A Nichols' worth of justice
As old 2011 ended, Don Nichols was back in the news and jail because he again broke parole rules by continuing his felony career. It would be interesting, and probably shocking, to know how much that misguided soul has cost the taxpayers since he was 18.
After his arrest 26 years ago, the weep essays went to extremes to "give that poor boy a chance at turning his life around." They even got him out of the pen after only six years, and the public was stuck for thousands more in rehab and education.
Let's review events leading to his sentencing along with his father for kidnapping and murder. Don, working with his father Dan, kidnapped world-class athlete Kari Swenson near Big Sky and took her into the mountains to be Don's wife. One of Swenson's friends who went looking for her was shot and killed by the Nichols. After her rescue, the traumatized Swenson girl was never able to get back to the point of world-class competition. Following is an April 1985 column on that matter:
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What single thing do Johnny France and Dan Nichols have in common? Johnny is the rugged, dedicated, sheriff of Madison County who tracked down two psychotic killers in the snow-bound mountains and "brought ‘em in single-handed." Dan Nichols is one of the accused murderers captured by Johnny France.
When Johnny walked into the remote camp of Dan and his son Don last Dec. 13, Dan acted like he might make a play for his gun. That's when sheriff France simply said, "Don't make me kill you boys."
Within four hours of the Nichols' capture, I had talked to a New York book publisher and received an "on-spec" go-ahead, made contact with France's helicoptering backup, Sheriff John Onstad of Gallatin County, and recorded the story as related by one of Johnny France's deputies, who was riding the lawmen's radio net during the capture.
The flying weather was lousy in the Flathead that day, so I planned to hop down to Bozeman early next morning to seek an interview with Johnny France, the Nichols and anyone else involved. It never happened because I moved a tad too slowly. From New York to California, six-figure check writers were jetted into Bozeman before I could even decide how many socks to put in my ditty bag.
You've probably guessed what France and Nichols have in common. They have sensational stories for the always hungry entertainment beast, television, as well as magazines, paperbacks, radio, ad infinitum.
All the big boys were represented in Bozeman - NBC, CBS, ABC, along with dozens of contract reporters, film crews, writers and free lancers. Motels and restaurants were taking on extra help.
The attorneys for one of the Nichols' victims has publicly stated they will sue for any and all money the Nichols might get from books, magazines, movies or TV. Throngs of lawyers there, covering every income angle.
Johnny France is playin' it cool ... just like he did that fateful day up there in the frozen solitude of the Bear Trap Wilderness. He did mention to someone that he'd like Clint Eastwood to play him, "if there is a movie."
I'm bettin' there will be a movie. Odds are good Clint Eastwood will play Johnny. Maybe I'm just envious because I missed the boat, but in the scene where the lone sheriff confronts two desperadoes and Dan starts for his gun, I'm hoping Clint doesn't say, "Go ahead! Make my day." I prefer the Johnny France approach.
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2012 epilogue: I do not recall if Dan Nichols died in prison or is still there. Do remember my ire being raised by the national media people constantly calling the pathetic pair "mountain men." And yes, there was a made-for-TV movie ... without Eastwood.
G. George Ostrom is a national award-winning Hungry Horse News columnist. He lives in Kalispell.