The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-10-17
HE WAS A BIG HEARTED LOVER.


sentenced tofifteen years Imprisonment
in the Frederick Court by Judge McSherry
on the charge of larceny, seems to have
had a varied career, and each dav adds
something new to the history of his past
life. 1t is said that the mans correct
name is Arthur Spencer, and in a written
confession made since his incarceration,
he stated that the reason he stole was be-
cause of the fact that lie feared his young
wife would come to want. He claims
that until recently he had been employed
in position which paid him 500 per
month, but his better half becoming dis
satisfied, he left the place and endcavored
to seek work in other quarters In this
quest he was unsuccessful, and as his
money disappeared he endeavored to
make up by stealing jewelry, which was
afterwards pawned.
There seemed to be some sympathy for
the man on account of the apparent de-
votion to his girl wife, and it was even
rumored that efforts would be made to
have the Governor reduce the term i'm
posed by the Court.
Another side of his life has recently de-
veloped which will put new aspect on
the case. 1t seems that Spencer was in
Havre de Grace about two years ago
with circus and animal show, and he
and a number of other EMPLOYEES board
ed at the house of Mr.. and Mrs. Victor
Jackson, where he met their daughter,
Miss Mary Jackson. His interesting
manner entertained the whole household
and he told them stories of his experience
with wild animals and other incidents
connected with show life. When the
show left Havre de Grace, Spencer had
made favorable impression with every
one he had met.
Nothing more was heard from him, how
ever, until several months ago, when Miss
Jackson received note thrown from the
train 1t was from Spencer and he re-
qucsted that she write to him, saving
that he was on his way to New York
City and that he would write to her upon
his arrival. He did so, and the first letter
was followed by Others The cores
pondence finally became very affec tomato
and Spencer declared he loved Miss Jack
son better than he did his own life. This
was coupled with a request for Il lock of
the young lady's hair. Thel latter claims
that she did not reciprocate the affection,
but in a spirit OF fun sent lock of her
Cousins hair, simply as a joke. This was
afterwards followed by an exchange of
photographs.
After some little time, the correspond
ence suddenly ceased, and Miss Jackson
read in a newspaper an account of the
marriage of Arthur Spencer, the we'll
known animal trainer and expert, which
she recognized as the same man. On
September 10th, Spencer showed up at
| Havre de Grace at the home ofthe Young
girl, who was in Baltimore. When she
afterwards saw him she treated him very
coolly and congratulated him upon his
marriage. This seemed to be somewhat
confusing, but he assured her that it was
all mistake and said that the story was
only joke, which had been gotten upby
some newspaper men at his expense. He
said that he had ju: t received notice of
his fathers death in Australia which oc-
CURED four months previous and that he
was heir to 81 900, 900 but he really be-
lieved the estate was worth three times
that much. He then endeavored to get
the whole family to accompany him to
Australia, as he said he loved them all.
The story, however, was not accepted by
the girls mother, as she believed he was
a married man, but if he would prove
himself to be what he represented she
would then consider the proposition. He
readily acceded to this and agreed to re-
turn i'll January. 1t is said that Spencer
on this visit exhibited a large amount OF
money and gold watch, and although
he had spent two days and a half at the
house, nothing had been stolen from
them His arrest, which occurred eight
days later was surprise to the whole
family. but the subsequent developments
convinced them that he was only at
tempting to make dupe of the young
girl, who fortunately possessed sufficient
intuition to forestall his motives.