South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-10-06

CHICAGO. Oct. 6.-Two missing
women whom the police whom the
police believe may have been the
ones Spencer lured To Delavan lake,
Wis, and killed, were Laura Il. VOss,
OF Lake Geneva and Mrs. Margaret
Whitneck, of Three Rivers, Mich,
Both were reported as missing during
July and the Chicago police were ap-
pealed TO i'm each case. No report
ever has reached the police of dis
cOYery OF their whereabouts.
CHICAGO, oct. 6.-Henry Spencer,
slayer Of Mrs. y ldred Allison Rex
roat, and confessed murderer of more
than 20 persons, made a second con-
fession Monday, in which he related
% killings. He was uncertain as to
two OF the murders, but told Capt.
Halpin a logical story of each OF the
others. He made the second state
ment after he had been keOt awake
all night. reciting what the detectives
declared TO be the most remarkable
tale OF crime is history.
Il hit 'em with a hammer or shot
'em, whichever was easier" he said
nonchalantly after ne had finished a
hearty breakfast and lighted a black
cigar.
81 believe that Spencer is telling
the truth" said Capt. Halpin. II am
positive that he killed Mrs. RexrOat.
i am convinced that he killed Fannie
Thompson and Policemen Pennell
and Devine, two OF our most mystic
riOus murder cases.
"He is bloodless and nerveless. He
is not a maniac, but a most remark
able criminal. He is not suffering
from a confession mania. He is ad-
miUtedly a drug hend, but so far I
observe. he has been little effected by
opium smoking.
Spencer smiled around at the group
of detectives and newspaper men in
Capt. Halpin's office.
Smiles at Gallows.
There is only one thing coming to
me-" he said almost cheerfully, max
ing a gesture toward his neck. That's
the rope"
He sent a cloud of cigar smoke into
the air and said:
And 1 don't care how soon"
Spencer told the detectives that he
was an associate of Harry VanDine
and Harvey Niedmeyer. of the noto-
riOus band OF Chicago car barn ban
dts who were hanged here. He said
Neidmeyer assisted him in the murder
and robbery Of two farmers near Zion
city
Caut. Halpin said the mans story
could not be disbelieved, although
Spencer admitted he sometimes
smoked as many as 10 hop pills in
naiI an nOuF. lie mas ndu no opAuHl
for three days, and apparently his
mind was clear Monday when he re-
told the revolving story of his crimes.
Many Women Victims.
Most Of his victims were women.
Some were OF careless virtue attract
ed by Spencer's spending of the pro-
ceeds Of his daily rObberies and al
most monthly killings.
others were deceived by pretense
Of love. One he married. Others
still were chance acquaintanCes.
"NobOdys life ever meant anything
20 me. and ms own doesn't amount TO
much" he said 10 Capt. Halpin. Il
suppose IL will take a couple Of weeks
for them to hang me. l wouldn't care
If they would do II today"
Spencer's confession was so startl-
ing that it probably would have re-
Ceived no Credence had not the
bloody suitcase and the revolver con-
frmed at least part of his statement.
All For Robbery.
All OF his murders except two, he
declared. had been for the purposes
OF robbery The two, Policeman Pen
nell and Devine. shot 10 death .
years ago. he said, he killed to escape
being arrested.