Monmouth Preparing the Great Nicola Festival to Celebrate a Forgotten Illusionist

By: Warren County Historical Society

The Warren County Historical Society has been hosting the Great Nicola Magic Festival since 2018 in honor of William Nicol, one of the greatest showmen of the early twentieth century. William Nicol, The Great Nicola, was an internationally recognized magician, escape artist, and illusionist. Nicol was Houdini's greatest rival and filled venues around the World, yet today, few people have heard of him. So, who was the Magician of Monmouth?

The Great Nicola in Bombay, India 1911. 

William Mozart Nicol was born in Burlington, Iowa, in 1880. His father, John Nicol, a photographer and magician, moved the family to Monmouth, Illinois, in 1884. From an early age, Will and his brother Charles helped their father in his magic shows and learned the tricks of the trade. In 1898, Will accompanied his brother Charles to the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition in Omaha, Nebraska, to open a photography booth. As it turned out, this was the defining moment in Will's life. While at the Exposition, he was able to procure a position as a magician under his father's stage name, Nicoli. Not only did this turn of events expose young Will to the excitement and grandeur of performing before large audiences and give him experience dealing with the business side of magic, but he was also introduced to the famous Chinese magician, Ching Ling Foo, who fired up his interest for the Orient.

Upon his return to Monmouth, Will announced he intended to perform in the Paris Exposition in 1900. Will traveled to Paris in 1900, and with the help of another famous Monmouth native entertainer, Loie Fuller, he launched his career. Returning home after a highly successful run of twenty-two weeks, Will set about creating the show that would make him internationally famous.

One of the Great Nicola's famous illusions, "Mystery of the Russian Prison"

In 1903, his father passed away, and Will changed his stage name to the Great Nicola. He traveled around the United States, putting on shows, raising money, and gaining experience as a master magician and escape artist. 1910 The Great Nicola began his international tour and became famous across Asia, Australia, and Africa. He toured for three years before returning home. After a brief stay to refurbish his show, Nicola headed for South America and then India, China, and Korea. At the close of World War I, Nicola and his brother Charles toured Europe, putting on shows for Allied forces. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Nicola's fame grew as he traveled the World. His show grew as well, with sets designed to show India, Egypt, China and his workshop was even held in Monmouth, Illinois. By 1939, Nicola certainly had one of the largest touring magic shows in the World, containing 50 tons of equipment, sets, and costumes, all valued at about

$100,000. Unfortunately, Nicola's 1938-1939 tour ended in tragedy. The act was a huge hit in New Zealand, Australia, Java, Bali, and Singapore. But as Nicola sailed from Singapore on November 13, 1939, his ship struck a mine laid by the British to protect the harbor from the Japanese, and his entire show was destroyed. Nicola spent the next few years trying to rebuild his act and did put together a smaller USO show that toured the military facilities and hospitals throughout the Midwest and Texas. Nicola's health began to decline during this period, and he died at home in Monmouth on February 1, 1946, at the age of 65.

The Great Nicola performing in South Africa in 1912.

For six years, the Warren County Historical Society has hosted the Great Nicola Magic Festival to bring local and internationally known magicians together at the Warren County History Museum for an exciting and unforgettable event. This year, the festival will be on September 27th and 28th.

Tickets are available online and at the museum at 238 South Sunny Lane in Monmouth. For more information, visit the museum's website or call 309-734-8433.

The Great Nicola demonstrating his ability to escape from handcuffs in Philadelphia in the 1920s. He removed all seven pairs in 3 minutes.