New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-12-06
MIDSHIPMAN'S TRAGIC
DEATH RECALLED
HANGING OF SECRET4RY
OF VARS SON.
Pkip Spencers Joke Cost His Life
Commander Mdckenz;s Court
MortdIled for Murder.

. uxval tragedy which stirred ne country ssr-
.--stz years ago Is recalled by President Roose-
ATS resent order RELOCATING the United States
--srines 70 shore duty. The marines we're always
,,oeuszet as the police OF the navy and that he
"a none aboard q keep order one OF the
-rses offered BY Commander Alexander gIideI
uscksaxs for hanging q young rtdshipnan
7ars, SPENCER. Of che Secretary Of War and
-vc cthz-s, at the ya-dsrrns Of the United States
h-ss OF WY Sousrs Nuttny and a psradcal de-
,.xn we're charged against the nineteen-yea--old
Ms sd Els companions, who we're executed with
.be-4 sh-ift IN West Indian waters
wien TIE sorrers sailed into New York Harsor,
=. reoe-se- 1874 and fhe facts became known
,s,.-s there was q tremendous sensation Ffog-
rms ans nsagtug at were not IN those
6s-r but Spencer's youth tbs ntrsy nature Of
-. evidences aga.nEt him and especially the posi-
.s-- Of father IN President Tysers Cabinet ied
.p universal demand for the trial and punish
-,~-t e Commander Mackenzie naval court
marital tried Nacksnzie charge Of murder
Ee WIS acquitted By q divided vote md. II IS
rsIE died insane J. Eeninore Cooper, the novel
So published & long review of the case, anRlyzng
-. .vlcence and bitterly attacking Mackenzie
The Sorne-s Was returning from cruise TO the
-oxss OF Africa when the tragedy occurred She
ha6 8 crew Of 10 OF when g ye-e apprentices
80 many OF these were under sixteen years OF
srs u could hardly Be called q dangerous crew.
EIdshtP1aaa Spencer was popular with all h>lds-
A lively reckless youth with Imagination IN
s.-ed By reading OF pi-attcsl exploits IN the
s5s-.sh main. ne was troublesome TO his supe-
-.e-s II not formidable He had been sent home
ron the Brazil station because ct minor dere-
Hctsous Commander Mackenzie frankly dislked
ht-. sr6 hsc tried 70 prevent him from shipping
n ehe soners On the night or November IS.
Spencer Il vas alleged. summoned the puTsers
Coward Wsles. TO secluded spot and with
sez prsIinilE-1es unfoldec q scheme to murder
the etace-s get possession Of the skip. raise tbs
Hack flag and begin f1eebooters career. It
vas g romantic high down plan. with scsnt
chances % success II Spencer hsc ths twenty &C
completes he claimed verbally and none 1t all u
Re had only the three coaspirators written down
as "sure" n q secret list OF names Transcribed
n Greek characters. Y the Plot was genuine it
YES tnzocpops- But wales told Pu-Eer Heiskeu-
She informed Commander Mckenzie
"A -Gre Psychological study of biz own charao-
indicating traits et cruelty bigotry and fear
nEsQuerzdtng bravery. Is shown by Nscken-
-es statement Of the affair TO the Navy Depart
-se1t The commander. by dtnt Of recalling Spen-
Gers manifold petty offences decided that he
uast Be guilty Of the attempt q greater crime
The boy had given money and tobacco 70 the
rev. had corrupted the ws-drooEn steward
s15 made hin stesl brandy from the officers
ness re was exceedingly intimate with the crew,
he had strange flashing Of the eye-Ehich 9TH
e-Tise might have been explained By ocular
setect-and finally. he was In the habit OF anus
1g the crew by making music with his jaw; he
had me faculty OF throwing his Jaw out OF joint
md by the contact o. the bones playing with
csracy and elegance 4 variety CT airs This gro
ssque indictment has than & couch OF
iissvsl superstition