Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-01-03

out.
Midshipman Rodgers was shown the
paper and saw that Spencer had used
Greek letters but English words.
There, then, was the plan-the names
Of the crew counted upon to murder,
MAIN or destroy-and the revelation
was complete.
For all the captain knew the ship
was ready for mutiny. All Of these
men might be ready at Spencers sig
nal 10 carry out his devilish designs.
Cromwan and Small were ir0ned after
close questioning. Cromwell denied
yehementy that he had anything in
common with Spencer, and declared
that Small was the one who had last
held ii secret conference with the mid
shipman. Cromwell displayed nerve
and courage, which did much to bear
out his insisted innOcenSe. Small was,
on the contrary, fidgety and furtive in
his glanceS from the time of Spencer'S
imprisonment.
1t became a time of awful suspense
on board the Somers.
Capt. Mackenzie found all of his Of
fcers true as steel, and talked to the
seamen. They we're not so tractable.
Some were insolent. There were NUT
! teringS fore and aft and a cloud Of
discomfort and sedition seemed to be
settling down over the brave captain
and his command. So great was this
spirit of INSTRUMENTATION that a council
of officers was held, witnesses were
examined. and for a hours there was
a continuous court-martial in the cap
tain's quarters.
DEATH WAS DECREED.
The verdict was unanimous, and
death was decreed against Spencer,
Cromwell and Small.
. There could be no delay.
The murmuring, which meant mutt
ny, must be quelled at once. 1t could
only be quelled by strict observance
of laws which govern the world over
the discipline of ships.
Death ignominious and diSgraceful
death, by hanging at the yardarm, is
the penalty prescribed then as now for
mutinOus conduct, and the tragedy of
a terrible example must needs be en-
acted at once.
It was an awful move for Mackenzie
to make He was only a poor captain
and Spencer was the son Of a power
ful and popular cabinet officer. But
he had no time to wonder whether the
act would be upheld in Washington.
If he was clement he might soon be
corpse fed to fishes.
The terrible discipline of war, which
hangs a spy and goes further than the
Mosaic law of life, was now to be car
ried out Spencer and his confederates
were arragned like criminals in a
court and sentence was pronounced by
Capt. Mackenzie, who recited the con,
spiracy and concluded:
"You plotted to remove me from the
world while 1 slept with out the priv
lege of whispering a fond farewell tC
, my wife and children. I shall not be
, so unjust to you. If there is a messag
you would send to your family tell il
now. There are those here who will
deliver it. Speak quickly. Ten min
utes more and. you must die"
Spencer was in tears and bemoaned
his fate, lamenting that his sinful soul
was not prepared for death. But he
found time to insist that Cromwell
was innocent, and it has always been
question as to Cromwells guilt
There was no time to give him the
benefit of a doubt.
Spencer begged fer time. He prayed
forgiveness.
'But will it avail me?" he cried out
"Can I be forgiven by God at the last
hour?"
Remember the thief upon the cross
said Mackenzie and Spencer confessed
to other crimes.
HAD PLANNED OTHER CRIMES.
He admitted that he had been insane
on the scheme of piratical seizure
deeds fully as dark and fendish, but
had never succeeded.
Then in his sobs and groans and
cries for mercy he remembered, as will
the vilest wretch on earth, his mother,
she who was then a favorite figure in
the great social circle of Washington,
and he feared that not only would her
heart go broken to the grave, but that
the father would be abased from his
proud position.
All, that was a horrible hour on the
deck of the United States brig Somers,
and the ropes were seen dangling over
the yard arm which swung out over
the sea. Spencer begged to be shot,
but that was a soldiers death, and
less disgraceful. He must die like a
dog, abhorred and despised.
The 10 minutes heightened into an
hour. Self recriminations were fol-
lowed by pleas for forgiveness. Mac
kenzie gave his hand, and, after per-
suasions, Small sullenly consented to
forgive the wretch who had wrought
such wickedness. Wales, who had dis
closed the plot, wept out his forgive
ness, and weeping was contagious.
Out upon the gangway walked Spen-
GER Cromwell and Small, ready for
death. The ropes We're adjusted,
handkerchiefs were bound about the
eyes of each, and Spencer called out:
''Topmates, give me quick and easy
DEATH
Cromwell cried loudly, "Tell my wife
! l died an innocent man."
! Small said, s'Take warning, ship
4 mates l never killed man. 1t was
for saying that I would that 1 die"
There was a boom Of the signal gun,
a great Jerk of fine yar(iarn and three