The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-29
PULLIAM IS DEAD.
President of the National League
Baseball Clubs
Shoots Himself in the Head in
His Room.
LIVED A FEWHOURS.
But Was Unable to Answer
Questions With Intelligence.
His Friends Attribute His Act
to Ill Health.

New York, July 29-Harry c. Pulliam,
president of the National League of
professional baseball clubs. died at $40
q. m. today after shooting himself
through the head in his room in the
New York Athletic club last night. AL
though a bullet from his revolver pass
ed entirely through his head. severing
both optic nerves and causing instant
blindness, Mr.. Pulliam lived from $50
last night until this morning. He be-
came unconscious soon after the shoot
ing was discovered and was unable to
make any statement as to his reason
for committing suicide hut it is gen
orally attributed to i'll health.
Mr.. Pulliam was in his Office yester-
day attending to the business of the
tleague and went to his room at the
sAthletic club last evening At $50
O'Clock a signal from the telephone in
his room was thrown upon the switch
board in the club rooms. The operator
responded, but receiving no call, sent
q. messenger to ascertain the trouble.
MIR. Pulliam was found lying on the
floor, dressed only in his Undertaking
and with Il bullet wound through his
head. The telephone receiver apparent
~ had been knocked off it's hook when
aie fell. A revolver lay on the floor
near his head.
The clubs physician was summoned
but there was little he could do to re-
ieve his patient and it was evident
Death would enSUe within short time
A coroner attempted to optain state
II ent from the dying man, but without
avail. To all questions as to how he
was shot Mr.. Pulliam. who was then
in a semi-conSCiOus condition replied
that he did not understand and asked
What Shot? He soon became I'M
conscious, but later revived Il little and
complained that his head ached and ask
ed the attendants to rub it. No note
or other explanation of the suicide was
found in his room.
Throughout the night Mr.. PulIiam
fingered in semi-conscious condition.
Els mother. in Louisville. Ky. was no
titled of the affair last night. PreSi-
cent Pulliam's health and particularly
his nervous condition mad been so poor
for several months as to cause alarm
among his friends. After the spring
meeting Of the National League in Feb
ruary he was granted an indefinite
leave of absence and spent several
months with relatives in Tennessee and
Florida. nc returned to his duties about
g month ago and seemed to DE consid-
erably improved by his long rest. His
health soon began to give way again
ard it is reported that he recently spent
a week in a sanitarium-
A report was current today that Mr..
Fulliam wrote his designation as presi-
dent of the league before shooting him
self but this could not be confirmed
Mr.. Puliam was born in Scottsville.
Ky, 80 years ago and was successfully
vile Commercial. president of the Lou
Isville baseball club, secretary and
treasurer of the Pittsburg club and
president of the National League, to
" hich office he was elected in 1902.
Was Once in the Legislature.
Louisville, Ky. July 29.-The news
Of the death of Harry ,Pulliams presi-