The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-09-10

Spencer.
seldom committed a burglary after 10
p. m. In this way he everted s,ls-
picion. He knew personally many pc-
lice officers, with whom he discussed
with surprising frankness-sometimes
While returning from a burglarious ex-
petition = the probabilities Of the
gentleman burglar" undoing himself.
During social calls with his wife, he
entered with zest into discussion of
the strange burglar and his methods.
His theories were invariably rejected
as preposterous, whereupon Spencer
would laugh acknowledgement
sometimes immoderately.
Spencer's Confession.
In Spencer's confession, now in the
possession of the attorney general,
the prisoner gives a most interesting
account of his many burglaries. The
first was committed in 1908, when he
entered the home of George A Lud-
dington. Mrs. Luddington, who was
alone, had retired. With features
masked and collar upturned, Spencer,
clutching revolver, entered the Lud-
dlngton apartment with some mis-
givings. His own story il as fol-
lows:
''As got to the edge of the bed she
rose up and screamed. / demanded
money and jewelry. While I was
talking with her she pulled off some
rings and dropped them into the bed.
saw her and said: What did you
do? You dropped something She
said: No, I didn't l asked her to
move over to one side. She did and
picked up the rings I asked her If
she had any money and she said: "A
little I told her l wanted it and
she gave me the money. I think it
was 81. She asked me for drink of
water ard l got her a drink of water.
l said: Well. must be going She
asked me which door I wanted to go
out Of The back door, 1 said She
unlocked the back door and said
Good night I said, Good night and
that was all there was to it,"
Spencer interrupted a card party in
the residence Of w. NJ Swan in April,
1909. AS Spencer was about to de-
part one Of the women screamed.
Spencer drew his revolver and shot
out" every incandescent light in the
room.
The dangers which beset the pro-
fessional burglar, together with the
cally discussed on the occasion of
Spencer's breaking into the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. H. S. Ripley. The Rip
ley's did not have anything which ap-
pealed to Spencer. but as they seemed
to be nice people" he tarried a few
minutes.
In the burglary preceding the ore
in which Miss Blackstone was muir
dered Spencer dropped locket pear
ing his initials and containing like
nesses of his mother and sister.
Thereafter the gentleman burglar
was not heard from for nearly six
months, and the police had begun to
believe that he had sought Other
fields. During this time Spencer, who
remained steadily employed as a ship
ping clerk, was not suspected.
On the evening of March 81, 1919,
Spencer entered the home of Mrs
Lucy j. Dow on Round Hill. Mrs.
Dow, her daughters, Misses Harriet
and Lucy Dow, and their guest, Miss
Martha B. Blackstone, were seated
at table engrossed in a picture puz-
zle. Spencer entered the room.
Throw up your hands," he shout
ed. Miss Blackstone screamed. Spen-
Ger fired two shots, either of which
"OoA0 AoNC cCcIi ldCdL- MISS
stone died instantly. Mrs Dow pro-
tested. Spencer turned savagely urcn
her. With appraised chair Miss Har-
riet Dow. seeking to save her mother,
lunged at the murderer. Spencer,
white with rage, with an oath, fired
upon Miss Dow. who fell to the floor.
Spencer fed. The alarm was quickly
given, but again tangible clues were
lacking.
At this juncture the lockct which
Spencer had lost and which had been
found by the owner of the, house he
had attempted to enter was turned
over to the police. Spencer was ar
rested within thirty six hours. In
Spencer's home the police found loot
from the Dow home and from other
burglaries. Miss Lucy Dow positively
identified Spencer. Only a little grilling
i was required to induce Spencer to tell
all he knew.
At his trial last November he ragged,
moaned and cursed by turns. and twice
attempted to leap from his cage when
especially damaging evidence was in
| troduced. Srencer's father testified
that he had once tied his So. TO tree
in the woods and told him that he in
tended to leave him there for the wild
animals to devour. The trial lasted two
weeks. The jury returned in a few
hours verdict of guilty in the first
| degree. In July Spencer was sentenced
TO be electrocuted in the week of Sep
TENDER Is.