The San Francisco call., 1906-09-04
HERMANN OELR|CHS
DIES At SEA.
End Comes Suddenly to
Well-Known Clubman
on Atlantic Steamer
WIRELESS REPORT
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL.

SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL.
richs. well known in the business and
social world. died suddenly at sea
aboard the steamship Kaiser Wilhelm
der Crosse on Saturday. A wireless
message, sent by way of Cape Sable.
came today to Mrs. Oelrichs at New
port, where she is visiting her sister,
Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt Jr., but no
further details were given.
Mr. Oelrichs sailed from New York
on June IL, and at that time he was
far from well. according to his friends.
although the exact nature of his illness
was not revealed. The Kaiser Wilhelm
der Crosse will reach New York to-
morrow.
Immediately upon receipt of the mes
sage Mrs. Oelrichs. accompanied by her
son Hermann and Mrs. Vanderbilt. left
Newport and came to this city. where
they were Joined by William K. Van
6erbilt Jr. Mr.. Vanderbilt said that no
further information than the bare mes
sage had been received although efforts
had been made to get into communica-
ton by every wireless station along
the Atlantic coast. They had strong
hopes Of hearing something definite
when. Nantucket was reached.
Mrs. Oelrichs and Mrs. Vanderbilt
went at once to the Oelrichs home,
where they arrived at 4 o'clock in the
afternoon, and there orders were given
to open the house for the reception of
the body tomorrow afternoon. At the
same time Mr.. Vanderbilt asked for and
obtained permission to meet the steam
ship at quarantine and receive the body
there. No plans have yet been made
for the funeral Charles Oelrichs,
brother. was at Newport. and he ar
rived IN New York this evening
The steamship was reported also to
the North German Lloyd representa-
tive by wireless by way of Cape Sable
this morning. and surprise was ex-
pressed that no mention was made of
the death of Mr.. Oelrichs In the cap
tain's report.
SIGNS OF ILLNESS.
When Hermann Oelrichs came to New
York from San Francisco In June the
color had gone from his face, the
shoulders had begun to droop and
there was that peculiar dragging of
the feet that indicated rheumatism or
gout, or perhaps some disease of the
kidneys. He left the city on June II,
expecting to return early in September
to look after his business interests in
California.
His friends noted the sad change in
his physical aspect, for he had been
we'll known as an athlete. Five feet
eleven inches in height, broad shoul-
dered and inheriting from his German
ancestors magnificent muscular power.
he exeelled in everything he undertook.
Few men, professionals or amateurs,
have been better or stronger swimmers
than he. Some Of his long-distance
records have been rarely excelled. His
feats In the old days at Long Branch.
when a swim to Seabright was nothing
to him, are history. His later feats
around Newport were nearly on a par.
He was one of the early polo players
of the country and was accounted a
good one; he was a trap shooter
known for his skill. billiard player,
pedestrian, gymnast. and, above all
and everything, a boxer.
1t was the ambition of his life to
box with John L. Sullivan. and one
day when the pugilist was in this city
he was waited on by two men who an
nounced that they were commissioned
to offer him $4,000 if he would meet a
friend of theirs, an amateur, in a pri-
vate room with no more than half a
dozen onlookers.
Who's this fellow?" asked SulH-
van.
Hermann Oelrichs," was the answer.
i've heard of him." said the cham
pion, and then. after a pause: Moth
Ing doing. If I lick him 1 get $4,000
and it is nothing to me. and If / lose
I'm done for-no amateurs, thank YOU"
MARRIAGE TO THERESA FAIR.
| In the business world Oelrichs was
the head of the firm of Oelrichs & Co..
representatives Of the great North Ger
man Lloyd Steamship Company in this
country.
He was at one time prominent In
Democratic politics. He succeeded Will
! liam Steinway as member of the
| Democratic national committee and
was prominently mentioned for Mayor
of New York in 1888
Mr.. Oelrichs was born in Baltimore
! In 1850 His mother was one of the
famous May sisters. He was educated
| in g. military school at Ossining. N. Y.
and finally In Germany. He married
Theresa Fair. daughter of James G.
| Fair of California, one of the bonanza
mining kings. who was United States
| Senator for brief term.