The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-02
CHAS. B. SPAHR LOST AT SEA.
EDITOR DROWNED IN CROSSING
THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.
Not Known whether He Fell Overheard
by Accident or Committed Suicide
Latter Theory Scouted-Dead Man
Was in Control Of Current Literature"
Special Gable Despatch to THE SUN.

Special Cable Despatch to THE SUN.
LONDON, Sept. 1.-Charles B. Spahr,
editor-proprietor OF the magazine Current
Literature of New York, disappeared from
the steamboat Prince Albert last night
while crossing from Ostend to Dover. Mr.
Spahr was travelling in the company OF
Z. w. Ordway Of 1898 Dean street, Brooklyn
He was missed when the vessel was about
midway Of the passage.
1t is supposed that he was lost overheard,
but it is not known whether he fell aoci-
dentally or committed suicide. 1t is said
that nothing was found among the effects
which he left behind to throw any light
on the mystery. His baggage has been
forwarded to Liverpool, as he was to sail
for home on the Cunard Line steamship
Aurania next Tuesday.
Mr.. Spahr for some time had been suffer-
ing from nervous prostration. His friends
say he had been much benefited by his
holiday and appeared to be we'll during the
voyage.
At one time one Of the sailors noticed
him In a dangerous position near the stern
rail and advised him to move away. His
friends. after missing Mr.. spahr, searched
the ship for him. At Dover they watched
again searched the ship, but without result
Charles r. Spahr lived in Kingsbridge
Terrace, this city. The news Of his disap-
pearance was cabled from Dover by +, W.
Ordway Of 1898 Dean street, Brooklyn.
who went with Mr.. Spahr as travelling
companion on tour OF Europe for the
benefit of Mr.. Spahr's health. They sailed
on July for Trieste, arriving there on
July rs. They travelled overland to Ostend
and took the Prince Albert for Dover;
Mr.. Spahr's health had apparently i'm
proved, Mr.. Ordway cabled, and when
last seen he appeared to be in excellent
spirits. He had with him only small
handbag which contained nothing of much
value and nothing at all to throw any
light upon his disappearance.
Charles B. Spahr was born in Ohio and
was graduated from Amherst College
in 1881. He studied at Leipsic and took
the degree of Phi. d. at Columbia. He
became a member Of the editorial staff of
the Outlook in 1888, leaving that magazine
last February 10 become editor-in chief
of Current Literature in which he had a
controlling interest.
The responsibilities Of his position weighed
heavily on Mr. Spahr, and resulted in ner-
no his work for time and went abroad
with Mr.. Ordway. General Manager Locke
Of Current Litereture said Yesterday
"Mr. Spahr had no business troubles
or any other reason that would lead him
10 take his own life and he was not the kind
OF man to do such thing, My theory is
that he was seasick, for know him to have
been very poor sailor, and that while sick
he pitched over the rail and was drowned
by accident. The channel is always choppy
al best, and It seems to me that my eX-
PLANTATION is not only possible, but highly
probable, 80.
Health Commissioning. Darlington, who
was Mr.. Spahr's family physician, eX-
pressed the belief yesterday that his death
was accidental. mfr Spahr," he said, has
suffered greatly from nervous trouble,
but. no matter how intense his sufferings,
he was not the man to seek relief in death
think rather that, unable to sleep; he went
oyerboa I'd "