The morning times., 1896-09-27

Charles B. Palmer died late yesterday
afternoon from seif-administered dose OF
rough on rats. There is conflict Of Cpin-
lou as to whether the victim took the
poison by mistake or whether it was taken
with suicidal intent.
fhe frs. theory has the weight of more
general acceptance and is tie explanation
Of tue death given by the friends and
relatives OF the dead man. The police
incline to the theory Of suicide, but this
Is an inclination which the police have IN
the matter oI Dearly every death around
which there is doubt.
Palmer told tile physicians who were
called, Drs. j. j :. Sla,tery and Frederick.
that he had taken the poison by mistake,
aud these men believe him. Mrs. Mcdonald,
au aunt TO Palmer. and who lives atNO. SO3
Eleventh street southeast, told reporter
for The Times last uight that her nephew
had taken the stuff while he was out Of
his head"
So far as could tie learned there existed
10 Strong reason why the man should take
his life. No note OF farewell wasfound. He
did not buy the poison, but found it on
maDiel, Where il had lain six monthsr
LIN POOR HEALTH.
Palmer had been employed as a bartender
at Made's Hotel at the corner Of Pennsyl-
vania avenue and~Third street northwest.
His health had been poor for the last two
weeks ana he resigned his position few
nights ago. He lived mainly with his
aunt, Mis-. Mcdonald, but spent some time
with his cousin, Mrs. Brady, No. 913 c
street southeast.
Mrs. Brady left her home to make visit
to the country and Palmer agreed 10 sleep
in the house till she should return. He
went there Friday night He met several
friends that evening and his manner had
no suggestion Of suicidal desire. There are
some people who state that Of late Palmer
had acted ..little queer" He was last
seen alive ut 10 O'Clock Friday night.
A little boy came to the house Of Mrs.
Mcdonald at O'Clock yesterday morn
ing and *otd herthas her nephe W, Palmer,
was very ill. She FASTENED to the house
'ahd finding the man appa rently in great
agony, sent for Drs. Frederick and Stat
terry. When they reached the house they
Diagnosed tlie>case directly as one OF
poisoning. The pupils OF the eyes told
them the story.
SAYS 1T WAS A MISTAKE
Glancing around the room Dr.. slattery
sa on a mantlepiece a box labeled Rough
on rats.
~'Did you take some of this?" said the
physician.
." Y es; 4 took it through mistake" said
Palmer. -.
The physicians did ali that could be
doue in behalf OF the patient, but his coz
dition grew worse. Mrs. Mcdonald called
a carnage, and at O'Clock yesterday
afternoon had Palmer conveyed to house
No. 303 street. At 4:30 he was stricken
with spasm aud died few minutes
later.
: Palmer was a member of American
Castle, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and
q committee from this order will have
charge of the funeral, the arrangements for
Palmer was widOwer, his wife having
died six years ago. He leaves one Child, a
boy eight years old
The poison from which Palmer died was
bought by Mrs. Brady six months ago for
the purpose of killing some pigeons. which
were troublesome to her. She used part
of the poison and slowed the balance
away on the niantel where Palmer foundi 1t.
;, His friends refuse to credit the theory
of suicide.