The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-02-14
MURDERED HIS WIFE.
Tragic Ending OF n Wedding Anniver-
sary Celebration.

Providence, II. l., February l3-Amos
ID. Palmer, who lived with his wife,
Addie NJ, at the corner of Norwood ave-
nue. and Broad street. Pawtucket shot
and killed his wife about nine o'clock last
| night, emptying a revolver into her body
| Four shots are said to have been lodged
| in her heart and one in her left side
| Palmer had been married about eight
| years, was quite wealthy and well
known. He is said to have drunken free
| ly at O party In his home yesterday.
He was arraigned in the town hall at
Knightville this morning The shooting
occurred at the Palmer residence at the
corner Of Norwood avenue and Broad
street, which Is one of the finest houses In
| the fashionable suburb Of kdgewood
| Palmer 8. family have long been promi-
nent in this section ard the young man
| inheri I'd extensive property upnn the
death of his mother some eight years ago
| Soon after the death of his mother young
Palmer married the woman. whom, IL is
| ALLEGED he shot last night. She had been
married previously TO "a Providence bust
ness man but was divorced from him,
Palmer's action at the time caused con
siderable comment. although he was
known as a lively young fellow who spent
his money chiefly in having good time.
Yesterday was the eighth anniversary
of the marriage of MIR and Mrs. Palmer,
and TO celebrate the event there had been
a dinner party. Alter dinner few
friends remained till well into the eve
ming, and there was considerable wine
| drapk. The servants say that MIR. Palmer
had evidently taken considerable
The guests left shortly before eleven
| O'Clock and Mr.. and Mrs. Palmer went
later to the former room which is on the
| second floor. One of the servants who
has room directly over that occupied by
Mr.. Palmer, says that very soon after
Mr. ana Mis- Palmer went into the room
she heard what appeared to be poun ing.
There were four or five heavy blows as
she thought. but these were evidently the
sound of shots. The girl went TO her door
and listened, but hearing nothing further
she closed the door and was about to re.
tire when she heard MIR. Palmer come TO
the foot OF the stairs and call her. She
opened her door and MIR. Palmer said |:
Mary, come down / think l have killed
her. " She was met at the foot OF the
stairs by Palmer, who said: She is in
there" pointing to his room, and |
have killed her. Oh. God, have killed
her. have murdered my wife. My God,
l am murderer. Oh, what have / done
Just think, Mary. have killed my
wife. :" The girl entered the room ard
found the body of Mrs Palmer lying on
the floor with her head resting on has.
etCh WulCH was Ou bht OoI uohT tue
dressing case. she did not touch the body
but at once went for the coachman who
was nearby. She told him what had hap
pened and he came TO the house at once.
When he arrived he found MIR. Palmer
evidently orazed ana with u pistol in his
hB md was intent apparently on taking his
own life. There was struggle and the
ooachman gained possession of the
weapon. He then tslephoned for doctor,
who in turn summoned Medical Examiner
Perkins of this city.
The medical examiner responded to the
summons. pronounced the woman dead
and sent word to Chief of Police John
Bigbee of Cranston, who placed Palmer
under arrest
Palmer was arraigned in the eighth
district court at knightsville this morn
ing be ore Clerk James Palmer. 10 the
charge of numbering his wife he pleaded
not guilty and was held without bail for
the grand jury which meets on the first
Monday in March. He was taken to the
Jail at CIanston. Palmer says he has been
suffering from the grip for two weeks
past and remembers nothing of his crime.
No motive is known.