Read The Devil in Pew Number Seven Online
Authors: Rebecca Nichols Alonzo,Rebecca Nichols Alonzo
The Devil in Pew Number Seven (33 page)
Thank you seems insufficient to describe how grateful I am to have had such an army of prayer warriors and advisers who have steadied me through the front lines of so many battles. These strong people held my arms when I grew weary during those times. I’m thankful to the ones who have so carefully dressed my heart wounds and prescribed the medicine (the Word) to direct me on to my purpose and the next victory.
Because of you, my journey has been filled with love, grace, and lots and lots of patience. My heart is filled to the brim with a sense of indebtedness and joy as I thank the following people:
Kenny, the one my soul loves, I know God gave you strength for both of us. Thank you for slaying all the dragons of fear as I wrestled with the past while writing and living in the present; for all the years you’ve listened to my story as I repeated it countless times to those who wanted to hear it; for helping me live beyond the pain; and for reminding me that it’s not just about surviving but about living a victorious life with the help of Jesus and those around me.
I greatly appreciate all the days you filled in the gaps and kept our family world normal when I had to work on the book. Your understanding meant everything to me on the days you came home from a long day at work only to discover that dinner was nowhere in sight. I’m thankful that you are a great cook—I know the kids are grateful too. You amaze me with your endless talent and God-given abilities. I’m so blessed to be loved by you.
Kolby and Katelin, thank you for making Mom smile on the days when I wanted to cry and for giving me hugs and laughter when I thought about all the things I’ve lost. You are my “so much more”—my exceedingly, abundantly, blessing-upon-blessing gifts from God. You fill my life with joy and hope. I look with anticipation to the future and all that God is going to do in your lives so that you can bless others and bring glory to Him. You know what I love about you both? Everything!
Daniel, my dearest brother, I am thankful that you have such a forgiving heart and that you don’t hold grudges. That’s important, being that you’re my little (big) brother. You are one of the most kind and most caring people I know. The character of God is clearly seen in you and in the way you love your family and friends. You bless my life with your friendship and love. Thanks, too, for your input on the book.
Aunt Dot, your life of grace and godliness has been a wonderful gift to me. You have been the lighthouse in the storms of my life. Thank you for shining the light of love on my heart and always directing me back to the Word. You have carried well the parental responsibilities of raising Daniel and me to love God with a genuine and sincere faith. I am so grateful for you and for the love you show so selflessly. Thank you for being my memory when I was too young to recall some of these events. I am so blessed to call you Mom and friend.
The following family members were part of the glue that held the pieces of my life together with their love. Without them, Daniel and I would have been unloved and placed in an orphanage. They truly are what life is all about.
To the Nichols family (Dad’s side): Grandpa and Grandma Nichols, Daniel and I will be forever grateful that you took us in and gave us a loving and safe home and that, after raising seven kids of your own, you cared for us during your later years and had the courage to love and discipline us like our own parents would have. Thank you. One day we’ll be together again.
Likewise, Aunt Daisy, Joe (your memory lives in our hearts), Jim, and John Wade; Aunt Martha and Uncle John, Billy Sasser, and family; Lynn and Rick and Kristi; and Uncle Richard and Aunt Judy, Grant, Shannon and family, you all mean the world to me.
To the Welch family (Momma’s side): Grandpa and Grandma Welch, the time we shared was too short, but your love lives on in our hearts. The memories we have with you are love, laughter, and wonderful family holidays. Even the tears tied us together as a loving family. And Uncle Ed (we miss you) and Aunt Shirley, Eddie and Beth and family; Aunt Sue (we’ll see you on the other side) and Justin Price and family, you all rounded out my world in ways that only a devoted family could.
Thanks to the extended Alonzo family (my in-laws), Norman and Nancy Alonzo: Norm, in your sweet and funny way, you asked me if I thanked you in my acknowledgments. The truth is, I can’t thank you and Nan enough for welcoming me into your family and loving me like your own daughter. When the Bible says that God restores what the locusts have eaten, I was blessed with y’all. Your support and encouragement mean more to me than I can express in this small thank-you. Likewise, Norman Jr. and Lori and Becca; Roland and Pam Savin and family, you have been a treasured gift to me.
To my family in the Lord: Your belief that this story needed to be shared with the world kept me going on days when I wanted to throw a brick at the computer screen and run out the door. Thank you for praying and standing with me.
Jeff and Courtney Ball and family, Mark and Melinda Flint, Curtis and Rhonda Gray, Steve and Cindy Hollander, Shino and Kelli Prater, Derek and Linda Schujahn, Peter and Nicki Penrose, the Barker Family, and my little sis, Wren Wimmer: I can’t write this without tears welling up in my eyes. You have been our “through thick and thin” friends. Your friendship has made this journey we’re on together full of love and laughter and always God centered. Thank you for letting me and my family be a part of yours and for sharing holidays and fun times together. And the thank-yous could go on and on.
Thanks to my Bible study group for your constant prayers, love, and support: Maretta Rohrer, Kellie Seboa, Alice Bray, Sharon Campbell, Kathi Katina, Jane Hayes, Cristi Robinson, Missy Worton, Lenair Sparks, and Robin Mowbray—thank you for your encouragement and writing accountability.
Breeon Phillips, who heard my story and sent the synopsis to a friend and got the publishing ball rolling, thanks for being the flame that started the fire.
Bob DeMoss, I have written so many thank-yous to you in my mind while we have colabored over this book. You are an amazing writer and collaborator. I’m thankful that God allowed your abilities to grace this work. Thank you for the countless hours of constructing this story from tiny pieces of information and then turning it into a masterpiece. Only God knows all the sacrifices you and Leticia made to make this dream a reality. For all the time we asked ourselves if this book would ever be finished, I am deeply grateful for your persistence to push through to the last written word. Because of your commitment and effort, this story of forgiveness and redemption is forever recorded, and I am eternally thankful to you and your family.
Missy Worton, thank you for introducing me to Bob DeMoss. Your heart for this story blesses me beyond words.
Greg Johnson and WordServe Literary Group, thank you for taking a chance on me by flying to Nashville just to hear me tell my story and, in turn, believing it was “book worthy.” Thank you for your support and prayers throughout this project. Your patience and assurance that this book would be written brought peace to my soul on days when I could not see the end in sight. Thank you.
Tyndale House Publishers, I am thankful that my life has been touched by such people of integrity and sincerity. You have blessed me with your notes of encouragement and thoughtful gifts. I have a new respect for the publishing world. I had no idea of all that is involved in forming a story into a readable project. I simply took reaching over to grab a book and reading it for granted.
My thanks to the Tyndale book team, especially Jan Long Harris for taking time to listen and agree this story had to be told; Sharon Leavitt for being so real and making it easy on me as a first-time writer; Mark Taylor and his commitment to continue his father’s legacy through Tyndale, which publishes my favorite translation of the Bible, the New Living Translation; and Doug Knox and the rest of my new friends at Tyndale—please accept a lifetime of thank-yous for making my dream come true.
My thanks to Sam Chappell and Andy Miller, who offered their advice on the legalities of writing this book.
A special thanks for sharing your memories, love, and faith go to E. J. and Pat Sellers, Missy Sellers Gore and Terri Cox, Carolyn Sellers, Sue Buffkin, and James and Eleanor Tyree. For the time and memories of Eddie and Johnnie Sellers. Thanks to the members of Free Welcome Church who stood with us in the line of fire and for loving us like part of your own family. I, as well as my family, thank you for your undying devotion and service to the church and Kingdom of God.
To Detective George Dudley, who came to our home countless times to protect and investigate and for sharing your own account of what happened, thank you.
To Captain David Mobles of the sheriff’s department of Whiteville, for your willingness to help locate any information concerning our story.
I am so thankful to know that there are people in the world who will lend a helping hand in a time of need, even if they’ve just met you. That is the case with Niki Dennis, clerk of the Superior Court in Bladen County, North Carolina. For your time, compassion, and persistence to help us locate information on a thirty-year-old case. I am thankful for your assistance and to know a kind person like you.
Clara Cartrette, because of your coverage of our story in the newspaper, you provided us with a tremendous foundation of accurate information upon which we could build the details of this book. Your passion to get this story out for the public to read during the years of terror brought an awareness to the community and now to anyone who reads this book. Thank you for your tireless effort.
How can I thank ATF Agent Charles D. Mercer? Wherever you are, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being relentless in seeing justice served for the bombings my family experienced while living in Whiteville. All those years of investigating paid off.
My thanks to the pastors who have ministered countless times to me and my family through prayers, counsel, and just being there when we needed them: Rice and Jody Broocks, Ron and Lynette Lewis, John and Maretta Rohrer, Jim and Kathy Laffoon, Rafe and Liz Young, Charles and Barbara Green, Dave and Ina Newell, Sam and Jody Hawkins, and Rick and Karen Long. Also thanks to our Bethel church family here in Nashville and Grace Fellowship of Slidell, Louisiana, led by Pastors Curtis and Rhonda Gray.
To my mom and dad, your willingness to pick up your cross and follow Jesus at any cost demonstrated your unquestionable obedience to God’s Word and love for others. Your desire to reach a lost world and bring hope to the brokenhearted continues to be a powerful testimony of God’s unending love. Even though our time together on this earth was short, your love will last a lifetime in my heart. I’m thankful that we don’t have to say good-bye, only “see ya later,” until we are reunited for eternity.
Most of all, I am grateful to Jesus. I am forever thankful for Your unfailing love and mercies that are new every morning, for making Yourself more real to me each moment we spend together. I love You more than life itself. I am so grateful that Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. That everywhere I go, You go with me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
My Savior, my Friend, and my soon-coming King: Praise be to You forever and ever.
Notes on Chapter Opener Photos
Chapter 1
: Rebecca Alonzo
Chapter 2
: Robert and Ramona (Welch) Nichols on their wedding day
Chapter 3
: Robert and Ramona Nichols, while doing evangelistic work in Brinkley, Arkansas, in March 1967
Chapter 4
: Free Welcome Holiness Church in Sellerstown, North Carolina
Chapter 5
: Rebecca Nichols standing in front of the parsonage
Chapter 6
: Robert and Rebecca Nichols during the family’s 1973 vacation to Cherokee
Chapter 7
: Robert Nichols along with H. J. Watts (behind him and to his left) and two unidentified men
Chapter 8
: Five-year-old Rebecca Nichols on one of her many “wedding days”
Chapter 9
: Free Welcome Holiness Church
Chapter 10
: The last photo of Robert and Ramona Nichols with their children, taken in fall 1977 after Robert performed a wedding
Chapter 13
: H. J. Watts in 1981, just after he had changed his plea from not guilty to nolo contendre in his trial for bombing and conspiracy
Chapter 14
: Rebecca Nichols with her aunt Dot in 1987
Chapter 15
: Kenny, Rebecca, Kolby, and Katelin Alonzo
Afterword
: Daniel Nichols
Notes
1
Willie Sellers is a pseudonym.
2
Willie Sellers comes to mind: E. J. Sellers, interview with author, October 10, 2007.
3
Old-timers claimed that, as a youth: E. J. Sellers, interview with author, October 10, 2007.
4
Mr. Watts was quick to swallow the small fish in town: Mr. Watts is described as “a county kingpin,” which speaks to his reputation and character. Debbie Norton, “Watts’s Guilty Plea Climaxed Surprising Case,” Star News, February 20, 1981.
5
The farmers took the bait: Clara Cartrette, “Watts Pictured As ‘Rich, Powerful Man’ Who Plotted,” The News Reporter, n.d.
6
One of Watts’s favorite lackeys: Debbie Norton, “Watts’s Guilty Plea Climaxed Surprising Case,” Star News, February 20, 1981. Clara Cartrette, “Witness Says Watts Asked Him to Kill Nichols,” The News Reporter, February 19, 1981. Roger Williams testified in court that “he acted as a paid ‘strong arm’ for Watts . . . to help collect unpaid debts.”
7
“That’s the way to go, buddy”: Clara Cartrette, “Witness Says Watts Asked Him to Kill Nichols,” The News Reporter, February 19, 1981.
8
“Mr. Watts, I get my advice”: Clara Cartrette, “Nichols Testifies to Bombings at Sellerstown,” The News Reporter, February 5, 1981.
9
“Mr. Nichols, it doesn’t look”: Ramona Nichols’s journal.
10
“You had better not tell my wife”: Robert Nichols’s journal. He also testified to these statements in court, as reported in Clara Cartrette, “Nichols Testifies to Bombings at Sellerstown,” The News Reporter, February 5, 1981.
11
crawling or walking: Clara Cartrette, “Nichols Testifies to Bombings,” The News Reporter, February 5, 1981.
12
The antics of Mr. Watts in pew number seven: Clara Cartrette, “Tyree Tells of Disruptions,” The News Reporter, February 9, 1981; Debbie Norton, “Witness Tells of Hearing Key Suspect in Case,” Wilmington Morning Star, February 6, 1981.
13
And, while Detective Dudley had a hunch: George Dudley, phone interview with author, January 22, 2009. This explosion, as well as the others directed at the Free Welcome parsonage or church, are itemized in Clara Cartrette, “Many Charges against Three County Residents,” The News Reporter, January 29, 1981.
14
During the Sunday morning service: Robert Nichols’s journal.
15
Mr. Watts, arms folded high across his chest: Robert Nichols’s personal journal. Details of the bombing itself were reported in “Field Near Parsonage Dynamited,” The News Reporter, December 5, 1974; “Minister’s Family Is Harassed,” Fayetteville Observer, December 6, 1974.
16
“Last week’s dynamite hit out behind the house”: Larry Cheek, “The Embattled Pastor,” Fayetteville Times, December 9, 1974.
17
The handwritten note told Mr. Watts “to keep your mouth”: Debbie Norton, “Writing Expert Testifies Suspect Printed Notes,” Star News, February 10, 1981.
18
From the detective’s point of view: “George Dudley, phone interview with author, February 9, 2009.
19
“Tribute to Sellerstown”: The article written by Ramona Nichols appeared in the News Reporter on December 16, 1974. Used with permission.
20
“We used to look for the siege”: Wray Thompson, “More Harassment at Sellerstown Parsonage,” The News Reporter, December 16, 1974.
21
Aunt Pat’s older daughter, Terri, had a ringside seat: Terri Cox, interviewed in person by author on October 20, 2007, in Sellerstown.
22
As we’d soon discover, on Saturday, June 28, 1975: Clara Cartrette, “Witness Says Watts Near Sellerstown Bomb Scene,” The News Reporter, February 9, 1981.
23
The strategy of this, the third bombing: Wray Thompson, “Explosion Damages Church Home Again,” The News Reporter, July 3, 1975.
24
“Don’t go out there”: Carolyn Sellers, interview with author, October 20, 2007.
25
Eleanor asked, “Where’s Danny?”: Pat Sellers recounted details of this exchange in an interview with the author, October 19, 2007, in Sellerstown.
26
“I’m no quitter”: Wray Thompson, “Explosion Damages Church Home Again,” The News Reporter, July 3, 1975.
27
“So many of God’s soldiers”: Ray Wyche, “Tenacious Pastor Bucks Violence,” The Carolina Scene, July 24, 1975.
28
Daddy was toying with the unthinkable: Robert Nichols’s journal testimony.
29
“They felt like they could get to my husband”: Doug Cumming, “Attacks on Minister, Church Probed,” The News and Observer, July 11, 1975.
30
Everyone in the community knew: Ibid., David Eskridge, “Preacher Knows Bombers,” Wilmington Morning Star, September 24, 1975.
31
With the exception of his sea green eyes: Clara Cartrette, e-mail message to author, March 2, 2009.
32
Sharing an office with George Dudley: Clara Cartrette, “Witness Says Watts Near Sellerstown Bomb Scene,” The News Reporter, February 9, 1981. Cartrette reported that an ATF agent testified that when interviewed by ATF agent Charles Mercer on November 10, 1976, Charles Wayne Tedder said he “understood Agent Mercer was offering a $10,000 reward for information that Watts was bombing the parsonage.”
33
“We battle fear from time to time”: Ray Wyche, “Tenacious Pastor Bucks Violence,” The Carolina Scene, July 24, 1975.
34
He had done so much to chase my family away: Clara Cartrette, “Tabor City Man Says Watts Would Remove Nichols,” The News Reporter, February 5, 1981.
35
“We were clicking on the same clock”: James Tyree, interview with author in person on October 20, 2007.
36
“Brother James, God can do the same thing for you”: Ibid.
37
“You can see how closely they are watching us”: David Eskridge, “Preacher Knows Bombers,” Wilmington Morning Star, September 24, 1975.
38
“The search warrant is merely a tool”: Wray Thompson, “Feds Search Premises in Sellerstown Probe,” The News Reporter, October 2, 1975.
39
For instance, because the drama in Sellerstown: Ibid.
40
“On October 16, 1975, the governor publicly offered”: “State Offers $2,500 Reward,” News Reporter, October 16, 1975.
41
The details of this fifth attack appear in a newspaper article contained in a scrapbook owned by the Nichols family. It is titled “5th Explosion” and dated November 10, 1975; however, the name of the reporter and newspaper are missing. This incident is also mentioned in Cartrette, “Many Charges against Three County Residents,” The News Reporter, January 29, 1981.
42
A federal grand jury was assembled: Wray Thompson, “US Subpoenas Eight for Bombing Inquiry,” The News Reporter, n.d.
43
“I’ve never been a violent person”: Dot Nichols, interview with author on November 24, 2008, in Franklin, Tennessee.
44
“It will take at least three weeks to come around”: “Rev. Nichols a Patient in University Center,” November 25, 1975. (Note: Author’s newspaper clipping does not indicate the reporter’s or newspaper’s name.)
45
The generous church family voted to purchase Daddy a new 1976 Buick: Robert Nichols’s journal has a handwritten note: “Church helped buy car, 1976 Buick, made Mr. Watts mad.”
46
“You’re a thorn in a friend of mine’s side”: Clara Cartrette, “Williams Says Watts Would Frame Tedder,” The News Reporter, February 19, 1981.
47
“I’ve just got to get out”: Ibid.
48
“You’re a good ole boy”: Cartrette, “Witness Says Watts Asked Him to Kill Nichols,” The News Reporter, February 19, 1981.
49
“One more valley, one more hill”: “One More Valley,” words and music by Dottie Rambo and Jimmie Davis, copyright © 1966.
50
That evening, Mr. Watts returned to his old tricks: Clara Cartrette, “Many Charges Against Three County Residents,” The News Reporter, January 29, 1981.
51
“If you make it look like an accident”: Clara Cartrette, “Williams Says Watts Would Frame Tedder,” The News Reporter, February 19, 1981.
52
“We’re all sort of shaken”: “Blast Rocks Parsonage in Columbus,” Morning Star, October 14, 1976.
53
“I walked outside to see”: Clara Cartrette, “Blast Rocks Church, Suspect Questioned,” The News Reporter, 1976. (Note: Author’s newspaper clipping does not provide the specific date for this article.)
54
“This thing’s got to come to a close”: Ibid.
55
What Mr. Watts failed to report: Clara Cartrette, “Witness Says Watts Asked Him to Kill Nichols,” The News Reporter, February 19, 1981.
56
The visitor came: The story of the Ku Klux Klan member’s visit was told to the author by Dot Nichols in an interview with the author on November 24, 2008, in Franklin, Tennessee. She learned of it from a conversation with Robert Nichols.
57
Wanted these officers to know he was “well off”: Clara Cartrette, “Witness Says Watts Near Sellerstown Bomb Scene,” The News Reporter, February 9, 1981.
58
“Please get out of there”: As told to the author by Dot Nichols in an interview on November 24, 2008, in Franklin, Tennesee. She first heard about the exchange through a conversation with Grandma Welch.
59
She was well aware of his criminal record: Star Regional Staff, “Columbus Minister Injured, Wife Slain,” Wilmington Morning Star, March 24, 1978.
60
“You know, Ramona, I’m not sure how safe”: As told to the author by Pat Sellers in person at her house in Sellerstown, North Carolina, on October 19, 2007.
61
“How are you doing, Harris?”: The following conversation and movements are from a transcript of the trial State of North Carolina vs. Harris Kelton Williams, as well as Rebecca’s memories of the event.
62
At 6:09 p.m., as I would later learn: Clara Cartrette, “Bizarre Shooting Described,” Clara Cartrette, The News Reporter, August 14, 1978.
63
“How badly are you hurt?”: The following conversations and movements are from a transcript of the trial State of North Carolina vs. Harris Kelton Williams.
64
The phone rang: Dot Nichols told the story of James Tyree’s call to Robert’s parents’ home during an interview with the author November 24, 2008, in Franklin, Tennessee.
65
“We’re putting you . . . and her . . . in God’s hands”: Ibid.
66
“Hands were raised in glory”: Clara Cartrette, “‘We’re Here in Victory’ Call of Memorial Service,” The News Reporter, March 27, 1978.
67
“It would appear that we’re here in defeat”: Ibid.
68
“Ramona was a servant of the church”: Ibid.
69
“Now, Rebecca, you see that thing”: Excerpts taken from the court transcript of the State of North Carolina vs. Harris Kelton Williams. Dialogue has been edited slightly for readability.
70
“I would like to see justice”: Clara Cartrette, “Nichols Did Not Seek Vengeance,” The News Reporter, August 14, 1978.
71
“It’s so hard to look at him”: Ibid.
72
Assistant District Attorney Mike Easley was the first: Details from the closing arguments reported by Clara Cartrette, “Williams Is Given Life Imprisonment,” The News Reporter, August 14, 1978.
73
According to the newspaper account: Clara Cartrette, “Jury Selection Begins in Sellerstown Bombing Case,” The News Reporter, January 26, 1981.
74
This move prevented the prosecutor: Clara Cartrette, “Watts Pictured As ‘Rich, Powerful Man’ Who Plotted,” The News Reporter, n.d.
75
“I have to take tranquilizers”: Bill Gaither, “3 Columbus Residents Indicted in Bombings,” Fayetteville Times, n.d.
76
“If you’re not very careful”: Clara Cartrette, “Spivey Says Attorneys Harassed, Scared Him,” The News Reporter, n.d.
77
“A rich and powerful man in Columbus County”: Clara Cartrette, “Watts Pictured As ‘Rich, Powerful Man’ Who Plotted.”
78
One of the most damaging . . . was a government witness who claimed: Debbie Norton, “Watts Pleads Guilty in Bombing,” Wilmington Morning Star, February 20, 1981.
79
“The picture painted of him”: Clara Cartrette, “Watts Given Four 5-Year Terms; Fined $25,000,” The News Reporter, February 23, 1981.
80
the judge, who had represented him in years past: Debbie Norton, “Watts’s Guilty Plea Climaxed Surprising Case,” The Wilmington Star, February 20, 1981.
81
“When the Reverend Robert F. Nichols came to Sellerstown”: Clara Cartrette, “Watts Given Four 5-Year Terms.”
82
After commending Agent Charles Mercer for a “thorough and relentless investigation”: Cartrette, “Watts Given Four 5-Year Terms,” describes the judge’s actions and comments during sentencing.
83
“When you forgive a person who wronged you”: Lewis Smedes, “Five Things Everyone Should Know about Forgiving,” first air day, October 5, 1997, http://www.csec.org/csec/sermon/smedes_4101.htm (accessed August 28, 2009).
84
“The Lord is good”: Hannah Whitall Smith, God of All Comfort, chapter 7.