Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1872-01-13
OBITUARY
J. NICK THOMAS.

Some years ago. before the late war, an
agreement was entered into between the
subject OF t.i.s notice and the writer to the
effect that the suryivingpariy should write
died. Little did We think then SO soon IL
would dcvolve upon one of us TO perform
this mela nchoiy duty.
JOHN NICHOLAS THOMAS was born in
Christian county, n.y., In July, 1898, and at
the time of his death was In his thirty
third year. From early childhood he ex-
hibited those traits OF character which
were 80 fully developed in manhood, and
80 closely allied him TO his friends while
they made him the pride of all his rela-
tiyes. In early life he entered the CHRoS-
IcLE Office at this place, then owned by his
father, X. W. Thomas, ESQ.,, where he soon
excel d In every branch Of the printing
business. AS type setter he was rapid
and correct. and as q job printer no showed
q most excellent taste and bid fair to take
a high stand In this branch of 'the art
preventative OF all arts," had he not given
1t up for a commercial life ms one more
congenial to his tastes. As q writer he was
fluent and possessed q most vivid imagina-
ton. Al q musician he had n quick ear and
| ready execution, and was, through this in
strumentaIity, the means Of affordlng great
most beautiful letters we have ever read
was written by him in answer to letter
from friend inforning him of the advent
hood, he was the very soul of honor. When
| the abolitionists of the north cried, "hav-
oc! and let loose the dogs OF war" Nick
Thomas " as one Of the first to enlist In the
armies of the South and as q member OF
company II, inthe 18th Tennessee regimen ut
he was q most faithful and efficient soldier
Even when disrasc III p,vy-,i upon him,
, lnnt'.s MIN for the arduous duties OF
camp, he never wavered, hut chung closely
to the battle nag OF the Southern confede-
/ racy until Its hum llilting termination by
defeat from ovcrpowerins numbers.
The army. whilst trniy n place "to try
| n
standpoint from which to test their private
characters, and II any man has ever said
aught against Nick Thomas honor or his
Is soldier ., or ,ns man It has neye,
soiled and weather-beaten back" he came
when the false cry OF peace was promul
gated throughout the land, with the seeds
OF the slow but sure disease from which ne
died sown deeply In his body.
Though lingering along for the last foul
housekeeping against hope-with ali the
Ideiucive dreams OF restoration which art
ever In the minds of consumptives, he wa,
the same genial, whole-souled man as o
yore-the very life OF the circle of his nc
quaintance-the beloved of every child
who knew him, and the brightest ray o
sunshine in a loving fathers and doing
mothers hearts. Even In his last moments
his affection for little children strongly ex
hibited itself. When too weak To hold 9
favorite little nephew In his arms, he would
request some one to hold him by his bed
side while he held his hand.
!. Upon one who was most Intimate witt
him from early childhood ~ manhood
. whose friendship had almost turned int
q brothers love, has fallen the sad, sac
duty of writing this simple tribute TO hi
manly worth. No listlsss fiattery il neces
v sm "a be ss ~ 9r hT yr
well, dear friend. May the green turf res
. lightly upon you. and the flowers you low e.
so we'll bloom profusely about your grave
, (,larksvitle Ian. 4 1870