The Nevada journal., 1856-03-07
For the Journal.
ORITu A r Y

"LesTcJ have their time to fall
And flowers to wither at the north-winds breath,
And stars to set, but all
Ihou hast oil seasons for thine own, o, death n'
Seldom indeed, have been called to the discharge
Of 50 mournful duty that of ,ecordng the death
Of Captain REUBEN RInERs, who "shufied or this
mortal coi the 4th inst in thi. city, in the fourth
year of his age.
The deceased had been long and intimately kaoxn
to the citizens of Nevada and his sudden and untmely
death has awakened sensation of almost universal
sorrow and regret. This morning at 10 o'clock his
remains were consigned to their last resting place in
the presence of largo number of sympathising
friends whose serious air and mostoned eyes indicated
but too plainly that they had sustained loss which
will not be easily repaired. And indeed, it may be
said of the deceased, that take him all in all we
ne'er shall look upon his like again"
Having, in early youth, given promise Of eminent
military talent his friends decided that tho Captain
should enter the army, and such was the splendor of
his FIRST achievements that he was at once promoted
to the command Of the forces stationed at Nevada
Like many others of his adventurous profession Capt
hyners was e.ceednsiy Pugnacious' but was never;
brave. The campaigns through which he passed and
which for the most part he conducted in propra per-
soma, were numerous, stirring and eventful and
wanting perhaps only in the pomp and circumstance
of war" to have rendered them the most brilliant and
imposing upon record From the force of carly train
ing the Captain had become so passionately enam-
ored of soldiers life that he was rarely ever conteu
ted when In the discharge of active professional
duty, and during the last two years of his life, it
his custom always of an afternoon to take po-
stion in front of the camp and make ndiscriminate
charge upon every straggler that unfortunate
to pass that way In all these little extempora-
Eeous ekirmishes it was the Captains invariabfe
policy to surprise the enemy by attacking him in the
redra stratagetic mode of warfare which he pursued
With the most astonishing success having rarely failed
to leave himself the undisputed master of the field
Reuben kyners was dead game-an astute diplo-
matist-a finished tactician and matchless discip-
inarian. An extreme jealousy Of his own authority
was probably the distinctive element in the Captains
character and every attempt at its usurpation re-
ceived summary and condign punishment, irrespec-
tive OF the influence rank, title or position Of the
offender.
The Captain had long enjoyed the freedom Of the
city and was everywhere . welcome guest and was
always treated with that kindness consideration and
respect which were due alike to his surprising private
worth and his distinguished military attainments-
The Captain was medtative, dignifed, serious pro-
found and yet he was accessible and social in high
degree. His perceptions were discriminating, quick
and clear. and many Of his most important concu-
sions were reached with the rapidty Of intuition and
the accuracy Of mathematical demonstration.
To the giddy sports and hair Drained pranks of
volatile puppyhood the Captain seldom condescended
and when occasionally he did so far unbend his dig
nifty as to change ring" take turn, it seemed
to be less for the purpose Of his relaxation and
engagement than for the qualification and amuse-
ment Of his gallant protege, Lieut.. Thomas Holmes
vho for the last six months had been tho bosom friend
and boon companion Of the late, lamented Captain
and had gone with him, side by side, through many
of bis most sanguinary contests
The immediate cause of the Captains unexpected
death has not beenery clearly aecertained but the
prevailing opinion aoDg his friends seems to be that
he individually sw4bwed dose Of strychnine which
had been prepared and spread for the destruction Of
some "whelp or cur of low degree"
Whatever may have been the hapless cause of this
unfortunate event, the friends Of Captain Ryners
would derive but melancholy satisfaction from
knowledge of it and would then perhaps be no less in
cined than now. to cherish the memory and lament
the loss OF highly popular and well-known citizen
who in the very zenith of his fame has passed away
Nevada, March 5, 1856. Fl.