The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-09-28
HE WINGED THE COOK
But Will Probably Pay Dearly
For His Sport.
THE CASE AGAINST PALMER.
Intent to Murder-Ths
Sweeney Case.

The first business transacted before
Judge Sandford yesterday was the ad-
mission to citizenship of Nils o. Olson,
formerly of Norway, but now resident
of Utah County.
JOSEPH C. PERRY,
of Brighton, stepped forward and lis
tened to the reading of an Indictment
charging him unlawful cohabitation.
He entered a plea of not guilty, and
retired.
THE ALTA TROUBLE.
The little mountain town of Alta
furnished another case for judge
and jury yesterday. This was the case
of the People of the Territory Of
Utahsys. Robert Palmer, who stood
charged with an assault with intent to
murder John DAVIS, on the 9th of July
last, at Alta. Palmer is young man
of saliow complexion, black eyes and
weighing probably $50 pounds. He was
represented by Henry Wyman. Davis
is good looking young man, heavy
set and nearly six feet in height. He
sat near Mr.. Clarke, the prosecutor. AS
a result of the encounter with Palmer
he now uses a pair of clutches, his
right leg having been amputated at the
thigh.
For the first time, probably, in the
history of the court, at least for some
years past in case of such importance,
none of the first twelve jurors called
were excused for cause, and none were
peremptorily excused.
JOHN DAVIS,
the young man assaulted, was the first
witness called. l came, he said, from
Rock Island, Illinois, about six months
ago; I stayed in Ogden few days.
then came to Salt Lake, and subse-
quently went to Alta, where was en-
ployed by Mr.. Wallace as cook; | en-
tered his employ on the 10Th of June;
on the 9th of July Robert Palmer shot
me; it was about o'clock in the after
noon of that day; l met Palmer twice
on that day previous to the shooting,
out did not speak to him; was stand
ing leaning up against the kitchen
door, the day being warm, when
Palmer came past and went INTO the
bunk house. In about two minutes he
came out with gun, said you son of
a =" and shot me in the
right leg; 1 then grabbed him
and we had a scuffie. I called for the
boys, and they finally got the pistol
away from him. The boys got door
and carried me to the depot, where they
put me on board the train for Salt Lake. |
My leg was amputated at the Sisters
Hospital the day afterwards, ON the 9th, |
by DR.. Pinkerton. l had no trouble |
with him on the day of the shooting.
About week before, however, Palmer |
came in after meal hours and wanted
meal. Several others were in the din
ing room, and told them they would |
have to stop it. One of the men then |
got up and locked the door. Palmer |
asked me to open it, but l tod him l |
couldn't because l had no key. He |
went away muttering something, but l
did not know what it was. I never !
had any trouble previous to that or at
and never had any cross |
words with him. L was not armed on
the day in question, or at any other
time; never carried pistol or knife,
as l thought was big enough to de.
fend myself; am little over % years
of age, and a cook by trade; the ball
entered my leg about two inches below
where it is amputated, and ranged
down, half of it coming out of the back
of the leg, the other half remaining in.
JOHN IL. DALLIN testified that he saw
the difficulty betweeni John Davis and
Robert Palmer, and all his evidence
was corroborative of that given by
Davis. The gun taken from Palmer
was "A, single action. l took the pis-
tol away from Palmer; did not strike
him, but l put my knee on his throat in
order to compel him to release his hold;
Davis was not armed at the time of the
firing; when 1 asked Palmer why he
had shot Davis, he said he came up to
wing the cook" and had did it.
THE CoURT-A technical term, sup
pose.
Mr.. CLARKE-Yes, sir; sportsmen
understand it.
Herman Tagge's testimony was of but
title Importance, and at its conclu sion
The prosecu ton rested.
FOR THE DEFENSE.
Palmer himself was called. His story
vas to the effect that he was miner
Ind had lived in Alta for some time. In
uly last was boarding at the Emma
boarding house, and worked in the
emma mine; between and o'clock on
he 9Th OF July last, was on my way
10 the boarding house from Wallace's
tore, distance of between 400 and 500
eet; went up alone, and on my way 1
net couple of men. l stopped and
alked with them for a few moments,
md went on to the boarding house where
was intending to change my clothes
md go to work. AZ the boarding house
met Dallin and Davis, who were
tandiDg near the door. l did not
peak to them nor they to me. l went
nto the bunk house; Davis and Daliin
we're talking, but l could not tell what
hey said; Da lin went back in, and
Davis came toward me; when he got
Hose to me he had one hand behind
lin and in a threatening manner
Isked me what in hell 1 was doing
here; thought there was going to be
rouble from his looks and the fact that
le had one hand concealed. | made
10 reply, but rushed into the bunk
louse to get out of his way; went to
ny bunk, grabbed q six-shooter and
an out Of the side door; 1 intended to :