Norwich bulletin., 1910-04-07
LEBANON YOUNG MAN
HAD TROUBLESOME NATURE
Had Shot at - Young Man in His Ma
tive Place Over a Cir land Had Been
Arrested Here.

Additional interest has been created
in the arrest of Bertram @. Spencer
at Springfield since it was announced
in The Bulletin that he was native
of Lebanon 1t is recalled that some
years ago, it was claimed, that he
fired at a young man of the town be-
cause he was going home with a young
woman with whom Spencer had been
keeping company At dances at Leba-
non it is stated that he has appeareS.
with a revolver on each hip and it IS
claimed he was a fine shot.
One Sunday evening. IL February,
1899, he was arrested here by Police
man Kane for intoxication. He was
then II years of age and he told then
where he>got his liquor. 1t is said that
he liked to get into an argument and
because of his disposition his friends
had guarded against such.
Bertran G. Spencer, who is under
arrest, charged with the murler of Miss
Martha b. Blackstone and with the
near-murder of Miss Harriet P.-Dow
says a Springfield despatch, was born
In Lebanon, Conn, 28 years ago. in one
of the most prominent families of the
Ger, who conducted the village grocery
store there for many years until he
retired few years ago, and since
then he has dealt in farm implements
daughter of another family that has
been long prominent in that part of
Connecticut. The boy was naturally
bright and very popular among his
schoolmates, although he always had a
quick temper when aroused, and then
never seemed to take thought of the
consequences Of anything he did. The
house of the Spencers in Lebanon is
on the main road between that place
and Colchester, about a mile west of
the Brick church. The parents were
able to give their son every chance of
a good education and his musical abil-
ity was early developed.
His tendency to get into trouble
through his temper showed itself
while he was still a little fellow and
gave his family much concern. He
developed som ething OF a rowing dis
position, and while in his teens spent
some time on a training Ship partly to
enable him to see something of the
world and partly with the hope of his
relatives that the rigid discipline
might help him to control himself in
a better fashion. 1t proved Of no avail
in his later life, apparently, for he has
held many positions, but never for
long, and his temper usually has been
the cause of his change of occupation.
His mother has realized that this was
the trOubIes for she has often talked it
over with some or her closest friends
in this city, where she is well known
through her visits to her son and
daughter, who is Mrs. Norman Pultz
of Forest Park avenue, Springfield.
tbs budSiCdi dfcntS.
Otherwise. however. he has always
been a very hkable fellow, who made
friends easily, both in a social way
and through his co-workers at the
different places where he has worked.
He has been as far west as Califor-
mia, and is a fluent talker ON most
subjects. It was his fine voice, how
ever. that made perhaps the largest
number of friends among the music
ally inclined, for he was a. splendid
He came to this city five years ago
and secured employment with the
street railway company as a. conduc-
tor. At that time he boarded at the
corner of Main and Greenwood streets
and soon had a large circle Of friends.
His winning ways and fine appear
ance carried him a. long way, and
every one who knew him
expressed great surprise and in
at his arrest. 1t was not un-
found at his homo were identified that
they would believe he could be con-
cerned in the burg1aries, and even
then. they hoped that he would be able
to prove his innocence of the Black
stone affair.
In the light Of recent developments,
however, they are inclined to remem-
Der many little Incidents which they
ance with him. which in themselves
did not amount to much, but which,
taken altogether, they consider indi-
cate that he was a little peculiar. He
good nature, but they early found
that 1t was not safe to cross him. He
had a peculiar career among the
young women OF the north end, for at
one time and another he was engaged
70 some half dozen of them, but the
affairs were broken off for some rea-
son or other In a short time. He has
always been very popular among the
young women, and seems always to
habits. His friends declare that they
never knew him to touch q drop of
liquor and he seldom used tobacco in
any form
Set-to With His Engineer.
In 1907 he secured employment
With the Boston and Maine railroad.
and was a general utility man for a
period of about two years. He was
brakeman on the run to White Riv-
II junction for some time, and later
was a fireman It was while he was
/ fireman that the trouble came up
which caused his discharge. At the
showed a kindly nature. He was
living at that time at SO Greenwich
street, and had been married but a.
short time. He was accustomed to
ing the engine bell when passing the
md of the street. as a signal to his
wife, but the engineer objected one
lay and in a fit Of anger young Spen-
,er pitched into him In the cab and
hey had a serious set-to. That was
he reason for his discharge from the
Dad.
Worked in Automobile Factories.
He then secured a position in the
hi piping room of the Stevens -Duryea
actory at Chicopee. but did net stay
Continued on Page Seven.)