The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-09-12
MODERN JEkYLL AND
HYDE FACING DEATH
Bold Criminal Cheerfully Awaits
Ordeal, Though He Collapsed
When Convicted.

Springfield, Mass, Sept. 10.-Wher
Bertram G.. Spencer. the story of whose
career is one of the most remarkable
v written In the criminal annals OF
Massachusetts,. goes to the electric
Christian Science will be put to a
new and startling test. Spencer has
embraced the Christian Science faith,
and is convinced that his experience in
the death house will be attended by
neither physical nof mental suffering.
At his trial last July. when he was
found guilty of the murder of Miss
Martha b. Blackstone, a member of
one of Springfield's oldest families,
Spencer became pale at the mention
of ele~ctrocution. When the attorney
general closed the argument for the
state with a ringing demand for a
verdict for murder in the first regree
he gasped-then collapsed.
Now, with only a few more days to
live, Spencer's demeanor has changed
completely. He believes that in dying
~painlessly lie will circumvent the law,
and the thought gives him SO much
satisfaction that his long maintained,
morose bearing has given way to
positive cheerfulness.
Another "Jekyll and Hyde.
Spencer has been characterized by
criminologists as the living prototype
Of the strange character which Stew
enson gave to fiction in "Dr. Jekyll
Inc Mr.. Hyde" A faithful shipping
clerk by day, at night he became q
murderous burglar. With a com.
whom he idolized, he went out to
steal and to kill and in two years
committed "a burglaries and holdups.
At 81 he was n of the most desperate
l~awbreakers in Massachusetts. Prior to
the murder of Miss Blackstone only one
person had the temerity to resist him.
Spencer unhesitatingly shot him.
Spencer, who by reason Of his af-
liability early gained the name of 1.-THE
gentleman burglar" followed a plan
of operations which was unusual. He
seldom committed a burglary after 10
p: m. In this way he averted sus-
picion. He knew personally many
police officers, with whom he dis
cnssed with surprising frankness-
sometimes while returning from 6
burglarious expedition-the %probabili.
ties of the gentleman burglar un.
doing himself. During social calls
with his wife, he entered with zesl
into discussion of the strange burglar
and his methods. His theories were
invariably rejected as preposterous
~whereupon Spencer would laugh good
naturedly-and sometimes immoder.
ately.
In the burglary preceding the one
in which Miss Blackstone was muir.
dered Spencer dropped a locket bear.
nesses of his mother and sister
Thereafter the gentleman burglar
was not heard from for nearly sly
months, and the police had begun tt
believe that he had sought Other
fields. During this time Spencer, wht
| rnnooirn1 ctao1iJ1y ~, -, . Iii.
ping clerk, was not suspected.
His Last Crime.
On the evening of March 81, 1910
Spencer entered the home of Mrs
Lucy ]. Dow on Round Hill. Mrs
Dow. her daughters, Misses Harrie
and Lucy Dow, and their guest, Mis-.
Martha B. Blackstone, We're seated
at a table engrossed in a picture puz
zle. Spencer entered the room.
Throw up your hands," he shouted
Miss Blackstone screamed. Spence,
fired two shots, either of which would
have been fatal. Miss Blackstone dice
instantly. Mrs. Dow protested. Spen
Ger turned savageiy upon her. Witt
appraised chair, Miss Harriet Dow
the murderer. Spencer, white will
rage, with an oath, fired upon Mis-.
Dow, who fell to the floor. Spencer
lied. The alarm was quickly given, bu
again tangible clues were lacking.
At this juncture the locket which
Spencer had lost and which had beef
found by the owner of the house h,
had attempted to enter, was turned
over to the police. Spencer was ar
rested within 36 hours. III Spencer
home the police found loot from tn,
Dow home and from other burglaries
Miss Lucy Dow positively identified
Spencer. Only a little grilling was re
CURED to induce Spencer to tell all h,
knew.