John W. Nichols Dies in His Home Friday Morning

Bodyguard to Abe Lincoln

Was Guarding the White House the Night President Lincoln Was Assassinated – Lived Here Forty-Two Years 

John W. Nichols, for ten years a federal building watchman, died suddenly Friday morning while sitting in a chair at his home, 2914 North Twenty-eighth avenue.  Heart disease, it is supposed, was the immediate cause of death, although the veteran watchman had been suffering from a complication of ailments for several weeks. 

I don’t feel quite right this morning,” he said to his wife, a few minutes before the death stroke came, but there was nothing in his appearance at that time to indicate that the end was near. 

Mrs. Nichols walked across the room to her husband’s side when he remarked that he was not feeling well, and he remarked that he was not feeling well, and he breathed his last almost as soon as she reached him.

John W. Nichols was a soldier for the union throughout the civil war, and his intense loyalty to the federal flag goes with him to his grave.  He was extremely patriotic, being literally willing, say those who know him best, to give his life for his country.  During a part of the troublesome days of the ‘60s Mr. Nichols served as bodyguard to Abraham Lincoln and he was on duty with other soldiers guarding the White House on the night of Lincoln’s assassination.

Mr. Nichols was a native of Pennsylvania and had lived in Omaha forty-three year.  Prior to accepting a watchman’s place at the federal building he was employed by a local linseed oil company.  He leaves a wife and six children.  Had he lived until January he would have been 72 years old.  Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed, but it is probable that the Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic will join in the obsequies.

Omaha [Nebraska] Bee News, 12 Nov 1910, page 11.  Submitted by F. Richard Barr/font>