New-York tribune., 1909-07-29
Fl. C. PULLlAM DYING
LEAGUE HEAD
ATTEMPTS SUICIDE.
Shoots Himself in His Room at the
n. 7. II. c. House, Blozcing
Out His Eues.


| Harry c. 2uliiam. president Of the National
League OF Baseball Clubs. attempted to commit
suicide last night. shortly before 10 O'Clock. in
the New York Athletic Club where he lived on
the third floor. With a revolver he shot himself
in the right temple. a level with the eve
blowing out his right eye and totally destroying
the sight Of the left He was in a sernf-con-
scious condition when found and is said to be
dying from his injuries To Coroner shrady
who was called in. he could make no connected
ante-n1ortenn statement and seemed unaware Of
his surroundings
Thomas Brady. a bellboy employed in the club
had noticed that the Indicator come Getting with
Pulliams room was ringing continuously. and
| finally went to the baseball officials bedroom
There vas no answer 70 his repeated knocking
and. hearing groans from within. Brady burst
| open the door and found PuIliam lying on A
couch. while revolver lay the foor near bv-
Friends Of Mr. Pulham declared IL as their
belief that his act was the result OF sudden
wild emotion and was done without any fore
thought and without reason
Although Mr.. Pullian's act at this time
entirely unexpected. some Of his friends said
that at the time OF his recent illness il was
known that he was subject to severe attacks Of
nelancholia. and his attendants we're said then
to be fearful that he would make a n attempt on
I
June he apparently had been in excellent spirits
The bellboy ran 10 the Office apd informed
the chief clerk who. in turn called Dr. J. ].
Higgins OF No. As West 55th street the club
physician. Dr. Higgins worked over PuIliam
for several minutes. then informed Coroner
Shrsdy. When the Coroner arrived he found
that PuIliam had suffered the total loss OF his
right eye. the same bullet also tearing away the
optic nerves OF his left eye
Coroner Shrsdy said that he could get
PLANTATION OF Pulliam's attempt to kill himself.
although the man was able 70 talk little The
Coroner asked close 20 his ear:
Why did You shoot yourself"
PulIiam replied. confusedly, Who's shot"
And when the question was repeated all
PuIliarn said was What shot"
Dr Higgins assisted By club employees put
Pulliam in his bed and everything possible vas
done for him. but there is little hope that Re
VIII survive Just what the injury 10 the brain
may be could rot ar once BE- determined No
| notes explaining the suicidal attempt were found
! in Puiarn's room
The revolver shot vas not heard IN the club
house. and II the telephone receiver had not
been taken Of the hook. thus ringing the bell.
Pulliarn might have lain in his room for hours
undiscovered He vas not removed to a hos
pitaL the physicians not considering II safe TO
move him IN his critical condition. The physi-
clans remained in attendance on Pulliam all
night
Harry c Puuiam vas elected president of the
National League five or six years ago. when
Uncle Nick Young resigned He had pre-
yiousiy been a newspaper man and had shown
great interest in baseball During his incum-
bency Of the Office as head Of the premier league
Mr. Pulliam had many serious differences with
various members OF the league In every in
stance. however. ne was sustained by the board
q directors.
Last fall Mr. Puizns health began 10 fall
and at the annual spring meeting of the league
IN Chicago last February. he obtained a six
months leave of absence John Heydler. sec
retary Of the league was appointed 10 perform
the duties OF the president during his absence
.I-. Pulliam left Chicago and Immediately went
TO Florida There he rapidly regained his
health ard returned North about five weeks ago
He took charge Of the affairs OF the league about
month ago. and since shat time had attended
regularly TO his duties IN his Office. in the 81
James Building II was thought he had fully
recovered from tire effects OF his Illness.
Those who we're closely associated with Mr..
Pulltam in directing the management OF the
league felt at the tine OF his temporary with
draxal that the troubles and worries that had
ATTENDED the baseball seasons o. the last few
years we're largely responsible for the acute
nervous illness from which he suffered. The
dissatisfaction following the Chicago-New York
games In the closing days OF the championship
series. beth in 1901 and last year. added 10 the
severe nervous strain that the ordinary games
OF the schedule had caused
Il was these games that caused split IN the
National League ranks despite al that Mr. Pui-
liam could do 10 maintain harmony For a long
time John T Brush. OF the New York club. was
particularly opposed 70 Sfr PuiiIann. and the end
OF last year saw both Murphy. OF the Chicago
club and Garry Hermann OF Cincinnati.
estranged from the president
At the meeting OF the league in February Mr..
PuIliarn denounced the owners of some of the
clubs thing which the tine said 20 be
the outcome Of the alleged umpire bribing al the
Polo Grounds last October In the game between
New York and Chicago This latest strife Re-
suited in The opposition Of Barney Dreyfuss.
owner OF the Pittsburg team. and Charles H
Ebbets president Of the Brooklyn club.
Whatever inspired these differences. II is BE-
lisved BY followers OF baseball Throughout the
country that Mr. PuIlianr always advocated
clean baseball and was bitterly opposed -
ANYTHING not strictly n accordance with the
rules OF The game