Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-02
Women Pleading for a Life.
UNUSUAL INTEREST IN THE FATE OF SPENCER, IL

UNUSUAL INTEREST IN THE FATE OF SPENCER, TIKI
MARYLAND MURDERER.
Gov. jackson, OF Maryland, has before him thu
most urgent appeals for the communication Of the
death sentence OF Henry J. Spencer, who was last
Saturday, the time set for his DEATH granted re
prieve for thirty days, as stated in THE STAR
About i've years ago Scott Dawson, OF Cumberland
assaulted a young woman to whom Spencer was
betrothed. For this he served term In jail. The
young woman never fuzzy recovered and Two YEAR
afterward she died. Dawson came out OF prison
settled down, and married. One day Spencer
called at his house and requested him TO wall
spot he told him that he intended to Kill him 10,
having caused the death or his f1ancee. Dawson
MADE an AFFECT apology for his act, and expressed
the fullest cOntrttiOn, but Spencer told MIN that
tnat was not enough, and tuaL he must die for his
crime. They were staining lace 10 face. spencer
drew MS revolver and fired until Dawson was dead
Inc trial was most interesting one, aud was re.
markaOle for the vigOr with which 1t was con-
Quoted. The point scored by the prosecution was
!awlesS action; that II Spencer intended 10 shoot
Dawson he should have done so either after The
crime or when Dawson Was liberated. This view
prevailed with the court and jury ana Spencer was
found guilty OF murder In the nrsl degree He was
promptly sentenced TO death.
The women throughout the state seem to have
become stirred up In sympathy Tor the condemned
man, and some OF the peLilions are sOul-StirrinR
This leLler, signed by women, Is O sample OF the
many: I'VE Ieel that there are many exlenuating
circumstances surrounding this unfortunate mans
gullt. For what man, husband brother, or even
friend, would not have been goaded to madness
and desperation by the terrible injury and singing
insult tnat this man had hurled upon HIM and
upon the wife OF his bosom? What man could have
acted otherwise in defense OF his own honor and
that OF his wife?s One or the petitions Is signed
"WIt an earnest prayer for mercy In behalf OF the
condemned man w the ladies OF Baltimore" An
oLher Deseeches pardon In the name Of The
mothers wives, and daughters OF Maryland
Another concludes: "FOr numanity's sake we pray
you TO permit no consideration TO deter your
exceilency from giving our helpless and defence
fn1a nrl.nf Afkrt~
and we Will ever ask Tor Heavens blessing on you
and yours" Suli another begs Tor mercy sin the
state was named" Many letters are marked pri.
vate, which come from prominent women In differ.
ent parts or The state.
When Spencer was reprieved he did not want to
accept II at first because IL meant nearly anOIheI
month OF suffering and suspense, and he only did
IL when persuaded that there was hope OF a com.
ernOr will be forced TO yield TO the popular pro
test, as the petitions Will be circulated all over the
state. The main obstacle Is the refusal OF Judge
HOFFMAN, who presided over the court to join In
appeal for executive interference.
THE GOVERNOR NAY COMMUTE THE SENTENCE
the Baltimore American to-day says: Gov
Jackson arrived at Barnum's yesterday, and will
leave this morning for st. Paul MINI. The gov.
ernor said he was going out there to look alter
ten days In speaking or the application 10 respite
Spencer the governor said he mad not received the
statement OF the new testimony through which
rardon OF Communication was hoped He thought
1t very strange that just able anu Intelligent
judge like Judge Henry w. Hoffman had not b en-
moved 70 grant new trial, II there was any thing
In the testimony, and his failure to Join In asking
clemency made the governor very doubtful of Inc
propriety OF doing so. The governor said that In
tact, he had more protests against clemency than
petitions for mercy. He had received some sug.
gesttOns for Communication or the sentence to i'm.
prisOnment, and protests against full pardon,
and many persons in the neighbOrhOod OF Cum.
beriand were AFRAID that spencer, whom they con.
slider dangerous man, would, II set at liberty,
commit other crimes The indications are that
the sentence will be committed TO Imprisonment,
provided the petitioners can substanttaLe thett
statements.