The New York herald., 1920-01-29
MRS. SPANG REVELED
< IN PHANTOM LOVES.
Physician Says She Hoped De-
ceased Husband Would
Find "HOt Place" n
DAUGHTER TO TAKE STAND
Dr.. Chaplin Prevented Her from See
ing Mother When Will Was
Signed, She Charges.

Fancifui dreams Of Mrs. Rosa z. Spang
lust before she died, June q, 1918, at the
age of seventy-six, in which she asso-
ciated herself with phantom sweethearts,
were described yesterday at the will con-
test being fought by her daughter, Mrs.
Mabel Crome Ancker. before Surrogate
Cohalan and a jury.
DR.. James F. Nagle. Of No. Is West
Fifty-fourth street, who was Mrs. Spang's s
physician for nearly a decade. told of the
strange delusions mis- patient had. She
thought men were invading her apart
nents at tho Waldorf each night and
spoke to DR.. Magic Of her affinity vices"
So keenly did Mrs. Spang believe in these
visitations that she often had her suite
flooded with light to discover who was
present.
Because OF iler pathological, condition
which showed a progressive sorm, DR..
Nagle expressed his belief that she was
irrational when he last saw her, few
months before she signed a will leaving
more than $2,0O0O0 to found a home for
aband. ned children and cutting off her
daue. .er with an annuity Of $1,000. She
would discuss with the physician her old
oeauz. and digress from her conversation,
showing a lack OF continuity in thought.
At cve time she engaged young man to
entertain her by singing
Consigned Husband to Hot Place.
When discussing with the physician her
husbands death. Mrs. Spang said :--"He
has gone on a long journey, and I hope
lhey make it hot for him when he gets
there" Her mental condition showed a
gradual decline in the physicians opinion.
80 that she began to express dstrust
Of her friends. believing they were after
her fortune. and surrounded herself with
new acuuaintances. Eventually DR.. Maggie
was compelled to give her up rs patient.
On the occasion of his visits, Dr. Nagle
said. Mrs. Spang would insist that he
listen to some risque stories which she
was wont TO relate. She proffered him
some stocks and gjewelry, including one
;yem which, she told him, could be used as
IN engagement ring. but these he declined,
saying he never accepted gifts from women.
Mrs. Spang did not appear upset by the
plysician'S refusal.
DR.. Nasle said he never knew Mrs Spang
20 evince interest n children. bat, or the
contrary. always showed an antpathy
toward them, and said women who had
children were fools In view OF this line
Of testimony and Mrs. Spars's disposition
of her wealth, Senator Edgar r. Bracket,
for the contestant, was satisfied lie had
scored an important point
In closing his examination, which asted
two lays, Charles c. Lockwood. State
Senator. who formerly was legal adviser
10 the Spangs said that Mrs. Spang had
more than half "A dozen pictures OF her
daughter in her Waldorf apartment.
Kept from Seeing Mother.
Evidence Of startling character is ex-
pected when Mrs. Arcker takes the stand
and testifies to the means which were used
10 keep her from seeing her mother the
LAY the will was executed. Her affidaVit
says she arrived in New York on June y
last, frora Denmark, and on the next day
she tried to telephone to Mrs. Spang but
was unable 10 make a connection.
The daughter then summoned Mr.. Lock-
wood and went with him to the Waldorf,
where a nurse Informed her that Or. Henry
Dwight Chaplin. one of the trustees under
the will, had given instructions that no one
was to see Mrs. Spang. After waiting ten
minutes in the lobby Mrs. Ancker saw DI.
Chaplin walking along the corridor from
he direction OF her mothers suite. She
aid he seemed surprised that she was
here, and told her that the shock of her
mother seeing her would result fatally.
Mrs. Ancl<er declares she insisted upon
being admitted into the apartment, and
asked DR.. Chaplin to convey her request TO
19r mother. The physician assenteu aNo
altered the salon. but Mrs. Ancker alleges
he never saw Mrs. Spang. and only spoke
10 the nurse. He then returned and SAID
II was ipadvisable to admit the daughter
Two days later Mrs. Ancker received
word of her mothers death. She hurried
20 the Waldorf, where she met Mrs James
p. Brown, who was in charge or the apart
ruents, and who told her that Mrs Spang
had been angry because her daughter had
made no attempt TO communicate with or
gee her. Mrs. Ancker says she then went
TO DR.. Chaplin and upbraided him for de-
nying her admittance, and he then ac-
lxnowledged not having told Mrs Spang OF
Ter daughters presence in the hotel. She
also alleges he declared that George w.
Wsckersham, another of the trustees, was
with Mrs. Spang on the day she called,
arranging for the execution OF the VIII.
The trial will be resumed today.