The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-09-07
RALSTON'S LAST SWIM.
Suicide or Accident!
The Remarkable End of a Re-
markable Man.
[Alta California, August 2S.l

lalsd Cdluorula, august 20.
Inquiries as to the events preceding the
| rescue OF the body from the bay were imme-
diately begun. Three boys-E. Walema, Alf
wandering along the beach about o'clock,
when they noticed him coming down the
bluff from Leavenworth street.
He was dressed in neat suit of black, and
did not seem particularly distressed in mind.
He came up to the old wharf and walking out
on the stringers sat down on the outermost
one. He then took number of papers from
his pocket and began to tear them and scatter
them on the water beneath. After destroying
a number of letters, he got up, and turning
to one of the boys asked him if he thought it
was too cold to take a swim. The boy an
swered that he did not think it was. Mr.
RalstoD then walked upon the beach, and
turning his face in the direction of the Nep-
tune Bath-house, slowly moved away. TIE
boys still followed, noticing that he walked
close to the edge of the water.
He again put his hand into the breast pocket
of his coat, and drawing out several more let
ters and two books with leather covers, look
ing like bank deposit BOOKS, tore them up in
to small pieces and threw them into the water.
He finally reached the bath house and entered
it, the boys losing sight of him. Small pieces
of paper were still to be seen floating upon
the water after o'clock Two pieces were
picked up by reporters They read as follows:
''wrote-the last letter-going to send-Phil
som" On the back: "write this" The
second piece: Dear sister-No =" Pieces
of the covers of bank deposit books vera also
picked up.
THE BATH-HoUsE KEEPERS STORIES.
Clarence G. Richards and J. Dunkley, who
keep the Neptune Bath-House at the foot of
al a. al
Mr.. Ralston came into the bath-house little
dollar, asked for towels. He had been in the
habit of coming to the .bath-house for long
time past, coming sometimes two or three
times week, and at oiher Tires allowing
week or two to intervene between his visits
He had bathed last Monday.
Richards went to get the towels, and while
doing so Mr.. Ralston turned to one of the lit
tie children playing at the door and spoke
kindly and cheerfully to it. He also ad-
dressed Mrs. Richards a pleasant salutation.
On Richards returning with the towels and
Mr.. Ralston beginning to divest himself of
his clothing, he noticed that he was in high
state of perspiration, his underclothe5 being
quite wet. Remarking this to Mr.. Ralston,
the latter said that he would give himself
good rubbing down and take shower bath
before going into the bay. When all the outer
clothing was removed, taking his coat, vest
and pants in his hands he handed them to
Richards, saying 6 want you to put these
away for me, and be very careful with them.
They contain valuables."
This he had never done before, but Rich
ards took them and placed them in his bed
room. Subsequently, when it was known
that Mr.. Ralston was dead, Col Fry and
Capt. Lees went to the bath-house and re-
h. 11kl,4 H.
pockets were found a watch and chain. gold
studs, bunch of keys, small sum of money,
two pocket knives, two ivory tablets and a
number of papers. All the articles were
placed in valise and taken to Col. Fry's res
idence, 1912 Jackson street.
THE FATAL SWIM.
Mr. Ralston having put on pair of swim
walked out from the bath
house, and going to the end of a small wharf
took header. Always an excellent swim
mer, the bath-keepers soon noticed him brave
ly striking out in the direction of Alcatraz
Island; also observed him playing in the
water, alternately diving and swimming on
his back. They saw him swim out at least
six hundred yards. In the bath house-hav-
ing a short time before come out of
the water were Mr. Giamboni, of
Campis restaurant, and G.. BALI ,rini, who
having finished dressing themselves, suddenly
turned to Richards and said: What is the
matter with that gentleman who just went
into the water? See, he is floating on the
water and making no signs of movement"
Richards had also noticed this. He hastily
Jumped into boat and rowed out. Mr.. Raj
ston, now taken by the tide, was floating
down toward Selby's Lead Works, and before
ne could reach the body it was picked up by
VI. J. Clarke. He subsequently took. the in
formation to the coroner's office.
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