Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-18
CONSUL AsHBY DROWNED.
othci"i Confirmation of the Report
No Particulars Yet

No Particulars Yet.
WASHINGTON, d. c., January II
The State Department received official
confirmation to-day of the reported death
OF Onited-States-Consul Ashby. at Colon.
The notice came from United-States-
Consul-General Gudger. at Panama 1t
was a brief statement that Mr.. Ashbv
had been drowned. without any particu-
lars Of the event, and an announcement
that a man would be temporarily put in
the consulate.
Mr.. Gudger stated further that he was
going from Panama to Colon. presumably
to look after the affairs Of the consulate.
install the new man. and, if possible. ar
range for the recovery of the remains
OF Mr.. Ashby
William a. Ashby was a native of Spot
sylvania county Va, and about 40 years
of age. He was newspaper man by
profession, and was extremely popular
with his associates during the time he
served as Washington correspondent for
Virginia newspapers. He was a Repub-
lican in politics and received his first ap-
pointment in the consular service un-
der the Harrison administration, being
appointed Consul to Colon May 2. 1892
He retained his office until January of
the following year. Since that date he
had been engaged in newspaper work in
his native State and In Washington until
reappointed Consul
1t is believed at the State Department
that he met his death in a storm. the
open roadstead Of Colon being peculiarly
dangerous TO small craft at such times
1t is a singular coincidence that the last
official communication that the deceased
had with the State Department was de-
voted entirely to report upon such a
blow at Colon recently. This report is
dated on the 5th of the present month,
and in it Mr.. Ashby said: IT have to in
form the department that a de-
structive storm ragged here during the
I'd, 80. and 4ih Of the present month.
Fortunately the damage To- shipping was
slight. as the steamships in port had left
for the safer harbor at Porto BellO. The
only American sailing vessel here-the
three-masted schooner Alice Mcdonald
was safely berthed. and beyond parting
StNtl0l tdbltSs 0ulltlfN ilO ndiloHNs
A SHOCK TO THE PRESS.
The news Of the accidental death by |
drowning of Consul w. w. Ashby. at |
Colon, with two companions. was a great |
shock to the members of the press gal |
ery, where it was received to-day about |
, o'clock. Colonel Ashby was great |
-avorite among his newspaper associates, |
and at first the news could scarcely be
,redited, but an inquiry by telephone of
he State Department brought verifica-
ion of the sad announcement. 1t was
eceived with deep regret by all the men,
9ers of the press here, who had en-
iorsed HIM for the appointment only a
ew months ago.
Colonel Ashby was born and reared in
and was about A years
f age. He married Miss Clara Dabney,
IN accomplished lady Of the same city,
nd has a daughter now about 10 years
Id. both of whom accompanied him to
'olon in the early part Of last November
Colonel Ashby, though he had been
republican since he was entitled to vote,
ad as his principal associates some Of
he most prominent Democrats in his
ection. He was for a number of years
deputy sheriff and the jailer Of Spot
ylvania county, where he also kept
otel at the Courthouse. He had been
member Of every Republican State
ommittee for over twenty years, while
t home. and attended all the state and ,
atonal conventions until 1896.
Colonel Ashby had filled the position
Consul at Colon under Harrison, by
bom he was recalled on account of a
smand for a warship during the excited
sriod on the Isthmus. but was rein =
ated and served until his successor [
as appointed by President Cleveland. q
fter his return he became engaged IN
swspaper business. and served several +
aiding journals as correspondent IN TINS :
~ almost up to the time Of his recent D
.narture. He was endorsed for his late b
,sition by nearly all the leaders of his =
lrty by the Virginia and other sena-
rs and almost unanimously by the Y
ess galleries Of both houses.
If is supposed his remains will be ac-
mpanied home by his wife and daugh-
r who have the heartfelt sympathy of {
Colonel Ashby's former friends ana
Quaintances.
ALI. BUT BOATMAN LOST
,OLON. COLOMBIA. via CALVES !
IN January l7.-Mr Ashby was boat a
Z with a party. and there IS no longer c
y doubt that the entire party, with the {
ception OF the boatman, was drowned. O
10 accident took place last evening. Ihe >
Altman reports that the boat was p
amped in the high sea. Boats are I.
,uring the harbor bat the chances OF n
.o,,ering the bodies are slight as the | a
are very strong. fl
n