New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-19
GEN. ASHFORD OF HAWAII.
CAREER OF A DARING AMERICAN.
HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN KING voLSEY Iv-IiIs
CENT ARREST.

HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN KING VOLSEY Iv-IIS
CENT ARREST.
General volney V. Ashford. who has been placed
under arrest with many others at Honolulu on the
charge of treason Is American by birth and edu-
cation. lie was always a fearless. dashng man. and
his acquaintance in the United States are not at all
surprised nj the leading part he has taken In attempt
ing to overthrow the Hawaiian Government.
General Ashford was born I'm town In the central
part of Illinois His father and mother are sti aMvo
and living on the farm where volney first the
light Of day. Young Ashford always possessed Of
q rowing spirit, and when twenty five years old he
found himself at Honolulu working on the sprcckcs
sugar plantation He took an interest In political af-
fairs and deciding 10 make Honolulu his home he
declared his allegiance to King Kalakaa. II not
long before he secured an interest In sugar panta
ton, and for many years before the death of the King
was one OF the wealthy men OF the island.
King Kaakaua took great fancy 10 Ashford and
he placed him in command OF the Hawaiian army.
That is how he obtained the title Of general 1t
during The last revolution that Ashford was in COM
mand, and at that time it said he hid such an
Influence over the men under his command that he
could have taken possession OF the Government and
proclaimed himself the ruler. General Ashford, in
speaking Of the days of the revolution 10 friend in
Chicago, soon after the Kings death. about a year
said that he had always regretted that he did not
make such daring Stroke. King Volncy | doesn't
sound bad" said he, "and IT might have been that
had ! not permitted my friendship for Kalal,aua to
get the better of me.
Tile reason why General Ashford had many
grcts was because the King was not In a position
TO keep him at the head Of the army. The mis-
sionary party, when il became strong after the
luton-and ever since has retained that position
saw that Ashford was dangerous man 70 have in
such position and the leaders of that party sue
cccded In having his successor appointed. The King
protested but was not recognized, ard Ashford left
the country. lie did not make Honolulu his home
for any length Of time for several years, but he re
turned five or SIX tines. ostcnsiby to look out for
his business interests there Most Of his time was
spent in travel In Europe, South America and the
United states.
When King kaakaua died in the United States
Ashford was in London. As soon as he heard the
news he took the first steamer for Ncw-lorh was
whirlcd the country to san Francisco and sue
ccded in reaching the steamer Charleston. on which
the Kings body was to ne carried nome, three hours
after she sailed
General Ashford evidently intended to take a
prominent part in the uprising which lie expected
would take place the island when II was known
there the King dead But when the Charleston
reached Honolulu. aud the news Of the rulers death
was known. so much genuine SORROW expressed
that Ashford found that tie time WAS not ripe for
any daring undertaking. The Queen had some Diff
Guilty In securing the Cabinet she wished but al no
time was there critical period when Ashford could
safely lead a revolution. His friend, in the United
states wonder that he waited % long before attempt
ing TO overthrow tho Ilawaiirn Government.
General Ashford is every inch an American In
in height, weighs 200 pounds and stands erect
as an Indian. A look at him alone commands
respect There is something magnetic about the
man ard lie makes friends wherever he goes