Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-05-05

u
Z Marcus L. Ward Post O. A. r.,
: to Lincoln Post in 1898.
! Made deputy chief in 1902
z Chief Engineer February Z, 1908. 4
X Died 1880 a. M, May 5, 1911. y
.+F+FfFFSEEFFF4
William c. Ashley. chief of the New
ark fire department. died suddenly at
his home, 263 High street. today. His
death was unexpected. While the chief
had been at home for the past two
weeks on account of illness, he be-
lieved that it was yielding to rest and
treatment. He announced yesterday
that he was almost well again
Mrs. Bertha Ashley, the chiefs wife
was the only member Of his family
present when he died, at 1880 this
morning. She went up stairs about
that time and found him in a rocking
chair. in the sitting-room gasping for
breath. She assisted him to a couch
and telephoned to fire headquarters.
/ Before DIR. Hugh M. Hart, physician OF
the department.; Fire Commissioner
Burke and others who answered the
summons could reach the house, Chief
! Ashley was dead. DR. william Couch
had preceded them and found that the
| chief was dead. He was the victim Of
a form of heart disease known as car
| diac embolism. He had been suffering
with congestion of the arteries of the
right leg. This condition spread to ar
terles affecting the heart action.
Daughter CoIIausen
Miss Marion Ashley, the chiefs
daughter. who had been shopping, re-
| turned a few moments after he died
On being told OF her fathers death
| she collapsed and Is now under the
care of physician. The chiefs sons,
George B. and William C. Ashley
were notified of their fathers sudden
| death and they hurried home.
| Chief Ashley felt so much better yes
| terday that he went auto riding yes
terday for the first time since he has
been ill. In the department auto
driven by Chauffeur William Doremus.
who had guided the machine to count
| less fires for the chief, he went with
his lifelong friend, William Issler OF
261 High street. to visit Fire Chief
| William II. Matthews, of Orange.
"I'm feeling a great deal better he
told Chief Matthews. land l intend to
take another ride tomorrow"
Apparently, however. the effort yes
terday was too much for the invalid.
and 1t was just after he had shaved
this morning that the fatal attack OF
his illness seized him
! Chief Astleys record in the fire de-
partment is an enviable one, He was
flre-fighter endowed with all of the
qualities of leadership. During his long
term as chief or assistant chief execu-
tive of the department he worked with
/ the greatest diligence for its better
ment. He was made fireman Septem-
Der g. 1857 and July l. 1887, was made
assistant chief. He became superin-
/ tendent in 1891, and in 1908 became
chief of the department.
I When 1t was known that Chief Asst
ley was dead all OF the flags in the de-
partment were put at half-mast in his
honor. The chief was 6S years old. He
is survived by his wife, one daughter,
Marion; THEE sons, Harry E. Ashley,
read master of the n. ", n and II. II,
r.; George B. AstIey, an attorney, of
! Newark; William c. Ashley, jr., enl-
ployed in the local postoffice; tn zee
sisters. Miss Mary and Miss Alice Asst
| ley and Mrs Anna Ashley a widow
who has resumed her maiden name.
and two brothers. Sergeant August
J Ashley. of the Newark police depart
ment, and Charles Ashley, of the New
ark Fire Insurance Company.
Chief Ashley was recently elected
ot-rtpte of SaIaar' Temrie He is a
member of Lincoln Post of ths
q. A. r., and tor number Of years
had been secretary of the board OF
managers of the Firemen's Home ia
Boonton He enlisted in the army De-
cember 10, 1861, as artificer in the First
New York Engineers, and was honor
ably discharged December 8, 1864. at
the expiration of his term of service.
After two hours of fruitless tele-
graphing Harry f. Ashley was located
in New 'dforl, Mass. He wired THAI
he would start for home Immediately.
Louis V Aronson, past potentate OF
Salaam Temple, this afternoon spoke
in behalf of the Shriners as follows:
1T is with a feeling of deep personal
loss and sudden shock that the news Of
the death of Fire Chief William C. Ast-
ley comes home to the many mobiles Of
salaam Temple, of which he was ths
potentate.
"Chief Astley's death viii leave