Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-03-20
MIR. j. r ASHE A. SUICIDE.

M. Mason, P. H. Moore, B. G. PRESLEY,
w. G. Stephenson.
MR.. j. r ASHE A. SUICIDE.
Mr.. J. r. Ashe, president Of the York
Cotton mills, and one Of the leading
citizens Of Yorkville, committed suicide
Monday night Of this week, by throw
ing himself into. a we'll. He was i'm
PEELED to the dreadful deed by mental
alteration that was caused by the fl
nancial embarrassment of the big cor
poration over which he has for several
years past been the presiding genius,
and to the success of which his heart
and mind were devoted.
Although the fact was not definitely
known until few days ago, Mr.. Ashe
had been in increasing financial trou-
BILE for two weeks or more. His recent
"trip North, ostensibly to buy goods to
stock the big dry goods store that was
recently erected upon the company s
grounds, was really for the purpose of
making financial arrangements to
meet certain notes that are about to
fall due, and to procure money with
which to continue the operation OF the
mill until the yarn market regains its
normal conditions,
y.-Lnr A~r1e lee ---..'--.'"- ~ .
idea Of failure did not enter into his re-
motest calculations. He felt sure
that the needful financial arrange
ments would be made with ease; but
IS one after another Of the yarn men
upon whom he was counting, declined
to give the desired aid, his hopes sank
lower and lower until he was complete
iy unnerred. He returned to Yorkville
in a state of nervous and mental COL
lapse that was indeed pitiable.
Until this time the directors of the
company were not fully acquainted
with the situation. At meeting CALL
ed for the purpose last Saturday, Mr.
Ashe explained the mills embarrass-
ment. The story, in brief, was to the
effect that there was about $4,000 OF
Indebtedness in round numbers. This
included $4,000 worth Of machinery
but recently received and not yet IN
operation; but which gave no cause
for concern, because the credit of the
mill was perfectly good with the people
from whom it had been purchased. In
addition to this, there was due some
S23, 900 for warehouse cotton that had
been spun and sold; and the proceeds
diverted to permanent improvements
the big store building, cottages, etc
| This money, under the terms OF the
contract with the warehouse people
belonged to them, and its diversion
| had been unauthorized. Then again
there was a note of $1,000 falling due
during the present month, and al
though the books Of the company
showed assets to the amount OF $751;
OOO there was no money on hand with
which to meet pressing needs.
All this Mr.. Ashe explained to the d.
rectors, and he showed them how the
corporation was in urgent need ofabou'
$50 900, which was only to be obtained
under the circumstances, through theli
endorsement as individuals OF join
note. It was his plan to take up TINS
note at the earliest possible moment
with bonds of the mill, to be issued as
soon as the necessary arrangements
could be perfected. Several of the di'
rectors agreed to sign the proposed
| note, putting their mill stock behind II
as collateral security; but others refus'
ed, and the plan fell through. Almos'
dazed before, Mr.. Ashe now gave uE
the struggle and took to his bed In g
state Of nervous prostration.
| During Sunday and Monday, Mr
Ashe was first up and then down
Quite q number Of sympathlzlne
friends, who realized his unfortunate
condition, called upon him and tried te
persuade him that the situation was
not nearly SO bad as he thought; pu'
| they were unable to make any impress
sion upon him. 1t developed that ne
had not had an hour of natural sleeE
| for nearly two weeks. Unknown 10 MS
friends and business colleagues, he had
brooded and thought over the pending
trouble until his mind had become un-
balanced, and he was impressed py
nothing that was said to him. he IN
sisted that he had done all that was
possible, and told his friends not &c
count upon him any further; but to
go ahead with whatever they thought
best and it would have his approval
The reporter called upon Mr.. Ashe
Monday night, and found him In bed
The conversation was confined princi-
pally to the mental and physical con-
dition Of the sufferer. 1t appeared that
the only two things that the unfortu'
nate man realized positively were the
facts that he was In serious nnancla