The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-23
GBHLKA'S BbIGHTEDs GENIUS
FEAR OF CONSUMPTION DROVE
VIOLINIST TO SUICIDE.
Had Oner From Boston Symphony Orches-
ira NJ Well a. Metropolitan Opera
House-No Love AFFAIR, Money Plenty
I Resolve to Die Reached In Day.

--ReSUlN6 10 blO NCeVhVo 40 - DeSs
There was much sorrow and amazement
among musicians both In New York and
Boston yesterday when the news Of the
suicide OF young Max Guhlka became
known. The young man had many friends
and admirers In both cities, and 1t seemed
incredible to them all that he could have
DESTROYED himself at the very outset OF
career which seemingly lay so full Of radiant
promise before him.
He had no love entan clements and not
the slightest shadow Of pecuniary trouble
In fact, those who assisted him In getting
his musical education had insisted that he
continue to receive their support for an
other year and that he save for himself
all III money he earned in that time.
Ig>is not believed that up to Thursday
he thought OF killing himself. but 1t Is
known that for many months back he was
haunted with the fear that he had tuber-
culosis. His father died Of the disease
and he had developed symptoms Of late
~hieA gave his friends some uneasiness.
He consulted q doctor In London and an
other here He went out on Tuesday night
to see doctor. He did not 60 to hepartou-
lar one whom he spoke Of seeing; whether
he saw some other or not Is not known.
But it is certain that he made up his mind
at least as early as Friday morning to kill
himself.
He lived with his mother and sister In
an apartment at So East Eighty eighth
street. The sister was out on Friday
his mother He induced her to 60 to a
rear apartment to lie down. He shut the
door after she left him and Immediately
after shot himself straight between the
eyes with q revolver he had had for years
His death was instantaneous.
One of the three letters he wrote was ad-
dressed to Herbert X. Limburger law
yer of No. is William street. Mr.. Limbur-
ger, who was warm friend Of Guhlka's, In
speaking of the tragedy yesterday. said.
Upon his return to this country young
Guhlka seemed in exceptionally good
spirits. He eagerly looked forward to
securing permanent work, and was even
more DESTROYS Of appearing as soloist in
concerts.
After spending some time in the country
with friends, the matter Of his public ap-
pearance was preached to Heinrich Conried.
Mr. Conried said that in matters OF that
kind he relied very largely upon Mr.. Hertz
and Mr.. Frankie neither OF whom was at
return Guhika was Introduced to him.
He played at the Opera H ouse the following
morning, Mr.. Hertz accompanying him
on the piano. They performed the famous
Brahms sonata for the violin and piano
and the Wieniawski concerto, In which, it
was subsequently determined ,Guhlka should
make his first public appearance In America.
Mr.. Hertz could not speak highly enough
of Guhlkas talent and requirements. He
said it would give him the greatest pleasure
20 have young Guhlka play under his baton
This occurred about two weeks ago,
and after an interview with Mr., Conried
the matter was regarded as entirely settled,
and the various parts we're given to Guhlka
should make his first bow to the public
as soloist on the occasion Of the first
regular Sunday evening concert on Nov.
81, 1904 at the Metropolitan Opera House.
Il saw Guhlka very frequently after
h and the he WORK wss 1hsa ayen
70 him to prepare. The scores had Teen
Given to him because he was to play the
solo parts wherever occurring In any OF the
Wagner productions, and it was his ambi-
ton to play these better than they had ever
been played before.
He had seen Col Higginson and Mr..
Hills OF Boston prior to his arrangement
with Mr.. Conried, and they had promised
lie al le to hear him play He went to Bos.
ton little more than week ago and played
for Mr. Gericke and Mr.. Willy Hess, both
OF whom at once urged him to settle In
Boston and become one Of the first violins
n the Boston symphony Orchestra:
"On Sunday last 1 saw him and he was
extremely cheerful. l am informed by
friends that as late as Tuesday evening
he was in the same mood On Wednesday
he called ON Mr. Nahan Frankie. who had
told him that nothing remained for him to
do but sign the contract the next morning.
Mr. Frankie suggested that Guhlka play
for him at the same time. Guhlka was
highly pleased with the idea and promised
to return the next morning Mr.. Frankie
him aDCOlIrappfDent He told
him that according to his information
there were few If any violinists in the city
who could play great music as well Us he.
THAT evening he was taken i'll with chllle
and fever, and the next morning tele-
graz he'd to Mr.. Frankie that he could not
Keep the appointment. He requested Mr.
Frankie to make new one for either Fri
day or Saturday Of this week. He omitted
n send his address so Mr.. Frankie tele-
phoned tn me Friday morning asking me
for it and saving that he would like Guhlka
to call on Saturday morning at l2P'clock.
told Mr.. Frankie that would reheve him
CT sending a telegram, as desired to COM
municate with Gl hlka on other matters,
him to call on Mr.. Frankie at 10 o'clock the
next morning, and also to communicate
with me by telephone. Instead Of hearing
from him by telephone, received letter
about half past 4 O'Clock stating that he
was about to commit suicide. I imme-
nearest police station, and myself rushed
up to his apartment with the one desire OF
reaching it quickly enough to prevent such
catastrophe I was too late, He had
shot him self about half past 3, some little
time after receiving my telegram. which
he had received after he had mailed the
letter to me.
'On Friday morning, he expressed the
opinion that he was suffering from tuber-
culosis and kidney trouble. There is no
question in my mind that he had come to
the conclusion that he was incurably Ill,
suffering from the same treacherous dis
ease which had killed his father. He was
always OF nervous and over sensitive
nature. ard when he had worked 80 earn.
estly for afteen years to perfect himself
In his profession, when his highest hopes
were about to be accomplished, the belief
that he would have TO abandon his career
was too much for his high strung organi-
zaton.
AS far as am aware. he left but three
letters, all OF them indicating great worry
about his physical condition and showing
that his mind at that time was not normal
SUIT OVER LIMBURGER.