The record-union., 1892-05-24
PROFESSOR CHARLES WINTER.
Death of the Pioneer Musician Of This
City.
The Veteran Pianist Suddenly and Fa-
tally Stricken Down-Something
About His Life.

Professor Charles Winter, the we'll
known musician and piano teacher, who
had lived in this city some thirty-five
years, died last evening at the Capital
Hotel, where for more than thirty long
years he had made his home. He had
been confined to his room but two or
three days, the direct cause of his death
being inflammation Of the brain.
Professor Winter was a native of Han
over, and about 81 years of age. lie
came to California in 1919, and for few
years following held a Customhouse
position in Sacramento, next taking up
his residence Gn the early fifties) in this
city. He was in those days recognized as
the finest performer on the piano on this
coast, and in 1860 was engaged to give a
recital at the pavilion during the State
Fair, which was regarded as one of the
beSt-draWlng features OF the exhibition.
During all the years that have inter
vened Professor Winter was a teacher of
the piano IN this city, and it is sale to say
that no teacher was ever more compe-
tent. The best amateur performers this
city has produced-and the brilliant Unes
have been by no means few-haVe been
pupils of Charles Winter Indeed, in his
! y
where, either as performer or teacher.
Deceased was thoroughly trained
| scholar and was familiar with the French.
German, Hebrew, Latin and Greek Ian
guages, beside being perfect in English.
In his younger days he was a man OF
striking appearance-tall, elegant and
handsome to degree that seldom falls to
the lot of men. lie was then very fastid-
ious in his dress, but never loud. In
short, he was always the embodiment OF
the well-bred gentleman of the old
school.
Those who knew the then young and
dashing Professor say that he passed
through at least two stormy "heart expe-
riences," each of which left its scars and
that they were deep ones at that. AS the
years came on and the brilliancy of youth
became dimmed-added to mis- soreness of
heart-the Professor declined in health
and spirits, andstinally contracted social
habits that crowded him from the high
plane he had occupied in society. Still he
maintained his standing as teacher, and
up to the day Of his death continued to
have pupils among the members of the
best families in the city.
4 more genial or sunny nature than
that of Charles Winter is seldom met with
among men. He always had warm
hand-grasp and pleasant word for his
friends, who were legion, for Charles
Winter had few. if any, enemies.
Although q good and stanch Ameri-
can citizen, deceased always retained a
strong attachment for his fatherland. and
was firm believer in the old Emperor
William and Bismarck. He was a mem
ber of the Pioneer Society of this city,
and when the news of his death was an
nounced many of his pioneer associates
were panied as if parting with brother
Deceased was especially the friend of
children, and many little one who has
experienced his tender, fatherly caresses
in the past will feel sad to know that their
old friend has gone to his long sleep. The
Pioneers have taken charge OF the body,
and the funeral will take place under
their auspices. 1t has been suggested that
the local bands might turn out to the
funeral of one who had always done so
much to elevate the standard of music in
this city.