The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-04
HERMAN 0ELR|CHS
DIES On STEAMER
Well Known millionaire and Club Msn Was On His Way Home
On the Kaiser wilhelm dor Crosse When ths End Came.
Mrs. OaITchs Receives tho Sad News At Hsr Newport Home
By Wireless Telegram. Relatives Hurried To New York
Where Conference Was Held After Which II Was Announced
Tho Funeral Would Be Held Tomorrow.

Word was received in Newport shortly
after s o'clock yesterday morning stating
that Herman Oelrichs. the once noted
athlete and steamship manager had died
on the steamship Kaiser Wilhelm der
Crosse. which is due In New York today
The news came i'm the form OF n wireless
message 10 Mrs. Oelrichs. II was signed
by Capt. Cuphers OF the steamship ana
said that the death occurred Saturday.
Charles NJ. Oelrichs. brother, was no.
tilted, along with Mrs. William X. Van
derbilt. Jr sister OF Mrs. oelrichs. Mrs.
william Jay, a sister OF Mr. Oelrichs, is
In Paris and a cablegram was sent 10 her
last night.
Mrs. Oelrchs accompanied by Mrs.
Vanderbilt. left Immediately for New
York. arriving there at o'clock In the
evening. Mr.. Oelrichs took later train
and arrived in New York shortly after
o'clock. He Immediately proceeded 10 the
Belmont hotel, where a meeting was held.
The others present were Mr.. and Mrs.
William X Vanderbilt. Jr, Mrs Oelrichs
and Charles Childs. the latter an old
friend OF the family. The funeral will be
held from the late residence, East Fifty
seventh street New York, Wednesday
morning, and ii will be private
Charles Oelrichs said last night. when
seen at the Union club, that his brother
had been aling for some time, presum-
ably from liver trouble. He sailed from
this country June u on the same steamer
upon which he died and arrived at Carls-
bad June 90 He remained at the latter
place, taking the waters. until Aug. %.
II was the impression OF his relatives that
the treatment had benefited him.
Mrs. Oelrichs. accompanied by William
X Vanderbilt Jr, will go down the bay
today in "A tug and endeavor TO meet the
Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse at Quaran-
tine
In his day Herman Oelrichs was proba
bly, the best-known man-about-town in
New York In spite OF the fact that he
was a high liver and an athlete OF great
versatility. he was hard-headed. clear
thinking business man, who never let
pleasure interfere with the 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 5s
years ago His father, who had imm-
grated from Germany, was successful
merchant there and married into the May
family famous in the society OF Mary
land and Virginia. Herman was educated
in Baltimore and New York. whittier his
parents removed while he was yet a boy,
and he completed his training by taking
n course in Bremen and London I'm practi-
cal business.
lie returned 10 this country I'm 1871 ana
entered the employ o. Oelrichs 4 conn
pany, the agents OF the North German
Steamship company. lie soon became a
member Of the firm and gradually took
on more -and-more Of the responsibility
of the business until Gustav Schwab re-
tired. He then became the head of the
house.
In the meantime young Mr.. Oelrichs had
become striking figure I'm the social and
sporting life OF the city. lie was inn
mensely popular lie was "A big. fine
looking fellow with clear eyes and
hearty laugh and his prowess as an ath-
lete made him the idol Of the amateur
sports
He was considered the best amateur
heavyweight boxer I'm America and his
ambition In that line was TO put on the
gloves with John l.. Sullivan. then in the
heydey of his power. II was reported
that he offered TO spar with Sullivan In a
private room 10 determine who was the
better man.
Sullivan, so the story goes, refused the
proposition but offered TO spar I'm public
for money with the young clubman. Oel-
Yichs declined 10 show his skill in pub
iic and the matter was dropped.
Not only was Oelrichs skilful boxer
but he was fencer OF great ability. He
was also a runner, swimmer and a
rider. It was said of him. that had he
been born and reared under different cir
cumstances he might have made a world
wide reputation as a chef. He used 10
stew terrapn and cook canvas back in
q manner that delighted his friends
Along in the late SOS Mr-Qelrlchs dis