The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-07-03
A wOMAN'S WILLS.
A Few Facts Regarding The Fall
Of Major Nickerson.
Chicago Relatives of the Disgrac
ed Mem Throw New Light
on the Motives that
Prompted Elm.

1t is a fact known to comparatively
very few people that Major Azor 81.
NickersOn, whose matrimonial intri
cacies have led to such highly sensa
tional developments, and whose name
for weeks past has been in every
body's mouth at the national capital,
has q whole circle of near relatives
and friends in this city. His case
has several features of unusual inter
est, and as. despite q great deal OF
telegraphic news from Washington,
the truth has not nearly been brought
ont, these kinsfolk of the brilliant
soldier. now in disgrace. were seen
yesterday by a Herald man. An at
tempt was made to obtain exact in
formation as to the motives which can
have impellled this man hitherto
unimpeachable and spotless reputa-
ticn, of undeniable bravery and of
gentlemanly instincts, to alter bis
whole course in the zenith Of life and
to meri obloquy and severe censure.
There are in this city among the
relatives of Major Nickerson. the
following persons The Hon. Benja-
min r Nickerson, an old gentleman
of70 years. younger brother of the
majors father. and who was delegate
from California to the national con-
venlion of 1868. which nominated
Genera! Grant, ard withal a Gentle
man of prominence and means, En ho
resides at 1910 Langley avenue ::
William II. Nickerson, a commission
merchant at $50 South Walter street
and Albert E. Nickerson, an employ
in Collector Harvey's Office, who are
cousins to the major; Mrs. Arthur
Lee, residing at Webster avenue and
Orchard street. who is also cousin
and her sons, Lee &Lee, attorneys. at
81 Washington street Mrs. c A.
Vaughan. also a cousin, of $50 Howe
street. Some of these were disposed
to talk on the matter some were not.
Mr.. William H. Nickersou, the
merchat. has remained the 'stanch
and admiring friend of the fallen
hero, whose memories of the days of
childhood. when he together with
the Major, went to the same school
in the quiet Ohio town of Li'chfeld,
may possibly blind him little to
his ideals shortcomings.
Know Major Nickerson ? said he,
bless, you yes. We were school
bows together in the old Ohio home.
He was then a splencid boy. physi-
cally and mentally-high-spirited and
vet gentle. They held him up TO us
as a model, and he deserved it. l
never knew him to do a mean action,
and there is not a man he ever came
in contact with but respected and
loved him. There is such a personal
magnetism about him you can't help
liking the man. In appearance he
il Just above the average height. of
fine physique. and striking features.
I don't suppose your readers would
care about having the majors military
record rehearsed. I'll only say that
he went at the outbreak of the rebell-
ion as second lieutenant of the Eight
Ohio distinguished himself in numer-
GUS occasions all through the war !;
was shot through both lungs at the
battle of Gettysburg and lay for twen-
ty-six hours on the field side by side
with General Gordon.
From that time," continued Mr..
Nickerson, dates the warm personal
friendship of these two men. After
the war, when General Gordon had
become United States senator from
Georgia, he made an imprisoned
speech on the floor of the senate in
behalfof his friend, the msjor, and at
his personal request, and that of Gen.
Crook, Hayes appointed him assist
ant adjutant general, after he had
served as cLief of staff to Gen. Crook
all through the latter's Indian wars.
After serving for over twenty years
in the regular army the major. at his
own request and on account of failing
health, was put on the retired list
with full pay. Possibly the fact that
he and Adjutant. General Drum could
not very we'll agree had something to
do with his retirement. About his
matrimonial experiences l have little
to say. l do not wish to say any,
thing to the disparagement Of Mrs.
Nickerson. We only met q tew times
and on friendly terms, but it will
hardly be unfair to state that it was
we'll known that she did not live very
harmoniously with him. The way
this divorce business has been pres.
ented in the papers, it looks as if all
the blame belong d to him. Yet /
cannot bring myself to think 80. I
know this. that he ia tao honorable