Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-08-14
nenfll of CoI. NFm. D. Rryan.

These columns yesterday, in the usual
funeral notice, chronicled the death on the
previous evening, of Colonel William p.
Bryan, long resident Of this city and
known to an extensive acquaintance
throughout the Southwest. He had been
for many months, years we may say, a suf-
ferer from that slow but sure destroyer
consumption; aud to arrest its progress, had
sought in European travel and sojourns in
repuled favorable climates in this country,
all the resources Of nature and art. But
in vain, medical skill, nor wholesome airs,
nor fund Of remarkably vivacious spirits
ia the midst Of physical depression, nor
the tender ard ceaseless musings of de-
voted and now deeply bereaved wife, could
do more than paliate. His genial spirit,
whose humor lighted up every circle in
which be was thrown, and won troops Of
friends in every class Of society, has parted
from the wrecked tenement in which il has
70 long struggled, and it Is the earnest
hope Of the writer Of this, az II is of hun
dreds Of others who knew him well, that il
has found rest in that region where suffer
ing and sorrow are unknown. The faith Of
the Christian soothed and cheerd His last
days and a life guiltless of harm TO his
iellow-men, and gnided in its course by the
high dictates Of honor and the impulses Of
a warm and generous nature, has left him
a good name that will be cherished on
earth and a memory that will smell sweet
aud blossom long after he shall have be.
come dust.
Col Bryan was born in Robertson connty,
in this State, and was Ia the 47th year Of
his age at his death Reared in opulence,
he bad all the advantages Of the best
schools and the best society. He graduated
with honor az the University Of Nashville,
when the elder Lindsey, Hamilton, Cross
and Troos, were among his precepiors.
Ga leaving college he travelled in foreign
countries, where he spent many wears in
adding TO his stores OF information. On
his return he engaged in planting in North
Alabama aud Louisiana, and ranked "A one
Of the irst Of our useful and successful
citizens. lie was possessed Of a superior
intellect which knew men and things
acutely aud thoroughly, and il was his
wont IN engaging conversation, TO give his
Impressions of them in a style which made
him a most attractive member of the social
circle In that sphere he was one of the
most accomplished Of bis age, his race apd
country. No one excelled him in general
information, none in the graces of life,
none in the virtues and exeelleneies
which adoru manhood. Plain and I'M
ostentaiious in his habits, he won
friends on the slightest contact, while he
riveted % him those whom he received in
his confidence, with hooks Of steel. He was
wholly unambtious and never sought
public honors, preferring quiet and retire
ment The intelligenoeiof his death, though
long expected, will give pain 10 many dis
tant friends who appreciated the amiable
qualities we have feebly attempted to
depict and many will sigh as they remem-
Der the iovial hours Of his companionship,
and think Of Col. Billy Bryan as no more.
To those immediate friends who have
been made desolate by his death, We unite
our coincidence, and TO his surviving wife,
whose devotion in his long illness rendered
il doubtful which should survive, we offer
our heartfelt sympathy,