Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-04
ARTHUR {. RANDLE
TAKES OWN LIFE
ON COAST RANCH
No Reason Given for Suicide
of Prominent Washington
Business Leader.
HAD BEEN IN CALIFORNIA
FOR YEAR TO AID HEALTH
Man Who Reclaimed Anacostia
Flats Had Been Honored Here
on Many Occasions.

Col. Arthur E. Randle, prominent
Washingtonian, who achieved by his
own efforts a position of national i'm
portance in his country's affairs, killed
himself with shotgun yesterday on a
ranch near Santa Barbara, Calf, where
for the past year he had been endeavor-
ing to improve his health. He was 70
years old.
Meager accounts received here today
assigned no reason for the suicide.
Although his health had been bad for
several years, recently his condition had
been much improved.
His body was found late yesterday
at lonely spot on the ranch, owned
by friend, near Santa Barbara, Calf
A large sum in travellers checks was
found in his pocket.
Col. Randle, a widower, maintained
two homes here, one in Randle High
lands and the other at Glen Dale, Md,
about miles from the District Line.
He is survived by an adopted son,
Ulmo S. Randle, who left today for
California to take charge Of the body.
Reclaimed Flats.
Perhaps the greatest single contri-
button by Col Randle toward the i'm
provement Of Washington was his
reclamation of the Anacostia flats,
which for years had menaced the health
OF residents IN the southeast section Of
the city.
After he had reclaimed these low
lands he developed the communities of
and the Maryland towns of Seabrook,
Lincoln and Randle Cliff Beach. He
was owner of the United Securities Co.,
here, and was at one time associated
with one OF the country's leading f1nan-
cial houses. In recognition of his
numerous public services, city officials
have named after him a town, park,
a street, circle and schoolhouse.
He was born in the town of Ar
tesla, Miss, January II, 1859, ninth
child Of Henry Randle and Elizabeth
Lawrence) Randle. He was educated
in the public schools of his community
until IA years of age, when he was sent
to the Shortridge Academy, at Media,
Pa. He later attended the Hollowell
Grammar School, at Philadelphia.
from which he won the prize scholar
ship to the University OF Pennsylvania
Distinguished Family.
Col. Randle was a descendant of
one of the distinguished Revolutionary
families. Col. John Randle, his great
grandfather. was a colonel in the War
for Independence and a descendant OF
Randle, Earl of Chester, among the
first Of the Angle Norman lords to be
called to the Parliament OF King John
after the signing of the Magma Charter.
Gov. Longino of Mississippi appointed
Mr. Randle a colonel of Cavalry on his
staff in 1902. He was married to Har-
riet E. Shannon, who died October 81,
1922. She was the daughter of DR.. Sam
uel H. Shannon, prominent Pennsyl-
Vania physician. The mother and father
of Col. RandIe died when he was an in
FAINT
Col. Randle came to Washington in
1885 and since had made his home here
or in the immediate vicinity. Just be-
fore coming here he worked with his
brother, DR.. William Henry Randle of
Philadelphia, who had been appointed
by President Hayes in 1873 to eliminate
yellow fever in the South. The two
men devoted several years to the task
OF stamping out this dread malady,
which had taken heavy toll of lives
before being brought under control.
1t has been estimated that land
decided to the District of Columbia in
the form of streets in Col. Randle's
developments, If put in a straight line,
would extend from Washington to
Baltimore.
Offers Camp Site.
In 1918, during the World War, he
rendered to the Government. free of
charge, the use of his properties as a
camp site. He also insisted on return
ing Liberty Bonds he had purchased,
to the Government. For these patriotic
actions President Wilson wrote him in
part as follows:
II do not know that it will be pos
sible for the Government to avail itself
of your kind offer of the use of your
landed property, but you may be sure
that I will keep the offer in mind in
case it should be necessary to avail
ourselves of it, in the meantime thank
ing you most warmly for making such
generous offer"
After the capture of Jerusalem from
the Turks by the British general AL
lenby, Col. Randle rented the Belasco
Theater on Christmas day, 1917, and
presided over mass meeting of all be-
levers in all religions in observance of
the event. President Roosevelt wrote
his last autographed letter thanking
him for calling the service. A short
time before the capture of the city was
announced, Col. Randle wanted to or
ganize a company Of volunteers to go
to the Holy Land to assist in the TAX
ing of Jerusalem, but was diSSuaced
by the President, who objected on the
ground that this country was not at
the time engaged in war with Turkey.
A speech delivered by Col. Randle at
a dinner In London, England, in Sep
tember, 1899, is said by many to. have
started the movement to develop
Washington into the worlds most beau
tiful city. Other speakers at this din
ner were Crosby Noyes, one of the
founders of The Star, and Gen. Stanley,
u. S. A.
Col. Randle retired from active busi-
ness about year ago. He was men,
her of the New York Chamber of Com
,,aarco ftoa WaShiuutoY, BOARD of Trade