New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-06
Confessed Murderer of Mrs.
Rexroat Admits Killing Ten
Persons Within the
Last Year.
ROBBERY ALWAYS MOTIVE
81 Needed the Money to Have
Good Time at the Cabaret
Shows" Spencer Says
Helen Could Maid
Reported Victim.

Chicago, Oct. 5.--Henry Spencer, ar
rested to-day. confessed to the murder
of Mrs Mildred Allison Rexroat. dancing
Wheaton. H.. a week ago. according TO
the police.
Spencer. the police say. confessed TO
numbering fourteen people.
One OF them is said TO have been a
maid servant in the household of Mrs.
Finley ]. Shepard, the former Miss Helen
Gould. Spencer is reported to have mar
yied the girl.
Cards and papers found among Mrs.
Rexroats effects caused the belief that
she may have been Miss Ida Leegson, who
formerly lived at the home OF w. X Nor
xis, in this city.
Miss Leegson, according to Mrs. Morris
boarded at their home during the summer
while she was a student at the Art IN
stitute. She left September 1, saying she
was going to Mason City. Iowa, to become
a teacher in the public schools. Since
that time Mrs Morris had not heard from
her. Mrs. Morris said Miss Leegson re-
eembled the description Of the body.
Mrs. Retreats rattan suitcase, covered
with blood. was found in Spencer's room.
The revolver used in the murder was
hidden in bureau drawer, covered with
papers.
Woman Betrayed Spencer.
Spencer was arrested in a rooming
house near the South Side levee district
A woman, with whom he is said formerly
10 have lived, told the police that on the
night of September 26 Spencer came to
her house. His shoes were covered Will
dust, and he showed a diamond ring re-
sembling the one worn by Mrs. Rexroat
lie also took a revolver from his pocket
and removed an empty she'll, which ne
threw from the window.
Among the other murders Spencer ad-
mitted were those of Policemen Penneil
and Devine. several years ago.
81 met Mrs. Rexroat two months ago
at a dance hail." Spencer said in his writ
ten confession. right after she obtained
a divorce from her first husband. ! got
acquainted without any trouble, nobody
introducing U.S. l took her home that
night and we decided to be good friends.
After that night 1 saw her three or
four nights a week for several weeks.
She thought I was a farmer and would
be easy pickings, so ! tried 10 keep that
impression with her.
The police explained that Spencer was
being permitted 10 tell his story without
Interruptions or suggestions. Spencer ad-
mltted that robbery was his only purpose
in killing Mrs. Rexroat.
He told the police that he had killed ten
persons since his last release from the
Illinois state penitentiary, in September
1912. and four, a man and a woman and
Policemen Pennell and Devine before that.
Except in the Staying Of the policemen
who. Spencer said. were shot by himself
and companion named Murphy In escap-
ing arrest for burglary, the killings were
all for the purpose Of robbery.
Following is the list Of killings Spencer
related to Chief of Detectives Halpin:
One man and woman about fourteen
years ago.
Policemen Pennell and Devine, twelve
years ago.
First wife. killed near West Point, ~ Y.
Two girls at Paw Paw Lake Mich, last
August