The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-01-30
THE SPENCER CASE.
Ugly DOings OF a Prominent Temper
ance Orator.
A Case of Serious Marital Complications

The Enquirer of this morning publishes
an account of what appears to be serious
marital complication of William Spencer,
the temperance lecturer, who has recently
figured prominently in Bellevue and New
port, KY, and in this city. Spencer has OF
late been devoting much of his energies to
the temperance work on this side OF the
river, especially at new mission on Free
man street, near Clark. While officiating
here, the article alleges that he became ac-
quainted with family named Miller, in
which there were several grown-up daugh-
ters He began paying bis attentions to
Miss Flora Miller and some time ago the
pair started to the Chapel, and nothing
more was heard from them for some time.
1t was at last ascerained that the couple
were living together as man and wife In
Newport and that the lady said they were
married by Squire in Fulton, and that
Spencer had the license and marriage certl-
fica'e. These not being produced when de-
manded the Millers are represented as hav-
ing doubts. The girl is now said to be at
home with her family, who are greatly
grieved at the affair, and very bitter against
Spencer. 1t is also intimated that Spencer
has wife still living though he claims that
she is dead.
With these allegations in his possession a
STAR reporter was started on his. rounds
with instructions to get at the bottom facts.
The first gentleman called upon was Mr..
Thos. Ogden, prominent in the temperance
cause in this city. He says:
"Some four months ago the mission on
Freeman street was opened under the
direction of man by The name of
Thomas who very soon resigned and
Spencer was elected to his position, and
seemed to be an earnest worker and trust
worthy, but he has shown his true colors,
and is without doubt a rascal.
Il know he was married before he met
Miss Miller, to girl who has one child by
him; this woman still lives and works as
servant girl for livelihood about
| the city, which occupation she followed be-
| fore her marriage. | know he has no di
vorce. for under the circumstances none
can be obtained. Miss Miller's mother
called on me recently and stated that the
girl was infatuated with Spencer, and
trusted him, and while she knew he
had no divorce from his former wife, she
felt sure he would obtain one, and all
would yet be right"
A prominent lawyer in this city, who has
known Spencer from boyhood, gives the fol-
lowing testimony regarding him:
| II have been intimate with the family
for years. He is highly connected His
father was Dr. John Spencer, who was mar
ried to Miss Susan Barr One of Spencer 8
sisters married Capt. J. s. Williamson, of
| Newport, and the other members of the
family living are all highly connected by
marriage.
"Bill, as he was familiarly known, was
from boyhood the black sheep of the flock
he would not go to school and was constant
ly getting into scrapes and causing his
mother much trouble, for she was the only
one who was his friend and stood by him
till her DEATH which occurred only few
months since.
II know he was married some three years
ago, for he came in company with his
mother to my office TO talk over the mat
ter of borrowing money to send him West.
His mother stated to me at that lime that
she was greatly concerned about him. as he
had married beneath his station.
Failing in her purpose to get him away
from this locality, his mother then made
an effort 10 get him employment, and Cap
tain Williamson was prevailed upon to give
him employment as collector. He turned
out a defaulter, and the Captain forbade
him his house. | think his wife is living.
| do not know whether he has any children
or not. | do not think he has any good
cause for divorce; do not know whether he
has one or not, in fact have lost track of
him for the past two years"
Spencer was employed as night clerk,
some three years ago, a! the hotel at the
Stock-yards, of which Mr.. Harper was pro-
prietor.
A young man employed there at the
same time says he married, while there an
Irish girl in the employ of the hotel, whose
parents lived at Paramount. He says she
was beneath his station and thinks she was
deserted by him.