The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1891-02-28
ASHLEY ON JOURNALISM.
The Last AdmOn IN OF n Brilliant
Man.
Reno Gazetto.l

Man.
Reno Gazetto.l
Delos b. Ashley was the second
Congressman elected in Nevada, and
il is generally conceded that he served
his country we'll during the trouble
some times of reconstruction. He
was certainly conceded to be at that
time brilliant lawyer of sound at
tainments and honorable in the dis
charge OF every duty that he under
took. He served but one term In
Congress, during lS67-S, and returned
To Austin to re-enter his legal practice.
In time he went to White Pine and
finally to Phoebe. There in 1872 he
was overtaken with the malady that
had threatened him for long time,
and which frequently ends the career
of brilliant men-softening Of the
brain. As none OF his kin were with
him the members Of the Phoebe bar,
with Harry |. Thornton taking an ac-
tive part, cared for him as tenderly
as tor brother, and to secure the
quiet needed and not obtalnable IN
Phoebe, they sent him down To the
little Mormon town of Panaca, where,
at hame-like hotel there, they pre-
vided him with every comfort proeur-
able. His brain was wandering and
only occasionally did he seem con-
cious of his surroundings, but never
did he relapse from the dignited de-
pertinent that had been the character
tic trait of his lite. He would accept
nothing at tie hotel unless he paid
for it, and while his friends sent
supply ot choice imported cigars and
choice liquors, they also provided
him with money to pay for all he
consumed. He passed the day in
striding to and fro across the Office,
with his head inclined in deep thought
and rarely looking ut any one. His
friends sent for his wife, who he had not
seen for many years. She came with
their youngest daughter. then about
sixteen years old, accompanied 10y II
son-in-iaw, who had married an older
daughter. lie was then. and Is yet,
a prominent writer fbr the press, and
noted for his ability, as he was also
for his failure as a tinancier. The rel
alIves were taken a. Panaea, and ush-
cred into Ashley's presence by Col.
rhoInton Ashley took NJ notice ot
the callers and kept "n pacing the
floor, until Thornton accosied him and
said, "Mr. Ashley, your wife" ASH
ley bowed with dignity, said simply,
"Madam," aud resumed his walk.
When he recrossed the ffonr, Thornton
presented his daughter. saying, Mr..
Ashley, this is your daughter" Again
be bowed with dignitied politeness
aud SAID only Miss and resumed
his walk. On his return Thornton
presented his son-in-law. Ashley
looked mt him and said, sir! May |
ask wha, is your occupationl' Pleased
with the sign of his reyiving faeul-
ties, and proud of his profession. the
son-in-law answered, "Certainly,
am a journalist. Ashley stood with
his cane hanging by the crook over
his arm, look ng intently at him while
answering, and when he ceased, Ash
ley raised his hand impressively pune
tuating his words with his index fin
ger, said, "Sirl When | was young
man, | once followed that occupation
for about three months; and, sir, dur
ing that time | never come nearer
starving to death in my life" Turn
ing upon his heel, he resumed his
walk. lasped into forgetfulness and
took no further notice of any IN the
party. They took him to California
and shortly afterward he died.