The San Francisco call., 1908-07-03
BUSINESSMAN
ENDS LIFE BY
ASPHYXIATION
Hugo ROthschiId Commits Sui
eide in Very Mysterious
Manner
0yerdraws Account in Confec-
ton Company and QuarreIs
With Partners
Wealthy Wholesaler Is Found
Dying From Gas in
Firms Office

Locking himself in his Office, Hugo
Rothschild, wealthy businessman
and a partner in the firm of the
Mcbride Rothschild confectionery
company. eI4-934 McAllister street,
committed suicide last night by as
phyxiation.
So great is the mystery surround
ing the death that his relatives abso-
lutely refused to believe that he had
taken his own life, maintaining that
II had been brought about by an acci-
dent The morgue officials and his
partners. however, have no doubt about
the matter and. claimed RothschId
committed suicide.
No apparent reason for the act could
be found The mans financial affairs.
though not of the very best were in a
fairly good condition. He was not
confronted with any situation which
was likely 10 drive him to this ex-
treme step. He died without giving his
reasons or leaving behind some hint
of his troubles.
He was. found by Henry Blaydon and
Samuel Hamlin, two of his workmen
who had worked overtime. on leaving
the factory they caught the odor of es-
Gaping gas and saw the limbs of a
man sprawling near the safe. Their
first thought was a burglar had made
his entrance into the Office and they fed
10 hunt a. policeman. Policeman An
tone Schoembs, seeing them running.
halted them. and on being told there
was a burglar in the ofice, hurried
there and broke IN. the door.
Instead Of the burglar there was
found the diving form of one Of the
owners. ROthschil6's head was propped
up on some books. Within a few feet
CT his face was a tube. attached TO a
gas pipe and the gas jet turned fully
on. He was seniconscious whSn dis
covered, but would not say a word.
He died later al the central emergency
hospital
Frank Mcbride. senior partner of the
firm. declared that he had no doubt
but that Rothschild had committed
suicide.
The man has. been brooding of. late, -
said he. though none of Us knew the
reason OF his troubles. He had over
drawn his account $500 with the firm,
bat this was just temporary loan
and not sufficient 10 drive him TO sui
eide He made no secret of having
Overdrawn. Both myself and J. T.
or il. When he borrowed the money he
told US it was 10 pay his life insur-
sncer
Rothschild was insured for $4,000,
the benefciaries being his wife and
daughter.
Mrs. Rothschild and Dr.. Hoffman. the
family physician, secuted the idea of
suicide
sRothschild was a victim Of apo
plexy." said Dr. Hoffman. The chances
are he was seized with a. fit while at
work and in falling brought down d
number Of books. one Of which must
have struck the gas jet"
This theory is plausible as the gas
Jet was few feet above the floor. The
existence Of the tube. attached to the
gas pipe. however. could not be ac-
courted for. What Rothschild was
doing in the Office was not known
That he WIS there IN secret was evil
dent He did not use the electric lights
. but burned A candle bought by him
Yesterday evening.
Besides his wife and daughter, Roths-
child had q son. The latter was not or
speaking terms with his father and
none Of the family knows where he is
Rothschild was one Of the most promi-
nent men in local. Jewish circles. His
body wiz be removed to HIS home al
2s46 Washington street today.