The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-09
BERGER SHUTDOWN
y. soHLEGEL KILLS HIS FAMILY
PHYSICIAN IN TIE STREET

me Victim Yves Oue or TIRE Leading Doctors or
Kansas Ctty-He was Accusoa ~ schicRei
or vronsins H,s wire-The woman Says ne
treated Her shancruily In 1sis once.
KANSAS Cry, Mo-, July s.-Dr. L. A. Berger,
one of the best-known physicians OF Kansas City.
was shot at 3:35 o'clock this afternoon by John
Schlegel. a grocer, and died in an ambulance. on
the way to All Saints Hospital. twenty minutes
later. The shooting took place in front OF
OBrien's saloon, at Twelfth and Walnut streets.
DIR. Berger wns shot twice in the right groin and
In tho body and underneath the right arm. He
had noarly blod to death before the ambulance
arrived.
DIR. Berger was standing in front OF the saloon
when Schlegel stepped up and began shooting.
DIR. Berger fell TO the sidewal and a great
crowd soon collected. schloeel made no effort
to escape. He was arrested by Policeman Jack.
con. who was soon at the scene OF the shooting.
Schlegel. when arrested, said that he had shot
DR.. Berger because the doctor had becn intimate
with his wife and had ruined his homo. There
10 no doubt that the killing Of DR.. Berger was
premeditated. SchleRel told Otto Weber. pro-
prietor OF the Mostart Hall saloon, q week ago
that he intended to kill DR.. Berger.
"Borgor assaulted his wife and he
ought to have killed him." exclaimed Weber.
He told me he woull do 1t. Mrs. Schlegcl went
to DR.. Berger's office in November to have a
small tumor removed from her head. While she
was there Berger made proposals to her, and
when she refused to accede ho locked her in the
office and assaulted her. Schlegel came here
and told mo the whole story. Ho declared then
that he intended 10 kill DR.. Berger, and no
repeated the threat q week ago."
This story is not entirely borne out by the At
tending circumstances. DR.. Berger had been
the family physician of the Schlegels for years,
and Schlegel had been threatening TO kill him
for two years or more.
DR.. Berger was standing on the co rner, near q
telegraph pole. when Schlegel walked over to
him and said: you wronged my wife. I tried
to get you before. but, damn you, I'll kill you
now" Schlegels hand was tightly clutched on
tho handle Of his revolver. Or. Berger jumped
back In fear. and persons standing by waiting
for cars and those passing along the street
stopped and turned away their heads at tho
loud words of the angered husband. DR.. Berger
muttered something in reply, but no one was
able to. distinguish what he said. A moment
later Schlegel was heard 20 utter q loud oath,
followed quickly by two pistol shots.
DR.. Berger staggered, at the first shot and
blood gushed from his side and stained his shirt
.SSsrd the he d Ssoeo os eSe o saison S SRe h ,Se s .eooed
bullet brought him 20 tho sidewalk. He tried to
rise, but fell back again with a groan. The per.
sons who had stood by raised n cry and rushed
forward. Patrolman Jackson was quickly on
the scene and arrested Schlegsl. He still held
the pistol in his hand aud seemed about to take
another shot.
Mrs. John Schlegel. when seen Immediately
after the. shooting. affirmed the truth Of
! DIR. Berger's alleged assault on her in Novom-
I ~5ef.- sing SAID he -5etr- heIs ~hSss- -hSStally
and cut her throat. She told her husband and
he declared he would kill DIR. Berger on sight.
She induced him to try to have DR.. Berger ar
rested, but she says Prosecutor Lowe refused TO
have this done. Rather than have the affair
published in the papers she wished to endure
her shame In silence. Then. too she says. DR..
Berger declared that IL she told any ono OF tho
deed he would shoot her and himself at the
same time.
DIR. Berger was born in Lebanon. Ill, in 1873.
He was the son Of DIR. Adolph Berger o, Worms.
Germany. HIS father came TO this country in
1stS and settled In Lebanon, where he p~rac,lsed
medicine. DIR: htrger was educated at a college
and gradnatedin 1871, He then took a course in
the st. Louis Medical College. graduating In
asa. He immedla.cly began %prar''rn In Tren'
ton, H.. whore no rrml'E,d twU years. On 40
count OF bad health ne went to Idaho City,
Idaho. and practised six years.
In 1880 he came to Kansas City and engaged
in general practice and was soon recognized as
one OF the most eminent members of tho profes
sion in the State. He was married twice. Ir
1877 he was married TO Miss l. f. Dausman, by
whom he had four children. three of whom arc
ret living. They are Hiodee F.. Lille j.. anC
Grace Berger. His wife died in 1875. and II
1879 DIR. Berger was married to Mrs. f. Eldor
OF Syracuse, N She is q. cultured woman
and a member Of the Episcopal Church.