Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-06-07
DRUNK AGAIN.
Experiences Of n Late Inmate Of our
County Jail-He Succumbs 20 the In
nuence of Memphis Corn Juice

Experiences Of Late Inmate Of our
County Jail-He Suecumbs 20 the In
nucnce of Memphis Corn Juice.
Last Friday week ago, a man by the
name Of Wallace, who had been arrested on
the charge of stealing an overcoat, was re-
leased fom the Jail in this city, after So
journ Of several months in that secluded
retreat. He had been confirmed opium
eater, an habitual partaker of intoxicating
beverages, and conducted himself in such a
manner as TO excite a strong suspicion that
he was chronic dead beat. His principal
stock in trade consists in statements to the
effect that he was confidential secretary to
Gen. Beauregard during the war, and cor
respondent Of the Nel1 Orleans Times and
Nelc York Tribune since the war, and, as
he is rather intelligent, succeeds in impos-
ing upon the public to a considerable ex-
tent.
Wallace was taken to the st. Vincent
Hospital before being sent to Jail, and while
there was kept from the use of opium for
several weeks. During his confinement in
jail he was denied the use Ofthe drug which
has been his bane, and when, through the
Intervention of a certain kind-hearted resi-
utiib VI ANdouNlllcs was ITOu
Jail at the time above stated, there was a
good color in his cheeks, and his brain was
clear. In consequence of earnest promises
of reformation, he was furnished, through
the efforts Of the gentleman referred to,
with railroad pass to Memphis, a new
suit of clothes, and few dollars in money,
with the understanding that he would at
once proceed to the Hot Springs of Arkan-
sas, where he claimed he had friends. How
far he kept that promise, let the following
from the Memphis appeal, of Friday, tell:
Yesterday a man, giving his name as
Watson, entered Hatcher's bookstore, on
Main street, and wanted to purchase book
on Opium-eating, written by the late Prof.
AgassiZ. While at the store, the visitor,
who appeared to be forty-tive or fifty years
of age, stated that he had been an opium
eater, but was now reformed, and would
never become addicted to tie habit again.
He stated that he left New York several
months ago, and came West as the cores
pOndent of the Ne1o York Tribune Opium
soon wrecked his intellect. but he was suf-
ficiently candid to inform the Tribune of
his deplorable condition, which had I'M
armed him for the duties Of a correspond
ent, Shortly after this he reached Nash
vile, Tenn, and one day while under the
influence of opium, fell on the pave
nRnt. He was arrested, and after be-
ing taken to the work-house where he re-
manned several days, was placed in the
insane asylum for treatment. About a
month after that time he managed 20 as
cape, but was apprehended several days
subsequently and again placed in the asy
lum Owing To careful and scientific treat
ment, his mental faculties We're recovered.
He states that the physicians endeayored to
tempt him in every possible manner, and
would secretly watch to see if he would eat
the opium left within his reach. He, how
ever, never had any desire to again eat
opium, and was a reformed man. After
being discharged, he wrote to his wife, in
forming her of his restoration, and had
come to Memphis for the purpose of going
to Little Rock, where he expected to lee
ture on the subject of opium-eating.
After leaving the bookstore, Watson was
seen about the streets, and finally entered
the railroad ticket siAce ~ the corner of
MSil sud Madison streets. While in the
Office some one knocked him down and in
flicted a severe cash above his eye. The
blood flowed freely, and the unfortunate
man, who was evidently drunk, presented
a most pitiable appearance. The wound
was treated W Dr. II. W. Jones, who
ssyed up the cut. Watson then said he
was penniless and wanted to go to the city
hospital. He was placed in Z stgeeI-eAr to
be taken to fha shove institution, where he
Nill be well cared for. As to his former
connection with the Ne,c York TlEb1pe,
and his misfortune in Nashville, nothing
is known save the statement as published
above.