Theodore Schultze
Born: Heidelberg, Germany, 1851
Died:

Josephine Schultze
Born: New York City, 1851
Died: November, 1903

Sidonia “Mary” Schultze
Born: New York City, 1877
Died:

Theodora Schultze
Born: New York City, October, 1878
Died:

Josephine Schultze Jr.
Born: Leadville, April, 1884
Died:

Theodore Schultze Jr.
Born: Leadville, January, 1887.
Died: Humbolt, KS, October 13, 1951

Theodore Schultze, promoter extraordinaire, owned the notorious saloon The Palace Resort in Leadville. While the year he immigrated to the United States is unknown, Teddy is listed in the 1880 United States Census in Kansas City [1] and later came to Leadville with his wife, Josephine, and their two daughters Sidonia and Theodora. Documents indicate that Teddy, who was active in Leadville by 1883, may have settled in town earlier. A notice stating that he was party to legal action concerning the City Bank of Leadville, which went bankrupt in mid-1883, suggests that the Schultzes arrived in Leadville prior to 1883.

During 1883, the first mentions of Teddy Schultze in Leadville cited him as one of many victims connected to the financial misconduct of local banker C. C. Howell. In July of 1883, the City Bank of Leadville was forced to close its doors. In the following months, due to the iniquitous activities of its founder, Howell, the incident mushroomed into a scandal. Howell, who convinced several prominent Leadville businessmen to launch the institution in 1879, funded the bank with bonds and a series of personal loans acquired from other banks at various locations throughout the United States. This included the financing of a large building, [2] which still stands at Fifth Street and Harrison Avenue, [3] known as the C.C. Howell Block. Whenever the bank’s coffers fell into despair, Howell would take out a loan from another unsuspecting bank to cover the shortfall. Howell quietly left the country for Europe in the spring of 1883, leaving the bank to falter, [4] and by July authorities discovered that the bank was in default on many large loans; liabilities far exceeded what a few months earlier were believed to be assets totaling nearly $800,000. [5] The discovery of the deficit by bank officials led to an assessment that the bank had been operating with a negative cash flow since its inception. Months of cable exchanges with Howell outlined various plans he fabricated for repaying the debts, including an offer to deed the Howell Block to the bank in lieu of his debts — a gesture that would have only yielded roughly $40,000 of the massive shortfall and was rejected by the trust. By August of 1883, Howell stopped responding and disappeared altogether. [6]

Center: The Howell Block on Harrison Avenue as it appeared in the mid-1890s. Oddly, the City Bank of Leadville changed addresses frequently and at the time of its closure in July of 1883, it was located in this building. The building still stands at this location today.

Janice Fox. Harrison Avenue Looking South. (00458CC. Leadville, CO: Lake County Civic Center Association, Lake County Public Library). 2016.

Several lawsuits were filed in early 1884 on behalf of the enterprise’s injured depositors. Teddy, who lost $350 of his savings when the bank closed for business on July 23, 1883, [7] was one of the investors.

By 1884, the Schultzes had become well established in Leadville and had a residence at 128 W. 9th Street. Teddy found employment as a bookkeeper with Adolph Hirsch & Co., [8] a successful liquor distribution enterprise owned by Adolph and Simon Hirsch, [9] who arrived in Leadville in 1879 and, like Teddy, had Kansas city ties. [10] Teddy and Josephine welcomed their third daughter to the family when Josephine Jr. was born in April of 1884. [11]

By 1886, Teddy had partnered with Mannie Hyman, [12] a local businessman who ran Hyman’s Club Rooms, [13] a popular saloon and gambling hall located at 314-316 Harrison Avenue. Notorious for its rowdy clientele, it was the scene of John “Doc” Holliday’s last gunfight on August 19, 1884. [14] During the same year, the Schultze family relocated their home to 308 E. 4th Street. [15]

The Schultze family welcomed their first-born son, Theodore Jr., in January, 1887. [16] In February of 1887, Mannie Hyman left Leadville for the Chicago area and Teddy entered into a short-lived partnership in the enterprise with Frank Dale. [17] By mid-1887, this partnership was dissolved for unknown reasons. The official name of Hyman’s Place soon changed to The Palace Resort under Teddy’s sole ownership, although some resources continued using Hyman’s Place as the tavern’s moniker long after Teddy left Leadville. During 1887, the family relocated their residence to 218 West 6th Street.

In June of 1887, Teddy Schultze initiated a raffle for promotional purposes in which the prize was large cigar cabinet filled with F.P. del Rio cigars. [18] In August, Shultze announced that betting on all sporting events during the local firemen’s tournament could be booked at his clubrooms. [19] On December 31, Teddy threw a lavish New Year’s Eve celebration for his friends at his home. [20]

During 1888, Teddy and his family moved to 200 West 7th Street. [21] On June 6, Teddy gave a badge to Marshal White that was described as quite beautiful. [22] On August 9, Teddy testified in the vagrancy case of Henry Heaf on behalf of the defendant. Heaf was accused of vagrancy, but Schultze said that Heaf already deposited $95 in his saloon’s safe weeks before and had asked for work. Schultze also stated that he knew Heaf to be a former mine boss, a hard worker and a sober person. The charge was dismissed based on Teddy’s testimony. [23] Teddy had remained close friends with Simon Hirsch, who visited Leadville and stayed at the Schultze home on July 3, 1887 [24] and subsequent visits to Leadville. [25] This relationship extended to The Palace Resort, which also served Anheuser-Busch beers, Quaker Maid Rye, and Quaker Club Whiskey, all products exclusively distributed by the Hirsch brothers in Leadville. [26]

In addition to an assortment of promotional gimmicks, Teddy regurlarly offered a daily hot lunch, [27] free champagne and eggnog for the holiday season, [28] free turkey dinners on Thanksgiving, [29] bottled goods, [30] cigars, [31] mineral waters of all varieties, [32] and a holdover from what Mannie Hyman billed as the “Greatest keno game on Earth”. [33] Teddy’s business forays were diverse. Newspaper reports document interests in a cattle ranch he purchased in Dotsero, Colorado [34] (about 70 miles northwest of Leadville) and stock he held in the Lucky Boy mining operation. [35]

Teddy was a fun loving, amiable fellow with a good-natured sense of humor. This generally served him well, with the exception of the incident that occurred on December 8, 1888, in his front yard:

Teddy Schultze’s Accident.

Sunday morning the genial and popular Teddy Schultze was feeling unusually lively; in fact he felt like a twelve-year-old! His custom had been remarkably good the night before, and he was feeling like “the flowers that bloom in the spring, tra-la!”

After partaking in a nice breakfast, Teddy went out into his front yard humming:

“When love is young,
The world seems gay,
Tra-la la, la-la-la-la”

Then he tried his almost forgotten prowess as a high-kicker. He kicked over the top of the from palings and then called Mrs. Schultze out to hold his hat as high as she could get it, and kicked it out of her hand.

It was a beautiful day and Teddy’s heart was full of happiness! Turning round, his eyes fell upon some ice that had formed in his front door.

“I am a devilish young fellow for my age,” said Teddy to himself. “I think I’ll try to ‘skeet’ as I used to do when I was a boy back in the good old Deutsches Vaterland. (German Fatherland).” Accordingly he threw off his coat, spit on his hands, took a good running start and away he slid upon the treacherous ice. Teddy had not studied carefully, however, that principle of physics known as “the inertia of matter.” He had forgotten how much he had increased in avoirdupois since his boyhood. The momentum of his 215 pounds was too much for him.

When he came to himself, he found that his boyish dreams vanished and that he had gone through the glass of his front door, nearly cutting his hand off in the process. A doctor was called and dressed his wounds, and Teddy appeared upon the street Monday morning as smiling and genial as usual.

But he says he’ll never try to be a boy again and calls himself a “d- pumpernickelish dummkopf” for attempting such an exploit. [36]

In June of 1888, Teddy purchased two boa constrictors from a “circus man” in Denver as an attraction for his saloon. He had a large cage built for the reptiles in the rear with glass sides and an alcohol lamp for warmth. The animals were fed a live chicken once a week or, as Teddy sometimes joked, an unruly patron. [37]

Feeding The Snake

A few invited friends assembled in Teddy Schultze’s back rooms last evening to witness one of the big boa constrictor snakes dine on a live chicken. The chicken, a half grown Plymouth Rock, was taken from a box and the door of the glass cage in which the reptiles are confined was quickly opened and the chicken was thrust in. One snake was too sleepy to pay any attention to the chicken, and the other one, half covered with a blanket, had its eyes wide open but did not stir. The chicken strutted about the box as thoroughly unconcerned as though it was at home in the barnyard. Still no move form either snake. The chicken saw a few crumbs of bread on the blanket under which part of his second snakeship lay, and picked one piece up and ate it.

Snake No. 2 was slowly drawing himself together, evidently not relishing the jabbing he was getting from the chicken’s bill. Slowly the sinuous folds drew themselves under and toward the rear of the cage. The chicken didn’t notice anything. Suddenly there was a flash as the shiny head darted like lightning, and the cruel jaws, with their receding teeth and terrible fangs, fastened with an awful grip midway of the chicken. There was a smothered squawk, a crunching of bones, and the chicken was dead. The snake held it for several minutes as though to salivate the bird so as to swallow it easier, and it began to disappear down the reptile’s throat. Beyond a few twitches of the muscles back of the jaws, there was no effort in swallowing. At last nothing but the chicken’s feet could be seen and then they too disappeared. The shape of the bird could easily be seen under the serpent’s skin, and it kept moving until it reached a point about a foot or two back of the head, where it stopped. The snake then lay down. Saturday morning it could still be seen, but had apparently been partially digested and absorbed, for it appeared much smaller. The other snake will be fed on Sunday. [38]

An advertisement for The Palace Resort, which was also known as “Teddy’s Place”, “Hyman’s Club Rooms”, and “Hyman’s Place”. Similar ads appeared weekly in local newspapers from 1887 through 1890.

The Palace Resort. Leadville Evening Chronicle. April 30, 1889. Page 4.

This article and illustration appeared in the April 25, 1887 edition of the Leadville Evening Chronicle and discusses the origins of “Buck Beer Day” and Anheuser-Busch’s Buck Beer, which was proudly served at Shultze & Dale’s club rooms. Teddy had a close relationship with Simon Hirsch, president of Hirsch Brothers, a liquor distribution and distilling company. The Hirsch brothers were the exclusive distributors of Anheuser-Busch products in Leadville.

“The Day We Celebrate”. Leadville Evening Chronicle. Monday, April 25, 1887. Page 4.

For more information on Simon, Adolph, and the rest of the Hirsch family, please visit: http://www.jewishleadville.org/hirsch.html

On February 24, 1889, a fire broke out in David May’s former store, [39] next door to The Palace Resort, at 318 Harrison Avenue. The fire, mostly contained to the May Block, spread to Teddy’s saloon and caused extensive damage, temporarily closing the business:

An Early Morning Blaze
Serious Loss to Several Tenants in The Opera House Block.

A fire broke out at 4 o’clock last night in the store next to Hyman’s place, which is now occupied by the “Plymouth Rock” Pants men. It was quickly extinguished without material damage.

Later- Soon after it was announced that the fire had been put out, the firemen discovered flames issuing from the ceiling of the back part of Hyman’s club rooms. Then ensued a scene of the wildest confusion.

While the firemen were getting additional hoses, tables and chairs and everything else movable were rapidly rushed out on the sidewalk by excited, swearing, frantically gesticulating men.

Meanwhile, the lodgers in the adjacent buildings were getting their household goods out as fast as possible.

Dense volumes of smoke poured from the burning building, and to make matters still worse, the electric lights were put out about twenty minutes past 4 o’clock.

Several times it looked as if the flames were under control, but each time they broke out afresh in another spot.

From Dave May’s former store the flames spread to Teddy Schultze’s saloon, and from one room to another until it looked as if the whole block would be consumed.

Ex-Alderman Warfield was packing up, preparatory to taking French leave of his cigar store; Manager Cragg was looking on at the opera house with care-filled eyes; and the whole sidewalk was filled with women and children, with their quilts, baby carriages, and a confused mass of other goods that they had hastily snatched as they fled from the impending danger.

Ever and anon amid the crackling of the flames would be heard a thunderous roar as some part of the building fell under the fireman’s axe.

Early as was the hour, the fire called out an immense crown of spectators, who eagerly watch the progress of the flames, and many of them rendered material and acceptable aid in the removal of goods and fixtures.

The fire department was taxed to the utmost of its facilities, and, considering the nature of the conflagration, and the early hour at which it occurred, did efficient work.

While the origin of the fire is not certainly known, it is supposed to have been from a stove in the back part of the store-room formerly occupied by Dave May.

At 5:20 Chief Pollard informed the reporter that the fire was under control, and the throng of anxious lookers-on slowly dispersed.

Chief Pollard and all his force did real yeoman service, and thereby deserved the gratitude of their fellow townsmen.

Not only the regular firemen, but many of the old volunteers also, turned out and fought the flames with as much vigor as they exhibited in the early days of Leadville.

The loss is roughly estimated at between $2,000 and $3,000. [40]

Friday Morning’s Blaze Covered By Insurance

The Extent of the Damage Done to the Hyman House by Fire.

Friday Morning’s Blaze

From the usual scene of bustle and activity that once was want to see around the Hyman house, Friday morning it presented a sad, deserted and desolate appearance. No one was in charge, and the familiar faces that are associated with the place could not be seen. About three inches of water was on the floor, the well-appointed bar and fixtures were covered with dirt and bespattered with water. The ceiling, in different places, was punched with holes, and chairs and tables were piled one upon another, which lent an air of disorder to the whole place.

Mr. Teddy Schultze, the proprietor, was seen by a reported of this paper, and when questioned as to how soon it would be before he re-opened, he said:

“As quick as carpenters can work, and things can be put in shape.”

“Have you any idea as to the origin of the fire?”

“Only what I have been told since I came here this morning.”

“Are you fully covered by insurance?”

“I believe so.”

Mr. Schultze was asked who carried the insurance, and being informed it was Stickley and Shaw, the reporter called on those gentlemen. Mr. Shaw said that his firm had $2,500 insurance on the stock and fixtures, and $1,000 on the building. Mr. Ned Steole has $250 on the stock and fixtures, and Mr. W. Thompson has $500. This makes $3,250 that Mr. Schultze has on his stock and fixtures, which will in all probability cover his loss.

Mr. David May, who owned the adjoining building, has $6,000 insurance on it. The origin of the fire was from a wooden box placed in the May building used for holding ashes, which ignited and set fire to the partition, and from there it spread to the Hyman house. The damage to the May building does not amount to $50. [41]

January of 1890 is the last notation of the Schultze family in Leadville. They returned to Kansas City by the end of that year. [42]