The story of Red Nickels
calls to mind a tale told by "Unc" Vaughn, Unc worked for VEPCO near
Lexington, Va. His house was near Natural Bridge along Route 11.
Unk backed his car out of the driveway and clobbered by a loaded
semi. He was severely hurt and for a few days it was touch and
go whether he would indeed survive. He did survive and later he
returned to the Alderson of his youth. Bought a farm on the
Dan Boyles road near Blakers Mill and entered into the
communities life. He was a solid addition to the Methodist
Church, taught Sunday School and everything.
He once mentioned that
the accident had probably been the best thing that ever happened
to him. He related that about a week after the "semi" about did
him in, he had visitors. Joe Henry Johnson, Jim Rowe and "Red"
Nickel drove over to see their old friend for what they figured
would be the last time they would see him. By the time they
arrived at Lexington's Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital they
had convinced each other that old "Unk" was likely already dead.
They had also drank just about all the liquid courage they had
providently remembered to bring along. After they somehow
convinced the receptionist they should be allowed to visit they
went to thier old friends room. Imagine their surprise when they
beheld "Unk" sitting up in his bed.. "Damn, Unk, You look like
you're gonna live", was "Red's" greeting. With that, they left
and returned to Alderson!
