Evening star., 1903-10-19
TEMPORARY INSANITY
CAUSE OF RABBI SPARGER'S At
TEMPTED SUICIDE.
First Effort at Self-Destruction Made
in ngton-Recovery Be-
lieved to Be Probable.

A dispatch from Philadelphia today states
that the condition of Rev. DIR. william
Sparger, Hebrew rabbi of New York city,
who attempted to commit suicide IN the
Hotel Walton in Philadelphia last Satur-
day, is considerably improved and that
there is a fair chance for his recovery DR..
Sparger for the past ten years has been
chanter Of the Temple Emmanuel. in New
York one Of the wealthiest Hebrew con-
gregations in the country. He is noted
throughout the country both as a reader
and singer OF exceptional ability
DR.. Sparger was found in his room at the
Philadelphia hotel last Saturday morning
with his throat and wrists cut, and semi
conscious from overdose of morphine.
Unfortunate Speculations in stocks Is
ascribed as the motive for his attempt on
his life.
1t was learned here today that DR..
Sparger attempted to end his life in his
room at the Hotel Raleigh. in this city.
last Wednesday. At that time his friends
were led to believe that he had uninten-
tiOnally taken overdose of morphine,
but from later developments 1t Is thought
he intended to end his life.
DIR. Sparger registered at the Raleigh last
Tuesday morning, and he spent the day
with Rev. DR.. Louis Stern. rabbi of the
Washington Hebrew Congregation. In the
evening he attended the theater with DR..
Stern. 1t is stated that DR.. Sparger gave
IT,,
excepting that he complained of insomnia
and said he had obIaIned a sleeping potion
from a physician in New York.
Groans Heard From Within.
Dr. Stern left the visiting rabbi at the
Raleigh Tuesday evening. and when he call
ed upon him at the hotel Wednesday morn
ing the door Of DR.. Sparger's room was
found locked and groans were heard from
within. An entrance to the room was forced
and DR.. Sparger was found in a semi
conscious state and suffering from an over
dose of morphine. On table in the room
was found a bottle containing some Of the
drug
DR.. Harry M. Kaufman Of 1918 14th street
was Immediately summoned and after
working upon the visiting minister for
about three hours he was able to be re-
moved to the Columbian University Hos
ptal. letter written by DR.. Sparger was
found on the table. but in 1t was no indi-
cation that he intended to commit suicide.
The afflicted man was very reticent about
discussing the matter. and his friends con-
cluded that his condition was due to an
accidental overdose of morphine.
His relatives in New York were notified,
and DR.. Sparger wGs treated at the Column
bian University Hospital by DR.. kaufman
until Thursday evening. when he was pro-
nOunced out of danger.
Preferred Atlantic City.
DIR. Sparger was very desirous OF going
to Atlantic City, urging that the conditions
there would be more favorable to his rapid
recovery. He was also desirous Of keeping
the affair from the attention Of his friends
and family. DR.. kaufman consented for
the clergyman to go to Atlantic City i'll
the company of DR.. Donnelly, one OF the
resident physicians at the hospital. and
they left here Thursday night for the sea
shore, where the minister was placed IN the
care of physician.
Nothing further was heard from DR..
Sparger until the report of the alleged at
tempt at suicide in Philadelphia reached
here. 1t is stated that DR.. Sparger has
been IN a state bordering on nervous col
lapse for some weeks past and that he left
New York for the purpose Of taking a BRIEF
rest. 1t Is thought the influence of drugs
and his nervous condition produced tenn
porary insanity, and caused him to try to
end his life.