The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-20 00:00:00

THE REVELRY POISONING'S.

kRIAL W1Lf,1,171 PALMEII.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT (THIS DAY).

Sara DAY.

The court this morning was again densely crowded,
and a large concourse of people were waiting outside,
most eager to obtain the slightest inf 'rotation.
At a few minutes before ten the prisoner was placed
in the dock. He looked extremely pale, his features
having a smaller appearance, and altogether bearing a
most anxious and fatigued expression.
The usual preliminaries having been gone through, the
proceedings commenced with the examination, by Mr.
Edwin James, of
Dr. John Jackson, who said -I am a member of the
C 'liege of Poysicians. I have been in practice in India,
and for 25 years in this country. I have made tetanus,
both idiopathic and traumatic, my study.. The idiopathic
is rare in this country, compared to India. It is far
more frequent in India. I have seen about 41 cases.
Traumatic and idiopathic are equally fare.] in India The
latter class is more frequently found in chil iren in India,
both in natives and Europeans. It takes place shortly
after birth. In infants it is more marked in its symp
toms of hick jaw than in adults attacked with the trau-
matic class of the disease. I have al ways seen premoni-
tory symptome precede an attack of idiup ithic tetanus.
Lor Cainphell—What are they ?
Witness—A peculiar expression of the countenance,
and a peculiar stiffness of the muscles of the head and
jaws. In infants it will prove fatal in front four to eight
hours. When it attacks adults from cold, it is of longer
duration, and may last natty days—the idiopathic going
through all the same grades as the traumatic.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee—The patient
is uncomfortable before the premonitory symptoms come
on. He complains of stiffness of the back and front of
his neck, but may take his food until 12 hours before it.
During the 12 hours after his attention is more drawn
to the stiffness of his neck and mouth. I never heard
of any complaint of want of appetite for 12 hours before
the attack. I have heard of the first attack corning on
in bed. I have known cases of women after miscarriage ;
there is sometimes a difficulty in-swallowing, as pre-
monitory symptoms.
Re-examined by thefAttorney-General—The intervals
between the premonitory symptoms an infant are'bot
more than six hours ; a male adult, from 12 to 24 hours,
and sometimes more. The duration of attack was from 3
to 10 days. Both symptoms and disease ere alike in each
class of tetanus. Death may follow in two days. I was
not in Court to hear the description given of the attack
and death of Mr. Cook. Tetanus will arise from ex-
posure to cold. I never knew a case where death en-
sued in so short a space of time as from ten minutes to
half an hour.
Mr. Berger examined by the Attorney-General—l am
chief superintendent of the police at Rugeley. I was
present at the inquest upon the body of John Parsons
Cook, after which I went upon the 15th of December to
Palmer's house to make a search. I found a quantity of
papers. I had them taken into the drawing-room from
the surgery, where I found the principal part of
them. I took some out of Palmer's bed room. I
searched every part of the house, and put all
the papers in one place in the drawing room,
after which I locked the door and put the key into my
pocket. Upon the next day I endeavoured to make a
selection from the papers. George Palmer was present.
Lord Campbell—ls that the prisoner's brother ?
Witness—lt is.
Attorney-General—And he is an attorney, at
Rugeley ?
Witness—Yes. I cannot say whether I gave him
notice of my intention to search the prisoner's house and
papers. He was present part of the time. Inspector
Crisp and some other gentlemen were there. I first
made a selection of the papers, but afterward] gave up
the idea ; and upon the Tuesday tied them all up.
GeMege Palmer was there upon the Monday, but I cannot
say that he was upon Tuesday. I put a'l the papers into
a black leather bag and took them to Stafford, where I
gave them to Cept.Hatton. I believe it was upon the 24th
that the bag was again opened in my presence. The papers
were then gone through, and classified by Mr. Dean for
the prosecution, and he copied some of them. During
the search which I made of the papers I saw what they
all of them were, and I saw no cheque purporting to
bear the signature of Cook drawn upon Mr. Wetherley.
The witness further said, I found no document purport-
ing to bear the signature of Cook relative to bills of ex-
change. Some of the papers were afterwards taken to
Mr, G. Palmer. The letters, private accounts,
and documents selected by Mr. Dean were de-
livered to Inspector Crisp, and he was directed
to deliver theta to that gentleman. The prisoner was
arrested on the night of the 151 h of December.
By Sergeant Shee—The inquest was held at the
Talbot Arms. There were several meetings, and before
it concluded more than a fortnight elapsed. The pri-
soner was arrested by the sheriff on a civil process two
or three days before the verdict was returned. He was
at his house at Rugeley the whole of the time the in-
quest lasted; but he was not present at it, nor was
there any person to act professionally for him. I did
not know there had been a police officer previous to the
death of Cook in Rugeley ; but I heard a person of the
name of Field was there.
Mr Henry Dean attended the inquest on Ann Pal-
mer on the part of an insurance company. The first
time I saw Palmer's papers was on the 24th of December
in the custody of the last witness. I selected and
classified them. They were in a black bag. It was
unsealed in my presence. Mr. Hatton and another
person was present. I examined the whole of the con-
tents of the bag for the purpose of selecting those
papers which were material. The rest, a con-
siderable 'quantity, were returned to Mr. G. Palmer.
I did not find a cheque upon the Messrs. Wether-
ley, signed by Mr. Cook for 3501. I heard the-
witness Cheshire examined relative to a certain paper,
but I did not find that paper, or any other, which
stated that Palmer bad signed a document for Cook's
accommodation.
Cross-examined by Sergeant Shee—l knew Inspector
Field had been at Rugeley at the time of the inquest.
My firm were solicitors to the Prince of Wales Life
Assurance Office, and Field went there upon their em-
ployment, but he was at Rugeley only part of a day.
He was at Stafford for three or four days,' but he did
not see the prisoner while there. His visit bad been
preceded by that of another officer named Simpson.
Simpson I saw one day at Rugeley. He went from I
Rugeley. to Stafford with myself and Field. He said he
had seen Palmer. He was first retained in our service
on the first week in October.
By Mr. E. James—Field was sent down to make in-
quiries as to the babita and life of Mr. Walter Palmer,
of whose death the office had shortly before received no-
tice, and also to inquire into the circumstances of a
person named Bates, with reference to an insurance on
his life.
Mr. Benin, solicitor for Mr. Piielwick, said—l pro-
duce a bill for 2,0001. which was placed in my hands by
that gentleman to enforce. payment from the prisoner's
mother. Ido not know' whether it is the handwriting
of the prisoner. (Mr. Strawbridge was here called and
he etated that the bill was in the handwriting of the
prisoner.) The words " Sarah Palmer " were nut in the
handwriting of that lady. The hill was due three
months after date, but 1,0001. had been paid off, and
the bill was placed in my hands Oh the 12th of Dec.
to enforce the payment of the remainder. I had not
made application for the payment of the bill in Nov.
myself. I received two letters front the prisoner.
Tne letters were here put in and read, and con-
tained the cheque for 1,000/., with a request that it
/night not be presented till the 28th of Nov. ; and
the other related to a sum of money, 3001., about
which there was some mistake about the remittance,
and in which Palmer stated he would shortly be in
London.

Wines continued—l produce a cheque for 1,0001.,
inclosed in the above letter of the 12th, dated t:le 28th.
I presented it on that day and ryment was refused. I
also produce a cheque fur 6001„, dated B,h Deceinb-r, in
prisoner's handwriting, payable to Mr. Pad wick or
nearer, which was also dishonoured. It was forwarded
in consequence of the cheque of 1,000/. hawing been dis-
honoured. 1,000/. still remains due on the 2,0001. bid.
Em.aetion was is,ned against the person. The prisoner
was taken on the ca sa.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee--I first saw the
cheque a day or two before the date of the 12th.
Re-examined by Mr. James—An action was brought
av,ainst the mother fin the recovery of the 1,0001. due on
the bill.
Mr. Bamford, surgeon, of Rugeley, who had been
suffering lately from ill-hea'th, which prevented his earlier
examination, baring greatly recovered, was led into
court by Mr. Gardner, the solicitor for the prosecution,
and examined by the Attorney-General. He said—l
am a surgeon and apothecary, of Ruge!ey. I first saw
the deceased Cook on Saturday, 17th November, at the
request of Mr. W. Palmer. He called on me and asked
me to attend a friend of his, who was id at the Talbot
fhtel. He said he had dined with Cook the day before,
and that he had taken too much champagne. I walked
with Palmer to the Talbot and saw the deceased. I asked
Ciok if he had taken too much wine the day before. He
assured me that he had taken but two glasses. He was
constantly vomiting,
~ but I saw no bile thrown off. I
prescribed a saline ellervescing draught for the deceased,
a six-ounce mixture.

Lord Campbell said that the witness need not be
examined on this point, becau•e it was stated in his
deposition that had been read to the Court. If it was
persisted in, he must hare the whole of the medical
witnesses reexamined.

week. I was fetched to Palmer'; house. I saw 3 him,
and he said, " Wallbank, I want you to lend me 251."
I said, "Doctor, I am very short of money, but I
will try and get it." He said, "Do, that's
good fellow, and I'll give it you on Saturday.'
_ _

_. .
- •
He said he should receive eomo money that
The A ttoi•ney-General said he had no intention to go morning,"
into it. day. I met him on the Saturday morning, and he paid
Witness examinNl—On Monday I prescribed and to" the 1/1"n 'l• I think it was by a bill.
prepared some pill for deerase By Sergeant Shee--Palmer Lad lent me money on
s e. The me,lioine I pre-
oceaJdons when I required it. Palmer's mother lived is
pared on Monday I took myself to the Talbot Arms, and
a large house near the church. I have often seen Lint
gave it to the servaot .rnaid. I saw her take it upstairs.
On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, I prepared th® vitdt there.
1 Emmt) sort of pills for deeeaceJ. I saw Palmer en Tues. John Spilsbury, farmer, residing at Rickerecott—'
day mcirwrig on toy way down to see the patient. He have bad dealings with Mr. Palmer. On Thursday, the
met me, and I asked him if he saw Cook the night be. 22,1 of Nov. I called upon him and received payment
fore. He said be saw kim between 9 and 10 o'clock, for a debt. It was by a 50/. Bank of England note.
and was with him half an-hour, and requested me not I cal ed casually that day. I did not have an appoint•
to see deceased that morning to disturb him. I did not ment•
see him then. Between 11 and 1 o'clock that day I was By Sergeant Shee—That was the only tranearaiOn
met again by Palmer,- on my way to see Cook. He had with him.
bstgefl I would not g, to sac Cook,. as he was still quiet, Mr Stria-ad-liege, the manager of the bank at Rugcleh
and re d d 11.,i, %,1.4:: ilin. 0 ) I tli : ..., • r 0 CIO . • -
. ' r t I e li "L'z'''''' Abo 7 ' ' ck sati), .; the 13 hof Nov. his account showed a balance
that ni,,,el; pa1,;.,,r-.,,e„t a regoe,t to Iny nurse that I & 5/. 6s, ints favnur. Nothin:, had been raid in sh:ce.
%you'd :,,t, (2 0.0 ii again. I wet and ~.,,,,c7 lain f.t the first Th.,:: last pavtth-nt he had made it, his credit was on the
time on that day. Atter that, I '..ft the r...na with Mr. 10th Oct. It war 50/.
Junes and Palmer, and bad a cooversaLion • widi him. 1 Mr. Herbert Wright, a solicitor of Birmingham,mNovd
Palmer rather wiahed Cool; to have his dills again, a" 1 I have known the prier sinceri July, lesi. In

he walked with me to my house for them ; and stood by
me whilst I prepared them in my surgery. I have
strychnia is a private room, but I keep none in my
surgery. Palmer saw me weigh the ingredients of which
the pills were composed. I put them in a box, and
labelled them " Night pills—John Parsons Cook," at
the request of Palmer. He took the pills away with him,
between seven and eight o'clock. I never saw Cook
again- alive. I wrapped the pills and directions
up in a paper, and fastened each end with seal'
ieg-wax. The directions were written on a
paper folded square, placed Under the box of
pills, and both were afterwardEewrapped in the paper thst
was sealed. There was nothing written on the outside
paper. I saw Cook dead as near 20 minutes past 11
o'clock as could be. I learned from Palmer that de'
ceased had been dead about five minutes. I found the.
deceased. stretched out as straight as could be on his:
heels and back of his head and stiff. His arms were in.
a rigid state by his side and fiats clenched. I gave it,
then as my opinion that deceased died of apoplexy, and-
gave a certificate accordingly. Palmer asked me to fill
up the certificate. I had the form with me. I told,
Palmer it was his place to fill up the certificate as Cook
was his patient, but he said he would much rather I did.
it, and 1 consented. I was present at the post morterre
examination. After it was over Palmer said to me "We
ought not to have let that jar go."
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee—My house is
about 200 yards from Palmer is house,
Mr. Thomas Pratt examined by Mr. James—l am a
solicitor, paetising in King street, Mayfair. I am
acquainted with the prisoner. I commenced in Nov.,
1853, when I obtained a loan -of 1,0001. for him. Teat ems
aft erwar Is peel. In Oct., 1854, I was employed by him
to wake a claim on two policies, both on the death of Ann
Pa 'nee. I received 5,0001. from the Sun, and 3,0001.
from the Norwich Union. The money was applied in Par
ment of three bills amounting to 3,5001. or 4,000/., and
2,0001. of it was due on acceptances and loans obtained
subsequently to the claims on the poiiciee, the remaining
1,5001. was not so applied. In April, 1855, he applied
to me fur a loan of 2,0001,; but ho did not state for
what purposes be wanted it. I obtained it on an accep-
tance drawn by himself and accepted by his mother. On
20th November I and my clients held eight bills that
had discesuuted for Palmer. I held four of them myself.
There were two others then overdue. The bills are as fol-
lows: --June 5, 1854,f0r three months after date drawn by
Mr. Palmer, and accepted by Sarah Palmer for 5001, and
endorsed by him ; Aug. 2, 1854, a similar bill for 1,0001.,
payable three months after date ; July 22, 1855, for
2,0001, three months after date ; July 24, 1855, for
2,0001., three months after the date, endor•ed by Palmer
to Thos. Pratt ; Sept. 27, 1855, for 1,000/.. for three
months after date ; Sept. 29, 1855, for 2,0001.; for three
months after date ; Oct. 2, 1855, for 2,0001., for three
months, indorsed by Palmer to Tiros. Pratt ; and one,
Oct. 12, 1855, for 2,0001., for three months after date.
The whole of the bills purported to be drawn
by Mr. Palmer, and accepted by Sarah Palmer,
payable to the order of Palmer' and indorsed
by him. The whole amounted to 12,5001.
6,000/. bad been renewed, and would become due in
January ; two bills were only overdue on the 20th of
November for 2,0001. One bill for 1,000/, and another
for 5001. was held over from month to month, as was
the interest. The interest charged for discounting the
bills was about 60 per cent. In August, 1555, Walter
Palmer died, and I made an application to the Prince
of Wales-office for 13,0001., the amount of the policy.
Sarah Palmer, as the acceptor of these bills, had fre-
quently been written to at Rugeley, but no replies had
been received.
Some letters from Pratt to Palmer were here pre'
duced, which were found by the Superintendent of the
Stafford police amongst the prisoner's papers after his
arrest, and during the investigation before the coroner
respecting Cook's death. They related to the overdue
bills, and also to the policy effected on the life of Walter
Palmer; also letters from Palmer to Pratt, in reply to
one of which he stated he had been requested by his
mother to reply to the communication.
Examination continued--Palmer called upon me and
paid me 2701. upon the account of the bills then due.
lie said he would send another sum of 2501. before the
following Wednesday, and that he was to pay the prin-
cipal, by instalments, as soon as possible.
Lord Campbell said he was glad to see that the jury
were taking a close note of this part of the evidence, as
it would save him much trouble during the summing
up.
A letter of the 28th of October was then put in and
read. It rears thus :
"Dear Sir,—l will send you 2501. Do not think of the
writs; I wilt get you the money if I pay 1,0001. for ie.;
Give me a chance of paying. Do not seed to the proctor:-
The letter, after referring to some other matters, was
signed " Wm. Palmer."
Upon the 31st of October Pratt wrote to Palmer, to te'l
bins that in consequence of the promises in that lettere
that with the exceptions of the writs against the brothte
of prisoner, no steps should be taken. The letter pressed
fer further payments, and also alluded to the necessity
of furtht r steps being taken about the policy of Walter
Pahner's life. Upon the 6th November I issued writs for
4,0001. upon prisoner and his mother, and sent thent
to Mr. Crabb, a solicitor at Rugeley, upon the 6th.
Upon the 10th Palmer called upon me, having written
that he would come. He paid me 3001, upon the ;10th.
That sum, with the 5001., made 8001. 200/. was de-
ducted tor interest, and he was credited 6001. off the
account. I think that I mentioned at that time t)
him that the writs had been sent down to Ru3eeley.
A letter of the 13th was put in and read. It
was from Pratt to Palmer about the prospetets of
obtaining the policy, and pressing for the pay n rents-
Upon the 16th November I had another letter prose letting
2001, arid upon the next day some one called and, paid
me a cheque for 2001. I had another letter, and -"pole
the following Monday, being the settling day after the
Shrewsbury Races, prisoner called and paid see a
sum of 5001., making in the whole a sum of 1,11001.
paid up to that day upon account of the 2,0001. bill.
Upon the 21st I had another letter from the priso nerie
The letter was put in and read. It stated that Cook had
''led and that prisoner was very much fatigued, and :Wen.
" I must have Polestar again. If any one asks you
about what money Cook has bad of you, do not
say anything about it until I see you." Prisoner pro'
rinsed to send more money upon this. Pratt wrote an'
other letter upon the 22d, which was put in and road.
After alluding to Cook's death the writer told Palmer
that, as Cook was dead, be must see and look about .him
for the 50el. bill ; an d it also stated that Pratt had
sent down the bill of sale to Crabb.
This letter having been read, the Court adjourned:
On the resumption of the Court the further readier
of the letters was continued. Oue stated that on the 23a
of November the prisoner would be in town.
Examination of witness continued—On the 24th ef
the month I saw him and he signed a paper for the 1 tar
ment of 1001.
Another letter was read from Palmer to Pratt, marl ;ea
"strictly private and confidential." It contained a re-
quest by the prisoner to Pratt, to the effect that if a vy
questions should be asked of Pratt respecting the MOD el
received by the prisoner on account of Ceok that be
would refuse all information until he saw the prison. p'•
The witness proceeded—l held a bill of sale reseal, :le
lag two racehorses mentioned in September, 1855. Tbe
prisoner transacted the loan ; it was for the sum o
5001. Ido not know Cook. The horses were Skiing
and Polestar. The bill of sale upon which I advanced the
5001. was signed by John Parsons Cook. The moneeY
given was 3751. and a wine warrant. In complies:tees
with a letter from the prisoner, I enclosed 3001. in note-sr
and a cheque for 751. in a registered letter directed to
the prisoner at Doncaster, and a letter was receiesed
from the prisoner acknowledging the receipt of the money.
I bad another transaction with Cook ; it was a ;bill
drawn by Palmer and accepted by Cook. Cook paid the
money?
Mr. Steven', father-in-law of the deceased, was hors
recal'ed.
Mi.. E. James—Mr. Stevens, look at the endorseateci
on tne bill for 3751. Is it in the handwriting of Cook ?
Mr. Stevens (looking at the bill)—No.
Mr. E. James—The signature is "J. Parsons Co. At.°
Mr. Stevens—l never saw him write his name tether,
wise than " J. Parsons Cook."
Mr. Strawbridge was then called, end the Attorney
General directed him to look at the acceptances, and, see
if they were ire the handwriting of Sarah Palmer, and
he declared that none of the acceptances were in her
handwriting.
Mr. W. Cheshire—ln the month of September last I was
clerk in the National and Provincial Bank at Rugeley.
Mr.-Patmer bad an account there and the cheque in
question was paid in to his credit by his groom, Cockaigz.
The cross examination of Pratt was then proceeded
with ley,Mr. Sergeant Shee—Previous to May, 1851,
had no knowledge of the prisoner. I knew nothing al tout
Mr. Cook, but I had a sum of money due to Mr. :,Pale
mer, and be wished me to add 1901. to it. Mr. Cook never
comp-ainorl to me by letter, that he did not receive the
mortgage money of the race horses. I bad not the
slightest knowledge how Cork and the prisoner sty rod as
to the winning on the Shrewsbury races,
John Armshaw—l am attorney an practisi ug at
Rugeley. On 12th Nov. last, I was applied to enforce the
payment of a debt of 601. by some gentlemen in Ri egeley
on the 19th of the month. I sent to London fur a write
and the next morning I went to the prisoner at his
house and he paid me two fifty pound notet. oee was
a Bank of England and the other was a locree note.
I took the money to my client and told him to -take a
receipt and settle about the costs.
By Mr. Sergeant Shee—lt was about nine o'clock in
the morning.
Mr. John Wallbank--I am a butcher, residing at
Rugeley, I remember the Monday in Shrewsbury race