I have seen one reference to "spape" referring to a demented person. see www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Spape&defid=5393866. This seems to be a modern usage but sometimes these have deep roots.

I have also seen a suggestion that "spa" was Irish slang for a foolish person. Also, "spaz" is still a reasonably acceptable term for a very clumsy person in the US and there are a number of other terms in use in the US that were common in Britain in the 19th century but have since died out eg "The fall" for autumn.

Alternatively "Spapes" is a surname and the nickname may refer to some person of that name who was well known then but has since faded into oblivion.