The San Francisco call., 1910-05-09
SCHUETzEN VEREIN
LEADER IS DEAD
One of CalifOrnia's Most PrOmi-
nent Germans Succumbs at
Age of "a

ALAMEDA. May S.-Captain John
Wulzen, California pioneer of 1850, for
26 years commander of the San Fran
cisco schuetzen verein, veteran insur-
ance manager and one of the most
prominent men of German birth in the
state, died at his home here, 1880 San
Antonio avenue, this morning at 2:S5
o'clock. He had been i'll for seven
weeks, five of which he passed as a
patient IN the German hospital in San
francisco. He was brought home from
the hospital two weeks ago at his own
request. Death was due to ailments in
cldental TO advanced years, the pioneer
having passed his eighty-fourth birth
day.
BORN IN BREMEN
Captain John Wulzen was born in
Bremen, Germany. He came to Cali
fornia by the Cape Horn route so years
ago He was attracted to the state
by the stories of fabulous fortunes in
gold that were being taken out of the
newly discovered mines in California
The young fortune seeker remained in
san Francisco but a short time and
headed for the Sonora gold fields With
countryman WulZen secured a placer
claim and put in three months con-
structing dam, only to have it washed
out by flood when it was about COM
several claim jumpers endeavored to
bluff his partner out of the claim
Wulzen returned in time to meet the
Jumpers and bravely stood off the
strangers. a compromise was effected
with the would be claim jumper. and
all Joined in reconstructing the dam.
When the dam was completed no trace
OF gold was found in the claim. Shortly
after this experience Wulzen returned
TO san francisco and engaged in the
soda water business. He gave this up
to enter the insurance field. That was
more than 40 years ago, and Captain
Wulzen continued in the insurance
business until his death. Up to few
month ago he crossed the bav dailv
to his San Francisco office.
CAPTAIN 26 YEARS
1t was as a member and CAPTAIN of
the San Francisco schuetzen verein
that Captain Wulzen probably was best
known. He Joined the organization
soon after it was formed in 1859. In
1862, when the commander of the COM
pany. Captain F. Seidenstricker. en-
listed in the federal army, Wulzen, then
a lieutenant, succeeded to the cap
taincy. He served in that capacity for
26 years.
When the news of the assassination
of President Abraham Lincoln reached
San Francisco in 1865 feeling ran high.
wrought
over the murder, and the city authori-
ties feared that mobs would form and
rioting ensue. 1t was at this critical
stage of affairs in San Francisco that
Captain Wulzen, without waiting for
orders placed his company of crack
rifiemen at the service of the civic
authorities The company being the
only independent organization of cfti-
zen soldiers then In San Francisco, the
offer was accepted. An order was given
to report for duty that same night
The following morning 5S out of total
membership OF 60 in the company had
reported and were on duty in the head
quarters that had been established in
Platts hall, Bush and MONTGOMERY
streets. The seven absent members
were accounted for as being out of
the city.
RIOTING PREVENTED
Chief of Police Burke. who was in
charge of the situation, covered the
points most likely to be attacked. The
loyal and resolute schuetzen verefn
company was assigned to duty near the
headquarters, to be within easy dis
tance of what was expected to be the
rioting center. The police chief feared
that a mob would attack buildings i'm
California street in which newspapers
were published. The mob gathered
about the vicinity. but rioting was pre-
vented by the strong display made by
the authorities and by the sight of the
sharpshooters with their dangerous
looking rifles.
Captain Wulzen and his men were on
duty for two strenuous and wild days
and nights and were then relieved by
company of federal troops. Bv a
coincidence the captain of the federal
troops was a former member of the
San Francisco schuetzen verein. and
Captain Wulzen, upon turning over the
situation to the regulars, feelingly re-
ferred to the proof Of loyalty to their
adopted country displayed by the men
under him.
CELEBRATED GOLDEN WEDDING
Captain Wulzen and his wife cele
brated their golden wedding anniyer-
sary two years ago. They were mar
ried in San Francisco, the bride being
Miss Minna Schmidte. Wulzen took a
leading part in the golden jubilee cele-
bration last year of the San Francisco
schuetzen verein. He is survived by
his wife and the following daughters
and sons: Mrs. NJ. Lainer, Mrs All
Strunz both of this city; Mrs. Max
Gundlach of Bakersfield. Mrs. H Devine
of Sacramento, Otto Wulzen, George
wulzen and Richard Wulzen of this
city. He was the grandfather of Mrs
]. ]. Mckee and the great grandfather
of Mary Catherine Mckee.
The funeral will be held next Sunday
in San Francisco and is to be conducted
under the auspices of the San Fran
cisco schuetzen verein. 1t is expected
to be one of the largest funerals held