Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-15
SPENCER GUILTY.;
ORDERED TO HANG
Jury Votes Twice, Ignores Plea
That Murderer OF Mrs. Rex-
roat Was Insane.
MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL
Shouting Prisoner, UnmoVed' Repeis
Fight for Another Chance
for Life.

Wheaton. Ill. Nov. 15.-Ienry Spen
Ger was found guilty yesterday OF the
murder OF Mrs. Mildred AllisOn-ReX-
roat Oh the night OF Sept. % AZ Wayne.
IL The jury fixed his penalty at
! death on the gallows.
The verdict was read al 7:45 O'Clock.
after the jury had been cut approx
mately two hour Spencer heard the
/ sentence calmly.
The court clerk polled the jury indi-
vidually. Was this and is this your
verdict" Each man rose as his name
was called and with a low voice and a
grave face replied. Isss,.--,-ss-----.--,-s
The room was quiet as Judge MaZzini
Slusser instructed the clerk: File the
verdict and enter a motion for a new
trial.
Then Spencer sprang 10 his feet,
dragging with him the deputy 10 whom
he was handcuffed.
''You don't need TO give me any new
trial" he shouted. Il don't ask for
anything. I'm no cringing thief or bur
glar. want no favOrs. Give me the
rope. D you all, you bunch of
rotters." The guards led him away.
swearing.
STATE SPRINGS ~ IRPRI>E.
The state sprung a surprise when
Prosecutor Hadley announced early in
the morning the state had closed its
case. The proceedings were rushed.
and the jury retired to deliberate at
o'clock.
A quick verdict was anticipated. and
Spencer remained in the court room
with Sheriff ~ \. Kuhn: his attor-
uey. Anton Remus. and Deputy Her
manson. He showed little concern.
and joSed and laughed about the YER
dict
Here he said. holding up quar-
ter. Let's flip a coin 10 see what the
verdict viii be. Heads / swing. tails
go free"
He tossed the piece into the air. It
fell Hat on the table Heads" an
nounced Spencer Best two out of
three" and tossed il again. Once more
il came heads
What did ! tell ycue" he asked with
10 mirth in his laugh. You see. its
the rope"
He turned toward the court room.
Men and women were standing in the
aisles.
Well. hope you enjoyed your
selves. I hope you got what you came .
for Tou want TO come and see me
against his throat. indicative OF hang
ing. Then he was taken 10 dinner.
ONLY TWO BALLOTS TAKEN.
Oaly two ballots were taken. When
the jurors entered the room on the
third floor Of the Du Page county court
house they busted themselves first
with the exhibits Foreman John Jur-
genson discussed the case. They took
one ballot They stood II 10 l for
hanging. Then they sent for the guard
and ordered dinner After the dinner
they announced they had reached a
verdict. The judge and the prosecutor
and the sheriff were notified. Every
one connected with the case was in
bis place when the - men filed in ex-
sept the prisoners attorney The mo-
ton for a new trial will De held next
Friday
The biggest crowd that ever entered
he court house was there. Every
schoolboy in the village. apparently.
,ame 10 see the notorious prisoner.
And there were several children in
arms. II
CALLS DEVIL HIS -ONLY FRIEND
Spencer himself took the stand short
: after 10 o'clock He refused 10 take
he oath.
There is no Cod he said The /:
,nly friend I've got is the devil I'll !
wear by him"
His attorney asked him questions I
md his one reply wes 4 don't know.
Prosecutor Hadley, cross examining.