Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-11
B. ASHBY LEAVELL
DIES LECTUR|NG
Prominent Capital Banker
CoIIapses While Address,
ing Student Class.

B. Ashby Leavell, prominent Wash
ington banker and trust officer of the
Merchants Bank &c Trust Co, collapsed
last night while delivering lecture to
a class of the Washington Chapter of
the American Institute of Banking, at
1918 F street. and died within a few
minutes. Notwithstanding the efforts of
his pupils. physician from Casualty
Hospital and the fire rescue squad. Mr..
Leavell was seated in chair on the
lecture platform, conducting a class in
trust functions. when he suddenly slip
| ped from the chair gasped and became
unconscious. All efforts to revive him
proved futile His son John said to-
| day his father had always predicted he
would die in harness, and insisted upon
! keeping on with his duties, notwith
standing the condition of his health.
Mr.. Leavell apparently had pre-
monition of death, for he brought with
him to the lecture hall the examination
papers of the class for next week.
! which, Frank M. Perley, vice president
of the Washington Chapter of the in
stitute said was most unusual. Mr..
Leavell requested that the papers be
put in the safe, remarking that he
| might not be present next week to
handle them.
Immediately after the collapse of Mr..
Leavell. Joseph F.. B. Goldney, men,
Der of the institute and an employe
of the Merchants Bank 81 Trust Co..
ran to drug store for stimulantS and
called doctor. The ambulance from
Casualty Hospital and the fire rescue
squad also were summoned and DR..
Louis Jimal Of Casualty and the rescue
squad worked over Mr.. Leavell for
nearly 80 minutes without reviving him.
They administered powerful stimulants
and resorted to artificial respiration
without success.
Although he was IS years old, Mr..
Leavell was very active and played golt
Golf Club, of which he was a member,
on every available occasion. He played
So holes last Sunday, and frequently
played during the Summer on days
which other members declared were too
warm for golf. He had been charter
member of the Congressional Country
Club and once was one of the most
prominent members of the Columbia
Country Club.
Mr.. Leavell had not been in good
health for several months, although he
had not missed day at the bank for
six months until yesterday, according to
his son John. He made special effort
to attend his class in trust functions
last night. however as it was to be the
final lecture before examinations next
week.
Was Native of Virginia.
Mr.. Leavell was born in Rappahan-
mock County. Va, and was educated in
Culpeper, which he regarded as his
boyhood home. He came to Washing
ton as young man, becoming associ-
ated with the American Security d
Trust Co, where he organized the trust
department of that banking institution.
Six years ago he went with the Mer-
chants Bank &: Trust Co., organizing
it's trust department. He had been a
member OF the faculty of the American
Institute of Banking for the past two
years and was regarded as an authority
on the trust functions of financial in
situations.
Mr.. Leavell lived at 81 East Bradley
lane, Chevy Chase, Md. He is survived
by his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth o. Leavell;
the son mentioned, and a daughter,
Mrs Robert Malone, who lives at Stone
leigh Court. A brother and sister, who
live in Virginia. also survive him.
Coroner hewitt issued certificate OF
death from heart failure.