Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1888-11-21
A MISSOURI MURDER.
Recalling the Whiterhapel HOrrOrs-The
Crime Almost FO-goften.
TSt Innis Globe namncrdtI

Crime Almost Forgotten.
tst Louis Globe Democrat
The Whitechapel murder mysteries
which have appalled, the civilized world
and baffied the Londol police and detect :
ives have brought out numerous recitals
OF revolving homicides in both the old
and new worlds. Strange to say, ose of
the most mysterious ana horrible whole
sale murders in the history of crime,
where the murderer has never been appre-
hended. has dropped out of sight, and all
efforts to ferret out the guilty Ialty or
parties long since ceased. That crime was
the butchery of the 81 EAGER family. near
Luray, in Clark County, No., ten years
ago, The Spencer family, consisting of
father, two daughters, and son-the
tiers full grown, and the son l6 years
Of age--weie classed among the best peo-
pie Of the county. Old man Spencer
was frugal, and was supposed 10 have
considerable money at all times. He
owned a valuable farm and some property
in the town OF Luray The murder was
discovered by neighbors, who noticed that
tho house had not been opened, aud as this
had never happened before it created sus-
picion. and finally distant relative, ac-
companied by his farm hand. broke into
the unpretentious little farmhouse, aud
found on the first floor in the rear room,
the horribly mutilated remains of old man
Spencer. Tho mousse was story and a
half structure. The men proceeded to tie
attic floor, where the two girls were fonnd
IN bed dead, and also terribly mutilated.
he relative, who is still resident of
Clark County, knew that the son slept in
the barn, and the,horrified men continued
their Investigation in that direction, where
Young Spencer was found with his skull
crushed and a pitchfork driven into his
abdomen.
such excitement prevailed in that section
of the State. The relative was suspected
of having committed the murder in order
to secure control of the property and was
promptly arrested for the crime. Detec-
tives were imported among them one
Frank Lane from Louisville, KY, who
after few days announced that the man
under arrest was innocent and pointed
out as the murderer one Bill Young. who
owned large farm in the neighborhood,
and who was regarded as a dangerous man,
though never convicted Of any crime
Young was arrested aud narrowly escaped
lynching, meanwhile protesting his limo
cence and claiming he could show his
movements and whereabouts during the
entire week of the murder When his
case came TO trial one Laura Sprouse, a
dressmaker, testified that she was in
Youngs company during the time he
was accused Of having committed
the quadruple murder, and brough,
in host Of witnesses to show her own
whereabouts night and day. The trial
lasted several days, and attracted wide
attention. The jury brought in verdict
of not guilty. and Young was released.
suit of the trial. and made strong threats
Laura Sprouse came in for her share ol
censnie, aud it was intimated that shs
knew more about the murder than shs
| would tell. Two weeks after the trial Bill
Young married Laura Sprouse and thu
couple went to Keokuk, Iown, on thei
bridal trip, Young was widower ani
had several small children. He had beer
defended in his trial BIZ 4 Kentucky lawye
named GOffMan, who fought for his CHEN
like q tiger, aud did mpchto save his neck
with the aid OF the woman SprOnse. Franl
Lane. the Kentucky detective, chagrinei
at the release Of Young, remained ii
| Clark County endeayoring to secure new
| evidence against the acquitted man. ans
| finally succeeded in arOnsing the neigh.
bofs Of the murdered Spencers to frenx,
aud = desire to lynch Bill Young
! Conman, the attorney, tclegraphet
/ Young while at keokuk to remain ava,
until the intense feeling had subsidized
| Young, with his bride. was at the Dime
| table ut the Stanleigh House. Keokuk
! when he received the message Of warning
| He laughed aloud, threw the message o.
2..,1x- 49, ...t.