The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-10-06
BLUEBEARD SAYS
HE MURDERED
"A PERSONS
Henry Spencer's Confession
StartIes the Police
MRS. RExROAr WAS LAST
Spencer Under Arrest Tells of His
Crimes But Cannot Name
All His Victims

Chicago, Oct 5.-Mrs. Mildred Ali
son Rexsoat, the dancing teacher
who was shot to death al Wheaton,
H.. 4 week ago. was the victim of
man who, according to his comics
sion. had killed thirteen others in as
many years. Henry Spencer. arrest
ed in room near The South Side lie.
wee district tonight, confessed iha,
he not only killed Mrs. ReXfoat, but
that he had slain fourteen persons
in all. lie was identified positively
as the Mr.. Spencer with whom Mrs.
ReMoat left Chicago on The night
she was killed. Mrs. ReXroaCs
bloodstaned rattan suitcase was
found in his room, as was the revolt
yer with which he said he had killed
her.
The police. although in doubt as to
the full truth of Spencers stoy are
confident that they have found a
Wholesale murderer and that he will
he proved to have killed at least sew
eral of those whose deaths he de.
scribed in 4 long confession tonight.
Spencer's confession was so stariL
ing that it was commented il prob
ably would have received no cred
ence had not the suit case and the
revolver confirmed at least part OF
his statement.
An of his murders except TWO, he
asserted had been for the purpose
Of robbery. The TWO policemen, Pen
nell and Deyinc, shot to death
twelve years ago, lie said he Killed
to escape being arres CO.
Il intended to Kill Mis-. A. ]. SEQ
field, the propricto' Of the roomine
house where | have been living" he
said. IF i hadn't been arrested NJ
just this tin e | would have killed
her"
The police explained that Spen-
Ger was being permitted to tell his
story without interruption or sug-
gestions. The prisono' admitted
that robbery was his only purpose in
killing Mrs. Rexrost.
Spencer told the police he had kill
ed ten persons since his last release
from the Illinois STATE Penitentiary
in September, 1912, and four, a man
and a woman and Policeman Penneli
and Devine, before that. The police
mon. he said, were shot by himself
and a companion in escaping arrest
for burglary.
Following is the list Of killings
Spencer related to Chief Of Detec-
lives Halpin;
Man and woman about fourteen
years ago.
Policemen Pennell and Devine.
twelve years ago.
Two girls at Pawpaw Lake, Mich,
last August.
Girl al Lake Delevan. Wis, las
summe,
Woman at Belle Island, Mich. last
summer
Man shot in Chicago this fall
Old man shot In south side
park two months ago.
Woman shot and burned on the
northwest side OF Chicago last sum
mer.
Woman killed near the Cook
County Hospital a few days ago.
The police cannot account for al
the victims Spencer protested to
have slain. The only victim Spen.
Ger was able to name was Fannie G.
Thompson. who probably was the
woman he said he killed before he
started on his alleged career OF
murder
Luman G. Mann, son OF wealthy
| family here. was tried six years ago
for the murder of the Thompson
woman and was acquitted after q
long and sensational trial. The evil
dence against young Mann was cir
| cumsiantial. Spencer gave a clean
account of the way he tied up the
Thompson woman at the time OF the
killing and his recital conformed "a
the evidence that was brought out al
Mann's trial. The police ore in
doubt as io'the possibility of cstab
fishing Spencer's connection Will
any OF the other murders. lie said
he had nothing to do with the kill
ing by hammar blows of Mrs. En-
ma Craft In hotel here two
weeks ago.
spence told his story calmly t.
| Capt Halpin and group of dcicc
/ lives and newspaper men. lie said
he never drank nor smoked. but thai
he chewed tobacco and smoked op
ium. He had not however. the az
pearance Of \ drug victim. having
healthy complexion and clear eyes.
I've been thief all my iife.~ h
relnied. Il killed an these womei
10 get their money. I found e wa
the easiest way 10 live. II cos, m.
four or eve hundred doiia-s = weel
20 enjoy myself the way J wanted q
in these cabareis and dives. aud lhl
easiest and quickest wey Co get thl
money vas TO get some girl off bl
| nlL..If and IN hon