The morning call., 1893-10-26
HE WAS A NERVOUS MAN.
But Had No Cause to Take His
Own Life.
RUMORS LACKING CONFIRMATION
So Far as Anybody Is Aware He
Was Prosperous and His home
Life Happy.

NEW YORK, Oct. 25.-Nathan Strauss.
local manager of the Levi Strauss dry
goods house Of San Francisco, shot him.
self in his private Office this morning. He
was in good health, and, as far.as learned,
happy. He had a well-balanced DISPOSE
tion. was married and lived in the GreD-
oble fats, Fifty-seventh street, where,
with several children, his life was always
supposed to be comfortable and happy
The cause of the suicide so far Is
wrapped in mystery.
When Strauss reached his Office at the
usual hour this morning he greeted the
clerks pleasantly, as usual. After glanc
ing at his mail he walked back to the room
in the rear. Several porters. who were
working near that room shortly afterward,
found Strauss in an unconscious condi-
tion. There was terrible wound in his
temple. and in his right hand he firmly
grasped pistol
Strauss was removed from his Office to
the hospital, where he died shortly after
noon, before his wife and children could
reach him.
Immediately after the shooting the Office
was a scene of the greatest confusion, the
clerks seemingly not knowing what to do.
The dead man had been very prominent
in the dry goods district and soon after
the shooting the offices of The firm were
crowded with inquiring merchants.
To reporter who asked the chief clerk
whether he could assign any reason for
the suicide of Strauss the clerk replied:
"Oh. well, no. don't know of any"
Ctranso in apu fina raiaI diffioulfiaS 0p
Not that hnow OF"
"Was his married life happy one?"
81 think So"
"And he was in good Eealth7"
''Oh, yes. excellent"
More than this the clerk would not
divulge, and it is possible, and indeed
quits probable. that he really knew no
more about the reasons for the deed than
any body else.
Strauss was Of exceedingly nervous tenn
permanent. IL is said that he had no busi-
ness trouble, but that he has been more
than usually busy during The last five
months. The only reason his friends as
sign for the act Is that his mind had be-
come unbalanced from overwork.
At the Office Of the attorney of Straussit
was said there was every reason to believe
the latter's financial affairs were in the
soundest and most prosperous condition.
The Evening Telegram says Strauss has
been piaying in pretty bad luck at the
races lately and was supposed to be in
some need of funds. On top OF this it is
said he had trouble with his wife. AL
though usually temperate, he had been
drinking heavily of late, and had been
bQ
days in an intoxicated condition. 1t is now
supposed a combination of trouble caused
his suicide.
Abraham Stern, a cousin OF the deceased,
and a memb ber of the firm Of Levi Strauss &
Co., was seen las. evening by a CALL
reporter. and when asked concerning the
case, said:
The whole affair is still mystery to
me. In fact, we have only received one
telegram announcing the death. without
any particulars. Mr.. Strauss has acted as
agent for the local firm in New York for
the past eighteen years. besides having an
interest in the business.
"While in New York City fortnight
ago / stayed with my cousin few days
and found him in most cheerful mood.
l can hardly attribute the deed to domestic
troubles. as Mr.. and Mrs. Strauss lived
together most happily. The news was
really great surprise to the family in
this city, and we can hardly believe that it
is case of suicide"
Nathan Strauss was nephew of Levi
Strauss, and himself wealthy man. he
had an interest in the firm. His relations
with the other members Of the firm were
of the most pleasant character, and his
conduct of the firms business in New
York had been entirely satisfactory.
Nathan Strauss was about A years of
age. He formerly lived in San Francisco,
but for the last eighteen years he had re-
sided in New York. He married about
twenty years ago. and his domestic rela-
tions had been happy. His wife was born
in Elmira, n. Y. and they were married
in the East. Two children, boy and
girl, were born to them and are living.