James Calvin “Kid” Nichols was an exceptional personality who lived an exciting life filled with friendships with notable figures like William F. ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody, Milward Simpson, Admiral Chester Nimitz, and Arthur Godfrey. Besides his rich network of associations, Nichols was known for his business acumen, an enthusiasm for rural electrification and acts of goodwill. Being referred to as ‘grandpa’ by his grandson, Jim Nichols, who nostalgically recalls a unique silver belt buckle adorned with a steer head – its eyes made of rubies and horns of silver – that his grandpa often sported.
Born on September 23, 1883, in Farnhamville, Iowa, Kid Nichols began his adventure-filled life. As a young man, he embarked onto Cody, Wyoming, in 1904 armed with blacksmithing crafting skills and championship wrestling ability. His initial search was for a lumberjack rival for wrestling in Marquette, Wyoming. However, when this plan did not materialize, Nichols returned to Cody.
During his stint in Cody, he worked as a blacksmith for Buffalo Bill at his Imra Livery & Barn. He recalled with mild humor how he had to switch accommodations due to a bedbug infestation at the Heart Mountain Inn, moving to Dad Burn’s Saloon. It was here where he sought out and met Buffalo Bill at the Irma Hotel bar.
Nichols introduced himself to Buffalo Bill by presenting a letter written by his mother, who advised him to get acquainted with Buffalo Bill, a former schoolmate of her older brothers. Buffalo Bill insisted that Nichols should stay with him, but Nichols declined graciously, noting that he did not want to impose. To his surprise, though, he later found that all his belongings had been moved to Buffalo Bill’s residence.
Not only did Nichols work as a blacksmith in Cody, he also continued indulging in wrestling. His grandson, Jim, shares stories of Nichols and future U.S. Senator and Governor Milward Simpson partnering to organize wrestling and boxing matches across the region, with Simpson – also a famed athlete – participating in some matches that lasted hours and occasionally resulted in severe injuries.
Former Wyoming State Rep. Pete Simpson affirms his father’s involvement in these sporting endeavors. He revealed how his father used to box in preliminary fights on Kid Nichols’ ticket during these sporting showcases. Adding to these intriguing tales, Jim Nichols narrates that anyone who could pin Kid Nichols or knock out Milward Simpson in a wrestling match would receive a reward of $100.
In 1907, Nichols, along with another resident from Cody, proposed the establishment of an athletic club under the Cody Drug Co., promising to furnish it with boxing and weight training equipment. Kid Nichols undertook the responsibility for providing instruction in wrestling, establishing his reputation as a figure of dedication and leadership in the community.
By 1909, Nichols was prosperous enough to arrange an elk hunting trip with three friends. However, due to a misunderstanding, Nichols was accused of poaching, an allegation he vehemently denied. He recalls an unfortunate altercation with armed U.S. soldiers enforcing laws within the park, which led to Nichols going on the run, temporarily seeking refuge in Canada.
After his tumultuous escapade, Nichols returned to Cody, promising the judge a fair trial. Using evidence left at the crime scene – elk bones and cartridge cases – Nichols was able to validate his innocence, demonstrating that he was outside the park boundaries at the time of the incident. Upon his acquittal, Nichols was simply charged court costs of $100.
Around 1916, Nichols’ personal life took a turn. His turbulent marriage, already burdened by his wife’s battle with alcoholism, came to an end, leaving their sons – one of whom was Jim’s father – in its wake. Moving on, Nichols, who had a serious accident that cost him two fingers, used his accident settlement to help his ex-wife and children return to Iowa.
Drawing from his experience in wrestling and his new opportunity as a salesman for a paper company, Nichols came up with an innovative solution to protect asphalt shingles using a thin veneer of wood. His ingenious idea was well-received in the industry, leading to the establishment of his successful venture, centered around veneer and plywood mills.
Despite relocating his flourishing business headquarters to Chicago and living a life of affluence, Nichols always remembered his roots. When the original log Buffalo Bill Museum was erected, Nichols made a generous contribution of logs cut from Carter Mountain. Later, he acquired the Diamond Bar ranch near Cody, transforming it into a hospitable and stylish home.
As a proponent of rural electrification, Nichols championed the cause by advocating for farmers and ranchers to set up rural electric cooperatives. He gained fame for his unique method of showing contractors the path for the utility poles by dropping rolls of toilet paper from an airplane.
Kid Nichols also made headlines in his personal life. One such example is an enthralling rescue mission when his daughter got injured on a hunting trip, which involved an improvised airplane rescue. He was also a car enthusiast, owning a range of models like Cadillacs, a Mercer, a Stutz Bearcat, and Thunderbirds.
Despite the various challenges, he faced in life, Nichols maintained his indomitable spirit. After a life filled with adventures, business successes, and countless stories, Nichols died in 1962 after battling esophageal cancer. Following his last wish, his ashes were dispersed over Rattlesnake Mountain near Cody, marking a fitting end to his extraordinary life.