Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-10-22
VIM. A. YATES
Of Watervi|le, Drowned Near
Accra, Africa, Thursday.
No Particulars Received But Supposed
That Boat Capsized.
Member of Yates Bros. & Sha!iuck and Well.
Kn VII in Maine.

WaterVille, Me. Oct. 21.-tSpeciaD -
The announcement OF the death of Viii
liam A. Yates of this city. in Africa,
was received in this city. Sunday. No
details are as yet known. a cablegram
having been received simply stating
that he had been drowned. Thursday.
of last week. and that the burial would
be made. Friday. The story surround
ing the death OF this well known Wa
tervile man has a pathos rarely found
in real life.
Some years ago the Yates brothers
of this city became interested il a bus
mess enterprise III Africa. There We're
three of them then. Sam William and
Alec. After the usual amount OF trial
and hardship a profitable business was
established on the gold coast Of Africa.
\ firm was organized. MIR. Shattuck
being interested in the business with
the Yates brothers. One Of the broth
ers. Sam. died in Africa, while in
charge Of the business and it was then
carried on by the other TWO. They
have been in the habit for several
years in taking turns in the manage
ment of the business in the Dark con-
tinent. one remaining there two years
while the other was at home or Wher-
ever he wished TO go. Both the broth
crs have been home several times since
they established their business. and
nearly everyone in this city is familiar
with their venture and interested in
its success.
Not long ago William Yates. while
in charge of the business in Africa. be
came interested in some mining prop
erty. 80 that when his time was up and
his brother took charge he made a brief
visit to his home in this city. and then
returned to look after his mining in
tcrests. The property consisted Of
some gold mines back in the country
which had once been worked. but had
been abandoned. Mr.. Yates secured
concessions from the English govern
ment for 80 years and going To Europe.
succeeded in interesting capitalists
there in the mines. and organized Il
company for the purpose of working
them. Samples IF the ore had been eS-
sayed and the result was very ilatter-
ing. so that there was little difficulty
in securing the necessary capital t.
further develop the old mines
Mr. Yates had made one trip into the
bush To the mines and had been accom-
panied by engineers who had surveyed
his property. II was in the midst Of the
Ashanti war and his friends had worried
about him fearing that he might fail III
with some Of the hostile natives and D"
murdered. He paid no attention 10 their
fears however. and travelled in safety
with a large escort OF natives for protec-
ton. He had considerable influence Owe
the blacks and they We're willing to DO
anything Tor him and had a great respect
for him.
wished to make one more triD to the
mines, which he intended should be his
last one in order that he might take eX-
pertS there for an Inspection lie was
thus engaged when he met his death,
having just set out on his journey. The
full particulars have not been received
and will probably not be for at least
cablegram was received in this city,
Friday. addressed to Mr.. Shattuck. and
was forwarded to him in Boston. II was
in code and was unintellisible 10 all but
Mr.. Shattuck As soon as he received it
he teIegraphed to Mrs. Yates in this city
that he would arrive here. Sunday. 10
explain the cablegrdm to her. On his ar
rival yesterday afternoon, he announced
The death OF MIR. Yates as already stated
Yates met his death by drowning, Thurs,
day of last week. and that the burial
would be on Friday. From this latter
statement it is inferred that the bodI
was promptly recovered and returned to
the friends of the deceased.
Mr. Shattuck. although unfamiliar with
the country through which Mr. Yates
was travelling. thinks that it is probable
that the tragedy occurred through the
capsiZing OF one of the native boats. as
they are very unreliable and Mr.. Yates
doubtless had occasion to use them. He
was Il heavy man and could not swim,
SO that in case of such an accident MS
rescue would be difficult for The excited
natives No foul play is as yet suspect
ed 1t takes at least month for letter
to reach the town where MIR. Yates
brother is now located. 80 that the par
ticuiars will probably not be received for
some time.
The mines in which Mr.. Yates was in
tereSted promised to be very profitable
and he was confident Of realizing a large
fortune out Of them as soon as they
could be put in condition to be worked.
Hence his death is doubly sad. As after
spending The best years Of his life III z
savage country and having his reward
almost in his hands he SO suddenly