Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-03-11

Mr.. John Adlcy, a well-known Irish
man, died last week at this place, after
brief illness. For several years lac was
in the service OF the G. T. r. Co., as an
engine cleaner and Waterman, during
which time he performed his duties faith
fully in every respect. His remains were
conveyed to Portland for isterment.
dramatic club has been organized
here, and soon we shall have a display of
our home talent in the production of
some very fine plays.
On Sunday last, through the Kindness
of Mr.. Stevenson, local superintendent
of the G. T. r., q passenger car from
this place was attached to the Ocean
Steamer Mail Train bound for Portland,
thus affording a privilege to the employ
ecS of the road, to attend the funeral of
Mr.. Jacob Nichols, who died in that city,
the 23rd. "Uucle jake" as he was fam
ilarly known, was the oldest engineer
connected with the G. t. II. Your read
ers will remember that about three years
ago, we gave brief sketch of the expe-
rienceS of the deceased. For thirty
three years "UncIe Jake" has been an en-
gineer, about twenty-cight of which was
In the service of this road; for we find
on the 4th of July, lS4S, when the Allan
tic st. Lawrence road was opened, he
run the first train over the road, Mr.. S.
L. Corser then acting as passenger conduc-
tor, but subsequently serving as superin-
tendent. He also drove the first passen-
ger train from Portland to this place af-
ter the change of guage. Prior to this,
he was employed by the Portland, Saco
& Portsmouth road, serving only one
year as fireman before being promoted
to engineman by the President of that
road. If the above figures arc correct
and we have them well authenticated
"Uncle Jake" was undoubtedly the Oldest
engineer in the United States. Mr..
Nichols, throughout his extended career,
has experienced many haldShips, ever
bearing up under them with a cheerful
heart, fortified too, as he was, with q
constitution seemingly iron-clad to all
bodily injuries. His first accident occur
red on the P. S. & p. road when he was
thrown down a steep embankment with
his engine, meeting with very serious in
Ijuries. This was the result of q wash
out. III July, 1853, while running reg
I,,ln trni hn n
Portland to this place, he met with an ac-
cident near Gilead, in which he was bad
ly scaldcd and otherwise quite seriously
hurt. In this casualty the engine was
also thrown from the track. Again in
January 1870, he was dumped with his
engine near Mechanics Falls. From this
rAn-off Mr.. Nichols received severe exter-
nal injuries which lasted long, if not fol-
lowing him to his grave. Aside from the
foregoing he has met with many acct
dents of lesser Importance, accompanied
as they were with 10 apparent injury.
About year ago, while using pinch
bar about his engine, flom some cause of
his own he was struck in the jaw by it,
inficting wound, which ultimately
brought on cancer in the mouth. The
cancer enlarged rapidly, battling all skill
to stay its progress, or render other than
temporary relief. For twenty-Six days
prior to his death, nothing passed his
bowels; during this period, his life was
prolonged by the use Of a few drops OF
brandy put into a goblet of water, dealt
out by the teaSpoonful. His suffering
was intense, relieved only with opiatcs.
The early part of Uncle Jake's" life was
passed in the U. S. Navy and the old mar
iner's many tales are fresh in the memory
of his co-laborcrs who are left behind to
honor and revere his good name. In the
recitation Of some OF the experiences in
| his life to- IT'S, he claimed to have never
left his engine in all his mishaps, feeling
more secure from harm on it than to
jump off, no matter what the cxigences
were to impel him to that act. "Uncle
Jake" possessed numerous peculiarities,
one of which was passion for, and at
tachmcnt to an engine. Whenever going
to and from his home, at South Paris, to
Portland as passenger, he invariably
sought the engine for passage, rather
than the comforts of a cushioned car
seat. He always felt as though the foot
board of an engine was a part of his
home. There is not more than one ell
gineer on the Portland division who has
not fred for "Uncle jake" all of whom,
from the oldest to the youngest, will
ever hold him in memory as q genial
companion, strictly honorable in all
things. 1t is but just to add here that
his fidelity to the company, throughout
his long term of years, earned an esteem
from them, well as the employees which
is both praiseworthy and cumulative
Mr.. Nichols was GA years of age, and
born in Lisbon, Me. He leaves wife
and two children who are married. He
also leaves a handsome property accu-
mulated from frugal, yet busy life. One
of the last acts of life was to call for his
grand-child, then at South Paris. This
desire was answered, and after pressing
the child to his breast and covering it
with kisses, his last words were, II am
ready now, to die" A deeper affection
is seldom exhibited in even the father
About thirty Of the employees of the road
went from here to pay their last sad rites
to the deceased.
Sheriff Graham is looking sharp after n