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Show A large monument has been erected at Kahoka, Mo. (Missouri) with the following inscription: "The Spencer Family - We are all here, murdered with an ax, night of Aug. (August) 3, 1877, at their home. Their bodies lie beneath this tomb, their virtues above it." It marks the spot where the five members of the Spencer family were slain, and its dedication, with elaborate ceremonies, drew together 50,000 persons, so great had been the excitement over the crime. The deed was palpably committed by one man, who killed his victims one after another as he came upon them; but who he was has never been ascertained. Bill Young was hanged by a mob, but a jury had acquitted him, and there was nothing at all proven against him except his bad character. His last words were, "I am as innocent of this thing as the angels;" but the leaders of the lynchers replied: "You're a good man to hang anyhow," His wife has now sued the county for $10,000 damages. |