New-York tribune., 1911-02-05
ASHHURST'S CANE F0UND'
Atlantic City Police Sure Body OF
Postmaster Is in the Surf.
RELATIVES STILL HOPEFUL
Detectives Think Philadelphia
Man Either Jumped or Fell
from Big Pier.
IRr r.lecrarh "a TIE TrlhnnE !

BY Telegraph 20 TIE tribune.
Atlantic City. Feb. A. s. Bennett, who
has charge Of wave motor placed for ex-
hibition purposes on the Million Dollar
Pier. told Police Detective Herbert, Of
Chief Woodrurs personal staff, that he
had found Richard L. Ashhursts cane to-
day. and the police now contend thas Ash
hurst either committed suicide or fell from
the pier last Monday night. The cane Is
heavy has silver band upon which the
name OF the missing postmaster OF Phila-
delpha Is inscribed and 1t has as mount
ing foreign stone Of peculiar color.
The police say the railing on the pier
upon which the cane was found hanging
was scratched and locked as though there
might have been a struggle. but Detective
Herbert, who examined the SCARED Wooo
carefully. came 10 the conclusion that the
marking vas caused by the man as ne
climbed upon the rail for the purpose OF
jumping overheard. or was caused oy
struggle in an attempt 10 prevent nlnseii
from falling into the water. The ponce
here hout the theory advanced by some
persons that perhaps Ashhurst might nave
been murdered.
Now Search for His Hat.
Since the finding Of the missing mans
cane the police have started vigorous
search for the black derby hat which was
worn by the postmaster when last seen
II has NOT been found yet. although the
police believe they will have it before the
lapse Of another day.
Federal life guards and f1ehermen have
tecn out all day in their boats securing the
waters along the entire length OF this ISL
and but they reported tonight that they
had failed to discover a trace OF Ashhurst'
There was a high sea running. due TO
northeast storm wind and the search by
the guards and the fishermen was accom-
pliShed with no little difficulty and danger
10 themselves The weather tonight gives
promise OF more Favorable conditions to-
morrow. when the search will be made
again with renewed vigor.
Ashhursts relatives who had been RI
the Marlborough Blenheim with him. left
here On Tuesday night. Before leaving his
cfce tonight Chief OF Police Woodruff
gave out the following statement:
There is not a place in the city where
II is possible for the missing man 70 hide
that has not been thoroughly searched oy
men connected with the police and de-
tective departments. The most careful and
painstaking inquiries have been made at all
hotels railroad stations and resorts Of
every conceivable character"
Thinks Body is in Surf.
"W. feared that perhaps Mr.. Ashhurst
might have been laooring under some heavy
mental strain and had taken refuge some
where All that ve have definitely found
Is that he took roner chair In front of
the hotel went as far as the Million Dol
lar Pier and entered that place after tell
ins his chair pusher that ne would not fur
thcr need his services
Under these conditions there remains only
one theory. and that is the body of the
postmaster is in the surf Acting upon
this theory and that the body OF Mr.. Ash
hurst may have escaped lodging In the
pilirgs near the pier. thorough search
will We made Of the inlets and along the
edge % the meadows tomorrow. II Is
believed that his body was carried either
up or down the coast by the strong cur
rents and may have been carried into one
Of the two inlsts at the ends OF the island.
PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 4-Members OF the
famil; Of Richard L. Ashhurst. postmaster
lantlc City last Monday night, have not
given up hope that ne Is alive or that he
did no, fall or jump into the ocean from
the Million Dollar Pier at the seashore. as
one theory has n. The entire section around
Atlantic City has been searched, both on
the beach front and along the back chan
nels. but not the slightest trace has been
found ~ him Coast guards are still
Watching the beach
Believing tina; he may he wandering
about IN some OF the big cities OF the East,
members Of the family who have returned
home from the Jersey coast are consider
ing. II is said tie advsablity Of offering
reward for information of his where
ahouts The police authorities here attach
some weight 10 the statements OF at
tendants al the Million Dollar Pier that
Mr.. Ashhurst vas not on the structure last
Monday night. despite the statement OF the
rolling chair pusher. who wheeled the post