(note: everything before the dateline is a headline in different fonts separated with a horizontal line. That’s how dramatic this story is.)

MAD TO COMMIT SELF-MURDER

Frenzied by Insomnia, Wertheim Exclaimed:

“GUS, I AM GOING MAD!”

HE TRIED TO BEAT OUT HIS OWN BRAINS.

DASHED HIS HEAD THROUGH A WINDOW

And Finally Tore Open His Throat and Let Out His Life on the Jagged Edges of the Glass Left in the Frame

Charleston, S.C., April 1. –Samuel Wertheim, an oil merchant of Veasey street, New York, killed himself in a most shocking manner in the offices of G. M. Politzer here this afternoon.

Wertheim accompanied by his nephew Arther Wertheim had been staying at the Dorcestor Inn, Summerville, for his health. He suffered from Insomnia. His nephew grew alarmed at symptoms developed yesterday and started to take the sick man home. They came here today and were to go north this afternoon.

At 2 o’clock the two called at G. M. Politzer’s office on Adger’s Wharf. The older Wertheim walked up to Mr. Politzer and said: “Gus, I am going mad.” With that he began beating himself on the head with a paper weight. Unable to restrain him young Wertheim and Politzer rushed out to get help.

The frenzied man then broke out a pane of glass in one of the office windows and beat his face and neck on the jagged edges that remained in the sash. A negro boy tried to drag him from the window, but was told he would be killed if he interfered. The boy retreated and Wertheim dashed his head through another pane and sawed his neck on the ragged glass till he fell to the floor exhausted.

Medical assistance was summoned and he was put in an ambulance, but he died before the city hospital was reached.

The News and Observer, Raleigh, NC, Sunday, April 2, 1899, page 1.