News from the past

Yesterday's news is today's history, and the Rev. John Nichols, Nevada, has a treasure trove of history in his possession. At right, Nichols holds up an example of a Civil War-era newspaper, the Chicago Tribune; other newspapers are scattered in front of him. Nichols has newspapers featuring articles on all the presidents from George Washington to Barack Obama and papers with triumphs and disasters from all eras, including the San Francisco earthquake to the Great Chicago fire. --Photos by Steve Moyer/Daily Mail

The election of George Washington, the first election of the new government of the United States got little coverage in the English newspapers, including the Salisbury and Winchester Journal of May 4, 1789. Nichols has an arrow pointing to the sole paragraph referring to it.

A chance purchase of some old books resulted in a life-long hobby for Rev. John Nichols. Nichols had bought some old books and inside one of them was an old newspaper. Over time the hobby grew until Nichols has a collection of papers that run the gamut from news of the elections of George Washington to Barack Obama and from disasters such the San Francisco earthquake to triumphs such as the first man to walk on the moon.

"About 50 years ago I bought a bunch of old books," Nichols said. "Folded up in one of them was a paper with the death of Abraham Lincoln in it. Later I found one about George Washington and it grew from there. I started collecting newspapers with the presidents in them, now I have all the presidents."

More than one newspaper devoted entire front pages to the historic moon landing by Apollo 11's crew, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin, on July 20, 1969. Still others document tragedies such as the Lincoln assassination, the outbreak of wars and more.

Nichols has newspapers from around the world as well as around the nation. One newspaper is from China, the text is in ideographs and the only thing recognizable is a picture of Chairman Mao. The election of George Washington, the first election of the new government of the United States got little coverage in the English newspaper the Salisbury and Winchester Journal of May 4, 1789, a spare paragraph is all the notice they took.

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper May 6, 1865 has an engraving of John Wilkes Booth jumping to the stage of Ford's Theater after he assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. The shooting took place on April 14, 1865 Lincoln died early the next morning.

"They didn't say a whole lot," Nichols said.

In addition to examples of the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune and other well recognized names there are some that only history lovers might recognize; Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, for example.

Nichols has issues of papers that reference specific Civil War battles, especially if they refer to this area including the battle of Springfield, but he lacks a newspaper with the burning of Nevada in it.

"I'd like to have one of those," Nichols said.

He also lacks the famous "Dewey defeats Truman" issue of the Chicago Tribune that became famous when Truman triumphantly displayed the headline at his victory party.

"I knew a man who had two of them and I thought about getting one but he just wanted too much," Nichols said.

While newspapers have always varied in size, depending on if they were full-sized or tabloid, papers have shrunk over the years. One particular newspaper, the Chicago Tribune, from the Civil War era dramatically demonstrates the differences, the folded paper is nearly as wide as today's papers fully unfolded.

The progression of technology can be seen in the collection as well, as the documents go from almost all text, to text and engravings, to photos, to a more modern, photo-filled look. But as one photo essay of the Hindenberg disaster illustrated, there were times when, even despite the time and other factors involved, editors and publishers felt it was worthwhile to devote space and time to several photos.

Nichols was a native of Kentucky but moved to Nevada 52 years ago.

The Omaha World Herald from July 21, 1969, features the Apollo 11 moon landing. Engravings of the three astronauts share space on the front page with an actual photo from the moon, a strange amalgam of old technology and new technology illustrating a futuristic technology.

"I was born in Elizabethtown, Ky., and I moved here Jan. 4, 1957 and started at the Calvary Baptist Church," Nichols said. "I worked there for six years and then for 26 years I was the district superintendent. Vernon and Cedar counties were my district. I filled in when a church didn't have a preacher and there were always churches without preachers. I've been semi-retired for 22 years. I say semi-retired because I've done lots of funerals since I retired."

Nichols is saddened by the thought of completely stopping but at nearly 86 years of age he isn't as strong as he used to be and a recent bout with his heart condition put him out of action for six months.

"I really would like to continue but my health is not so good," Nichols said. "I don't know how many people have me down to do their funeral but I just can't. I'm retired now. I had a battle over the winter and it's been hard. Plus, funerals take a toll; physical, mental and spiritual."

Slowing down involves more than no longer doing funerals; Nichols has been active in many areas of the community.

"I was a member of the historical society and I was on the school board for 15 years," Nichols said. "I headed up the city-wide clothing drive in Oklahoma for 27 years, and I was a member of the city planning commission. I hate to stop doing things but I just don't have the strength anymore."

Nevertheless, a visit to his doctor convinced Nichols that it was time to really slow down and take a full retirement.

"I finally decided after I saw the heart doctor," Nichols said. "He didn't tell me not to do funerals but he said it would be better if I stopped,"