Judson was the son of Horace and Rhoda (Kingsley) Rust.
Civil War Info: American Civil War Soldiers Record
Name: Judson Rust
Enlistment Date: 01 September 1861
Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Side Served: Union
State Served: New York
Unit Numbers: 1314 1314 1314
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 01 September 1861 at the age of 19
Enlisted in on 11 September 1861.
Reenlisted in on 29 December 1863
Transferred on 29 August 1864 from company M to company A
Promoted to Full Bugler on 29 August 1864
Mustered out on 23 June 1865 in Alexandria, VA
(Co A 2nd NY Cavalry)
He then went back to Brandon, VT and worked until he re-enlisted in March 1871, at Buffalo, NY. In March of 1873 he was a Sgt. He re-enlisted again July 17, 1876 in NY at the Post of Fort Columbus ___. By Dec 26, 1878 he was at the USA Post Hospital at Fort Sanders, Wyoming Territory, and was a Sgt Major, 4th Reg't Inft. He re-enlisted again 17 July 1881 in the state of Nebraska, Fort Omaha. He was 36 years old.
Papers show he was discharged from service for disability November 21, 1882, from U.S.A. Post Hospital, Ft Douglas, Utah Territory. Under remarks: This man committed suicide by shooting himself on November 24, 1882, 3 days after being discharged the service.
Discharge Book, Discharged July 1, 1882 to June 30, 1883 (Book Number 13). Page 160. Rust, Judson H, Pvt, Co K 6 Inf. Nov 21, 1882 discharged, place of discharge: Ft Douglas, U. T. (Utah Territory) Cause of discharge: Facial neuralgia and chronic and inveterate dyspepsia. Degree of disability is not stated. Orig in line of duty is marked yes. Remarks: S. M. Horton, U. S. A.
========
Rutland Weekly Herald dated 12-7-1882
Column three, page 3
Suicide of a Brandon Man
Judson H. Rust, a native of Brandon, 51 years of age, enlisted in the army in 1861, and served with distinction in the army until Nov. 21, 1882, when he was discharged at Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory on account of sickness. He had been several times honorably discharged and carried the papers next his heart. He began his military career as a private and at the time of his discharge he was a sergeant-major.
He had borne all kinds of hardships on the frontier and his final discharge made him disconsolate. He had $70 in money and with that he went to Salt Lake City where he purchased $31 worth of clothing and chanced the balance of his money on the green cloth and left it.
Last week, he visited a gun shop in that city and said he desired to purchase a good revolver. A large one was shown him and after it had been loaded and handed to him, he placed the muzzle to his right temple and before the proprietor could prevent it, pulled the trigger. He fell to the floor and died in a few moments, surrounded by a pool of his own blood. He was buried at Fort Douglass [sic].
=======
Article in The Daily Tribune, Salt Lake City, Saturday, November 25, 1882 telling of Judson's death:
(Several Headlines)
Soldier Suicide
A Discharged Boy in Blue Blows his Brains Out
Strange Strategy of a Determined and Crazy Man
Thos. Carter's Store the Scene of the Shooting
This Brave Soldier, who in 1861 enlisted as a mere lad got his first honorable discharge as a volunteer in 1863 and re-enlisted four times, always with the most creditable discharges. He braved battle and suffering; stood for 21 years the hardships and trials of camp and frontier life; served under the severest discipline; encountered the fortuities of a rough life in every shape; and after all this, fell in a moment of despondency or insanity the victim of his own hand, when near his faltering heart were pocketed discharges reading "excellent, sober and intelligent; devoted to duty; an excellent soldier, well instructed in the duties of his office, and a trustworthy man."
A man with such claims on his country and fellow man must be insane when taking his life in his own hands, for fear that society will refuse him employment or deny him the facilities of earning a living.
Most of his time he served at Fort Bridger, Fort Omaha and Fort Douglas, being appointed a Sergeant Major at Fort Bridger in July, 1873.
Discharged on the 21st of November 1882 for disability (sickness), with $70 in cash as final payment from Fort Douglas, he came to this city and seemed downhearted to his many acquaintances, who looked upon him as a sober and respectable man. Yesterday he bought $31 worth of clothing and, as it appears, chanced the balance of his money on the green cloth, with unfavorable results. Yesterday morning he returned one of his coats to Lipman, the clothier, for which $10 was refunded and he made through with the amount, as at the time of his death not a penny was found in his pockets.
A little later he went to Wagner's saloon, took a broom and showed the bystanders a military drill, asking the barkeeper to give him a revolver, as he wanted to show his agility in using firearms, which request was refused.
About a quarter past one he entered the gun store of Thos. Carter, on Main Street, requesting the proprietor to sell him a good revolver. Mr. Carter took out a 41 double action Colt pistol, which Rust took in hand, asking for a cartridge. This request Mr. Carter refused to comply with, saying that it was contrary to his custom to have strangers load firearms in his store, but that he (Carter) would load it for him. The revolver being loaded by Mr. Carter, Rust insisted on taking a look at the weapon, which was handed him for inspection, as would be done to any purchaser.
The moment Rust got the pistol in his possession he made motion to put it to his right temple. Mr. Carter tried to get over from behind the counter to prevent the crime, which he then suspected. He tried to reach Rust, crying, "Hold on; hold on!" but it was too late, the suicide pulled the trigger and sent the bullet over the right temple through his head, to come out two and a half inches above the left eye, breaking the skull in all directions and piercing the right half of the cerebrum.
The unfortunate man dropped his pistol, reeled half around, vomited out some false teeth and made his dying bed on the hard floor in a large pool f blood. He lingered for about twenty-five minutes and seemingly breathed his last without apparent pain or convulsions. The whole scene from his entrance in the store and the fatal shot did not last five minutes. Doctors Hamilton and Benedict were at once on the spot, but no human aid or medical skill could save the man's life.
On his person were found his military papers, a box of quinine pills, some ivory faro chips and others papers which latter on examination at the Coroner's Jury did not give any more light on the case.
It is believed that he is married, having relations at Sidney on the Union Pacific R. R. Among his papers the coroner found a postal card signed A.R., written by a female hand from Toronto, Canada. [His wife, Addy, was born in Canada.] The coroner took charge of the body, which, through the kindness of the officers at Fort Douglas, will be buried in a decent manner at the Fort. [Note: There is a Sidney, Nebraska, straight east of Cheyenne, Wyo. but apparently not a Sidney, Wyo.]
=======
Judson was survived by his mother, Rhoda (Kingsley) Rust and one brother, Charles, both of Brandon, VT, and many relatives in the Rutland, VT area. He was also survived by his wife, Addy, whom he married sometime after his 1876 enlistment, and two small children, Henry Judson about four years old and George E almost three years old.
=======
U.S. Veterans Cemeteries, ca.1800-2006 Record
Name: Judson H Rust
Service Info.: CIVILIAN
Death Date: 24 Nov 1882
Cemetery: Ft. Douglas Reserve Center
Cemetery Address: C/O Robert Schenke 96 Rsc Bldg 137 Salt Lake City, UT 84113
Buried At: Section H Site 80
Also found this listing online:
Salt Lake City, Utah Cemetery Records, 1848-1992 Record
Name: Judson H. Rust
Birth date: 1845
Birth place: Brandon,Vermont
Death date: Nov 24, 1882
Death place: Salt Lake City, Utah
Plot: 11066 REM.-DO-UGLA-S-CEMT
Burial date: Nov 24, 1882
Civil War Info: American Civil War Soldiers Record
Name: Judson Rust
Enlistment Date: 01 September 1861
Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Side Served: Union
State Served: New York
Unit Numbers: 1314 1314 1314
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 01 September 1861 at the age of 19
Enlisted in on 11 September 1861.
Reenlisted in on 29 December 1863
Transferred on 29 August 1864 from company M to company A
Promoted to Full Bugler on 29 August 1864
Mustered out on 23 June 1865 in Alexandria, VA
(Co A 2nd NY Cavalry)
He then went back to Brandon, VT and worked until he re-enlisted in March 1871, at Buffalo, NY. In March of 1873 he was a Sgt. He re-enlisted again July 17, 1876 in NY at the Post of Fort Columbus ___. By Dec 26, 1878 he was at the USA Post Hospital at Fort Sanders, Wyoming Territory, and was a Sgt Major, 4th Reg't Inft. He re-enlisted again 17 July 1881 in the state of Nebraska, Fort Omaha. He was 36 years old.
Papers show he was discharged from service for disability November 21, 1882, from U.S.A. Post Hospital, Ft Douglas, Utah Territory. Under remarks: This man committed suicide by shooting himself on November 24, 1882, 3 days after being discharged the service.
Discharge Book, Discharged July 1, 1882 to June 30, 1883 (Book Number 13). Page 160. Rust, Judson H, Pvt, Co K 6 Inf. Nov 21, 1882 discharged, place of discharge: Ft Douglas, U. T. (Utah Territory) Cause of discharge: Facial neuralgia and chronic and inveterate dyspepsia. Degree of disability is not stated. Orig in line of duty is marked yes. Remarks: S. M. Horton, U. S. A.
========
Rutland Weekly Herald dated 12-7-1882
Column three, page 3
Suicide of a Brandon Man
Judson H. Rust, a native of Brandon, 51 years of age, enlisted in the army in 1861, and served with distinction in the army until Nov. 21, 1882, when he was discharged at Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory on account of sickness. He had been several times honorably discharged and carried the papers next his heart. He began his military career as a private and at the time of his discharge he was a sergeant-major.
He had borne all kinds of hardships on the frontier and his final discharge made him disconsolate. He had $70 in money and with that he went to Salt Lake City where he purchased $31 worth of clothing and chanced the balance of his money on the green cloth and left it.
Last week, he visited a gun shop in that city and said he desired to purchase a good revolver. A large one was shown him and after it had been loaded and handed to him, he placed the muzzle to his right temple and before the proprietor could prevent it, pulled the trigger. He fell to the floor and died in a few moments, surrounded by a pool of his own blood. He was buried at Fort Douglass [sic].
=======
Article in The Daily Tribune, Salt Lake City, Saturday, November 25, 1882 telling of Judson's death:
(Several Headlines)
Soldier Suicide
A Discharged Boy in Blue Blows his Brains Out
Strange Strategy of a Determined and Crazy Man
Thos. Carter's Store the Scene of the Shooting
This Brave Soldier, who in 1861 enlisted as a mere lad got his first honorable discharge as a volunteer in 1863 and re-enlisted four times, always with the most creditable discharges. He braved battle and suffering; stood for 21 years the hardships and trials of camp and frontier life; served under the severest discipline; encountered the fortuities of a rough life in every shape; and after all this, fell in a moment of despondency or insanity the victim of his own hand, when near his faltering heart were pocketed discharges reading "excellent, sober and intelligent; devoted to duty; an excellent soldier, well instructed in the duties of his office, and a trustworthy man."
A man with such claims on his country and fellow man must be insane when taking his life in his own hands, for fear that society will refuse him employment or deny him the facilities of earning a living.
Most of his time he served at Fort Bridger, Fort Omaha and Fort Douglas, being appointed a Sergeant Major at Fort Bridger in July, 1873.
Discharged on the 21st of November 1882 for disability (sickness), with $70 in cash as final payment from Fort Douglas, he came to this city and seemed downhearted to his many acquaintances, who looked upon him as a sober and respectable man. Yesterday he bought $31 worth of clothing and, as it appears, chanced the balance of his money on the green cloth, with unfavorable results. Yesterday morning he returned one of his coats to Lipman, the clothier, for which $10 was refunded and he made through with the amount, as at the time of his death not a penny was found in his pockets.
A little later he went to Wagner's saloon, took a broom and showed the bystanders a military drill, asking the barkeeper to give him a revolver, as he wanted to show his agility in using firearms, which request was refused.
About a quarter past one he entered the gun store of Thos. Carter, on Main Street, requesting the proprietor to sell him a good revolver. Mr. Carter took out a 41 double action Colt pistol, which Rust took in hand, asking for a cartridge. This request Mr. Carter refused to comply with, saying that it was contrary to his custom to have strangers load firearms in his store, but that he (Carter) would load it for him. The revolver being loaded by Mr. Carter, Rust insisted on taking a look at the weapon, which was handed him for inspection, as would be done to any purchaser.
The moment Rust got the pistol in his possession he made motion to put it to his right temple. Mr. Carter tried to get over from behind the counter to prevent the crime, which he then suspected. He tried to reach Rust, crying, "Hold on; hold on!" but it was too late, the suicide pulled the trigger and sent the bullet over the right temple through his head, to come out two and a half inches above the left eye, breaking the skull in all directions and piercing the right half of the cerebrum.
The unfortunate man dropped his pistol, reeled half around, vomited out some false teeth and made his dying bed on the hard floor in a large pool f blood. He lingered for about twenty-five minutes and seemingly breathed his last without apparent pain or convulsions. The whole scene from his entrance in the store and the fatal shot did not last five minutes. Doctors Hamilton and Benedict were at once on the spot, but no human aid or medical skill could save the man's life.
On his person were found his military papers, a box of quinine pills, some ivory faro chips and others papers which latter on examination at the Coroner's Jury did not give any more light on the case.
It is believed that he is married, having relations at Sidney on the Union Pacific R. R. Among his papers the coroner found a postal card signed A.R., written by a female hand from Toronto, Canada. [His wife, Addy, was born in Canada.] The coroner took charge of the body, which, through the kindness of the officers at Fort Douglas, will be buried in a decent manner at the Fort. [Note: There is a Sidney, Nebraska, straight east of Cheyenne, Wyo. but apparently not a Sidney, Wyo.]
=======
Judson was survived by his mother, Rhoda (Kingsley) Rust and one brother, Charles, both of Brandon, VT, and many relatives in the Rutland, VT area. He was also survived by his wife, Addy, whom he married sometime after his 1876 enlistment, and two small children, Henry Judson about four years old and George E almost three years old.
=======
U.S. Veterans Cemeteries, ca.1800-2006 Record
Name: Judson H Rust
Service Info.: CIVILIAN
Death Date: 24 Nov 1882
Cemetery: Ft. Douglas Reserve Center
Cemetery Address: C/O Robert Schenke 96 Rsc Bldg 137 Salt Lake City, UT 84113
Buried At: Section H Site 80
Also found this listing online:
Salt Lake City, Utah Cemetery Records, 1848-1992 Record
Name: Judson H. Rust
Birth date: 1845
Birth place: Brandon,Vermont
Death date: Nov 24, 1882
Death place: Salt Lake City, Utah
Plot: 11066 REM.-DO-UGLA-S-CEMT
Burial date: Nov 24, 1882
Judson was the son of Horace and Rhoda (Kingsley) Rust.
Civil War Info: American Civil War Soldiers Record
Name: Judson Rust
Enlistment Date: 01 September 1861
Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Side Served: Union
State Served: New York
Unit Numbers: 1314 1314 1314
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 01 September 1861 at the age of 19
Enlisted in on 11 September 1861.
Reenlisted in on 29 December 1863
Transferred on 29 August 1864 from company M to company A
Promoted to Full Bugler on 29 August 1864
Mustered out on 23 June 1865 in Alexandria, VA
(Co A 2nd NY Cavalry)
He then went back to Brandon, VT and worked until he re-enlisted in March 1871, at Buffalo, NY. In March of 1873 he was a Sgt. He re-enlisted again July 17, 1876 in NY at the Post of Fort Columbus ___. By Dec 26, 1878 he was at the USA Post Hospital at Fort Sanders, Wyoming Territory, and was a Sgt Major, 4th Reg't Inft. He re-enlisted again 17 July 1881 in the state of Nebraska, Fort Omaha. He was 36 years old.
Papers show he was discharged from service for disability November 21, 1882, from U.S.A. Post Hospital, Ft Douglas, Utah Territory. Under remarks: This man committed suicide by shooting himself on November 24, 1882, 3 days after being discharged the service.
Discharge Book, Discharged July 1, 1882 to June 30, 1883 (Book Number 13). Page 160. Rust, Judson H, Pvt, Co K 6 Inf. Nov 21, 1882 discharged, place of discharge: Ft Douglas, U. T. (Utah Territory) Cause of discharge: Facial neuralgia and chronic and inveterate dyspepsia. Degree of disability is not stated. Orig in line of duty is marked yes. Remarks: S. M. Horton, U. S. A.
========
Rutland Weekly Herald dated 12-7-1882
Column three, page 3
Suicide of a Brandon Man
Judson H. Rust, a native of Brandon, 51 years of age, enlisted in the army in 1861, and served with distinction in the army until Nov. 21, 1882, when he was discharged at Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory on account of sickness. He had been several times honorably discharged and carried the papers next his heart. He began his military career as a private and at the time of his discharge he was a sergeant-major.
He had borne all kinds of hardships on the frontier and his final discharge made him disconsolate. He had $70 in money and with that he went to Salt Lake City where he purchased $31 worth of clothing and chanced the balance of his money on the green cloth and left it.
Last week, he visited a gun shop in that city and said he desired to purchase a good revolver. A large one was shown him and after it had been loaded and handed to him, he placed the muzzle to his right temple and before the proprietor could prevent it, pulled the trigger. He fell to the floor and died in a few moments, surrounded by a pool of his own blood. He was buried at Fort Douglass [sic].
=======
Article in The Daily Tribune, Salt Lake City, Saturday, November 25, 1882 telling of Judson's death:
(Several Headlines)
Soldier Suicide
A Discharged Boy in Blue Blows his Brains Out
Strange Strategy of a Determined and Crazy Man
Thos. Carter's Store the Scene of the Shooting
This Brave Soldier, who in 1861 enlisted as a mere lad got his first honorable discharge as a volunteer in 1863 and re-enlisted four times, always with the most creditable discharges. He braved battle and suffering; stood for 21 years the hardships and trials of camp and frontier life; served under the severest discipline; encountered the fortuities of a rough life in every shape; and after all this, fell in a moment of despondency or insanity the victim of his own hand, when near his faltering heart were pocketed discharges reading "excellent, sober and intelligent; devoted to duty; an excellent soldier, well instructed in the duties of his office, and a trustworthy man."
A man with such claims on his country and fellow man must be insane when taking his life in his own hands, for fear that society will refuse him employment or deny him the facilities of earning a living.
Most of his time he served at Fort Bridger, Fort Omaha and Fort Douglas, being appointed a Sergeant Major at Fort Bridger in July, 1873.
Discharged on the 21st of November 1882 for disability (sickness), with $70 in cash as final payment from Fort Douglas, he came to this city and seemed downhearted to his many acquaintances, who looked upon him as a sober and respectable man. Yesterday he bought $31 worth of clothing and, as it appears, chanced the balance of his money on the green cloth, with unfavorable results. Yesterday morning he returned one of his coats to Lipman, the clothier, for which $10 was refunded and he made through with the amount, as at the time of his death not a penny was found in his pockets.
A little later he went to Wagner's saloon, took a broom and showed the bystanders a military drill, asking the barkeeper to give him a revolver, as he wanted to show his agility in using firearms, which request was refused.
About a quarter past one he entered the gun store of Thos. Carter, on Main Street, requesting the proprietor to sell him a good revolver. Mr. Carter took out a 41 double action Colt pistol, which Rust took in hand, asking for a cartridge. This request Mr. Carter refused to comply with, saying that it was contrary to his custom to have strangers load firearms in his store, but that he (Carter) would load it for him. The revolver being loaded by Mr. Carter, Rust insisted on taking a look at the weapon, which was handed him for inspection, as would be done to any purchaser.
The moment Rust got the pistol in his possession he made motion to put it to his right temple. Mr. Carter tried to get over from behind the counter to prevent the crime, which he then suspected. He tried to reach Rust, crying, "Hold on; hold on!" but it was too late, the suicide pulled the trigger and sent the bullet over the right temple through his head, to come out two and a half inches above the left eye, breaking the skull in all directions and piercing the right half of the cerebrum.
The unfortunate man dropped his pistol, reeled half around, vomited out some false teeth and made his dying bed on the hard floor in a large pool f blood. He lingered for about twenty-five minutes and seemingly breathed his last without apparent pain or convulsions. The whole scene from his entrance in the store and the fatal shot did not last five minutes. Doctors Hamilton and Benedict were at once on the spot, but no human aid or medical skill could save the man's life.
On his person were found his military papers, a box of quinine pills, some ivory faro chips and others papers which latter on examination at the Coroner's Jury did not give any more light on the case.
It is believed that he is married, having relations at Sidney on the Union Pacific R. R. Among his papers the coroner found a postal card signed A.R., written by a female hand from Toronto, Canada. [His wife, Addy, was born in Canada.] The coroner took charge of the body, which, through the kindness of the officers at Fort Douglas, will be buried in a decent manner at the Fort. [Note: There is a Sidney, Nebraska, straight east of Cheyenne, Wyo. but apparently not a Sidney, Wyo.]
=======
Judson was survived by his mother, Rhoda (Kingsley) Rust and one brother, Charles, both of Brandon, VT, and many relatives in the Rutland, VT area. He was also survived by his wife, Addy, whom he married sometime after his 1876 enlistment, and two small children, Henry Judson about four years old and George E almost three years old.
=======
U.S. Veterans Cemeteries, ca.1800-2006 Record
Name: Judson H Rust
Service Info.: CIVILIAN
Death Date: 24 Nov 1882
Cemetery: Ft. Douglas Reserve Center
Cemetery Address: C/O Robert Schenke 96 Rsc Bldg 137 Salt Lake City, UT 84113
Buried At: Section H Site 80
Also found this listing online:
Salt Lake City, Utah Cemetery Records, 1848-1992 Record
Name: Judson H. Rust
Birth date: 1845
Birth place: Brandon,Vermont
Death date: Nov 24, 1882
Death place: Salt Lake City, Utah
Plot: 11066 REM.-DO-UGLA-S-CEMT
Burial date: Nov 24, 1882
Civil War Info: American Civil War Soldiers Record
Name: Judson Rust
Enlistment Date: 01 September 1861
Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Side Served: Union
State Served: New York
Unit Numbers: 1314 1314 1314
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 01 September 1861 at the age of 19
Enlisted in on 11 September 1861.
Reenlisted in on 29 December 1863
Transferred on 29 August 1864 from company M to company A
Promoted to Full Bugler on 29 August 1864
Mustered out on 23 June 1865 in Alexandria, VA
(Co A 2nd NY Cavalry)
He then went back to Brandon, VT and worked until he re-enlisted in March 1871, at Buffalo, NY. In March of 1873 he was a Sgt. He re-enlisted again July 17, 1876 in NY at the Post of Fort Columbus ___. By Dec 26, 1878 he was at the USA Post Hospital at Fort Sanders, Wyoming Territory, and was a Sgt Major, 4th Reg't Inft. He re-enlisted again 17 July 1881 in the state of Nebraska, Fort Omaha. He was 36 years old.
Papers show he was discharged from service for disability November 21, 1882, from U.S.A. Post Hospital, Ft Douglas, Utah Territory. Under remarks: This man committed suicide by shooting himself on November 24, 1882, 3 days after being discharged the service.
Discharge Book, Discharged July 1, 1882 to June 30, 1883 (Book Number 13). Page 160. Rust, Judson H, Pvt, Co K 6 Inf. Nov 21, 1882 discharged, place of discharge: Ft Douglas, U. T. (Utah Territory) Cause of discharge: Facial neuralgia and chronic and inveterate dyspepsia. Degree of disability is not stated. Orig in line of duty is marked yes. Remarks: S. M. Horton, U. S. A.
========
Rutland Weekly Herald dated 12-7-1882
Column three, page 3
Suicide of a Brandon Man
Judson H. Rust, a native of Brandon, 51 years of age, enlisted in the army in 1861, and served with distinction in the army until Nov. 21, 1882, when he was discharged at Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory on account of sickness. He had been several times honorably discharged and carried the papers next his heart. He began his military career as a private and at the time of his discharge he was a sergeant-major.
He had borne all kinds of hardships on the frontier and his final discharge made him disconsolate. He had $70 in money and with that he went to Salt Lake City where he purchased $31 worth of clothing and chanced the balance of his money on the green cloth and left it.
Last week, he visited a gun shop in that city and said he desired to purchase a good revolver. A large one was shown him and after it had been loaded and handed to him, he placed the muzzle to his right temple and before the proprietor could prevent it, pulled the trigger. He fell to the floor and died in a few moments, surrounded by a pool of his own blood. He was buried at Fort Douglass [sic].
=======
Article in The Daily Tribune, Salt Lake City, Saturday, November 25, 1882 telling of Judson's death:
(Several Headlines)
Soldier Suicide
A Discharged Boy in Blue Blows his Brains Out
Strange Strategy of a Determined and Crazy Man
Thos. Carter's Store the Scene of the Shooting
This Brave Soldier, who in 1861 enlisted as a mere lad got his first honorable discharge as a volunteer in 1863 and re-enlisted four times, always with the most creditable discharges. He braved battle and suffering; stood for 21 years the hardships and trials of camp and frontier life; served under the severest discipline; encountered the fortuities of a rough life in every shape; and after all this, fell in a moment of despondency or insanity the victim of his own hand, when near his faltering heart were pocketed discharges reading "excellent, sober and intelligent; devoted to duty; an excellent soldier, well instructed in the duties of his office, and a trustworthy man."
A man with such claims on his country and fellow man must be insane when taking his life in his own hands, for fear that society will refuse him employment or deny him the facilities of earning a living.
Most of his time he served at Fort Bridger, Fort Omaha and Fort Douglas, being appointed a Sergeant Major at Fort Bridger in July, 1873.
Discharged on the 21st of November 1882 for disability (sickness), with $70 in cash as final payment from Fort Douglas, he came to this city and seemed downhearted to his many acquaintances, who looked upon him as a sober and respectable man. Yesterday he bought $31 worth of clothing and, as it appears, chanced the balance of his money on the green cloth, with unfavorable results. Yesterday morning he returned one of his coats to Lipman, the clothier, for which $10 was refunded and he made through with the amount, as at the time of his death not a penny was found in his pockets.
A little later he went to Wagner's saloon, took a broom and showed the bystanders a military drill, asking the barkeeper to give him a revolver, as he wanted to show his agility in using firearms, which request was refused.
About a quarter past one he entered the gun store of Thos. Carter, on Main Street, requesting the proprietor to sell him a good revolver. Mr. Carter took out a 41 double action Colt pistol, which Rust took in hand, asking for a cartridge. This request Mr. Carter refused to comply with, saying that it was contrary to his custom to have strangers load firearms in his store, but that he (Carter) would load it for him. The revolver being loaded by Mr. Carter, Rust insisted on taking a look at the weapon, which was handed him for inspection, as would be done to any purchaser.
The moment Rust got the pistol in his possession he made motion to put it to his right temple. Mr. Carter tried to get over from behind the counter to prevent the crime, which he then suspected. He tried to reach Rust, crying, "Hold on; hold on!" but it was too late, the suicide pulled the trigger and sent the bullet over the right temple through his head, to come out two and a half inches above the left eye, breaking the skull in all directions and piercing the right half of the cerebrum.
The unfortunate man dropped his pistol, reeled half around, vomited out some false teeth and made his dying bed on the hard floor in a large pool f blood. He lingered for about twenty-five minutes and seemingly breathed his last without apparent pain or convulsions. The whole scene from his entrance in the store and the fatal shot did not last five minutes. Doctors Hamilton and Benedict were at once on the spot, but no human aid or medical skill could save the man's life.
On his person were found his military papers, a box of quinine pills, some ivory faro chips and others papers which latter on examination at the Coroner's Jury did not give any more light on the case.
It is believed that he is married, having relations at Sidney on the Union Pacific R. R. Among his papers the coroner found a postal card signed A.R., written by a female hand from Toronto, Canada. [His wife, Addy, was born in Canada.] The coroner took charge of the body, which, through the kindness of the officers at Fort Douglas, will be buried in a decent manner at the Fort. [Note: There is a Sidney, Nebraska, straight east of Cheyenne, Wyo. but apparently not a Sidney, Wyo.]
=======
Judson was survived by his mother, Rhoda (Kingsley) Rust and one brother, Charles, both of Brandon, VT, and many relatives in the Rutland, VT area. He was also survived by his wife, Addy, whom he married sometime after his 1876 enlistment, and two small children, Henry Judson about four years old and George E almost three years old.
=======
U.S. Veterans Cemeteries, ca.1800-2006 Record
Name: Judson H Rust
Service Info.: CIVILIAN
Death Date: 24 Nov 1882
Cemetery: Ft. Douglas Reserve Center
Cemetery Address: C/O Robert Schenke 96 Rsc Bldg 137 Salt Lake City, UT 84113
Buried At: Section H Site 80
Also found this listing online:
Salt Lake City, Utah Cemetery Records, 1848-1992 Record
Name: Judson H. Rust
Birth date: 1845
Birth place: Brandon,Vermont
Death date: Nov 24, 1882
Death place: Salt Lake City, Utah
Plot: 11066 REM.-DO-UGLA-S-CEMT
Burial date: Nov 24, 1882
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