The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-08
DROWNING OF PROF. NASH.
His Widow. Though Frustrated Tells
the story of His Tragic Fate.

Mrs A NJ Nash, wife OF Prof. Nash.
who was drowned from the steamship
City of Topeka near Point Comax last
Monday afternoon, was taken from the
Rainier-Grand hotel TO Providence hos
pital Thursday evening. She is still very
nervous from the shock of her husband 5
unfortunate death but was well enough
yesterday TO detail the circumstances OF
the professors death. In an interview with
a Post-Intelligencer reporter she said:
Mr. Nash was suffering from a severe
cold. and while strong and having no
serious ailment, was rather feverish. L
was also sick and had eaten nothing but
soup for several DAYS After | had eaten
a bowl Of soup sitting on deck. my hus-
band stood leaning against the rail with
one leg curled under him. and / stood be-
side him. We had had no quarrel, but
had been discussing plans for our trip
from Tacoma 70 Yellowstone park. He
had arranged for us to take the train al
most Immediately on arrival az Tacoma.
and l was suggesting that We should not
be In such haste, as we were merely
travelling for pleasure, but should stay
over in Tacoma 70 see the city. While
we stood there he swallowed a quinine
capsule. which he was not likely 10 have
done if he had intended suicide. He also
had on his old cuff buttons and watch,
and had a considerable amount of money
in gold in his pocket.
suddenly, without knowing what hap
pened, l saw his hat far below me in the
water. and then / saw his feet just be
yond my reach. The other passengers
tell me that / reached down and wrapped
my arms around his feet and tried TO
drag him back. but his weight was too
much for me and his feet slipped from
my grasp. l did not lose my presence of
mind. but ran into the social hall and
shouted down the companionway: Stop
the engines. Man overheard"
The captain launched boat and il
was with great difficulty that l was re-
strained from gong with II. In fact, sew
eral persons had to ho,d me TO prevent
me from jumping overheard after my
husband.
My husband had no motive whatever
for committing suicide. and | am con-
WINGED that his terrible death was purely
an accident He was on his way TO
England 10 visit his mother. whom he
had not seen for fifteen years. We have
been married twelve years. and had never
had a quarrel In fact, he was
thoroughly devoted 10 me as l was to
him
Mrs. Nash expresses her intention OF
remaining in Seattle until the last hope
of the recovery of the body of her nus
band is gone, and intends Offering a large
reward for its recovery. She has called
in the assistance of Mr.. Alexander. the
British consul. and he has promised her
all the assistance in his power.
It is learned from an authentic source
that. although Prof. Nash was spoken OF
in the Post-Intelligcncer as hold
ing a high position in educational
matters in India. he was even more
eminent than supposed. lie was inspector
of schools in India under the British gov
ernmcnt. and before being appointed to
that responsible position VAS professor In
the Calcutta university. Prof. and Mrs
Nash were we'll known and held in high
esteem. This Information was obtained
from Harry g. L. Panchaud. a Calcutta
merchant. who arrived in the city Thurs
day evening on his way home TO England
and registered at the Raiuier-Grand.
He was greatly shocked TO think that
there had been even a momentary rumor
To the effect that Mrs. Nash WAS not the
wife Of the professor. and asked that the
matter be sci right in the minds OF the
people. II have known the Washes" he
said. in India, and they held high social
positions Prof. Nash was an eminent
man and occupied a most important Office
under the British government. II is true
that ne had been a professor in the Cal