, 1892-11-30

gam lis COAupOsuIo as buuu6uly
as ne began, and when questioned by his
companions as to the cause Of his sudden
grief he could not be induced to talk
1t was plain.to those living in the same
house that his mind was giving way and
friends were notified, who watched him
closely, but at moment when least ex-
pected the demented musician fastened
rope to the beam of the door and hung
himself. He was cut down within fifteen
minutes but it was too late He was
dead.
PRELIMINARY DETAILS.
News of the sad and untimely end of
Professor Nitschke was brought to Olym-
pia this morning by Dave Provue, a resi-
dent Of the valley and a near neighbor of
Nitschke's. He left there at 4 o'clock this
morning to get the coroner, but he was in
formed by Coroner Armstrong that it
would be unnecessary for the coroner to
go out to the valley. Provue was instruct
ed to bring the body to Olympia.
Upon arriving in town ProVue at once
found George Hansard, an intimate friend
Of Professor Nitschke and informed him of
the occurrence. Mr.. Hansard has known
the deceased for many years. They were
acquainted In New York and came to this
state in 1880 as members of the Newell col
ony. Prof. Nitschke made his home with the
family of Mr.. Hansard for some time after
coming to Washington. They both own
claims in Sherman valley. Mrs. Hansard
is in Seattle, and during her absence Ham
sard and Nitschke have batched while en-
gagged in clearing their claims. For the
past six weeks, however, Mr.. Hansard has
been in Olympia, employed in laying car
pets in the court house. Nitschke
was not left alone, however
Phil Vincent and Mr.. Meyer, carpenters
who were putting up house for G. Nosch-
ka on an adjoining claim, lived with
Nitschke. They cooked their own meals,
made their own beds, and did all tneir own
hOuseWork. While the carpenters were at
work upOu ! he ueW-heuse, 5'stiiils4 was a,3Elg
short distance away, Nitschke busted
himself about the place, and did not be-
tray any, special signs OF approaching
mental collapse
Yesterday morning however, he seemed
to be growing worse. Vincent and Never
had finished their work and were preparing
to leave. They soon bade farewell to the
man of genius, but on their way stopped
at the home of Ralph Weller and informed
MN OF the strange conduct of Professor
Nitschke, suggesting that he ought to be
carefully watched. Weller, accompanied
by H. SturdeYant, who is working for him.
at once went to the house where Nitschke
lived. They were presently Joined by
Provue, who had been informed of the
professors condition by one of the neigh
bors, who had started for doctor. Later
Paul HOlthusen was added to the
party. Subsequent occurrences can better
be told substantially in the language of
Dave ProVue, from whom the information
was obtained by TRIBUNE representative.
STORY OF THE HANGING.
ave let Nitschke do about as he pleased" !"
said Provue. HE wandered from one place
to another through the grass, weeds and
underbrush. We scattered out and kept a
close watch one him. We were afraid he
would harm himself in some way. He
didn't seem to know what he wanted or
what he was trying to do, This lasted all
afternoon. By night we were all wet from
walking through the brush and keeping
track Of Nitschke. We wanted to build a
fire so we could get warm, but he would
not let us build fire in the house. Then
he began to act wild and ordered us out of
the house. He rushed from one part Of
the house to the other as if trying to find
something. We lit lamp and he blew out
the light. By o'clock we were so cold
from our wet clothes that we decided to
build an open fire out back of the barn, and
at the same time keepa watch on Nitschke.
We slipped out shortly after 8 O'Clock
and built the fire. We were gone scarcely
fifteen minutes. Nitschke was quiet
and we did not think there was any dan
ger. Paul Holthusen and myself went to
the house after the fire was built to see
how Nitschke was. We found him hang
ing in the doorway. He had driven a
uen-penny steel nail into the timber above
the entrance. Then he had taken two
strands of a hay rope, tied the ends
together, fastened one end to the nail, put
the open loops under his chin and dropped
down with his full weight. He did not
make any loop or moose. His head could
have slipped out easily. When we found
him his knees almost touched the floor.
His hands were clasped together between
his legs Just above his knees and his face
was turned upward. cut him down and
we laid him on the bed. We tried to bring
him back to life but itwas to late. He had
stTangled to death. Before hanging him
self he had removed his coat and vest,
taken of his truss and let down his sus-
penders. He seemed to have taken his
time aboutit. 1 left Warren Hendershott
and Paul Holthusen in charge of the body
while 1 came to town. The body will be
brought to town tomorrow"
NITscHKE's ANTEoEDENTs.
Nitschke was born in Westpnalia, Ger
many, 1S43. He early evinced fondness
for music and enjoyed the rare privilege of
being pupil of the renowned Listz. In
/ deed the pianos upon which Listz COM
posed and improvised some of his famous
| selections were made by Nitschke's father,
who was an expert pianO-forte maker.
Often, while a mere lad Listz played with
/ him, rode him on his knees and at the
same time taught him the rudiments Of
| his own wonderful art. Nitschke's music
al education was complete. He studied
under the best masters of the time. Much
of his training was obtained in London.
He learned now to make piano cases, but
in New York City he followed the occupa-
/ ton of a crayon artist. Nitschke was not
married. He has two sisters living in New
York. One of them is the wife of James
Raisbeck, Of New York, the brother Of Joe
Raisbeck, Of Seattle. Mr.. Joe Raisbeck
has been notified and will be here probably
/ by tonight or tomorrow. As soon as he
comes and the local New York addresses
of Nitschke's sister can be learned they
will be notified of their brothers death.
Nitschke's life in ThurstOn county is toe
well-knOwn to need a detailed description.
His wonderful musical talent made him
famous in Western Washington. His
mastery of the piano was truly mariculous
Personally he was popular with all classes
He took keen interest in musical anC