Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1907-12-05
SENATOR DAVIS
IS DENIEO
OF HIS ENGAGEMENT TO MISS
ASHFORD.

Washington. Dec. Sit is an
absolutely absurd story. can'i
imagine how such report could
have been circulated about Senator
Davis and myself. 1t is without one
word OF truth"
In this manner Miss Maud Ash
ford denied the report publish d tha,
she was engaged to Senator Henry
Gassaway Davis OF West Virginia
She was seen at her home. 91S Far
ragut Square. where she lives with
her mother.
REPORT PUZZLES HER.
Miss Ashford seemed Mt loss ID
understand who could have started
what she termed that ridiculous re-
port" She said that she had Ions
be-n friendly with the senator aud
his daughters, but had never once
imagined that such a report couls
be started.
II have known Mrs. Elklns and
Mrs. Lee all my life" she said, "ard
have always been friendly with both.
I have never had occasion To sup
pose that the fact that knew the
senator as their father would lead 20
such a rumor as this. It Is true thar
| travelled with them In the senator q
private car this summer 1t seems
as IL every woman who is n friend
of Senator Davis has this report cir.
culated about her"
Miss Ashford seemed 10 fear that
the report might cause some rupture
IN the friendship which has hereto
fore existed between herself and
Senator Davis two daughters. One
OF the latter. Mrs. Arthur Lee, OF
1903 Massachusetts avenue. an
nounced that she had heard OF moth
ing to warrant such a report.
MALICIOUS. SAYS SENATOR.
Senator Davis characterized the
report as "mean and malicious
story. particularly toward the lady"
II cannot. OF course. discuss the
engagement" he said. but can
say that consider the story a mean
and malicious article. which is par
ticuiarly harmful TO the lady.
1T is. of course. unnec 'ssary TO
point out" he continued. THAT she is
not penniless. as the report states.
nor that she has not left home at
Farragut Square. The home. which
was left her by her father. is still
occupied by herself and mother"
SnoYden Ashford, building inspec-
tor of the District. and brother of
Miss Ashford, announced that he
was unable to say anything as to the
truth OF the report, as he knew prac-
tically nothing about IL.
while not an authority on the
matter" he said, II would not be
surprised at a denial from my Sis
ter. The announcement is prema-
ture, and probably was given out by
some friend who did not consult Mrs
Ashford"
FRIENDS START REPORT.
Inc report Oh IHe marriage was
circulated as near as can be learned
by friends of the muhi-millionaire
senator. The report started with
the statement that the arrangements
for the coming marriage were almost
complete and that the wedding bells
would in all probability ring out be-
fore the first of January.
Senator Davis is eighty-four years
old.
Miss Ashford is q handsome bru-
nette apparently not more than thir-
ty. She was employed for a number
OF years as society editor Of Wash
ington paper.
The report was that the engage
ment has caused a serious clash be-
tween Miss Ashford and the senators
two daughters. I was said that Just
before making known his plans to
them, the senator had givon each =
5000. 900 legacy.
AT0 nr Slf0Hn