Schlemmer was interested in the birdlife of the island and made several studies which provide information on historic bird populations.

[3] In 1893 Schlemmer served in the Honolulu Police, assisting the government of Queen Liliuoakalani prevent a coup by Americans.

In 1900, unrest broke out on Laysan and the Pacific Guano & Fertilizer Company people decided that Schlemmer's role in smooth operations was key and recruited him back to replace Spencer.

The US Biological Survey sent a crew to exterminate them in 1913, but ran out of ammunition after 5,000 were killed, leaving a substantial number still alive.

Schlemmer was unable to live away from Laysan, and in 1915 the government allowed him to return while denying his request to become a federal game warden.

With World War I having broken out and the subsequent anti-German paranoia, Schlemmer found himself accused of being a German spy using Laysan as his headquarters.

Schlemmer released domestic rabbits, guinea pigs, and perhaps hares on Laysan Island, expecting them to multiply and provide supplies for a future meat-canning business.