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Show SUCH MARKSMANSHIP. Former Judge William G. Riley, of Virginia, the only man In the history of the American consular ; service who did personal violence to the sovereign of the country to which he was accredited, Is dead. Mr. Riley was appointed by Grant as consul i , , ,. , , to Zanzibar. He was presented to the Sultan, but found that the Sultana was the real power. Mr. Riley was informed that he would not be permitted to display the American flag over the consulate. But the flag did fly, says The Argonaut. Mr. Riley related that he shot to death with his fowling piece two members of a guard of soldiers sent to cut down the colors. The Sultana sent word that if the flag flew twenty minutes longer, she woujd haul it down in person. According to Mr. Riley's story, which he declared is authenticated by State Department records, the Sultana charged the consulate con-sulate with such desperation that he was obliged to Are upon her and her military escort, with the result that the Sultana's robes wer6 pierced by iorty birdshot and she was borne away and was unable to sit beside her husband on the royal throne for many days. A commission was sent to Zanzibar to settle the incident. Mr. Riley remained re-mained there, and became persona grata at court and a favorite of the Sultana. Senator Vest, of Missouri, made the "Zanzibar vendetta" famous by a version in which Mr. Riley shot the Sultana, who persisted in bathing without a single garment in full view of the household of the American consulate". |