Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-07-23
HANGED AT LAST.

Joseph Palmer, Ono of tho Murderers 81
Kirk in fCincinnati, Pays the Penalty OF
|. HIS Crime-dis Last Horrs-The CeIe-
brated Case That brought So Much Dis
aster and Woe to the Queen City,
E CINCINNATI, o., July 15.-Joseph Pal.
mer, the accomplice of Berner in the
murder of W. II. Kirk, was hanged at
l0:07 1-2. At lO:45 he was pronounced
by Undertaken Mulvihill. He was brave
to the last.
Yesterday Palmer ate, drank, and was
merry. Last night he slept well, and no
dreams troubled his mind. At $3.50 he
awoke of his own volition. He remained
in bed, however, until nearly six O'Clock,
when Father Brady caused him to get
up and dress himself. Lighting the
candles on the little white altar in the
CELL, the Reverend Father and the con-
demned man knelt down and passed
half an hour in prayer, Palmer joining
in very heartily. At seven O'Clock he
ate breakfast; after finishing he lit q
cigar, and thrusting him hands in his
pantaloon pockets, paced leisurely
up and down the cell, putting his cigar as
calmly as if he were a free man. At
eight O'Clock, when the Sheriff read the
death warrant, Palmer halted aud lis
tened. When it was concluded he merely
bowed his head and resumed his walk.
In a few minutes he was dressed, and
proceeded to the gallows with Sheriff
Beresford and thirty deputies. The pro-
cession reached the gallows at 1906.
Palmer stood firm and said nothing. At
10:07 1-2 the trap was sprung. He died
of strangulatiOn. In thirty-two and one
half minutes he was pronounced dead by
Coroner Carrick.
The crime of Palmer, as the partner OF
William Berner, was in its consequences
the greatest crime of the present day In
Ohio, or any other State. On Monday
afternoon, December oath, Palmer and
Berner were working together in Kinks
stable, at No. 1913 West Ninth street.
Both boys knew that Kirk had large
sums of money at all times, and they had
planned to rob and kill him, if necessary.
Kirk came in at four O'Clock that after
noon.
.'What do you say?" whispered Berner
to Palmer.
ssIt's co." replied Palmer, and with
out word of warning Berner hit Kirk
with a heavy hammer. He fell and
moaned. Palmer followed up with sew
eral blows with club. Then rope was
tied about the neck and pulled tight
enough to bulge the eyes. The pockets
were emptied and $245 found. This was
divided, Berner getting the biggest
share. Hay was thrown over the body,
and at dark the boys drove up with q
covered wagon, hired from Chas T. Hay
man. The body was put in and taken to
the ravine near Cummiusville, where it
was found two days later.
Berner was tried in March, 1884, His
defense was conducted by Tom Camp
bell and M. F. Wilson. Against all the
convincing testimony, miserable jury
brought in a verdict of manslaughter.
The result is known by everybody, and
lhe days of riot and bloodshed that fol-
towed will never be forgotten. 1t is not
necessary to tell of the days when mob
fought the State troops and beat down
the Jail doors.
After all this excitement Palmer was
tried with the grim walls of the ruined
Courthouse frowning upon him. He
fenced to hang October 10th. He was
given respite by the District Court, in
order that an application for a new trial
might be heard. 1t was refused, and his
date of death was again fixed. He was
defended by Scott Symmes, who took tn
case to the Supreme Court. Palmer was
given another trial, which resulted in
his conviction and sentence to hang
July 18th.
Palmer was almost white, and mani
tested brutal disposition ever since his
arrest. During the riot he saved his life
from the mob by claiming that he was a
white man and that Palmer was upstairs.
He was only nineteen, aud thoroughly
tough citizen.