The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-02-18
WILL FIGHT
FOR LIBERTY.
Amos Palmer Has Engaged
Several Leading Attorneys.
CONFERENCE HELD AT PRISON.
Lawyers in Attendance Were MsSSTS IT,
Ilnghast, Wilson and Gardner.
CASE WILL Be A COMPLICATED ONE.


According TO the latest developments
In the Palmer case il looks as II there
would be no lack of legal talent en-
gagged i'm behalf OF Amos ID. Palmer.
now occupying a cell at Cranston,
awaiting the action OF the grand jury.
Late yesterday afternoons there was an
other conference at the state prison,
and the lawyers present were William
Il. rillnghast, Gen. Charles \. Wilson.
United States district attorney for Rhode
Island, and Rathbone Gardiner. IL Is
also said that Gen. Charles X. Bray
ton and James Tillinghast will be added
10 the list of lawyers who will be en-
gagged To defend Palmer.
There is still some doubt whether any
effort will be made To secure the re-
lease Of Palmer ON bail, and his attor-
neys are now considering this feature
of the case. Palmer could, OF course,
give bail i'm almost any amount but no
one anticipates that the man would
make any effort TO escape standing
trial He is still overcome with the hor-
ror OF his deed, but does not speak of 1t,
although talking To the attendants at
the prison whenever given an opportu-
nifty. He sleeps well at night. but eats
little Since the snow blockade was litt-
ed many visitors have been TO the
little cell. During the storm his only
visitor was his faithful coachman, John
Devine. who has been I'm the employ OF
the Palmers. mother ana son, Tor tne
last thirteen years.
on being questioned today concerning
the case. one of Palmers attorneys
said that they were confronted by
murder case and a will contest and
that the combination was one that re-
ouired the very closest attention. No
will has yet been filed with Town Clerk
Waterman OF Cranston. by the repre-
sentatives of Mrs. Palmer. To save
the prisoner from her conviction means
that her will making her husband the
sole beneficiary Will stand. There rs
5000 900 at stake, as wei as the future
liberty of Palmer, and the fight VIII be
strong. In the meantime Coroner Haw-
kins is preparing for the inquest and
he and the officer who will summon the
witnesses have been requested To keep
everything secret. The witnesses are
John Devine, coachman; Mary Farrell,
cook: Margaret Sullivan second girl;
John Bigbee, chief of police OF Grams
ton; DR.. George ID. Hersey of Provi-
dence, Medical Examiner Perkins OF
Providence. Mrs. Harriet Il. Swarts and
an unknown.
The funeral services over the remains
Of Mrs Palmer. We're, AZ anticipated.
held Yesterday, at the family residence
at Edgewood, and were strictly private.
From the Nutter family there was only
Miss Dora, the sister of the deceased,
who came here from Rochester, ". H.,
Wednesday. to look after the funeral
arrangements. The relatives of the ac-
cused husband were represented by Mr..
and Mrs Frederick Talbot and Mr.. and
Mrs. william ]. Tully. The only other
persons present, in addition To the
faithful old servants, who were very
deeply affected was Mr.. Wilbur Horne,
of Rochester,. n. III.
The services Were conducted by Rev.
Floyd w. Tomkins. rector of Grace
church who read the Episcopal service
for the dead. The remains, which re-
posed i'm n violet caslSet, were in the
parlor. at the left OF the hall entrance.
The casket was covered with flowers,
and several large pieces were also
placed I'm the room. These included
large wreath of roses set ON a stan
dard, large harp, wreath and sew
eral smaller pieces OF well-chosen flow-
ers One Of the most beautiful OF the
floral pieces was from the accused hus-
band.
At the close of the services the re-
mains were conveyed To Grace church
cemetery. where they were entombed
for the present IL has not yet been
decided whether the body Will be final
ly Inferred at Swan Point cemetery,
where the Palmer lot is situated, and
where Mrs. Palmer. the mother OF Amos
u. Palmer. and his grandparents. the
Dyers, lie hurled, or whether II viii be
taken 90 New Hampshire. Nothing in
this direction will be done, IL Is said,
until after Mr.. Palmer secures bail or
gets his freedom long enough TO visit
the tomb and take a final glance at the
features OF the dead.