The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-09-12
DOES NOT FEAR
ELECTRIC CHAIR
Has Absolute Faith in Chris
/: tan Science-Is Sentenc-
ed for Murder.

Boston. Mass, Sept. 15.-Fortiied
by his absolute faith in the Christian
Science doctrine of the unreality OF
pain and suffering. Bertram G. Spen-
Ger. convicted of the murder Of Miss
Martha 3. Blackstone at Springfield,
Mass. March 81. 1910. is fearlessly
and almost cheerfully awaiting his
death in the electric chair. which. un-
der the terms of the sentence pro-
nounced in July, is to take place dur
ing the week beginning September
Is.
Bertram G. Spencer. nov occupying
the death cell in the Charlestown
prison. where he is calmly awaiting
end. is in many respects one. Of
to American criminology. Psycholo-
gists and %alienists are intensely in.
terested in his case and are inclined
to consider Spencer one of the most
perfect examples Of dual personality.
Spencer is a comparatively. young
man. He was born about 81 years
ago and comes from .a.&eod family,
with a record which shows no appar-
ent trace of a criminal faint. He re.
ceived a good Common school edu-
cation. in his boyhood never displayed
any evil tendencies and never, 50 far
as Is known. associated with criminals
Of any kind. Having completed his
school course. Spencer entered upon
a commercial career and worked for
various business concerns, making
the impression of a faithful, honest
and capable employe. His last posi-
ton was with a wholesale provision
in Springfield, Mass. where he
filled the position Of shipping clerk.
him to maintain his young wife and
his t~wo-year-old son. whom he idol
lied, in comfortable style. He lived
on Porter avenue. West Springfield,
had many social connections and was
generally respected.
About four years ago Springfield
and vicinity became the scene Of a
number Of burglaries which created
considerable sensation owing to the
Well as the apparent fearlessness Of
the man who committed them. The
burglar. according to the statements
OF his victims. seemed to be a man of
and. in a manner gentle
manly in his department. If his vic.
tins accepted the situation with good
grace and parted with their money
and other valusbles without protest,
the burglar treated with great con-
t tiasnat, While chatting he nay.,u pleasantly sa'aa;.a with 18th
plumber. If they were unruly. he
made short shift. by gagging them
and tying them to bedposts, ward
robes, doors, etc. The gentleman
burglar" never manifested fear Of be-
ing discovered in his work by the po-
lice. but he was evidently determined
not to take any risk Of being caught.
One man. who tried to escape to give
an alarm, was shot down by the bur-
g!ar before he had reached the door.
No trace of the burglar was found
by the police. although he committee
"a burglaries and hold-ups within a
space of W. years.
On the evening Of March 81, 1910,
a burglar entered the house Of Mrs.
Dow In Springfield through a window
ana. revolver in hand and his face
hidden behind a black cloth. appear.
ed at the door of a room where Mrs
Dow, her two daughters and their
were engaged in working over a pic.
ture puzzle. The women screamed
when they saw the intruder and ran
into the next room, but were halted
by the command Of the burglar
Miss Blackstone. disregarding the
command. ran screamingly toward
the door. when the burglar shot hel
tnro1gh the heart killing her instant.
Y: One Of h daughters of Mrs
severely wounded by another shot.
a locket. containing the picture.
OF two women, which was found or
the lawn OF a house visited by the
same burglar. was identified as the
property Of Spencer and he was ar.
rested on suspicion. He made a full
confession Of his numerous %burglariel
and OF having killed Miss Blackstone
after a great deal discriminating eyi
dence had been found in. his house
He was indicted for murder ant
pleaded insanity. The alienists ap
pointed by the court reported spen
Bridgewater. where he remained (,
the time Of his trial, which began a
springfield. November 13. 1911
Spencer created wild scenes durinl
the trial and was convicted Of murdel
in the first degree on November rs
1911. Appeals proved without avail
and on July 2. 1912. Judge John c
Crosby of the superior court 1,
Springfield pronounced the dealt
sentence. During his confinement II
Jail Spencer became interested II
Christian Science and under the in
auence of it's doctrines lost ever
trace Of fear of death.
Much as we enjoy 'proscrastination
we never offer the election as an ex
cuse for our part Of It.
And probably the country woul