Family Group Sheet
NameWilliam T. Nickell
BirthMay 1858, Rowan Co., Kentucky
Death28 Jan 1882, Rowan Co., Kentucky
FatherGreenup Nickell (1825-1897)
MotherDulcena Wells (1826-1890)
Marriageabt 1878, Rowan Co., Kentucky
SpouseEllen Cathryn (“Sissie”) Turner
Birth3 Sep 1862, Johnson Co., Kentucky
Death24 Oct 1911, Rowan Co., Kentucky
FatherEdwin Sudduth Turner (1825-1913)
MotherNancy Jane Rule (1828-1915)
Other spousesHiram Cornett
Children
Birthabt 1879, Rowan Co., Kentucky
Birthabt 1880, Rowan Co., Kentucky
Birth1881, Rowan Co., Kentucky
Notes for William T. Nickell
From the Ashland Independant of 9 Feb 1882, page 4:
“Morehead–According to news received here a tragedy was enacted in Elliott County, near the line of this county the other night, in the killing of Wm. T. Nickell, the son of ‘Squire’ Greenup Nickell, who lives at Bristow, in this county, and the deceased also resided there. The facts, as heard by your correspondent, are as follows: Nickell was at a dance at the dwelling house of Mastin Cox; a young man by the name of Tolliver was also there; Tolliver offered some indignity to Nickell; according to the facts as related, danced around in front of him; Nickell said if he repeated it he would knock him down; Tolliver repeated it, and Nickell did knock him down; whereupon, Tolliver, while down shot Nickell with a pistol, the ball entering the body at or near the stomach. Tolliver then ran, Nickell pursued, shooting at him. Tolliver shot the second time as he ran, the ball this time taking effect in Nickell, near the heart; from this shot he fell, and expired in about 30 minutes. It is said that Tolliver disappeared and has not yet been arrested. William T. Nickell was a very fine looking and powerful man physically. He had been for about a year past acting as Special Bailiff under Deputy U.S. Marshal Heflin, and was very active and effective when engaged in that service. He was about 27 years of age, and it is sad to think that he leaves a young wife and one child.
16 Feb 1882, Bristow – Premature Death of a Noble Young Man – A gloom was thrown over the community here on a recent Sunday morning by the startling news that W. T. Nickell had been shot and killed by Leander Tolliver. It seems that the two young men met at a party at Maston Cox's, in Elliott County, where a difficulty arose about midnight. Several shots were fired, three of them taking effect upon the person of Mr. Nickell and one on Tolliver, occasioning only a slight wound on the latter. William Nickell received one wound in the arm, one in the lower part of the abdomen, while one ball entered the back about the lower portion of the right scapular, of which he died in about 30 minutes. A messenger was dispatched immediately after the affray for the doctor, but when he arrived Nickell was a corpse. Wm. T. Nickell was a son of Capt. Green Nickell, a most respectable citizen of this village, and an officer here ever since Rowan has been a county. W. T. Nickell was Town Marshal of this place, and also U. S. Bailiff. He was a young man of undaunted courage, kind and generous to a fault, and of marked intellectual ability. While he dealt fairly and honorable with all his fellow men, he knew no motive but success in all his undertakings. He was but 28 years of age, yet was one of our most respected citizens and best business men. The funeral took place on Monday, and was attended by the largest concourse of people ever assembled at a burial in this community.
He leaves a wife and three small children, besides many relatives and a host of friends to mourn his loss. His name will long be remembered and fondly cherished by the community here, where he first saw the light of day, where he spent a portion of a most honorable life, and died a most horrible and premature death.
Capt. Green Nickell has been confined to his bed for several weeks. His wife is hardly expected to recover from a severe attack of cerebro-spinal meningitis.”
“Morehead–According to news received here a tragedy was enacted in Elliott County, near the line of this county the other night, in the killing of Wm. T. Nickell, the son of ‘Squire’ Greenup Nickell, who lives at Bristow, in this county, and the deceased also resided there. The facts, as heard by your correspondent, are as follows: Nickell was at a dance at the dwelling house of Mastin Cox; a young man by the name of Tolliver was also there; Tolliver offered some indignity to Nickell; according to the facts as related, danced around in front of him; Nickell said if he repeated it he would knock him down; Tolliver repeated it, and Nickell did knock him down; whereupon, Tolliver, while down shot Nickell with a pistol, the ball entering the body at or near the stomach. Tolliver then ran, Nickell pursued, shooting at him. Tolliver shot the second time as he ran, the ball this time taking effect in Nickell, near the heart; from this shot he fell, and expired in about 30 minutes. It is said that Tolliver disappeared and has not yet been arrested. William T. Nickell was a very fine looking and powerful man physically. He had been for about a year past acting as Special Bailiff under Deputy U.S. Marshal Heflin, and was very active and effective when engaged in that service. He was about 27 years of age, and it is sad to think that he leaves a young wife and one child.
16 Feb 1882, Bristow – Premature Death of a Noble Young Man – A gloom was thrown over the community here on a recent Sunday morning by the startling news that W. T. Nickell had been shot and killed by Leander Tolliver. It seems that the two young men met at a party at Maston Cox's, in Elliott County, where a difficulty arose about midnight. Several shots were fired, three of them taking effect upon the person of Mr. Nickell and one on Tolliver, occasioning only a slight wound on the latter. William Nickell received one wound in the arm, one in the lower part of the abdomen, while one ball entered the back about the lower portion of the right scapular, of which he died in about 30 minutes. A messenger was dispatched immediately after the affray for the doctor, but when he arrived Nickell was a corpse. Wm. T. Nickell was a son of Capt. Green Nickell, a most respectable citizen of this village, and an officer here ever since Rowan has been a county. W. T. Nickell was Town Marshal of this place, and also U. S. Bailiff. He was a young man of undaunted courage, kind and generous to a fault, and of marked intellectual ability. While he dealt fairly and honorable with all his fellow men, he knew no motive but success in all his undertakings. He was but 28 years of age, yet was one of our most respected citizens and best business men. The funeral took place on Monday, and was attended by the largest concourse of people ever assembled at a burial in this community.
He leaves a wife and three small children, besides many relatives and a host of friends to mourn his loss. His name will long be remembered and fondly cherished by the community here, where he first saw the light of day, where he spent a portion of a most honorable life, and died a most horrible and premature death.
Capt. Green Nickell has been confined to his bed for several weeks. His wife is hardly expected to recover from a severe attack of cerebro-spinal meningitis.”
Census
1880 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Christy Creek precinct, lists as household #345:
Nickell, William T., 23, farmer; Ella, 20, wife; Lilly B., 1, dau; Oliver, 11/12, son; Harris, John, 22, boarder, married this year; Harris, Sally, 18, boarder, married this year; Harris, Fowler, 23, boarder. All born in Ky.
(John and Fowler Harris are sons of Pleasant Hayden Harris and Clarissa Nickell. Clarissa and William were first cousins.)
Nickell, William T., 23, farmer; Ella, 20, wife; Lilly B., 1, dau; Oliver, 11/12, son; Harris, John, 22, boarder, married this year; Harris, Sally, 18, boarder, married this year; Harris, Fowler, 23, boarder. All born in Ky.
(John and Fowler Harris are sons of Pleasant Hayden Harris and Clarissa Nickell. Clarissa and William were first cousins.)
Notes for Ellen Cathryn (“Sissie”) Turner
Her death certificate records Ellen C. Cornett, age 50, born 3 Sep 1861 in Johnson Co., Ky, died 24 Oct 1911 in Rowan Co., marital status blank, father Edinos Turner, mother’s maiden name Nancy J. Rule, both born in Johnson Co., cause of death cancer of uterus, informant Hiram Cornett, Elliottsville, Ky, burial in Nickell Cemetery.
