The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-03
He Told Friend He Would Take
Vacation.
STORIES OF. TROUBLES DENIED.
His Family Relations Were Amicable.
Belief That He Took an Over.
dose While Intoxicated.

SuiclQ6 TUESDAY HlSnl, pIOFeu yoSteIudy
to be a doubtful question. Those nearest
to him in social and business relations are
very positive in their assertions that he did
not take his own life. Al least from the
developments of yesterday it is open to
doubt whether he took the poison with
generalization, or. merely made fatal er-
ror in. his dose while under the influence
of liquor.
The belief of Kohler's friends and ply
stefan is that be attempted to measure out
dose of morphine with some whisky to
induce sleep after spree, in the Turkish
baths ON Post street, but was in condition
of recklessness bordering on. insanity,
and .jumbled a bottle Of morphine with
a flask of whisky, and. drank the
deadly connection. In support of this
theory it is argued that Kdhler, though ap-
parently man of splendid physique, was
in reality victim of nervousness and in
somnIa. lie was an extraordinarily active
and Industrious young man. at 27 years
of age he assumed control of the extensive
wine business of Kohler & Fr0hling. and
since then has been a most enthusiastic
worker in all movements tending to benefit
the wine interests of California Only
very lately did he cease from many years
of earnest labors and wearsome busi-
ness cares. Then Of late he INDUCED quite
frequently with more freedom than dis
erection in the flowing bowl. All combined
tended to the development OF a nervous
temperament. His physician says he has
suffered much from insomnia and had TO
take morphine to soothe his nerves and pro-
duce sleer.
Frank West of Stockton, who was assoc
ciated with Kohler in the Sierra Vista
vineyards. near Fresno. came to town
Yesterday Oh account of the tragic ending
of his friend. He ridieuled the idea of
suicide.
Charley Kohler was not the kind of
man to take his own life. lie never did
it," said he.
81 don't know what to make of it. But
a week ago he and l were together for
some time. He told me he intended to
take life easy now for while and devote
4 will 60 up to Sonoma for a month or so,'
he said to me. and then I'll 90 down and
look over. the Fresno vineyard and rest d t
the same time I'm sure from The way he
spoke tina! he intended to carry out his
programme to the letter. We were con-
fdential friends.
He reviewed his business career and
remarked that for man of his years he
had done enough to warrant rest of few
months at least. He was 80 years of age.
Eight years ago his father died, aud ;hen,
at. the age of q, Charley was put al the
head of the house of Kohler 81 Frohling.
The grave responsibility assumed by him
and with what extraordinary success can
not be appreciated by any one not familiar
with the interests Involved. There was
the house itself in San Francisco, prob
ably the second largest here; there were
two wineries in Sonoma, one at Glen Ellen
and three at Windsor; vineyard. near
Fresno. IN which am interested, and an;
other at Nadeau in Southern California,
and also the New 7 ork house Of Kohler 81
Frohling.
"For nearly eight years he administered
the affairs of this large concern with sim
gular success.
1.-THE New York partner. Henry Bohr-
mann, sold his interest in the firm about
two years ago, aud then Mrs. Elsie Kohler
and her sons Charles and Hans became its
sole owners. The firm is not now In exist
ence, having been merged into the Califor-
MIA Wine Association.
II see that somebody started story last
night that Charley Kuher had been re-
fused the right by his firm to sign checks.
Now. there's not word of truth In that
statement. In any case there is no firm,
so you see the injustice thus done him.
Some one pretending 10 know his affairs
says be was respondent on account of this
ID after. and that he had spoken of suicide
consequently. l know that all his family
and business relations were friendly; but
anyhow, as there was no firm in existence,
there could not be any checks to sign.
''He was a director Of the California
Wine Association. in which are associated
c. Carpy & Co.. Arpad Haraszthy & Co.,
Kohler & Frohling, B. Dreyfus d Co.,
Kohler 81 Van Bergen, S. Lachman 81 Co.
and the Napa Valley Wine Company.
About two months ago he resigned, and
has since made inventories and closed out
his connection with the association.
although the youngest member of the
board he was made chairman of the wine
making committee, which put him in the
position of having general charge of the
wine-making operations of the largest
wine industry in the world. He was a
man of a great deal more than ordinary
ability and took deep interest in his
work"
The president of the association stated
there had been no trouble between Charles
KnhIer and the board of managers. Hans
Kohler is secretary, and only The president
and secretary have power to sign checks.
There Is a story, however. among wine
men to the effect that Charles Kohier was
the leading spirit in founding the associa-
tfon and had expected to be elected its
president. The disappointment caused
him to resign from the board. but this, his
friends declare, is without foundation.
Hans Kohler stated his convection that
his brother made a fatal mistake without
knowing it. Family relations were en-
tirely amicable. Indeed, every confidence
was placed in Charles ability ana good
judgment and the family trusted him with
It's financial affairs.
"Wny he should take his life," said the
brother" sis beyond my power to tell. He
was not Respondent, but on the contrary
very jovial and fullof hopes and projects
for the future. He had everything to live
for. His physician tells me he took NOR
phlBe for insomnia, and it lis my belief my
brother took an overdose in the baths. He
cid not drink to excess. By no means;
though, of course, he would once in a
while, like any of the boys. take little
100 much when with jovial crowd, that
was all.
An inquest will be held at the Coroner's
office on Saturday when the truth will
probably come out. The funeral will be
held to-day at p. NJ. from his late resi-
dence, 1924 Gougn. street, and will be pri-
yate. His family have decided TO lay his
remains beside his father in the Masonic
Cemetery.
Strike of Furnace Men.
PrrTsBURG, Jan. 2.-::There were no de-
tr. in. he etribe of fnros.o