The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-02
DEATH CLAIMS
JUDGE RILEY
Famous Character Passes
Away in Hospital.
LIFE OF HUMoR AND PATHOS
Death of Two Daughters Broke His
Spirit-Shot the Queen of
Zanzibar.

Death claimed last night one Of
Washington's most widely known char
acters, when Judge William Garrett
Riley. formerly consul to Zanzibar and
Puerto Cabello. passed away at Wash
ington Asylum Hospital His death re-
suited from a general breakdown OF the
system, due TO extreme age. His life
history has been one Of mingled humor,
pathos. and romance.
Judge Riley was Of good stock. who
went early TO the Old Dominion A
score Of years ago his two daughters
died of typhoid fever within week,
and from that crushing blow Judge
Riley never recovered. His life since
that time has been a pathetic travesty
OF what otherwise he might have &C
complished and been.
Judge Riley was born in Accomac
county. Va, in 1890. he was graduated
from Washington College. In Western
Pennsylvania, and from the University
of Virginia. For ten years H. was COM
monwealth's attorney for Accomac. He
served as judge Of the Fifth judicial
circuit and as president Of the court
OF appeals for that circuit. After the
war he was judge OF the Southern
Claims Commission Tor Virginia.
From Old Accomac.
Judge Riley was one Of the best known
of the interesting personalities in Wash
ington. He spent much time in the
corridors Of the Capitol and Where there
was life I'm the center OF the city. He
always referred to himself as Judge
William G. Riley. of AccomRc county.
Virginia-by Gadr As he grandilo-
quently described IT:
Il came from old Accomac. the grand
est territory on God Almighty's foot
stool; bounded on the one side by the
sweeping Atlantic and on other by the
Chesapeake Bay and a great country
We raise nothing but handsome women.
choice game. fighting chickens. diamond
back terrapin and mortgages. Before
the war 1. was a man of distinction
down there, but have nothing left now
but my honor
Judge Riley represented the United
States IN the consular service both at
Zanzibar and Puerto Ca.bellO. He was
appointed TO the African mission by
president Grant During his incumban-
~ there occurred an incident which is
the basis OF the most famous story
told on Judge Riley. The judge. be-
stake, fired his trusty ducking gun at
9 humber OF Inhabitants who were
PathiQg naked IN stream in front of
his official residence.
II was the Queen
It turned out that the Queen OF Zanzi-
has end her faithful subjects were tax
ing q Saturday afternoon Clip. and ne
oiled them with birdshot. Great tumult
prevailed, and It was not until the
judges chivalrous nature asserted itself
that order was restored and diplomatic
relations re-established He visited the
palace and found the Queen lying on a
lounge and her lOWq1 attendants
picking shot from her body. Judge Ri
( ley. like true Virginian Of Irish ex-
traction. at once made a profuse
apology In HIS Chesterfieldian manner
and "sOothed the savage beasts" The
Queen limped around on crutches for an
entire season.
Would Vote for Him.
The late Col. william Dickson. OF
Washington. related this interesting
story about Judge Riley:
When President Harrison nominated
him as consul to Puerto Cabello he was
somewhat exercised about his conhrma-
. ton. Meeting me one evening at the
Riggs House. the judge set loose his
calliope voice and said:
William, my charming fellow, you
have always beer ny friend. Now. YOU
can do me a favor. You are aware that
the Executive has selected me as this
cOuntry's representative 10 Puerto Ca
: bello-a most important mission On this
era OF the worlds history. While ] have
. no fear for my confirmation, / am in
/ doubt as 10 the attitude Of the dis
( tinguished and talented Senators OF Vir-
ginia. How humiliating IL would be for
an old Nirgini2n like me 10 find their
names recorded in opposition, VIII you
see your friend Barbour and your politi-
, cal friend. the talented Daniel. and as
: certain their views DO this, and ~ you
are not rewarded in this world you may
be IN the next
Wanted Him TO Go.
In accordance with his request on
z the following morning I called on Sena-
tor Barbour. and referred 10 the mat
ter The Senator. in his well-remember-
cd. gentle manner. inquired why ! took
{ such an interest in Riley 1 explained 10
him that the Judge was an old acquaint-
nnce: that he was IN point Of intelligence
. above the average Of the men selected
for similar positions abroad; that he was
p linguist, and by no means an offensive
partisan. The Senator inquired whether
.