The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-04
HERMANN OELRlCHS IS DEAD.
NEwS COMES By WIRELESS FROM
KATSER WILHELM DER CROSSE.


Famous Atnteto -~aVVtou |" F~sUscs'
Word was reOsived in Newport shortly
altar 3 O'Clock yesterday morning stating
that Hermann OelriChs, the once noted
.,hlste and steamship manager. had died
IN the steamship Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse.
which is due In New York to-day.
The news came in the form Of a wireless
message to Mrs. oelriohs. 1t was signed
nv Capt. Cuppers Of the steamship, and
aid that the death occurred on Saturday.
Charles NJ. Oelrichs, a brother. was noti-
fed. as was Mrs. William X. Vanderbilt.
,Jr. a sister of Mrs. Oelrichs. Mrs; William
.Jav. a sister Of Mr.. oelrichs. is in Paris and
acable despatch was sent to her last night.
Mrs. Oelrichs, accompanied by Mrs. Van
darbilt. left immediately for New York,
arriving here at 5 O'Clock in the evening.
Charles Oelrichs took a later train and
arrived in the city shortly after 8 O'Clock,
He Immediately proceeded to the Belmont
Hotel, where a meeting was held. The
others present were Mr.. and Mrs. William
X, Vanderbilt, Jr., Mrs. Oelriohs and Charles
Childs. the latter an old friend Of the family.
The funeral will be held from the late
residence, / East Fifty-seventh street, on
Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, and 1t
will be private. ,
Charles Oelrichs said last night at the
Union Club at Fifty-frst street and Fifth
avenue, that his brother had been ailing
for some time presumably from liver trOu-
lie. He sailed from this country on June
p on the same steamer upon which he dice
and arrived in Carlsbad on June 20. He
remained at the latter place taking the
treatment until August 20. 1t wa the inn
preston Of his relatives that the waters
had benefited him.
Servants we're engaged last night in open
ing UP the Oelrichs home. which had been
closed during the summer. Mrs. Oelrichs
and Mrs. Vanderbilt will remain at the
Pelmont Hotel until the house Is ready for
occupancy.
Mr.. Oelrichs. accompanied by William X.
Vanderbilt. Jr.. will go down the bay to-day
in a tug and endeavor to meet the Kaiser
Wilhelm der Crosse at Quarantine.
In his day Hermann Oelrichs was probably
the best known man about town in New
York. In spite Of the fact that he wasa high
liver and an athlete Of great versatility,
be was a hard headed, clear thinking bust
ness man, who never let pleasure interfere
with tho affairs Of the big mercantile and
shipping firm of which he was the head
after the death Of his father.
Mr.. Oelrichs was born in Baltimore fifty
six years ago. HIS father, who had immi-
grated from Germany, was a successful
merchant there and had married into the
May family, famous in the society Of Mary
land and Virginia. Hermann was educated
in Baltimore and New York. whittier his
parents had removed while he was yet a
boy, and he completed his training by taking
a course in Bremen and London in practical
business.
lie returned TO this country in 1871 and
entered the employ Of Oelrichs a Co, the
agents Of The North German Lloyd Steamship
Company. He soOn became a membe Of
The firm and gradually took ON more and
i'Cre of The responsibility OF the business
mil Gustav Schwab retired He then be-
zane he head Of ,he house.
In the meantime young Mr.. Oelrichs had
lecome a striking figure in the social and
sporting life Of the city. He was immensely
Ioprlar with all sorts and conditions Of
PEOPLE. He was a big. fine looking fellow,
With clear eyes and a hearty laugh, and
his prowess az an athlete made him the
idol Of the amateur sports. He was con-
Eldered the best amateur heavyweight
boxer in America and his ambition in thai
Line was TO put on the gloves with John l.
Sullivan, then in The heyday Of hS power
1t was reported that he offered to spar
with Sullivan in a private room to deter.
mine who was the better man. Sullivan,
20 the story goes, refused the proposition
but offered to spar in public for money
with the young clubman. 0elrichs declined
10 show his skill 10 public and the matter
was dropped.
Not only was Oelrichs a skilfuI boxel
but a fencer Of great ability, and he wal
one OF the strongest swimmers OF his day
capable Of great physical endurance. h
would remain in the water for ten hour
swimming without resting.
Mr.. 0elrichs was alsoa runner anC
a rider. He usually walked from hi
home in Fifth avenue to his Office in Bowling
Green and back every day. He. rarely
wore an OvercOat and his figure was
familiar one on Broadway. Il WINS said o
MN that had he been born and reared unde
dnerent circumstances he might hAv'
made a worldwide reputation as a chef
lie used to stew terrapin and cook canvas
back in a manner that delighted his friends
Along in the late SOS Mr.. Oelrichs dis
played a great interest in politics and man!
Of his friends thought that he was going il
Tor fame along that line. He participated
several times in an amateur way in tn
local campaigns and was once mentione,
prominently as a candidate for Mayor Of
The Democratic ticket.
In the summer Of 1888 Mr.. Oelrichs wa
selected to take the place Of William Stein
way on the Democratic national COMMITTEES
MI Steinway was obliged TO 60 TO Europe
Tor his health just as the campaign opened
ms put the other managers, including
nenator German. in a quandary, as Mr.
SteinWay was a power with the German
voters and his work had all been mappe,
out for him. IL was agreed finally to reliev
nun from the obligations II he would provid
substitute as able a. himself.
l have selected a good man. reptile,
Mr. Steinway, and l will bring him Il
headquarters in the morning" True h
hs word. he turned up with Mr.. oelrichs