The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-09-18
Trial or Spencer for the Murder or his Wife
In jersey City.


OYER TrRMINER, HUDSON CO., NJ.
Before Chief Justice Hombower, and Justices John
Tonnelle, junr, James M'Donnell John Griffith, John
c. speer, c. Van Wrinkle, and Geo. c. DeKay.
The Court sat at on o'clock.
PiERBsPoINr EDWARDS, Esq, sworn.--I am lawyer.
residing in New York. and previous to the last spring
prsctised law in Columbus, Ohio, for five years
the prisoner at Columbus the fall of 1874 he was in
troduced by letters from highly respectable persons of
New York state as a Jealous advocate of the wing
he delivered WING speech and all went to hear
usually stayed at the Neil House; l stopped
there also; He exhibited many symptoms of be-
singular there appeared to be no connection between
several parts Of his speech remarked it at the time
hi. 'I had
with him the prisoner said he could make better de-
moeratic than a whg speech" Naughtsr) He also
He then said that his forte mesmerism (Renewsd
We began TO joke him to his face about his
remarks and he did not to take it he did not
to understand quizzing him told him to lee
ture on mesmerism and give up politics he said he
would we all concluded he was crackbrained sort of
fellow that would do service to the wing he
lectured mesmerism, sndnroduced all the poetry in
9th lbs sn sa nad mo So1
and put others into mesmeric sleepand make them also
sing. Uaughter) He sung very well, indeed he spoke
ness, and what he going do in the world he said
he had been gifted by the Almighty with supernatural
powers that he was going to do wonderful things we
talked him about these matters for our amusement and
held conversations with him he repeatedly said that he
wHpld make any lay no choose BY tho power Of n:
he used to draw himself at the table and pretend to
power over some one at the table Laughter)
This always afforded much amusement he spoke
frequently ladies' whose wills he had slbdued this
way he seemed to think he should fight duel with
which he exsrted he imagined he had pistol with
him ct the time he said he had got this power gift
from the Creator and he could not be blamed for l. he
Columbus he prayed every morning and evening in his
room with great earnestness we concluded he must
hsau La tl,a IT,,
July last, in New York. passed but moment with him.
and about to bsw to him passing down the steps he
took hold OF my coat by the collar and said want to
you" in very trsmueus and excited tone Of voice
stepped into corner aside with him; he said Do you
1sd con%Su. S'' :d % ~ pOt know
anything about her; never heard her speak in my life;
you know her yourself long enough to be able to know
ed to turn away from him them his manner such
that did not wish to continue to speak him; he then
made leny discoveries onhe subject Of mesmerism
he said he had the most astonishing that had been
Columbus I'd give thousand dollars million dollars,
said he anything could be subsantiated against her
ne then walked up and down the steps and said in
said true" and turned to crying; after that left
him. and did not him since until this mornings all
this occupied very few minutes; never him drink
at Ccluubus he appeared indeed to have been very
moral man.
to Of my family that he crazy sort of fellow.
No cross examination.
Witness withdrew.
THOMAS J. MARiyus sworn-I was present at the trial
bad between Justus L. Dobbn and Johnl Phillips, be-
fore Justice Edwards: was a witness in the case.
WIrsKss-l was present when the warrant was ap-
Piled for by young Mr. Dobbn because il made to
the mothers Mr. Dobbn le and in eight or ten miuutea
returned with his mother.
Q-What did they state to the justicel
The STATE objected
The question Of the admissbility of this evidence
here left open for argument.
Witness withdrew.
Of Mr. Harrison, tho landlord Of the house where the
homicide was committed; live next door; it for
mery our house: 4 was let both to Mr.. and Mrs Dobbini
was not on whiting terms with the Dobbin family;
saw Mrs Spencer ON the "a Of July Mrs Spencer and
Mrs Dobbin came into my house that days the pistol
by scream; went 70 the door; looked out the win.
dow; Mrs Messum was with me; three females rushed
81 'Se ne ao0r 81 sa.s one Of the females said
then of the females said, I'VE have crazy man in
the house he wants to kil us he IL my husband"
replied certainly; Immediately went to the back room
leaving the three females in the psrlor; almost immed
' ss
ed the basement Of house; he up the stairs and
first hoor opened the door; he then said that il nv
mothern-law speaking said IL know nothing about
il, but would wish you to leave my houses" he had
glarng, and his very excited; he said "dont
be alarmed wont hurt you" again desired him
to leave my house; he then said in allow tone Of voice.
putting up his finger don't say wordn he wanted me
TO be SILENT he then heard his voice and
entered the parlor through the back PsrO then heard
some one scream and cry at the door Of the in
which was; it was my bedrooms this scream in
soon as he entered the room; opened
she burst into tears and in a few moments she said
" she did not think he would have done to her."
To fits of ss hi.
the lunatic asylum for five years y, she in
the with alsne at this time she then repeated
hes certainly crazyshe then said that the day before
he acted very strangely that she afraid occupy
the with him that night; but she did not she
said like tell him she was afraid OF him. but she told
him she indisposed and would lie the lounge; she
then said that she had many times, with his appreciation
taken his pistols his razors and even his pocket knife
when she found those fits coming she then said, to-
The STARR here objected to the whole Of this testimony
IN reso. to the declarations Of the deceased in Mrs
The DrrEscE Of opinion it would be rather diff
6cult matter to rule out half hours testimony.
The CouRr ruled in favor of the defence.
WITNESS, in continuation-She said when he entered
strange manner and he kept them up ali night she then
said he attempted the life Of her mother, who with her
son. went to the Justices Office to swear her life against
him. she said they fastened all the doors and windows
that Mr. Spencer could not get I'M then she said towards
noon she.hesr noise up stairs; she said by slight
of the bedding she induced to look under
the bed and there she discovered Mr. spencer that he
came out and followed her to the front entry with his
pistol which he presented to her breast that she then
screamed and her brother forced them to the stoop
hen remarked to her did not think her husband would
have killed her while the consequences to himself would
evidence
his derangement-did you hear Of q crazy person
looking to the consequences"she then asked IL the
room in which we sitting joined their room she
hen said must have heard something's she then said
she would go to her mother; she then to her
her and sad The lady does not think he crazy" the
mother then said "Oh she don't know. he 10 certainly
,razy;' then there was message received from Mr.
spencer to have his wife 60 down stairs he in the
basement room of my house believe at this time; he
went down the stairs leading to the basement; my
vant brought the message then asked my
20 down stairs wanted to make the matter short
Tho In nd al
20 down and ask her husband he would be pleased
% give the psto Mr.. Spencer then the stairs
ind called his wife by the Mary" he said MARY
will you let me come to see your il was in suppca
ng tone of voice; Mrs Spencer said Yes he then said
Will you let me come to your house, she answered.
Its mas house, she may do as she peases" he then
aid will you keep me from jail 2" she then said, III
will do what CAM" he then handed the pistol TO Mrs.
Messum did not see him hand IL; Mrs Messum imme-
lately turned 10 Mrs. Spencer and she said II have the
PISTOL or your husband has pistol now" can't say
which, Mrs Spencer then went down STAIRS he met her
It the foot Of the sairs him; she remained in the
basement room some time; she them shortly AFTER