By Danny Crownover
One of the most interesting events reported in 1900 was the dedication of the Howard Gardner Nichols Memorial Library and the Union Memorial Church in Alabama City.
The library was the first buildings erected in Alabama expressly for library purposes and was to honor the memory of young Mr. Nichols who was killed during the construction of the Dwight Cotton mill which he was to manage.
The church was for the benefit of all denominations and was built by the mill company.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Howard Nichols came down from Boston to attend the ceremony. They were parents of Howard Gardner Nichols.
The cornerstone was laid Saturday, September 23, 1899.
The father was treasurer of the Dwight Company and personally directed the location of the mill here.
Hundreds of people gathered to pay tribute to the much beloved young Nichols. Bishop R.W. Barnwell, of the Episcopal Church, made the dedicatory address and the Rev. J.F. Goldman rector of the Church of the Holy Comforter of this city, preached the sermon.
Several of Gadsden’s leading citizens took part in the program.
The Dwight Company started out in 1895, when it broke ground for its big mill here, to create a cultural and religious atmosphere in Alabama and to do many things for the welfare of its employees. Down the years it made a fine record along that line.
Contact The Vagabond at dkcrown@bellsouth.net.
