Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-02-03


ground that had apparently not
been disturbed they desisted, but
McGairner not being satisfied still
continued his search and upon find
ing fresh earth bearing no impress
sion of horses feet in the stall in the
rear Of the barn commenced to dig,
having dug to the depth of there
about II inches, he struck board.
Upon striking this he observed the
peculiar hollow sound incident to such
conditions, and fully believing he
had found the object of his search
he went for Mr. Clubb and they go
ing for the village marshal met Dep
uty Sheriff George Willard, who
accompanied them to the barn where
upon raising the lid they found the
ghastly remains of Mrs. Palmer in
box which she had made with her
own hands and used as depository
and lounge.
Leaving the remains as found,
Deputy Willard sent despatch to
Ithaca notifying Sheriff Petit of
what bad been found, who accom-
panied by the prosecuting attorney
and Coroner came promptly to Alma
arriving here about 4:3o; they at
once proceeded to empanel jury
consisting of Bert Woodward, a,
Pierce, L. ID. Adams, c. l.. Delavan,
Hiram Utley and b. s. Webb, who
upon reaching the barn found the
remains, a. above stated. Upon ex-
animation and removal of the
lid of the box most revolving
sight was presented, the box
being too short (only five feet
in length) the head had been
turned to one side and crammed
down over the left shoulder in a
most reckless way, showing an utter
disregard of any decency, showing
most conclusively that the perpetra-
tor of this outrage was devoid of
any of the common instincts of hui
manity.
The remains were given in charge
of the undertaken and moved to
Firemens' Hall and left in charge of
constable Ray.
The coroners's jury adjourned to
meet at Firemens' Hall at o'clock,
Feb. lst.
About five o'clock Sheriff Petit
and deputy Willard left for Clare in
search of Palmer; reached that place
about 10, remained there till three
next morning when they started for
camp. Reaching there about seven
where they soon found Palmer, who
manifested no surprise at seeing the
officers, very readily accosted them
and said that "he had expected
them"
On the way back he was free to
talk in his reckless way, but when
the officers squarely charged him
with the crime, he faltered, but after
some delay he told the sheriff if he
would remove his manacles he would
show him letter which would ex-
onerate him from all blame and fully
explain all the facts. The sheriff
having acceded to this request Pal
mer presented letter purporting to
have been written by Mrs. Palmer,
stating that II kissed you at twelve
O'Clock, but when you awake in the
morning you will ind me dead, and
lying on the box-I have begged you
for fourteen years to marry me and
| YOU NOulu uOl. dLl utltl Hlllltb
to live this way no longer. | shall
take my life and beg you to bury
me so that my friends shall never
know where am"
| Palmer denies the killing, but ad-
mits that he buried her as found, on
the third day after her death. He
says he buried her about o'clock in
the afternoon. Thus he must (if he
can be believed) have carried her
from the house to the barn in open
day. Such bnrial of wife is sufficient
to brand him a. most Infamous
> wretch
This letter was read by deputy
Willard who was at first disposed to