The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-01-30
Give Us Pullman and n. P.
Breakfast Nj. and Mrs.
Al Nichols Say
WAS CONDUCTOR Al YEARS
Veteran Couple Will Take Trip
to Portland, Ore, Dur
ing Summer

Mr.. anu Mrs. AL Nichols, 800 Sec.
ond street northeast Mandan, who
celebrated their fiftieth wedding an
niversary with q reception ut their
home last evening. do not feel they
are too old to enjoy travelling about
the country. They would no. -4re
however, about q trip by airplane, or
one by boat. But q several days
journey on the train? That Is . Diff
ferent matter.
"Give me a good nights sleep in a
Pullman" says Mr.. Nichols. land
then q breakfast such as they serve
on the Northern Pacific diners, and
the day for me is started exactly
right"
Conductor Il Years
Conductor on the Northern Pacific
between Mandan and Glendive for Il
years. it is small wonder that Mr..
Nichols is more ct home On the train
than any place else. Mi. Nichols re-
tired three years ago.
III I were to begin again, I'd choose
a railroad job" said Mr.. Nichols In
speaking of his work. There Is Ger
tain fascination about meeting diff
ferent people each day, and then too
we frequently shared in bits Of drama,
better than any ! ever read In
books"
During his Il years Of service, Mr..
Nichols has served as conductor on
several special trains carrying prom.
inent personageS through the state.
One Of the first was Theodore Roose-
welt, when he visited North Dakota
on his tour. following his election to
the presidency. Mr.. Nichols retains
q vivid impression Of the president.
whom he had met on several occa-
sions while Roosevelt was ranching
ut Medora. At time he had ar
ranged to ship q carload Of cattle for
him.
Among others whose special trains
he he's had charge Of were Queen
Marie, OF Rumapia, and Marshal
Foch.
An exciting occasion which the re-
tired conductor recalls was the time
in 1891 when his train was held up
near New Salem by two bandits, who,
after disconnecting the baggage car,
escaped with valuable mail pouches.
MI. and Mrs. Nichols were married
at Wilton Junction, Iowa, the home
Of Mrs. Nichols. At that time Mr..
Nichols was conductor for the Rock
Island on . III between Wilton
Junction and Eldon, Ia. For six
years he was with the Rock Island,
and for one year before coming to
Mandan be was with the G. B. and Q.
railway.
Always Railroad Town .
when I came to Mandau," Mrs.
Nichols relates, there were only one
OF two streets Of nice houses. Nearly
everyone was employed by the rail-
way. The town was very much like
/ pictured q wild west" town would
be-" In the 43 years Mr.. and Mrs.
Nichols have lived in Mandan they
have seen this fringe Of houses grow
into q small city.
MI. and Mrs. Nichols have two
children and two grandchildren, al
Of whom live In Mandan. They are
Leo Nichols, Morton county auditor
and his son. Donald. and Mrs. Bessie
Griffin. and her son Howard.
MI. and Mrs. Nichols r looking
forward to q trip to Portland, Ore.
next summer. Each summer they
spend several weeks in travelling, and
they have solved the problem Of
where they will 60 by travelling east
one year, and west the next.
Receives Congratulations
More than 60 old time friends OF
MI. and Mrs. Nichols attended the
reception at their home last evening.
Baskets Of flowers sent by relatives
and friends adorned the rooms and
dozens Of kilograms and gifts testi-
fled to the esteem in which the cou-
pie are held. Among the greetings
was one from Nj. and Mrs. w. D.
Aurand, Kansas City, Mo-, who for
years have made it q custom to send
their pictures and best wishes to
couples in all parts OF the United
States who have been married SO
years or more.