New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-22
THE DEATH OF MIR. PULSIFER.
WAS IT THE RESULT OF SUICIDE OR HEART
DISEASE?
ALONE IN HIS LAST MoMENTs-A briLhiANA
CAREER AS A NEWSPAPER MANTLE FAM
lily SILENT RESPECTING HIS DEATH
,.xrv,rop,pu TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

lily SILENT RESPECTING HIS DEATH
r,y TELEGRAPH THE TRBuSE-1
pos,o, Oc. o1-Thls community was greatly
shocked this morning learn Of the sudden death OF
Colonel Royal NJ Pusifer, for many years one OF the
propretors and the business manager OF 1he bos'on
Herald 1t was generally believed that Mr Pusiier
had committed suicide and there were three versions
as to tho manner OF his dcath-ono that he had shol
himself another that he had taken an overdose OF
some opiatc and another that he had died from ner
vous prostration At The Herald" Office II was
denied that he had committed suicide. To-day The
HcraldD says:
lie was expecting to go TO Springfield on Thurs
day night but sent note to his wife at his Boston
residence saying he too Ill TO CO. and should
inscad 20 TO Islington and get good nights rest,
which he greatly needed IL was no unusual thihs
for him to visit his country house under similar
circumstances. He also said he would go to Spring
field on tho following morning. He was suffering al
the time from nervous prostration due 10 l-
somnIa AS Mrs. Pulsfcr had received no word from
her husband up TO Friday night, she became alarmed
and directed that search be made for him. Upon
opening the door OF the room known as The guests
chamber, the body found lying on a low bed
In perfectly natural position as If in slumber IN
the opinion Of the medical examiner and the FAMILY
physician, who made a careful examination, there
was not the slightest evidence to lead to any CON
clslon other than that death resulted from natural
causes
Medical Examiner Mead stated to reporters that
Mr.. Pulscr had not shot himself but he declined 10
say what was the cause OF death He will make no
examination.
No official statement OF the exact cause OF death IS
obtalnable to night but the undertakers he died
of heart disease and the fam ly decline to make pubic
anything further than the statement given by Ih'
Herald The belief, however. is quite general that
II of suicide, induced by financial embaHass'
ments report that heart disease was the cause
IS not Incompatible with the experience OF Colonei
Pulsifcr for two three years past, aud especially
for the past year His retirement fiom the business
management of The Herald owing to his unfortunate
financial specula,ons outs de Of his news
paper business, undoubtedly preyed upon his mind,
and 1t certainly had the effect to give him careworn
and dis pred appearance.
In going to his place at Isngton, which was buiit
by Z. d. wlnslow. the forger Mr. Pulsfcr strangely
isolated himself Only the gardener was about the
place and he was apparently not aware that MS e-
ployer in the house.
For several years Mr.. Pulsfer has been so deeply
embarrassed I'm his ventures outside of The Herald
Office that his failure has been announced several
times. lie was remarkably shrcwd manager when
having control of the business department OF " The
Herald but hs enterprise, his energy and ability
and his position as the business head of pros porous
and influential new spaper made him a mark for lhan-
solicitation of many inscriptions adventurers and
in few years was identlncd with good h many ~
most csses Sspped his nances to dangerous degree
Ills credit on he Street was essentially impaired and
rsSn naS %i .Tbe In eTsda His msortunes were
the result Of mlsdIrected ambition and no taiht oi
dishonesty attaches to his memory
Mr. PGsiier was born about forty five years ago. in
Newton, where he always maintained a residence ana
where ho died In 1861. at the age Of eighteen yeasi
he entered the counting room of The Herald then
sGGd My BY F p1s @so rapid y h pda and
taken into the firm. In the spring OF leoo ne
together with four of his associates on the paper
Mr. Raj
and rapidly increased It's circulation aud wealth;
r r Psssr %peS pSueaM lay
part of his income, be might to-day nave peen
Was Interested in mere prcess ventures Than any
other man in Boston-invoved him seriously IN tho
Of s'' 'sT sThe s'"'' Herald he took the business
Of ns @rsa @s Ri became
mint Colonel PuIsicr bought Justin Andrew out
and thereby The chief o%ns Xdnes M wegs Began
TO embaass him Then the e'her ne IL into
Stock company the business MANAGEMENT taken from
Colonel Pdsiiers hands and his interest IN the com
Ps%y campsns @s Sm he had not had to do with
the paper since the change four months ago. n,or
wealth Bank. OF the Boston Safe Deposit and Trust
Company, of several mining and railroad COMPANIES,
besides other financial institutions and a. president
of the Marietta and Georgia Railroad IN which cor cor
poraton he was largely interested. lie wa was % siso
9cn Of tbc o wnona Paper Company Of oyohe Mass
In 1869. when the New England Associated Press
capacity he served until his recent retirement from
active newspaper work With Governor Talbot he had
been associated In the business of the Commonwealth
Rank and the Safe Deposit Company and by Governor
Talbot he was given the title of Colonel, being made
a member of his staff. In Newton he was always
highly esteemed, and his own regard for his native
town was noticeable. He assisted In me
work of securing city chartor ana
I'm organizing the CITY 49, government
Later he became member Of the Water B9ald OF
benefit TO his fellow citizens planning with his asso
cafes the system of water works and preparing Other
matters of general good He also accomplished much
for the city as president of the hospital corporation
For several years he ur,cd 10 become &c candl
date for the MayOray, but not until 1870 could he
be induced to accept Then, as the nominee OF all
parties and with practically a unanimous vote. he
became Mayor of Newton. Into these political mat,
tiers he brought the same business energy, combined
,b friendly disposition, that marked his PERSONAL
business affairs. and by all with whom he was assO-
ciated he Will be greatly missed. His wife and one
daughter survive him. ~,
. Friends VIII have opportunity to view the
remains al the homo Of Colonel PuSiters mother
from IL until ] O'Clock to morrow, and the lnterment
will be made after with private services.