The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-10-07

southside elevated railroad about a
year ago
Mrs. Mildred Allison Rexroat. shot
near Wayne, September rs, and body
placed on railroad tracks.
Ida Oliver, killed with hammer No
vember 9, 1912. Body thrown into
drainage canal and recovered May 29.
Unknown man and wife killed at
Fox Lake, Ill, in September, 1911, and
bodies thrown into lake.
Unknown man who brushed against
him at Forty-second street and In
diana avenue last spring.
Saloon keeper in Park Row. killed
about two months ago and robbed.
Mrs. Corners, killed at St. Joseph,
Mich, and robbed of jeweIry.
The man who claims this grewsome
record is a Chicago product. He does
not know his real name and the first
he remembers he was in the home for
the friendless. He has spent half Of
his 81 years in the state penitentiary
at Joliet. He was sentenced twice for
wholesale robberies and was returned
| twice after violation of paroles.
JEkTLL AND HYDE LIFE.
He is short, weighs about las
pounds, wears glasses and has the ap-
pearance of a clerk whose life has
known little excitement. He has been
a devout worshipper at the prayer
meetings of the Emmanuel Baptist
church and attended the wedding of
its pastors daughter three nights be-
fore he killed Mrs. Rexroat
Details as to names of his victims
and dates of their killing he could
not always supply, but as to whether
he beat 'em in the head with ham
mer" or shot 'em to death" his mem
DRY was better. He also rsmena bered
approximately how much money or
jeWelry he got.
He said he did not drink or smoke
except opium. He asserted that he
did not touched a pill' for two days,
and physician declared Spencer was
not under the influence Of the drug.
MY head is clear he said you've
got me dead to rights on the Rexroat
murder and I know that I shall be
hanged in a couple of months. That
is why I want to tell everything.
st have been in and out of prison
since was boy. have been hunted
and bounded all my life. I am sore
of the world. My own life doesn't
amount to much and nobody's life
has meant much to me-
The proceeds of Spencer's crimes
have amounted to more than $4,000
in the last year. He has spent the
money on women.
A COLD ADMISSION.
"I killed Mrs. Rexroat because she
was trying to make a sucker out of
me-" Spencer said. "She told me
was responsible for her condition and
how badly she needed $500. I didn't
murder her for the ring. I took it
just because it was there"
Ten of Spencer's victims were wo-
men. Two, he said, came from New
Y ork. He said he married four times
and had killed two Of his wives. He
always mutilated his victims so that |
they could not be identified.
Il married Helen Gould's maid in |
New York. Spencer said. 81 took her |
to Fort Montgomery and killed her in |
the woods nearby. She had about $500 |
and $500 in diamonds"
Did you murder any other women |
In New York;" asked Captain Halpin. |
Yes there was a widow I married.
We were coming TO Chicago and |
Belle Isle or Windsor. We walked /
down one of the walks IN the park
md I shot her. I got $500 and a dia-
nond"
Spencer said he killed three per-
sons with the revolver found in his
DOM. Shortly after the murder of
Fannie Thompson he said he was ar
'ested for robbery and pleaded guilty
% one Of the 90 charges. The last
Job he did was a few nights ago |
when he robbed the Astor cafe block
rom the detective bureau. He said
lie ran down the alley past detective
Chief of Police McWeeny believes
spencer is telling the truth.
when Penneu and DeVine were
murdered I was lieutenant at the de-
ective bureau and worked on the |
.ase" the chief said. 'T talked 10
spencer about it for half an hour and
We went over the story in way that
makes me believe he is telling the
ruth"
I'VE have not been able to trip him