Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1913-10-09
HORRIBLE STORY
MURDERS MANY
Modern Bluebeard- COnfesses to Killing
Fourteen Victims-Mest Women and
Girls Killed Mrs. Rexroat.


Chicago, Oct. 5.-Mrs. Mildred Alli-
son Rexroat, dancing teacher, who was
shot to death at Wheaton, ILL.,. a. Week
ago, was the victim of a modern>Blue-
board, who, according to his own con-
fession, had killed thirteen others in as
many years. Henry Spencer, arrested
In room near, the southside Ievee
district tonight, confessed that he not
only killed Mrs. Rexroat, but that he
had slain fourteen persons.
He was identified positively as the
mysterious Mr.. Spencer with. whom
Mrs. Rexroat left Chicago on the night
sue was killed. Mrs. Retreats blood
stained rattan suitcase was found in
hls ,Toom' as also was the revolver with
which he said he had killed her.
The police, while in doubt as to the
fulI truth of Speneer's story, believe
they have found a wholesale murder
er, and that he will be proven to have
khled at least several of those whose
deaths he described in a long confess
sion tonight.
Spencer's confession was so start
->~~o SAA~"S II PAO00D1y WOu1Q- nave re-
celyed no credence had not the bIood;-
SUIT case and the revolver confirmed at
least part of his statement. All MS
murders except two, he reclared, had
heen for the purpose of robbery. The
TWO policemen, Pennen and Devine,
| shot to death twelve years ago, he said.
years ago, he said, and a companion
killed to escape being arrested.
infnndnd 70
field, proprietor of the roming house
Where l have been living" he said
II had not been arrested at just this
time would have killed her.
Killed Policemen.
1 Among other murders Spencer is Ar
legged to lave committed were those of
Pennell and Devine, policemen, sever
II years ago.
Il met Mrs. Rexroat two months ago
! at dance hail." Spencer said in his
written confession, right after she got
a divorce from her husband. got ac-
quainted without any trouble, nobody
| Introducing US. I took her home that
Right and we decided to be good
| friends.
After that night saw her three or
| four nights a week for several weeks.
She thought was farmer and would
be easy pickings, so I tried to keep
that impression with her"
The police explained that Spencer
was permitted to tell his Story with
out Interruptions or suggestions. Spen-
Ger admitted that robbery was his only
purpose in killing Mrs Rexroat.
He told the police he had killed
| fourteen persons in all, ten since his
release from the Illinois state peniten-
tiary in September, 1912, and four pre-
vious to that date. Except in the slay-
! ing of Pennell and Devine, the police
luen, who, Spencer said, were shot by
himself and companion named Muir
Iby, in escaping arrest for burglary,
! the killings all were for purpose of
robbery,
ListOf Victims.
Following is the list of killings
! Spencer related to Chief of Detectives
Halpin:
One man and woman, about four
| teen years ago.
Policemen Pennell and ,Devine, II
years ago.
First wife. killed West Point, N. Y.
Two girls at Paw Paw Lake, Mich,
last August.
One girl at Lake Delevan, Wis.,
! last summer.
One woman at Belle Island, Mich,
last summer.
One man shot in Chicago this fall.
One old man shot in sOuthside
park two months ago.
One woman shot and burned on the
northwest side Of Chicago late lasc
summer.
N~o uo~oor 1z;11o5 ~aor Tho ftooE~
County hospital few days ago.
The police cannot accouDt for all
victims Spencer claims to have slain.
| i'heonly victim Spencer was able to-
i name was Fannie C. Thompson, who,
probably is the woman he said he kill
ed before he started on his alleged ca-
/ ,.no,. nf r,n11rdor