August Nichols

NICHOLS, LAZENBY

Posted By: Volunteer - Rhonda Rankin Rowe
Date: 1/31/2002 at 17:24:09

Burned to Death

August Nichols was burned to death and his brother, Evert, and Burns Lazenby were very seriously, probably fatally injured Sunday afternoon by the explosion of about 12 lbs. of blasting powder.

Bert Lazenby and family were visiting at the Millard Nichols home near Bentonsport. The boys were playing in an old house on the Nichols farm formerly occupied by Bert Jack. About half a can of blasting powder was in the attic of the old building, and the boys were amusing themselves by exploding small quantities of the powder on the floor.

August Nichols was almost thirteen years of age. He was doing the firing. The other two boys, Evert, aged about six, and Burns Lazenby, aged almost ten, were standing on the stairway with their heads above the floor when the can of powder exploded.

The smaller boys were thrown to the lower floor and were able to get out of the building. August was also thrown to the lower floor.

The sound of the explosion brought the men very quickly. Mr. Nichols burned his hands terribly in trying to get the clothing from his son, August.

A call was sent to Bentonsport and Bonaparte for physicians. Dr. Schee started in a buggy, but the buggy broke down in the middle of the road and he went the remainder of the way on foot. Dr. Boon was thrown from a vehicle in trying to pass around the Schee buggy and fell so that two ribs were broken.

Dr. Cresap got his Ford stuck in the mud a couple of times on his way to the Nichols home. Three of four men in the Hooper Ford were following him and helped him out so that he arrived in good time.

August Nichols was terribly burned from the top of his shoes to his cap. He died about seven o’clock the same day. The accident occurred about one o’clock.

An elder brother of the Lazenby boy was visiting in Fairfield and thus escaped.

Dr. Whiteley was called to Bentonsport to take care of Dr. Boon and his broken ribs.

A statement of their condition on Tuesday morning shows the Lazenby boy is burned more than Evert Nichols. Both of his hands and his arms almost to the elbow are badly burned, as also are his face, neck, and shoulders. Mr. Nichols’ left hand is not seriously injured by the palm of his right hand has deep burns.

Source; Iowa Rankin and Jenny Matheson newspaper clippings