The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-02
JUDGE WIN. G.. RILEY DEAD.
When Consul at Zanzibar He Fired Load
OF salt Into the Nude Body OF the Sultana.


WASHINGTON, Sept. Judge William
G. Riley, for many years connected with
the consular service and well known
character of Washington, died in this city
to-day at the age of 10 years. He was
a native of Ireland, but came to Accomac
county, Va. at an early age. He was
educated at Washington College. Pa, and
the University of Virginia and practised law
in Accomac county. He was Common
wealth Attorney for that county for ten
years, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit
for five years, and for time was member
of the State Appellate Court In 1873 he
was appointed by President Grant Con-
sui at La Guayra, Venezuela, and was
afterward transferred to Zanzibar He
was Consul at Puerto Cabello, Venezuela,
from 1890 to 1894, when he was removed
by President Cleveland.
Although of late years he was regarded
as member of the chronic office-seeking
class, he had many friends and was greatly
liked for his kindness of heart and other
good qualities. No one knew exactly
how he managed to live, but although his
clothes were much worn he always pre-
scented a neat appearance: black frock
coat and black SLOUGH hat. rakishly set,
were worn by Judge Riley winter and
summer. Many people considered him
a type of the Judge and Major class 30
well known in Washington hotel lobbies
and about the capitol corridors. Yet his
manners were those OF gentlemen OF the
=eld school, and he never lacked in courtesy,
no matter what the occasion. He was
evidently in need at times and suffered
many embarrassing experiences on That
account.
Judge Riley was best known as the man
~ hn form
OF the Sultana Of ZanzibH when he was
Consul OF the United States at the capital
of that country. According to the story,
the Sutana and her suite wete in the habit
Of bathing in front Of Jud ge Riley's consular
residence, which was situated on
candy beach. Their barbaric expressions
OF enjoyment at an inconsiderately early
hour of the morning ANNOYED the Judge
and he also objected to the display OF the
nude by the men and women of the royal
party. Failing to secure a cessation Of
this mode Of sport after repeated warnings
Judge Riley one morning resorted to dras-
tic measures, so the story goes by DIS
charging shotgun loaded with salt into
is said that most of the charge found d
target in the body Of the Sultana and that
az result the United States Govern
ment recalled its Consul to avert inter-
national complications.
Judge Riley, however, gave different
version Of the affair some years ago. He
said that the sultana, who was the real
head of the Zanzibar Government, had
objected TO the constant display OF the
Stars and Stripes from flagstaff in front OF
Judge Riley's consular residence. He de-
clined to remove the f1ng. whnreupon the
Sultana led party Of her followers to the
consulate with tho object Of cutting down
the hagpole. Judge Riley resisted this
attempt by force Of arms and managed to
drive away the invaders by firing upon them
with a shotgun He said that he killed
two soldiers, and when the Sultana led
a renewal OF the attack he fired upon and
wounded her. This ended the custom
OF the Zanzibar authorities OF heaping
indignity on foreign representatives.
Judge Riley asserted that he remained
in Zanzibar several years after this exoit..
ing incident and that he became good
friends with the Sultana.
The Washington Asylum. where Judge
Riley died, is the local almshouse, Since
Judge Riley has been i'll, an attempt has
been made to locate relatives, but without
success. He was delirious most Of the
time and unable to give any information
as to the whereabouts Of persons who might
be willing to take charge Of his remains
1t is not likely, however, that he will be
buried in the potter's field