The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-09-08

From the Alta Ca'Uo,nia's report of the
scenes on the beach following the death Of
William c. RaIston we extract the follow.
ing:
Inquiries as to the events preceding the
rescue OF the body from the bay were i'm.
mediately begun. Three boys-E. WaIema,
A. Fahnles, and j. Ryan-stated that they
were wandering along the beach about 8
O'Clock, when they noticed him coming down
the bluff from Leavenworth street. He was
dressed in neat suit OF black, aud did not
seem particularly distressed in mind. He
came up 10 the old wharf, and walking out
on the S,ringerS sat down on the u.termOSt
one. He then took q number Of papers from
bis pocket and began to tear them aud scat
ter them on the water beneath. After de-
Stroying q number of letters he got up, aud
turning 10 one Of the boys asked him
if he thought it was too cold to take
swim. The boy answered that he
did not think it was. Mr.. Ralston then
walked back upon the beach, and, turning
his face in the direction Of the Neptune
bath house, slowly moved away. The boys
still folio wed. noticing that he walked close
to the edge OF the water He again pu: his
hand into the breast-pocket of his coat. and
drawing out several more letters and two
books with leather covers, looking like bank
deposit books, tore them up into small
pieces, aud 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'cicck. Two pieces
we're picked up by reporters. They
read as follows: C. wrote-the last letter.
going TO seud-Pnil SOM" On the back !:
write this" Tie second piece :"--Dtar
sis,er-No. L" Pieces Of the covers Of
bank deposit books We're also picked up.
Clarence c. Richards and }. Dunkley, who
keep the Neptune bath.house, at the foot OF
LarklD street, made the following statement !:
MIR. Ral,tou came into the bath-hou L little
after O'Clock. aud, throwing down hall
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 u week, and al other times allowing q
week or two to intervene between his visits.
He had bathed last Monday. Richards went
to ret the towels, aud while doing SO Mr.
Ralstou turned to one Of the little children
plavipg at the door, and spoke kindly and
cheerlullv to it. He also addressed Mrs.
Richards pleasant saIuation. 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 per-
spration, his uuderclothes being quite wet.
R.marking this TO Mr.. Raston, the
latter said that he would give himself
good rubbing down and take
sho yer. bath before going into the bay.
When all the outer clothing was re
moved, taking his coat, vest, and pants
in his hands, he handed them to R'ch.
ards. saving: 81 wlnt you to put these away
for me-. and be very careful with them. They
cont,in yaIuables." This be had never done
before, but Richards took them and placed
Them 10 his bedroom. Subsequently, when
il was known that Mr.. Ralston was dead,
Colonel Fry and Captain Lees went to The
bath. house and received the clothes. IL Is
said that In the pockets were found Watcn
and chain, gold studs, bunch OF keys, small
sum Of money, two pocket-knlves, Two ivory
tablets, and a number of papers. All the artl-
Giles were placed in valise ana taken 10 Colo-
mel Fry's residence, No. 81 jackson street.
Mr. Ralston, having put on par OF SWIM
ming-drawers, walked out OF the Dath-house,
and going to the end OF small "narl LOOK
"beader." Always an excellent swimmer, Tue
bath. keepers soon noticed hln bravery slrik-
| ing out in the direction OF AlcatraZ lslano
also observed him playing ID the wafer, AFTER
natively diving and swimming on MS oach =,
| They saw him swim out at least SIX nuuuieu
yards. In the bath.house- having suolt
time before come out of the water-Were
MIR. Giamboni, Of Campps restaurant anu "
| Balzarini, who, having dressed themselves
suddenly turoed to Richards anu sa'u
{. Whut is the mstter with that gentleman
who inst went into the water? See, be il
floating on the water, and making DO signs 81
movement" Richards bad also noticed tbs
He hastily jumped into boat and roweo
out Mr.. Ralston, now taken by the tide
was floating down towards Seloy's lead
works. and before he could reach the BODY Il
was picked up by NJ. j. Clarke. He suDse
ouently took the information to the coroner:
Office.
Mr.. Clarke, engineer on the small steamer
Bullion, belonging to the lea!.- works, states
that he bad also noticed Mr.. Ralston when
he went in swimming, and had folio wed bis
movements in the water. He had seen TIT
sudden stopping of bis movements, and ther
the BODY floating down toward the Bullion
He quickly loosed the painters OF one OF th'
hoa,s and made for the body. He sooI
reached it, and taking hold OF it by the han
succeeded. after considerable difficulty, II
getting it out of the water. He then begal
To row in the direction OF Meieg'
wharf. but thinking it would take hin
too long, he landed on the oeaci
about a quarter of mile from the wharf
Here he assisted In every way 10 reanl
mating the almost dead body. Oscar MeVse
states happened to be q visitor at tne oatn
house; saw Mr.. Ralston come out OF
dressing-room; all he had on was MS pain
ing.trousers; he took sbower-batn, the
walked short distance along the beae'
,hnn uuant infnt the WATER and then atCip