The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-09-13
A sad. RHentfnlH HISTORY.

IN the winter OF ls64-J, party OF Guar
termasters and their clerks left this city an
route 10 the small village Of PASSPORT. Miss /,
a post which, in the imagination Of general
readers, owing to the exaggerated accounts
given bynewspaper correspondent. assumed
unnecessary Importance.
The steamer upon which this precious
height embarked was known by the Man
haitian title Of " New York" 10 was small
stern-wheel steamer, with limited accom-
modation5 and no adornmcnts
The freight alluded TO arrived safely at
PASSPORT, at which point the steamer was
converted into a floating Quartermaster's
Office, with Capt. H. Rugar 81, Chief Depot
Quartermaster.
Csrt Pngar vvea nrou Of high natural
endowment. A resident Of Chicago, and
subsequently Quartermas.er in charge Of
the Northwestern Railroad, he combined
practice with eminent qualifications. In
deed, he was a graduate in one Of the first
classes Of an Eastern College In the de-
partment which he represented, ne bore a
high reputation, until, at an unfortunate
moment, he acquired fondness ior liquor.
Il was under the influence Of liquor that be
compelled the officers ofthe Inflated steamer
" Eclipse " to proceed down the Tennessee
river, notwithstanding their protests and
explanations that the boat was liable 10 cx
plosion. The sad disaster which occurred
near Jonsonville is well kuoEn.
Subsequently,, Cap ain Rugar returned to
the bosom Of has family in Chicago. But
the deadly fiend, the demon Of drink, pur-
sued him thither. Not the cntreaties and
pleadings Of an eudeared and agonized wife.
not the prayers aud tears Of his di grsced
children, could reclaim the man from tho
infatuating influences Of drink. Ina short
time, he died the death Of a drmkard
Like master, like man, % is an old saying.
and is, in this instance exceedingly trite.
A man by the name Of Thompson, with the
familiar prefix Of doctor, was Captain Ru-
gsr's Chief Clerk. Intelligent to a high
degree, and perfectly conversaut with eli
the duties pertaining to his department, he
was regarded by all who knew him as an
excellent man. However, the fatal glass
was placed to his lips, and he yielded to the
general pressure, aud afterwards became
confirmed drunkard. Still, although the
fever Of drink danced through his brains,
his mental faculties were apparently as Wig
orous as ever.
a lapse Of several months occurred, ere
We met "Doctor'' Thomps,n. We met him
on Cherry street, in this city, a short time |
since. Upon meeting us ne expressed him
self as being gratifed, saying that he had |
entirely sb-tained from the use Of intoxi |
eating drinks. We graspeI his hand cor
daily and said that We were glad to hear
fit
Yesterday morning our business called us /
within the limits Of a drinking saloon in
this city which is known a. "The Light
house." No. GO Cherry street. There We
learned that doctor" Thompson, who had
broken his resolution aud arain embraced
the destroyer, had been seized with series
1f apopiectic FITS, that his recovery had been
pronounced impossible. aud that he had
been borne to the ousrtermssier's Ho.pital
ia South Nashville, where within o lew
minutes after bis arrival be had expired.
Such are the outlines Of brief history
Two men Of acknowledged ability, who
would have adorned any social circle in the
country have fallen victims 10 iutemperance.
Nay We hope that their exam pies viii speak
louder than words" 70 those who think
kat they "knoW where 90 .topg" To those
yho think that "a glass Of beer won't hunt
ny body2"
We sincerely hope that our young friends
viii adopt the motto that cold water is better
han al Intoxicating drinks. When they
row older. when they achieve man . estate,
hey will be convinced Of the wisdom Of our
.dvice.