The evening times., 1899-08-23
A MINISTER THOUGHT INSANE
His Mind Unbalanced by a WOman's
Conduct.

Conduct.
New York, Aug. 23.-The Rev. Mervin
Webster, twenty-five years old, of 106 West
Ninety-fifth Street, until eight months ago
pastor of Baptist church in Onteora, N.
Y, and more recently preacher at revi-
val meetings held in the Bennett Memori-
al Church, in Second Avenue, between
One Hundred and Eighteenth and One Hun
dred and Nineteenth Streets, became vio-
lently insane in his home yesterday, and
was placed in the insane pavilion of Belle
vue Hospital last night. Friends Of the
minister say that he had brilliant future
before him, but that his life was ruined
and his mind unbalanced by grief over the
conduct OF a young woman with whom he
became infatuated. He married her, but
she left him four months later 1t is now
reported that she died two or three months
ago.
DR.. Webster, according to his friends is
a member of prominent family. His
father, William R. Webster, was once a
clergyman in Boston. He is now, it is said
vice president Of a Southern university.
Accompanied by his friends, one OF
whom was in clerical garb, the Rev. Mr.
Webster entered the grounds Of Bellevue
last night. He was unshayen and hag-
gard, and his eyes had a glazed look He
was in state of intense excitement, and
Dr. Frank w. Robertson, after question
ing him, had him removed to the insane
pavilion, after expressing the opinion that
he was undoubtedly insane.
Dr. Webster's friends said that he had
frequently had spells of melancholy when
| ne dwelt on the past but had never ex-
hibited signs of acute mania until Mon
day night. He was at that time present al
party given by friends with whom he
! was staying in Ninety-fi fifth Street He ap-
peared to be in good spirits, and one OF
the women present waved her fan at him
| He at once sprang from his seat raised
| MS arms above his head and began to uttel
string OF incoherent phrases He imag-
| ined that he was delivering a sermon TO g
| large multitude
He was gradually Quieted, and it was
/ thought that he would recover his reason
| after nights rest. He was more inco-
| herent than ever in his speech yesterday
morning, however. He sat in his room
addressing scores of imaginary persons
Finally, when he threatened to kill him
self. his friends thought 1t best to take him
| to Bellevue
Insanity runs in his family, they say
| and two of his uncles killed themselves
| while insane
| DR.. Webster, according to the story tolt
| by his companions, became a preacher o
the Methodist faith several years ago. H,
| afterward Joined the Baptist Church. ant
! became pastor OF a church in Onteora. II.
| was called to a neighboring town about
! year ago TO deliver a sermon at religious
| gathering. and there met the woman wht
! is said to have wrecked his life.
His friends said that he frequently tolC
! them how, while preaching in the hail. b,
| suddenly saw near the back of the hous,
| a pair OF coal black eyes, which Fascinated
him SO that soon he found himself speak
ing to them alone, obliyious of all tn,
other persons present
He sought an introduction to the younl
woman next day, and gradually delivered
himself over to the mad infatuation which
alarmed those who knew of the menta
tendencies in his family
He became married and soon afterwart
began the unhappiness which ended in tn
| dethronement of his reason. His wife Ief
him, and he resigned his pastorate ant
came to this city. Here he joined seyera
ministers engaged In religious work in tn
tenement districts of the upper east side
In the Bennett Memorial Church in Sec
| ond Avenue, he soon became known as al
effective preacher. DR.. Webster last nigh
refused to discuss the details of his life
| He would say only regarding his wife tha
he had heard three reports of her death
Two of the reports he had investigated an
found to be false. The third he was incIin
ed to think was true. He will be examine
as to his sanity today.