The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-10-10
DOE'SI IDENTITY REVEALED


Hard Up"
"John Doe who was sentenced
by Judge McSherry to ID years
in the Penitentiary for stealing
SO from the hOnse of Mrs. Sarah
Newcomer, of this city, and for
numerous other crimes of like na.
tnre at other places, has ut last,
according to the Baltimore SIM,
revealed his identity.
He told the following story to
the Warden a few days ago:
"My name is Arthur Spencer
refused to divulge my identity
before because | wanted to shield
my vile, whom ! married ten
months ago and whom love bet
ter than anything on earth. am
guilty Of the theft with which |
was charged. | took the money
in an evil moment when was DIES
titute Of funds with which to pro
vide for my wife. | adopted the
defense of mot guilty only at the
urgent request and advice of my
lawyers"
81 was born ~ years ago in
Melbourne, Australia, and gradu
ated when ID years old from the
Paramatta High School at sgd
ney. My father was anxious that
| enter Eton and oxford Colleges
in England, and prepared to send
me there. On the eve Of my de
parture ] went to the docks and
there, seeing The British war brig
Amphritritc with several hundred
apprentice boys on board, | brlbed
a man on the dock to say he was
my guardian and enlisted.
"Six months later ! became dis.
gusted with the discipline and de
serted at Cape Town, South Africa.
For three weeks ! drifted about
the town and then found myself
with only a shilling. met Mr..
T. q. Warner, at that time agent
for IIagenbeck, who had a Wild
animal stockade % miles north Of
Cape Town. After telling him
my story he took me in hand aud
for two years | remained at the
stockade.
~ then visited my father aud
he sent me to England, where /
graduated at Eton aud Oxford.
Returning to a stralia, my father
wanted me to become physician.
! consented. but first resolved to
go again TO Cape Town to see my
old friends-the animals. Arriy-
ing there, the fascination proved
too great aud for II years / have
been identified with the capture
and showing Of wild animals.
During that time have helped to
catch hundreds Of beasts and have
shipped them to Europe and
America. / began TO write for
several English papers. Leaving
Hagenbeck's employ went with
the Adam Forepaugh circus and
visited Baltimore in 1882 a. sup
erlntendent Of the meuagerie.
For several years was superin.
tendent Of the 'zoO' g. Regent
Park, London. and curator Of the
wild animal department Of the
Walter l.. Main, Forepaugh and
Sells Brothers shows, travelling
10 the Eastern and Western Hem
ispheres.
In 1897 came 10 the United
States to stay. / vas appointed
superintendent Of mammals At
Bronx Park, New York, and left
there last June. Since then /
have not been employ ed, simply
4 because / have not been able ~
secure work. Last November /
married in Cincinnati. Several
months ago / brought ny wife 70
| Shady Side. and from there 70
/ GlyBdon. where Be spent most Of
the summer, going thence 10
| Washington. Seeing in the papers
that Mrg +. 4. Valentine Of
! Chicago. formerly Mrs. +. D..
Armour, contemplated opening a
! private park AZ OcOuomOwac,
/ Wis and stocking il with Wild
animals, / wrote TO Der asking for
( employment. While awaiting an
answer / heard that there vas 70
BE a fair a. Frederick. ] vent
there thinking that could prob,
ably find some friend who would
bridge me over until ] could get
( employment. / found that the
fair would not take place until
later. / stopped al Mr.. Sew-
cOmer's. In the bureau drawer Of
ny room saw s15 had 10
mOuey and ny rent and grocery
bills were due IL Washington. /
took the So and returned - Wash.
ingtOn. Giving tie money 10 ny
wife. I started for Chicago 70 re
Nrs. Valentine, when ! Eas Al.
rested.
II telegraphed my wife 70 20
fuuedizteIT 70 Cincinnati 20 her