when men had to be courageous, aggressive and self-reliant to live. He was 11 years old when the Civil War began, and he plowed and otherwise carried on the business of the farm for his mother while his brothers were in the army fighting for the Confederacy.

Reaching man's estate he still continued to farm and also was a successful live stock raiser, but he branched out from that into the timber business and derived rich revenues therefrom. The Sabine River was the only means of transportation in those days, and down it he shipped large supplies of pine logs for the Lutcher-Moore mills at Orange, Texas. Many a winter morning he would have to beat the cant hooks and peaveys over a log to break the sheath of ice off them, but the iron of these tools was not stronger than the unbending will of Nichols and the stalwart woodsmen of his crew. Solid as his native hills was the character of James Nichols, and something of the majesty of the tall pines among which he operated was reflected in his life. Yet, with all his strength there was a sweet gentleness in him, and a natural goodness which endeared him to every one. In faith he was a Primitive Baptist, and the doctrine of fatalism, that whatever is to be will be, stood him in good stead and kept him from worrying when things went wrong. And as he neared life's end it was very consoling to him to say in the words of Holy Writ: "My times are in His hands," and to feel that the God who had planned and directed his whole life would be with him at its close and receive him unto Himself.

To his bereaved children the Leader tenders it tenderest sympathies.