The herald., 1895-04-13
4, A Prominent Railroad Man
Suicides in Tacoma
DEATH OF PAUL SCHULZE
Ex.Lsnd Agent Of the Northern Pacific
Ends His Troubles
The Corporation Called For His Resignation
Several Days Ago-Was Interested
In Big Enterprises

TACOMA, Wash. April 12.-Disheart-
ened by financial difficulties and his re-
moval from an honored position, Paul
Schulze, general land agent of the North
ern Pacific railroad killed himself this
morning. at IL 80 o'clock. He put 3S-
calibre bullet through his head with
Saith & Wesson revolver. The body was
not found until :45 p. M. and it was
nearly 5 o'clock before the coroner was
notified. The news became public after
o'clock and greatly surprised the entire
city. Mr.. Schulze was one of the best
known men in the northwest. Ger
man by birth, he entered the Northern
Pacific service under Henry Willard and
nearly ten years ago was made general
land agent at, the western end of the
rod. During the last year or so his pol
icy of management had not been ap-
proved by the Northern Pacific manage
meHt and frequently it has been rumored
thxt he would be removed. Last Wednes-
day he announced that he had resigned
at the request of Land Commissioner
Phipps. He did not seem to feel badly
about the matter then, but it is certain
he felt keenly that the removal showed a
lack of appreciation of his services. He
was president of the Yakima Investment
company. owner of the great Sunnyside
canal in Yakima county, with assets OF
over $1,000, ,000 and president of the Taco
ma Railway and Motor company, owner
of two-thrds of the street railway system
here. Both companies are in receivers
hands and he was one of the receivers of
the former company. The financial diff
e II. 1.oI h st,,
much trouble.
Mr.. Schulze spent but part of Thursday
at his Office, though his resignation was
not to take effect until Monday. He went
home at 8 O'Clock and ate dinner. After
dinner he ordered a fire built in the
kitchen, and the servants, who were in
and out of the room, say that he burned
several bundles of private papers, includ.
ing letters. At 8 O'Clock he sent for Dr.
Yocum, his physician, and complained
Of pain in his chest. The doctor was
there over an hour, and about 10 30 Mr.
--Sehallze retired. At So'eleck this morn
ing Henry, his Japanese servant, took
up,a light, breakfast. He told his master
that lie was going to market and asked if
lie wanted anything in particular pur-
chased. Mr. Schulze replied ''No, and at
1l:30 the japanese woman servant heard
a noise in the direction of Mr.. Schulze's
room. 1t is considered certain that she
heard the fatal shot, as the body was Geld
when found. At O'Clock the man Henry
returned, and as somebody had telephoned
for Mr.. Schulze he went to his door and
Knocked. There was no response, and as
the deceased frequently slept very late,
Henry decided not to disturb him. He
tried the door, but it was locked A little
before o'clock Alfred Anderson, Mr..
Schulze's private secretary, telephoned
up, and when informed that he had not
got up, directed the servant to ascertain
what was the matter. The door was still
locked, and finally the servant broke it
open. He found his master lying stiff
in death, with bullet throsh his head.
The ball had entered the right temple and
stopped Just inside the skin on the op-
posite side. DR.. Yocum was called. He
made an exclamation and notified the
coroner and friends. There will be no in
quest, the coroner says.
A number Of warm personal friends and
Northern Pacific officials gathered at the
house and learned the details of the sad
story, some OF them choking with sobs.
Mr.. Schultze was one OF ,he most generous
, of men to his friends and was ever ready
to do them kind act. This fact and the
nature of his demise causes them the
deepest sorrow. President Oakes and
General Manager Kendrick of the North
ern Pacific, who came here partly to
arrange for the transfer of his office to
his successor, were much affected by the
tragedy.
Paul Schulze was born in Germany in
1s4s. and received collgiate and univer-
sity education in his native country. He
came to the United States in November,
1865, at the age of 20. After having been
engaged i'll various occupations in Califor-
mia. in November. 1871, he entered the
service of the lahd department of the Ore
gon and California railroad in Portland,
Ore. During visit in Germany in 1874
he met Henry Willard, who soon after
became president of the Oregon and Cali
fornia railroad and Mr.. Schulze was APP
pointed land agent of that road in July.
1874, which position he held until April,
1884. In August, 1882. he was appointed
general land agent of the Northern Pacific
and was otherwise connected with various
enterprise with Mr.. Willard. In 1885 the
general land Office of the Northern Pacific
was removed to Tacoma and he had lived
here ever since.
Mr.. Sculze was vice president of the
Tacoma Smelling and Refining Company.
director in the Traders Bank. and was
formerly president of the Union Club.
He owned "a large house. He was mar
ried, but three years ago and secured a
divorce. His wife and daughter had re-
sided in Germany for number of years
previous to that.
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