The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-07-30
SLAYER Of Illinois Woman Will
Pay Penalty For His A.
rociOuS Crime
CONFESSED HIS GUILT
Shot and Choked His Victim,
Then Placed Body on
Railroad Track

Wheaton, ILL.,, July 3U.-ln MS cell III
the Dupage county Jail Henry Spencer
whom the police of Chicago have de-
clared To be one of the most remark
able criminals with whom they have
ever had to deal is awaiting execution
for the murder of Mrs. Mildred Allison
Rexroat. a tango teacher. whom he lur-
ed to a lonely spot i'm this section last
october and then killed her for her
money and jewels. The execution of
Spencer will take place early tomorrow
morning, unless the intervening hand
Of the Supreme court is stretched out
again at the eleventh hour to deny the
moose its victim.
owing TO the atroeity of the murder
and the sensational history of the con-
viCted man, who at the time of his ar
rest confessed not only to the murder
of Mrs. Allison Rexroat, but several
other murders committed in various
parts of Illinois within recent years,
the case of Spencer has attracted
country wide attention,
The murder OF Mrs. Allison -Rexroat
was committed late in the evening at
lonely spot near the village of
Wayne. The victim was choked and
shot through the head and then placed
on the tracks of an interurban railroad,
where train mangled her body. The
crime was discovered by the motorman
OF the train which ran over the body
Of the woman and he promptly notified
the authorities,
Body Horribly Crushed.
The body OF the victim was crushed
beyond recognition, but by means of
her bracelet and bag, containing her
card and some papers, the victim was
identified as Mis-. Allison Rexroat, the
divorced wife of farmer living near
Macomb, H. For several years she
had resided i'm Chicago and was sup
posed to make her living as a dancing
teacher
Not until several weeks after the
murder did the Chicago police find the
clue that led to the arrest of Spencer.
From an acquaintance OF the murdered
woman it was learned that she had an
appointment with n man named Spen-
Ger for the evening on which she met
her death. She was to accompany him
To wayne to teach tango class which
ne said he had formed there.
After his arrest in Chicago Spencer
made full confession OF the murder
OF Mrs. Allison -Rexroat, giving all the
"details of the case and graphic des-
cription OF the murder itself. He also
uechred that he had committed a
number of other murders and robberies
ana created a tremendous sensation by
giving detailed accounts Of the numer-
Gus crimes which he claimed to have
committed. A careful investigation by
the police established the fact that
many of Spencer's alleged confessions
were mere fiction, or the flgments OF a
drug -crazed imagination.
Declined Services of Lawyer.
When Spencer was arraigned i'm
'ouft last November to be tried for
n'uruer he was not represented by "A
iawyer. He refused to plead not guilty
"nu demanded that he be tried on the
Spot and sentenced to death. The
'VWt declared itself ready to hear the
e"Se then and there without jury If
spencer would plead guilty, but this
,"o prisoner refused to do, saying that
Nv lully understood the motive of the
.ourt' which he believed to be to SEN
,e"ce the prisoner to life Imprisonment
''''ead OF pronouncing the death SEN
tence on him.
Later Spencer changed his mind and
eeSed counsel to dYect his defense.
~ pea OF Insanity was made and evi-
uence introduced to show that Spencer
saie from a family tainted with in
sa"''y and had suffered serious in
Jury TO his brain while child. The
V'iessed murderer was found guilty. |
"e'er' and sentenced to be executed |
y" Dccember l9. An appeal to the SUI
p'ylne court served as stay of execu-
80, me higher tribunal upheld the |
pu'e' OF the trial court and the con-
N'ed man was again brought face TO |
win the gallows. Several wo-
ciubs and church organizations
an unsuccessful effort to have