Norwich bulletin., 1912-09-16
LEBANON MEN SIGN
 PETITION FOR SPENCER.
Their Affidavits Presented to Governor Declare the Prisoner Was Never of Perfect Mental BaIanes-The Final Effort to Save Him,

Enort to Save Him.
 A final effort to save the life of Ber- tram c. Spencer was made Saturday | when Richard P. Stapleton of Holyoke, 1 the prisoners lawyer, presented two new afi1davits to Governor Foss of Massachusetts. These petitions were signed by business men of Lebanon, Ct, who knew Spencer as a boy, and who now declare that he was never in perfect mental balance. Gov Foss Se- eeived the papers from Attorney Sta pleton, but made no comment, and act Ion on his part seems mmost improba- ble.
 Spencers counsel R. P. Staplcton, was with the governor for while on Saturday, and came out whh the in formation that the governor positively refused to do ans thing to save Spen ger. He woald not refer the case to the cornCl Suspicion then went to the jail to see Spencer.
 Mrs. Katie D. Spencer, mother of the prisoner, was reported to be prostrat- ed in a hotele Saturday morning, but soon after noon she arrived at her sons cell in the Charlestown state prison, and remained with him until about o'clock The interview was a repetition of all the former ones, and there were no outbursts Spencer had passed a quiet night and awakened in excellent spirits He told the guard that he rather hoped his wife would decide to visit him during the day, and seemed to be looking forward hope l fully to his mothers visit. Late in, the afternoon 1t was reported from tht prison that his mother had been at the prison, but his wife had not put 1T an appearance. It is admitted at the | prison that Mrs Bertram c. Spencer 1 has written to her husband and thai one of the several letters which ht writes each day has always been ad dressed to her. All mail received bJ | the prisoner is read by guard before being given to him.
 Wants Christian Science Reader.
 Guy s. Perkins of LUnsmead5w. tht Christian Science reader, who Is 1T Best9fl acting as the prisoners spif ituai guide, visited him fiji his cell q about 10 o'clock in the morning. MT Perkins will accompany Bsrtfam G l Spencer to the death chair if 6 reques made Saturday by the murderer 1! granted by Warden Bridges. Wafde1 | Bridges has the authority to permf l the prison eliainplain to give way il favor of the Christian science reader | and as he has always shown every con | siderati0h to the men anG women wht have died in the chair. there is probability that he will grant Spencer request.
 The legal witnesses at an execution are teh surgeon general of the state mi litia, the prison surgeon, the fned1ca examiner of the district in which thu prisoner is located, the sheriff of tn county, and, at the prisoners request some representative of 9 religious or der. Advice from the prison Saturda! afternoon was to the effect that Guy g Perkins would probably attend Spen cer during his last moments instea' of the prison chaplain. The only news
 paper man admitted tu the execution
 will be representative of the Associ
 ated Press.
 Spencer has changed noticeab1
 since adopting the Christian Scieno
 faith, and it Is even reported that h
 has talked with one or the guards, ap
 parentiy with view to gaining con vert to that creed. There Is no ques
 ton put tfiaf the prisoners whole de
 emanor has undergone q femarkabl change in the last few weeks, and thos
 who have been brought into touch wit him are at d loss for an explanation
 unless the adoption of Christian SCI ence Is the true cause.
 Execution Early This Week.
 Unless Governor Pass should talk
 action before midnight Saturday, tn
 time of Spencer's execution will rei
 wholly with the prison warden, wh must see that he is put to death Son
 time within the week beginning the ' It is customary for the execution
 take place early in the week set, ust
 ally as soon as it begins, but 0ccs < sionalT this procedure has been dt ! parted from for one reason or a1Uthe i. 1t is illegal for the time of an executio to be made public, except to the of 7 cials and witnesses, and fiothins .e this point could be learned from u Chariestown prison Saturday aftsi z noon.