The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-25
MR.. PULSIFER'S SUICIDE
DENIED BY HIS FORMER ASSOCIATES
OF THE HERALD.
The Cause of His Death-His Heavy
endorsements Growing Out of
Indiscreet Outside speculation-His
Enterprise and Energy.


that at the Herald office it was denied that
he had committed suicide. Today the
Herald says:
HE was expecting TO 60 to Springfield
on Thursday night, but sent note to his
wife at his Boston residence saying that
he was too i'll to 60, and should instead go
to Islington and get good nights rest,
which he greatly needed. II was no unu-
sual thing for him TO visit his country
house under similar circumstances. lie
also said he would go to Springfield on the
following morning. lie was suffering at
the time from severe nervous prostration
due to insomnia. AS Mrs. Pulsifer had
received no word from her husband up to
Friday night, she became alarmed and di-
rected that search be made for him.
Upon opening the door of the room known
as the guests chamber, the body was
found lying on low bed in perfectly
natural position as II in slumber. In the
opinion Of the medical examiner and the
family physician, who made a careful ex-
animation, there was not the slightest evil.
dence TO lead TO any conclusion other than
that death resulted from natural causes."
Medical Examiner Mead stated to re-
portes that Mr.. Pulsifer had not shot him
self, but he declined TO say what was the
cause Of death.
No official statement Of the exact cause
OF death is obtainable tonight, but the un-
dertakers say he died OF heart disease and
the family decline to make public any
thing further than the statement given by
the Herdd. The belief, however, is quite
general that il is case OF suicide, induced
by financial embaIrassments, but the re-
port that heart disease was the cause is not
incompatible with the experience OF Col.
Pulsiier for two or three years past, and
especially for the past year. His retire.
ment from the business management of the
Herald, owing TO his unfortunate financial
speculations outside Of his newspaper bus
ines, undoubtedly preyed upon his mind
and il certainly had the effect to give him
careworn and dispirited appearance.
In going to his place at lslington, which
was built by l.. ID. Winslow, the forger,
Mr.. Pulsiier strangely isolated himself
Only the gardener was about the place,
and he was apparently not aware that his
employer was in the house.
For several years Mr. Pulsiier has been
20 deeply embarrassed in his ventures
outside Of the Herald Office that his failure
has been announced several times. lie
was a remarkably shrewd manager when
having control OF the business departments
Of the HTdld, but his enterprise, his en-
ergy and ability and his position ~ the
business head OF prosperous and iniluen-
tial newspaper made him mark for iinan-
cial sharks of every description. lie
a.. fl.. -
ulous adventures, and in u few years was
identified with a good many schemes
which never yielded him n penny, and in
most cases tapped his finances to dan.
grrous degree. Ills credit on tho street
was essentially impaired, and finally re-
suited In - dissolution Of his business con-
nection with the Herald His misiOrtunes
were the result Of INSTRUCTED ambition,
and no faint OF dishonesty attaches to his
memory.
Mr.. Pulsiier was born about forly-fve
years ago in Newton, where he always
maintained residence and, where he
died. In 1861, at the age OF eighteen
years, he entered the couniing.room Of the
Herald, then controlled by T.. T.. Bailey.
BY his intelligence and aptitude, Mr.. Pull
siicr made rapid progress, and was soon
taken into the firm. In the spring Of 1859
lac, together with four OF his associates on
the paper, purchased Mr.. Bailcy's interest
in the Hadid, aud rapidly increased It's
circulation and wealth. For several years
money poured in rapidly, aud had Mr..
Pulsifer remained content 30 lay aside a
reasonable part Of his income, lac might to-
day have been millionaire but his I'M
fortunate speculations and lac was inter-
estcd in more prolitless ventures han any
L.. L.. al
ously In the last few years. When he be-
came one OF the owners Of the Herald. he
he took the business management ot the
paper into his hands. Under careful man
agcment the Herald became a literal
mint. Col. Pulsifcr bought Justin Andrew
out and thereby became the chief owner.
All went swimmingly until Col. Pulsler' :
outside ventures began 81 embarrass him.
Then the other owners OF the paper In
sisted that the Herald bc converted into n
stock company, the business management
taken from Col. Pul.ilers hands and his
interest in the company much lesscncd.
lie was made president Of the new com.
pany, but ne had not had much 10 do with
The paper since the change four months
-2go. This change was cause OF great
grief 10 Mr.. Pusiier, and undoubtedly
hclpcd 10 injuro his health, which 81 late
has been somewhat broken.
Mr.. Pulsiicr served "a a director OF the
Commonwealth bank, OF the Boston safe
Deposit and Trust company, Of several
mining and railroad companies, besides
other financial institutions, and ~ prcsi-
dent Of the Marietta x Georgia railroad. In
which corporation he was largely interest
ed. lie was also president Of the Mexican
rulque company, aud president Of the WI
mona Paper company, Of HOlyokc, Mass.
In 1862, when the New England Associated
Press was organized, lac became It's sccrc-
tary, aud In that capacity he served until
his recent retirement FROM active ncwspa-
per work. With Gov. TALBOT he had been
associated in the business Of the Common
wealth bank and the safe Deposit COM
pany, and 10y Gov. Talbot he was given the
title Of colonel, being made a member OF
his staff In Newton he was highly cs-
teemcd, and his own regard for his native
town was noticeable. He assisted In the
work Of securing city charter and In or
ganiEing the city government. Later he
became member Of the water board OF
Newton and helped devise many schemes
Of great benefit TO his fellow. citizens, plan.
ming with his associates the system ol
watcr-works and preparing other matters
Of general good lie also accomplished
much for the city ~ president OF the hos
pital corporation. For several years he
was urged 10 become the candidate for the
mayoralty, but not until 1879 could he be
induced 10 accept Then. as the nominee
OF all parties and with practically q unani'
nous vote. he became mayor OF Newton.
Into these political matters lac brought the