Norwich bulletin., 1911-11-18
SPENCER EASILY IN A RAGE
Quick Anger He Would Threaten Kill, Attack Old People Injure Bird Beast and Imagine People Were Talking About Hm-Many Witnesses Testify For Defense.

the boathouse. Krailing said he was 1 too busy to get it and Spencer became angry and threatened to throw him in 1 the river. The others present prevent i ed him from attacking Krailing. Spen- cer shouted for several minutes. at tracting a crowd of neighbors to the
 Body Was Marked. Ernest L. l4attirner of Salem, Conn. testified that when he was living in the Spencer family about 13 years ago and working for the defendants ia, with marks. He did not know what had caused them.
 After leaving Mount Hermon school srd going to live with GardIner j. Spencer was melancholy and at times had a wild look. according to the tes- timony Of Oakes.
 Grandfather Was Insane. l That Spencer's grandfather, William L. Spencer, was insane for some time previous to his death, as testified to by several witnesses Thursday. was re- iterated by Robert B. Gordon of Ni- antic. Conn.
 Deposition Read. Attorney Suspicion, for the defense, read a deposition from Mrs. Henrietta Post of Newington, Conn. 85 years old In this, Mrs. Pest said that about twenty years ago. when she was car ing for Mrs. Spencer and Pertram was about nine years old, Bertram's father one day called him out to the wood shed, saying he was going to punish the boy for some offense. When Ber- tram came in he told the deponent that lis father had placed him on the chepping block and threatened to chor his head off.
 Threatened to Kill Father in Law.
 Slencer's father-in-laW, Herman A. . Ll~- next witness He said he had opposed his daughters marriage to Spencer. One day Spencer called at the house and wanted to take his daughter away. Anberg objected and Spencer then declared he would remove the young woman by force. When wit ness said he would not permit this, Spencer became angry and threatened eG out with the intention of thrash ing Spencer, but witness wife locked -he door and Spencer went away. The marriage took place within a year aft CT this and afterwards Spencer be- came reccnciIed to witness who ob- tained a position for him in store. Mir. AInberg also worked in the store. He said that Spencer often had trou- ble with the other clerks and once threw a hatchet at one. At another time witness found that Spencer had locked himself into a large refrigera- tor He was in a towering rage and remained there for half an hour, be- ing somewhat calmer when he came out.
 Chased Cash Boy With Hammer.
 When Spencer worked in a depart n1ent store in Hartford about twelve years ago, according to the next wit ness. Henry w. Richards buyer in the store, he once chased a cash boy with a hammer in his hand. Witness caught him and prevented him from hitting the boy.
 Flew Into a Rage.
 Frank Killian, also employed in the store. in charge of the department where Spencer worked said that Spen- cer one day threw a hammer at a cash boy who had merely spoken to him. When witness warned him to be more careful, Spencer flew into a rage. One day when Spencer received box from home, he told witness his mother was very good. but that his father was q brute.
 Here the defendant sobbed loudly Recess was then taken.
 After the recess, Martin Krailing, grandfather of Spencer's wife, and Mrs. Elizabeth Krailing, his wife. were called to corroborate the testimony of Spencer's sister as to Spehcer's threat to throw MT. Krailing into the river. Mrs. krailing also said that at diff ferent times Spencer had killed a ca nary bird and a cat in fits of anger. His eyes stuck out, she said. and he
 
 Grandfather Old Crank.
 A distinguished looking, elderly man next took the stand, in the person of Henry R. Harding of Mantle, Conn, a retired schoolteacher. MT. Harding relateG characteristics of Spencer's grandfather, William L. Spencer, whom he had known in Mantle. Wit ness said he always regarded William L- Spencer as "an old crank
 He was unable to carry on a CO., hnE ar@T c-r1f fs~,~- r. ing.
 Trained Nurse Testified.
 Mrs. Gladys Wyman of Springfield, a trained nurse formerly employed in the state insane hospital at Northamp- ton, and who lived for several years at a boarding house where Spencer board ed, testified that Spencer often acted queeriy. Once, when the food served at dinner displeased him, he became very angry and his eyes buIged and IWitched- He believed people were eonspiring to outdo him. One day wit l ness charged him with having said l something against her husband. Spen- | ger flew into rage and exclaimed: "If ] knew who told you that I would kill l hiTni' Spencer often would think peo- pie were talking when no one had l spoken
 e. Cross examination developed the fact l that Mrs. Wymans husband formerly l was police officer. and that Spencer 1 had said he had seen Wyman drunk. It was when she charged Spencer with | having said this that he became an- | sry.
 At 1 D. m. court. adjourned for an hour.
 Nervous and Uneasy.
 spencer squirmed and fidgeted and n numbled during the entire morning on | rlday. in marked contrast to his atti- tuee Thursday. when he was calm and | showed no emotion The least noise Friday morning set his nerves on edge ana before the doors were opened to me public, when there was more or less slammlns of doors as officers of the court came and went he jumped and glared and muttered under his breath Turnkey Wade had to keep one hand on the mans shoulder and ri h |