The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-04
Searchers for the Missing Phil
adelphia Postmaster
Have Reached the Conclusion
That He Is Dead.
WAS LAST SEEN ALIVE
On the Million Dollar Pier at
Atlantic City.
He Told Chair Pusher Not to
Wait for Him.
VAS LAST SEEN ALIVE

Atlantic City, Feb. 4.-Develop-
ments were lacking early today re-
garding the disappearance of Richard
L. Ashhurst, postmaster of Philadel-
phia, who disappeared on the Strand
last Monday night. Whether the fam
lly OF the. aged postmaster know any,
thing concerning his disappearance
can not be learned as they refuse to
be interviewed and are conducting
their search for him through the
police.
Chief of Police Woodruff, who saws
he was notified of the disappearance
of Mr.: Ashhurst the night he dropped
out OF sight, today expressed the be-
lief that the man is dead. The last
person to see him was the chair push
er who wheeled him to the Million
Dollar pier at S:45 o'clock. Monday
night.
Mr.. Ashhurst. according to this
man, appeared cheerful and as he
walked on to the pier he told the
chairman that he need not wait for
him.
It is known that Mr.. Ashhurst, who
is u years old. was not well and came
to the shore" for rest. He had apart
ments at the Marlborough-Blenhe
hotel, with several members of his
family. Dragging of the ocean bed
about the pier was continued today
The beach from the inlet to Long Port,
the distance of about ten miles also is
| being searched.
The stir about the disappearance of
Mr.. Ashhurst recalls the mysterious
death of Jane Adams, 16-year-old
girl who fell from the same pier on
her male companion followed the man
| being acquitted.
| Coast life guards who started at day.
| light to drag the ocean bed in the vi
clnity Of the Million Dollar pier for the
body of Ashhurst, abandoned their
search at noon because of the rough
sea. They found no clew nor have the
police learned anything further of the
disappearance of the aged Philadel-
phian. There is a little doubt in the
minds of some of the Investigators that
Mr.. Ashhurst actually went on the pier
| last Monday night when he disappear
| ed. Rolling chair pushers who said
| they waited for Mr.. Ashhurst to come
off the pier in the hope that he would
engage one of them to wheel him to
his hotel admit they did not watch a
| small exit at one side of the structure,
| conflning their attention to the main
exit. Members of the Ashhurst family
have left the Marlborough Blenheim
according to the clerks and their pres
ent whereabouts are unknown.
Was Appointed by Roosevelt.
Philadelphia, Feb. 4.-The disap-
pearance of Postmaster Richard L.
Ashhurst of Philadelphia at Atlantic
| City, was a shock to his friends here.
Born a member of an old and wealthy
Philadelphia family, Mr.. Ashhurst be-
longed to the exclusive social element
of the city.
He was born in Naples, Italy, while
his family was living temporarily
abroad. He was graduated from the
University of Pennsylvania and was a
member of the Philadelphia bar for
81 years. He served in the civil war
until discharged for wounds received
at Gettysburg, having been breveted
captain for meritorious service at
Charlottesville and major general for
distinguished gallantry at Gettysburg.
Mr.. Ashhurst was never active in pol
itics, but was appointed postmaster by
President Roosevelt and last year was
reappointed for second term.