Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-29
THE VANISHING OF RICHARD ASHHURST
Strange Tale the Visit of Philadelphia
lantc City in 1911 and His Mysterious Disappearance
After Entering the Great Pier
BY JOHN ELFRETH WATKINS

pICHARD L. ASHHURST, a scion of
~ one Of Philadelphia's most prominent
families, was born in Naples, Italy, in
1885, while his wealthy parents were
temporarily sojourning there. After being
graduated at the University of Pennsyl-
vania in 1855, he studied law and was
admitted to the bar before the outbreak
of the Civil War, through which he
fought for the Union cause. He was
wounded at Gettysburg, and as a re-
ward for bravery at Charlottesville was
brevetted major. He was one of the
Quaker City's intellectual giants, was
vice dean of the exclusive Shakespeare
Society, vice chancellor Of the Law
Association and was prominent in many
learned societies and patriotic orders.
When he was long past middle life he
was appointed postmaster of Philadel-
phia by President Roosevelt.
On January 80, 1911, Mr.. Ashhurst,
then seventy-two years old, suddenly
decided to make a trip to Atlantic City.
Accompanied by his son John, he
registered at the Marlborough -Blenheim
hotel. That same evening at 645 he
telegraphed to his wife In Philadelphia:
Game Atlantic City unexpectedly. Quite
well. VIII explain by letter. Home
early tomorrow"
An hour and a quarter later he wired
to the assistant postmaster at Philadel-
phia:
Ran down to Atlantic City. Back in
office Wednesday" About S45 Mr..
Ashhurst left his hotel by a side door and
entered a Boardwalk rolling chair in
charge Of a negro.
Take me to the Million-dollar Pier"
he instructed the chairpusher, who de-
livered him at the entrance TO that struc-
ture about o'clock. According to the
negro's testimony, Mr.. Ashhurst while rid.
ing TO the pier was in very happy mood.
In fact, he cracked jokes with the col.
ored man. whom he instructed not to
wait. Being somewhat lame. he entered
the pier leaning upon his cane.
According to the police description
given out at the time, Mr.. Ashhurst
weighed $50 pounds, was 5 feet inches
tall, wore a black cvercoat and black
derby hat. was smooth shaven, with the
exception OF a closely trimmed mustache
and had a ruddy complexion. Nothing
was ever seen of him after he entered
the pier. and the only trace Of him that
was ever found thereafter was his cant
| lying at one side OF the structure. II
was picked up FIVE days after the distin.
guished Philadelphian disappeared.
! Around midnight, when Mr. Ashhursi
failed TO return TO his hotel. his son be
came alarmed and called the chief O
police out. OF bed with the request that q
search be instituted. The search wal
thorough and undertaken on tremen,
dous scale. Every hotel. boarding hous,
ana hospital upon the island was ran
sacked for traces Of the postmaster Th'
Ashhurst family, being OF a class tha
breads notoriety. insisted upon absoiutl
secrecy. and the police respected thei
wishes for four days during which tim
the outer world was in absolute ignc
rance as TO what had occurred. Garag
men and railroad employees were positiy
that they had seen no one answering tn
missing mans description leave the city
All kinds OF contrary statements wer
circulated. Mr.. Ashhurst was variousl
reported 70 be ia very feeble health an
in perfectly normal physical condltio
for q man Of his age; 70, be worried owe
conditions IN the postoface ana 70 be al
lsled With Affairs " that establishment