The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-01-03

The condition OF the health of Margaret
Palmer, who IS imprisoned in the county
Jail pending the motion for a new trial
now before the state supreme court, has
become serious nearly critical
She has a bronchial aud asthmatic sffec-
ton in very advanced stage, and in her
frequent spasmOdjc attacks OF coughing
her suffering is agonizing. Her breathing
can be heard throughout the corridors of
the jail and il most distressing Very
often these spells last for six hours and
leave the patient in an extremely weak
condition. The chances are greatly
against any improvement IN Miss pdlmeF's
condition while she remaius in jail, and
the opinion is advanced by those who are
aware OF her true condition that her life
depends on her early release.
Her care in the Jail is as good as can be
given her there. She has never made a
complaint Of any kind concerning her
treatment. But county jail is not a Very
good hospital, ana her close proximity to
the many other prisoners does not make
an atmosphere very nOurishing to one suf
fering from lung trouble. Miss Palmer
has now been imprisoned IN the Jail for
over one year. She Is under sentence of
one year in the penitentiary. If she had
been taken there her time would been out
Feb. 3. But she was never taken to the
peniteutisry, because the motion for new
trial has never heen acted upon by the
supreme court and is not likely 10 be until
next February. II the court then grants
her new trial she may have to serve a
penitentiary term yet, besides the time she
has already served in the county Jail Dur
ing her long Imprisonment she has become
extremely sensitive to changes in the
weather, which has developed into her
present weak condition.
DR.. y. A. Rsub. the county physician,
in speaking of Miss Palmer last night,
said Since my attendance at the Jail,
which began Dec /, Miss Palmer has been
a constant sufferer with a complication of
diseases, the most severe OF which has
been bronchitis and asthma. These have
been aggravated by the changes in the
weather aud confinement in a damp and
confined atmosphere. There has been no
improvement in Miss Palmer's condition
under careful treatment / believe her
longer detention will result in broken
constitution and permanent disability"
County Attorney Welch was seen, and
said: "While l believe Miss Palmer is a
very bad woman, and | don't see what
would become of her if she was released.
yet, in consideration of her condition, I
am willing 70 recommend her release"
Sheriff Wlkersoa and jail officials are
unanimous in recommending her release.
They all believe IL impossible for her to
get well while in the Jail.
There Is question as 10 WhaC Will De-
come of Miss Palmer if she is released, as
she mas no friends and no money. The
county officers have received word from
her parents in Pennsylvania. refusing to
have anything to do with her. But this
Is problem TO be solved after the condi-
ton of her health is looked after. There
ara places for her in some Kansas charit-
able institution.
The matter will probably be laid before
. ka ~ THE tueak aud
it is not beyond the range of possibilities
that Miss Palmer will be taken from the
Jail before many days.-Topeka Capital.
Miss Palmer is well known here. She
was known as the silk worm" girl, and
very peculiar girl at that.