The Seattle Editor Who Worked Himself to Death in a Bathroom

George H. Heilbron, editor-in-chief of the Post-Intelligencer and manager of the Guarantee Loan and Trust Company, died suddenly yesterday morning from a stroke of apoplexy at his residence, 1107 Cherry Street.

Mr. Heilbron attended to business the greater part of Thursday and in the evening was at his post of duty in the editorial rooms of the Post-Intelligencer. He received several callers, among whom was Gov. John H. McGraw. About 1 o'clock in the morning Mr. Heilbron left his office in company with Senator R. C. Washburn and took lunch at the Butler Cafe. He then took a carriage to his home and retired. Before going to sleep he talked with Mrs. Heilbron in a general way and said that he wanted to be called at 8 o'clock in the morning.

He arose at the time he desired, and after calling for the morning paper went to the bathroom. It was his custom to take a bath every morning, during which time he would read the paper. As a rule he remained in the bathroom for nearly an hour. Nearly the full quota of time had elapsed when Harriet Haines, the nurse, who had been in the family for years, went upstairs and rapped on the bathroom door. Receiving no answer, she concluded Mr. Heilbron was not there and went to the room where Mrs. Heilbron was dressing the children. Mrs. Heilbron said that her husband was still in the bathroom and instructed the nurse to call him. Mrs. Haines did as directed, but received no answer. She then opened the door, which was unlocked, and immediately discovered the body of Mr. Heilbron in the bathtub. He lay on his side, in about three inches of water, and from one of the faucets there was a slight dripping on his head.

A messenger was hurriedly sent for Dr. Samuel J. Holmes, the family physician, but prior to his arrival the body, which was still warm, was taken from the tub and every means at hand used with a view of reviving the spark of life, if such remained. Dr. Holmes arrived at 8:45 o'clock, and on examining the remains pronounced that life was extinct. Coroner Askam was then called, and the official examination of the bathroom and body was made.

In the bathroom were found Mr. Heilbron's underclothes, toothbrush and morning newspaper. In short, everything was in a condition to indicate that Mr. Heilbron was about to take his bath when the dread messenger came upon him so unexpectedly. Bruises were found upon Mr. Heilbron's nose and forehead, which indicated that he must have fallen when stricken.

Dr. Holmes told the coroner that he was satisfied from what he knew of Mr. Heilbron's condition that death was due to apoplexy, but it was finally decided, in order to settle all questions, to hold a post-mortem examination. Following is the statement as given by the coroner and Dr. Holmes: Death was due to apoplexy. There was no water in the lungs to indicate asphyxiation. The heart was found to be in its normal condition, therefore there was no heart disease. The brain, however, was congested throughout its whole extent. Such a condition would produce a congestive form of apoplexy. It was from this condition that death resulted.

Dr. Holmes said furthermore that for the past two or three years Mr. Heilbron had been subject to nervous exhaustion from overwork. He overestimated his mental and physical endurance, and thus brought on the conditions which stood in a causative relation to his death. The doctor said he had repeatedly advised him to leave business duties and recuperate, but Mr. Heilbron thought the responsibilities resting on his shoulders were too great to allow him to even contemplate an absence for a brief time.

The death of George H. Heilbron cut short the career of one who, although only 38 years old, was within a few rounds of the top of the ladder of success. His life has been one in which brain work and physical energy were ever called on to do their utmost. He was a man of mental energy, but, as is too apt to be the case, he overestimated the extent of his powers.

George H. Heilbron was born in Boston, Mass., November 5, 1856. His father is Abraham Heilbron, a native of Surinam, Dutch Guiana, who came to Boston in his youth and entered the jewelry business. In late years Mr. Heilbron has retired from active business and has been living in this city with his son at 1107 Cherry Street. His mother, now dead, was Susan Clark, a Boston woman of many accomplishments.

It was the good fortune of George H. Heilbron to have his earlier education perfected in the Boston public schools. First he went through the Dwight Grammar School, where he took high rank in all of his classes. In the famous Roxbury Latin School he went still further and became known as one of the most brilliant scholars in his class. After being graduated, Mr. Heilbron took the entrance examination for Harvard. In the fall of 1874 he entered on his college career. From the beginning he took the lead in all classes, and in athletics he was no less prominent. In 1878 he was graduated with high honors in all departments and studies and special honors in political economy. From Harvard he went to the law school of Boston University, being graduated in the class of 1881 with special distinction.