The Mysterious Death of Abe Gross

TACOMA, March 30.—At 10 o'clock this morning Abe Gross was found dead in his apartments on the fourth floor of the Gross block. He had been shot through the mouth, evidently by himself. Death had been instantaneous, the ball ranging straight back, severing the medulla oblongata from the spinal cord, and lodging under the occipital bone at the base of the brain.

Suicide is the generally accepted theory, though the people of the city are astonished that Abe Gross should take his own life. The perfect picture of health and good nature, all who knew him are unable to account for his mysterious death. So strong is this feeling that the coroner's jury which investigated the case today would not hazard a guess as to the manner in which the wound was inflicted. The verdict returned was to the effect that death resulted from a revolver wound inflicted in an unknown manner.

When the body was found this morning it was lying flat on its back in bed, the features composed and lifelike. The hands were crossed over the stomach, and the left grasped a .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver with two chambers discharged. Only one had been discharged recently. The body was attired only in a night shirt. The bed clothing was pulled up as far as the chest. Both hands were stained with powder marks, and a tooth had been broken out of the upper jaw by the rebound of the revolver. There were no marks on the body and no other wound than that in the mouth. The room was in its usual condition.

Death is supposed to have taken place about 7 o'clock this morning, the physicians judging by the condition of the body. About that time Mrs. Hough, a dressmaker residing in the house, on the floor below, heard a sound which she now believes was a pistol shot. Just before 7 o'clock a colored man, in accordance with his usual custom, took Mr. Gross' shoes from the room, blacked them and returned them in twenty minutes. It is thought the tragedy was enacted during those twenty minutes. At neither time did the man see the occupant of the bed, as from his position he could not.

No one in Tacoma enjoyed a wider popularity or seemed to enjoy life more than did Abe Gross. He was the picture of health and good humor. When last seen at 1 o'clock this morning by Oscar Reichenbach and Mr. Greenbaum he was feeling in excellent spirits.

Last evening Mr. and Mrs. Simon Doty entertained a party of friends at their residence on — street, near Division avenue. Among the guests were Mr. and Mrs. Morris Gross, the deceased, and Messrs. Reichenbach and Greenbaum. These four left the house together at about 12:10 o'clock this morning, after an enjoyable evening. Mr. and Mrs. Gross stopped at their residence on C street, while Abe and the two others came down town together. They separated at the Gross block and Mr. Gross bade the two a cheerful good night, then entered the building and retired to his room above the store. This was the last seen of him alive.

As a usual thing Mr. Gross rises about 8:30 o'clock in the morning. Today the store was opened as usual and business went on. Nine o'clock went by and then 10, but Mr. Gross did not appear. A few minutes before 10 o'clock Morris Gross told E. E. White, the bookkeeper and accountant, to go up and call Abe.

Mr. White went up and knocked at the door, but received no response. Several times he repeated the knock, then concluded Mr. Gross had gone out. Coming down, he asked the elevator boy if he had seen Mr. Gross, but the boy was sure he had not left his room.

Mr. White reported to Morris Gross and asked him for a key. Morris said: 'Why, he must have gone out.'

'No,' replied Mr. White, 'the elevator boy says he has not come down yet.'

'Oh, I guess he's sleeping,' said Morris; 'anyhow, we'd better go up.'

In the elevator the gentlemen asked the boy for his pass key, and went to the door with it. Morris put the key in the lock, but could not make it work.

'Let me try it,' said Mr. White, and succeeded in opening the door. He swung the door back and Morris entered, going immediately in the direction of the bed. He stopped as he approached, threw his hands in the air and cried:

'My God! My brother's dead! Abe, my Abe! He's dead.'

Mr. White rushed in and there lay Abe, flat on his back, his head thrown back, and his face and the bed clothes stained with blood. The deceased was attired only in night shirt. There was a peaceful expression on his face, and but for his pallor and the blood would have seemed to be quietly sleeping.

As Mr. White entered the room Morris threw himself beside his dead brother and began crying and stroking his face.

'My Abe, my Abe! Talk to me! Talk to me!' he cried.

Mr. White sought to lead him away, but twice he threw Mr. White off and returned to the bed, crying piteously. Finally Mr. White succeeded in getting him away and taking him to the office in the rear of the store. As the two entered the store Morris threw up his hands and called to the clerks:

'My Abe is dead!'

The utmost grief was manifested among the employees, as there was no employer in the West who was so generally loved and respected by his employees as Mr. Gross.

Mr. White led Morris to the office, but he would not remain there, but kept walking up and down wringing his hands and seemed almost beside himself with grief.

The store was immediately closed and a notice posted to the effect that Mr. Gross was dead.

Drs. Kellogg, Hill and Tuttle were sent for and arrived in a few minutes, but of course were unable to be of any service.

Coroner Park responded to a call and took charge of the body, which was removed to Hooker's undertaking establishment.

The deceased has been in good spirits of late. Yesterday he was especially so. He dined at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Gross during the day and on returning to the store mentioned to several the enjoyment he took in being their guest. Since Morris came back to Tacoma with his bride several months ago Abe has been much at their home. Of course, however, since Morris was married the close companionship that heretofore existed between them could not continue as close as before, but still the two brothers were much together.

David Gross, one of the brothers, returned today from New York, via Seattle, where he was met this afternoon by employees and told of the tragedy. Like the others, he is prostrated over the loss of his brother.

There seems to be no truth in the report that Mr. Gross committed suicide because of financial troubles. Merchants and bankers throughout the city say the firm's credit stands as high or higher than any firm in the Northwest. A cut in expenses was made some months ago, and credit business suspended. The firm, of course, lost money in the hard times through bankrupt stocks from this and other places being thrown on the market, but has always been held up as the solid firm of the city.

This evening the date of the funeral was set for Monday at 11 a.m., at the Jewish synagogue, under the auspices of the Hebrew Benevolent Society, of which the deceased was president. The council this evening adjourned as a mark of respect, and a resolution was passed deploring his death and announcing their intention to attend the funeral in a body.

Abram Gross was born in Rypin, Poland, April 5, 1866. Next Friday he would have been 29 years old. He attended school in his native town until the age of 15. At that time his brothers, Ellis H., David and Morris, who had recently established their dry goods business in Tacoma, sent for him. He left Poland in the spring of 1881 and arrived in Tacoma on July 4 of the same year. After attending school for six months here, he went to San Francisco and took a thorough course of instruction in one of the leading business colleges of that city. On his return to Tacoma he entered his brother's store as bookkeeper and general utility man. His faithful service in this capacity was fittingly rewarded when on April 5, 1887, his 21st birthday, he was made an equal partner in the business of Gross Brothers.

Mr. Gross was always known as an aggressive, energetic business man, and though but 28 years old, he had by enterprise, keen business foresight and untiring industry attained a prominent position among the leading merchants of the Northwest. Several years ago he dealt extensively in real estate, in which he displayed excellent judgment and acquired considerable property. His admirable social qualities attracted a wide circle of warm friends by whom he was held in the highest esteem.

Like his brothers, Ellis and Morris, he was a Thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He was a member of the Elks, and usually attended the social sessions of that order. At the meeting Thursday night he was called to the chair to preside, following Col. Claypool, and was an active participant in the merriment of the evening. He belonged to the Eastern Star, the ladies' branch of the Masonic order, and was treasurer of the Masonic Lodge Perfection. He was a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, a member of the Tacoma Athletic Club. He was a prominent member of the Jewish congregation of Beth Israel, and contributed toward the erection of the handsome synagogue at the corner of I and Tenth streets. He was at one time president of the Harmony Club, a social organization composed of prominent Hebrews.

He was a member of every organization which had for its object the building up of Tacoma. For a number of years he had belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, and two years ago was elected one of the trustees, serving for one year. He was a charter member of the Commercial Club, and one of the trustees of the Interstate Fair Association, under the auspices of which the Interstate fair was held last fall. His enterprise and ability were shown both before and after the fair opened. He believed the fair would benefit Tacoma, and with his usual energy put his shoulder to the wheel to make it a success. At a mass meeting held to raise funds for the enterprise he was one of the first to subscribe, putting Gross Bros. down for $75. He was very prompt in attending the trustees' meetings, and rendered material aid in securing subscriptions and helping the work along. No one connected with the fair was more proud of its success than he.

Many citizens, particularly in the South End, will remember that Gross Bros. established and maintained at their own expense a free kindergarten several years ago. Abe had charge of the arrangements and saw that nothing was lacking to start the kindergarten on a first-class basis.

During the Interstate fair he was appointed one of the judges of the baby show on baby day. With his customary cool grace he accepted the duty, and went in and out among the children, praising them, and thereby making their mothers happy. Not content with this, he telephoned down to a novelty store and ordered sent to him a box of children's toys. Each child received a pretty plaything, and the next day Mr. Gross footed the bill.

Four years ago he left for a trip to Europe and was gone several months. He paid a visit to his mother in Poland and spent several weeks sightseeing. He had been East since that time, but never remained away from Tacoma very long.