The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-10-06
Confession Solves the Sensa-
tional Murder Mystery
Which Has Puzzled the
Chicago Police
SLAYER OF TEACHER
TELLS OF KILLING
NUMEROUS OTHERS
Gruesome Story of Life of Crime Pic
tured by Chicago Man-DetaiIed
Description of Many Murders
Calmly Narrated-Rob-
berry Is Motive

Chicago. October 5.-Nrs. Mildred
Allison Resroat. dancing teacher. whe
was shot to death at Wheaton, Ill. "a
week ago was the victim of a raodcrn
confession. killed IL others in rs many
years. Henry Spencer. arrested in n
room the South Side Icyce dis
trict. tonight confessed that he not ON
~ killed Mrs. Rcxront, but that he had
slain ~ persons.
He was positively identified Is the
mysterious Mr. Spencer, with whon
Mrs. Rexroat left Chicago on the n'ght
She was KILLED. Aus. Rexroa1s bIood-
stained rattan suitcase was found In
his room as also was the revolver with
which he said he had killed her
The police, while IN doubt rs to the
full truth of Spencer's story are con-
fident they have found Il wholesale
murderer and that he will be proved
to have killed at least several of thoss
whose deaths he described in long
confession tonight.
Startling Admissions
Spence.s confession was so startling
thai 1t probably would have received
no eredence had not the bloody suit
case and the revolver confirmed At
least part OF his statement
All his murders except two he de-
clared had been for the purpose OF
robbery The two policemen ronnell
and Deyine. who were shot to death ! 2
years ago, he said he and companion
killed TO escape being arrested.
i intended to XIII Mrs. \. j Soufield,
proprietor OF the rooming house, where
] have been living he said IF I
hadn't been arrested at Just This time
would have killed her"
Among the other murders Spencer ~
alleeed e have sdnisted wer tAos- :.
Policemen Fenneil and Devine several
years ago.
Il met Mrs. ReNroat two months ago
at n dance hall" Spencer saiG in his
written confession. right after she got
divorce from her first husband. / got
acquainted without any trouble no.
body Introducing US. took her hoine
that night and we decided to be coed
friends.
after that night saw her three OF
four nights a week for several weeks
She thought | was a farmer and would
be easy pickings, so | tried to Keep that
impression with her"
The police explained that Spencer was
permitted to tell his story without inter-
iuption or suggestions. Spencer admitted
that robbery was his only purpose ii
killing Mrs. Rexroat.
Tells of Murders
He told the police he had killed ii per-
sons in all. 10 since his release from the
Illinois state penitentlary in September.
1872 and four previous to that date. Ex-
cept in the staying of Policemen Pennell
and Devine, who. Spencer said, were
shot by himself and a companion named
Murphy in escaping arrest for burglary
the killings were all for purposes cf rop-
IaA TF.lt lt..r~tT
Spencer related to Chief of Detectives
Halpn:
One man and woman about Il years
ago.
Policemen Pennell and Devine Is years
ago.
First wife. killed near West Point.
Two girls at Paw Paw Lake, Mich, last
August
one girl at Lake Delegan, Wis, last
summer
one woman at Belle Island, Mich. last
summer.
one man. shot in Chicago this fall
One old man. shot in a Southside park
two months ago.
One woman. shot and burned on the
meis
One woman killed near the Cook county
hospital a few DAYS ago.
The police cannot account for all tho
victims Spencer claims TO have slain
The only victim Spencer was able 20
name was Fannie G. Thompson. who
probably Is the woman he said he killed
before he started ON his alleged career OF
murder.
Luman C. Mann, son OF wealthy fam
lily here, was tried six years ago for the
murder of the Thompson woman and was
acquitted after a long and sensational
trial The evidence against young Mann
was circumstantial Spencer gave clear
account of the way he claimed to have
tied up the Thompson woman at the time
of the killing and his recital conformud
TO the evidence at Manns trial
The police are in doubt as to the possi-
bility OF establishing Speneer's eonnee-
ton with any of the other murders ne
claims TO have committed He said he
had nothing to do with the killing with
a hammer of Mrs. Ella Kraft in a hotel
here two years ago.
spencer told his gruesome story calmly
to Captain Halpn and a room full Of DE-
tectlves and newspaper men. He said he
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