Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-04
A NATIVE OF RICHMOND.

A NATIVE OF RICHMOND
Dr. Palmer was born I'm this city August
| II, 1921, and practically his entire life
was spent here. He was named for his
uncle Major William Price, who bore
through life a sabre scar received at the
battle of Cowpens, when fighting for the
liberties Of this country
Or. Palmer was the only son of Mr..
Charles Palmer a merchant and ship
broker of Richmond. who took especial
care that his son should receive a most
liberal education. In his early youth he
was sent TO school TO DR.. Berkley, In
| Hanover, and then TO New York city.
/ He was an alumnus of the University OF
Virginia, and afterwards graduated in
medicine at the University OF Pennsyl-
vania He then entered hospital In
| Baltimore and enjoyed the advantages
| of that work for some time. He con-
ceived a dislike for the practice of medi-
cine, and not being dependent upon it,.
abandoned the profession after several
years OF successful practice.
Upon the organization of the Richmond
| HowitZers Or Palmer volunteered and
enlisted therein as sergeant. lie soon
rose to be captain Of the first company
and remained with the command until
after the first battle of Manassas. His
health giving way under the exposure in
the field, he was appointed chef medical
officer in charge of Camp Lee, which
position he occupied until the surrender.
GIVEN TO LITERARY PURSUITS.
The deceased never married. He was
possessed OF sufficient means to admit
OF humoring a penchant that he had for
| literary pursuits. and delved TO con-
| siderable extent in historical matters.
He soon became recognized as an au-
thority upon Virginia history, and his
| first and, perhaps, most useful work was
a history Of the Virginia navy in the
Revolutionary war subsequently Dr
Palmer contributed to the city press from
time to time many valuable articles OF
local historic interest.
He was chosen by the State authorities
to arrange and publish calendar of
Virginia papers thousands of which were
in original manuscript, and all Of which
were of very great historical importance.
some of them dating as far back as the
seventeenth century, which papers were
stored away loosely in the attic OF the
Capitol. DIR. Palmer was thus brought
into contact with Virginia history in
very interesting and unusual way, and
the volumes he published, which are OF
great value, bear testimony alike TO the
taste and ability OF their author. Some
time WAS necessarily spent in this task,
and his warm friend. the late DR.. Raw
liues. truly wrote of him: ''Dr. Palmer
has for many years been breathing the
dust of the archives In the attic in the
canItoI until he has contracted an an
tioue flavor and attic dignity with which
he has illumined the pages OF our his
tory"
DECLINED TO ACCEPT OFFICE.
Soon after the war DR.. Palmer spent
nd trh her
he wrote some strikingly beautiful and
descriptive letters, which were published
here. He was called bacR by the illness
and death Of his father.
The deceased was elected Sheriff of
Richmond while he was absent from the
city, but declined TO serve. lie had
broad acquaintance, was universally be-
loved, and was exceedingly fond OF social
life in which as young man no mingled
considerably. DIR. Palmer was Clear,
forcible, and attractive writer, ana even
in his latter years was frequent. con-
tributor to the press on historical sub
Jects. In his death the community loses
most interesting character, an elegant
gentleman, and Virginian OF the best
and truest type.
THE FUNERAL.
During his long illness Dr. Palmer had
the tender sympathy and attention OF
many of his older friends to whom his
death. though not unexpected, comes as
a great sorrow. His remains were re-
moved last night TO Christians under
taking parors. The funeral will take
place from st. James Episcopal church
tomorrow at noon.