The Washington times., 1902-10-25
CONVICT A SUICIDE
FOR WIFE'S DETECTION
Spencer Ends His Life With Bed Sheet-Fangs Him
self in His Cell

BALTIMORE, Oct. 24.-Arthur Spen-
Ger, alias John Doe" convict No. 1899,
between II midnight and / o'clock this
morning committed suicide in his cell
In the Maryland penitentiary. by hang
ing himself with a bed sheet.
The body of the convict suicide was
discovered a few minutes before !
O'Clock by Guard Matthew O'Neill, who
was making his rounds.
Guard O'Neill at midnight had OBJ
served Spencer sitting close to the door
of his cell, writing letter.
Discovery of Body.
A few minutes before 1 o'clock Guard
O'Neill again made his rounds. AS ne
passed Spencer's cell he at first thought
that the prisoner was leaning against
the barred door. Thinking that Spencer
desired to address him, Guard O'Neill
went to the door. and saw that the
prisoner was not leaning against the
bars. but was hanging suspended by the
bed sheet from the barred grating above
the cell door. The feet Of the hanging
man, who was in his underclothes, were
barely touching the floor.
AS soon as the warden arrived at
Spencer's cell he felt the body Of the
suicide, and. as 1t was still warm, he
thought that spark of life might still
be lingering. Hospital Steward George
Allen was summoned, and for about
forty-fve minutes worked with the war
den, These efforts were fruitless.
Sealed Letter to Wife.
When Guard O'Nejll cut down the
body of the suicide he noticed two en-
yelopes pinned to the breast of his un-
dershirt. One Of the envelopes was ad-
dressed to Spencer's wife.
This envelope was sealed. and War
den Weyler said that he would not open
1t, but would forward it to the widow
of the convict, as requested.
The other envelope was addressed to
Warden Weyler.
This morning a letter arrived ad-
dressed to Spencer in the handwriting
of his wife, This letter the warden will
return to Mrs. Spencer.
Coroner Views Body.
Coroner. Martin Of the central district
summoned jury of inquest, which met
at the penitentiary at 1880 o'clock this
morning. and within few minutes re-
turned verdict that Spencer came to
his death by hanging himself with bed
sheet.
Spencer's marvellous fictions kept the
newspapers busy for week trying to
learn the truth. He was arrested as
suspect on September 30. He was taken
to Frederick for trial on the charge OF
larceny of $15 from Mrs. Tobias New
conner. In his grip were found articles
claimed by other victims. He was con-
victed and sentenced to fifteen years in
the penitentiary. 'q fif
Spencer had assumed the aliases OF
Everett and Remington, and robbed
boarding houses throughout the State.
His name in court was John Doe" His
obst mate silence as to his identity prob
abb weighed heavily against him when
the sentence was pronounced.
On October the convict concluded
that it would be wiser for him to tell the
truth He said his name was Arthur
Spencer, his nativity Australian. The
first part was true; the last part fiction.
The same day letter was received rom
his heart-broken wife, who was in Gin
cinnati. and not. as he claimed, IN
Washington.
Tells Remarkable Story.
Here is his remarkable story of his
life, as he told It:
Born in Melbourne of wealthy parents
and educated for Eton and oxford. grad
uating from the Parmatta, Sydney, New
South Wales. Ran away from home and
sailed on the British ship Amphitrite.
deserting later at Cape Town. Was en-
ployed by F. G. Warner. at Cape Town.
to catch and train wild animals for Ha-
genbeck, but afterward returned to Mel
bourne, and next graduated at Oxford
and Eton. Returned to South Africa and
visited India, catching wild animals tor
circuses. Connected for the past seven
teen years with animal shows, including
Forepaugh's circus, Walter l.. Mains
shows, and Sells Brothers; also manager
of Bronx Zoo, New York; Regent Park
Zoo, and Wade Park. Cleveland. Wrote
animal stories for the Youths Compan-
ion,' "Munsey Junior" Washington