The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-01-24 00:00:00

THE BIRMINGHAM MURDER.

Mr. H. Hawkes, the Birmingham coroner, has con-
cluded his inquiry into the death of Emily Palmer, 1
wife of Thomas Palmer, licensed victualler, who died
in the Queen's Hospital from injuries she received
from being shot in the White Hart public-house, of .
which her husband is the proprietor, on the evening
of the 27th ult., by a man named Henry Kimberley,
who at the same time shot his paramour, Harriet
Steward. The latter is still an in-patient at the
Queen's Hospital. Kimberley was present in cus-
tody. He presented a very woe-begone app-arance.
Annie Lawton, a barmaid at the White Hart, and
Elizabeth Jones, another barmaid, gave evidence.
Mrs. Louisa Heatheote, sister to Mrs. Steward,
deposed that the latter was afraid •to continue
to live with Kimberley, and that Kimberley
slept at her house on the night of the 21st ult. He
admitted then that he was carrying a revolver. The
Coroner: What did he say be had the revolver for?
—I can't remember the' exact words. You can re-
member the effect.—Well, it was to the effect that be
intended to take my sister's life. George Clayton,
who was in the bar of the White Hart on the night of
the occurrence, deposed to the facts, as previously re-
ported. He assisted in dispatching the two ladies to
tire Queen's Hospital. Some other witnesses having
given their testimony, Mr. John Howard North, resi •
dent house surgeon at the Queen's Hospital, said the
following statement was made by deceased when she be-
lieved she was dying: Emily Palmer says : About 7 pin.
I went with Mrs. Kimberley to the White Hart, Para-
dise-street. A few minutes after we got there Mr.
Kimberley happened to come in. We were behind
the counter, and he was in front. Mr. Kimberley
asked his wife to go back and live with him. She re-
fused, and he asked me to persuade her. She still
refused. I told him to be steady, and go back to work.
He then said he should never work until it was set-
tled. Mrs. Kimberley then said to her husband,
'" I shall never live with you," With that Kim-
berley then suddenly drew from his right-hand
trowsers pocket a revolver. He pointed it at his
wife. She fell on her knees. He then fired at me,
and I felt that all the use had gone out of my
left side, and fell down. I was able to get up myself,
but not to walk. I was then brought to the hospital.
I heard Kimberley a month ago say to his wife that
he would have her in the Police Hews. He had
never threatened me. I last saw him a week ago,
, when he asked me to bring about a reconciliation with
tis wife. All this is true. I am going to die.—
Signed) EMILY PALMER." The coroner having sum-
led up, the jury returned a verdict of "Wilful
mrder against Henry Kimberley." The coroner
nn-ounced that the prisoner would be committed to
take his trial at the next Birmilisham EtVAL
Master: "Well, Susan, did yau roan m 7 lattfir as I
told you?" Faithful ;servant: "Ye, ler ; but I had
it weighed first, and as it was double Weight Igat on
another stamp." Master: " Good girl; only I- hope_
you didn't put it on so as to obliterate 'the address.'
Faithful servant: "Oh, no, indeed, sir; I just stuck
it on top of the other stamp so as to save room."