The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1913-06-12
CHARLES ASHLEY LOSES LIFE.
Prominent Young Aiken Lawyer
Drowns--Cut Off by the Tide.


Charleston, June 5.-Charles Ash
ley, a prominent young lawyer of
Aiken, visiting on Sullivan's Island
with his mother at station 2S, was
drowned yesterday afternoon and de-
spite vigorous search last night and
today the body has not been recov-
cred. He was fishing at the upper
end of the island, having taken posi-
tion on a reef with his dog. 1t ap-
pears that he must have lost sight of
the rapidity of the incoming tide and
when he determined to return to the
beach, instead of taking the circula-
ton route by which he had reached
the reef, he attempted to take short
cut and he suddenly found himself in
deep water and unable to help him.
self. His calls for help were mistak-
en- for calls to his dog to follow him.
Mr.. Ashley left his boarding house
at about 1 o'clock yesterday after
noon, taking with him grabbing net
and basket, planning to catch a mess
of crabs for supper. His pet dog
went along with him. Friends in cot
tages along the beach watched his
progress toward Beach Inlet and saw
him go out, the tide being low, along
a reef that is notably treacherous. He
waved his hand to watchers from
time to time, and was apparently en-
loving the excursion. Meanwhile tide
had come in, shutting from sight
parts of the sand reef, and when Mr..
Ashley discovered that he was being
cut off, he turned shoreward. I'm
familiar with the safe course to take,
he tried to wade back across il,terven-
ing waters and suddenly found him.
self over his head. Unable to swim
and being physically weak, Mr.. Ash
ley called for help, his voice reach
ing children playing on the beach,
but they misunderstood his calls,
thinking he was commanding his dog
to follow him. The young lawyer dis
appeared from sight and up to this
morning his body had not been found,
although diligent search was made
by organized parties, who went as far
as the Isle of Palms, thinking perhaps
that he had succeeded in getting out
of the waters grasp, and had con-
tinued his outing across Beach inlet.
His dog made it's way to the shore
safely, and later the crab net and
basket were found on the beach.
There is deep gloom at the Laird
cottage known as Aikenden, at sta
ton 20, and in the neighborhood
where Mr.. Ashley and his widowed
mother were staying. Mrs. Ashley is
overcome with grief. He was an only
son, his brother meeting death some
time ago from fatal burns. Mr.. Ashley
had visited Sullivan's Island before,
enjoying a. large circle of friends who
admired him for his genial DISPOSE
ton and charming manner.
For the past year or two the reef
where Mr.. Ashley met his death has
been considered dangerous by those
using it for bass fishing. The shifting
sands in this section have changed
the character of the beach, and now
a long reef runs off from the shore
that is covered by water when tide
is high, although any one familiar
with the lay of the land can make his
way back safely to the shore by fol-
lowing the course of the reef care
fully. However, Mr. Ashley did not
take this fact into account, and came
straight in from where he was sta
toned when he found himself cut off
by the rising waters. He was not a
good swimmer. He was several hum
dred yards from his cottage when the
accident happened, but in sight from
the shore, his movements being fol-
lowed through opera glasses.
Mr.. Ashley was in his early '3Os
and unmarried. Deep sympathy is
extended to his bereaVed mother.