Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1901-08-09
PALMER RENTS
POMEROY TOWN
Love and Hatred Clash and
Latter Seems to Triumph
SUBJECT IN new CASTLE JAIL
Rival Petitioners Pray for Continued
Incarceration, Then for Liberty I
Of Accused Man

Miss Ivagene Meredith and Miss Lulu
Hutton, cousins and prominent young
women of Pomeroy, have been circulat-
ing antagonistic petitions in the mat
ter of Alfred H. Palmer, until the time
of his arrest on a charge Of horse steal
ing, a society man of Pomeroy, being
released from Jail by the Board Of Par
dons of this State. Miss Meredith
who believes that Palmer is getting his
just deserts, has secured the larger list
of signers, which list, protest against
the imprisoned mans release, has been
received by the authorities. Miss Hut
ton. on the other hand. came here at
the time of the accused mans trial
took up her residence here, that she
might be near him, and now that there
is a prospect of his being released on
the allegation that he is fatally III
with progressive muscular atrOphy. has
returned to POmerOy and circulated her
petition praying that clemency be
shown.
Owing to the social prominence Of
the respective young women the whole
town of PomerOy has been drawn into
the discussion. and all Chester county.
for that matter, is wondering as to the
outcome. Ministers Of the Gospel have
also been drawn into the discussion.
and at least one Of them. the Rev. v.
Nichols. pastor of the Methodist
Church of which Palmer was a mem
Der. has sent a personal letter TO Gov
ernOr Hum asking that the law be
permitted to take its course. GeOgraphi-
cally the town also has been divided.
those living on the east side Of the
Pennsylvania railroad track. headed by
Colonel Daniel l.. Smith. formerly
owner Of the town site. and at present
one of its wealthiest citizens, support
ing the petition of Miss Meredith. to-
gether with most Of the families living
in the north part of Pomeroy, while a
large pert Of what is left of the town,
the southsiders, say that Miss Hutton
is in the right and that Palmer should
be given his freedom.
II developed yesterday that personal
admiration for the man, acknowledged
On the witness stand here during the
trial, is the inspiration that has lei
Miss Hutton to put forth her endeavors
for Palmer. On the other hand it was
explained by a member Of Miss Mere
dith's family that in antagonizing the
utlta7t VI ltl AOA lAHA AAANAAf 1AAAANA
she was protecting the good name Of
her brother F. Meredith. He became
debt involved while fulfilling a con-
tract for grading On the Pennsylvania
railroad and was attacked in one Of
the West Chester papers.
PALMER ACCUSED OF ATTACK.
The articles were, they say. later
traced to Palmer. who at the time pre-
tended to be a friend of the Meredith
family. Later Mr.. Meredith, ST., paid
off the Indebtedness of his son. Miss
Meredith has remembered this fact, II
was explained at her home, and, cOu-
pling this with the fact that Palmer
was already under indictment for steal
ing horses from her father in Chester
county when the Delaware officials ar
rested him for stealing another in thai
State, and sent him up for four years
she has decided that it is her duty tC
work against his release.
Events which led up to the rival petit
tions and the antagonism over Palmer
began with his arrival in this borough
more than two years ago. From the
start he made a good impression. hi.
good clothes, abundance of money ant
affable manners almost Immediately
winning for him ingress into the mos
exclusive circles. On Sunday he at
tended the Methodist church, to which
denomination he claimed membership
and the neighborhood is still talking o
the S. contributions which he used tC
put upon the plate at morning service
THE STORM BREWING.
Things went nicely until the follow
ing Summer, at which time Palmer
branched out as hay buye
and railroad contractor in a small way
Then people began to grumble that h
was slow in meeting some of his bills
but he managed to weather the storm
until young Meredith left town littl
4 over a year ago. Later two of Mere
diths horses disappeared togethe
with carts and harness. The harnes
was recovered from Palmer's barn b.
officers armed with a search warrant
One of the horses was found at Coates
Vile, and the other in another part o
the county. Palmer was arrested ol
the three charges, true bills were re
r turned against him by the Cheste
county grand jury He was relaset
under 81 200 bail. Before the case cam
to trial however, Palmer was arreste
on the charge of having stolen a hOrs
and buggy. since which time, almost
year ago. he has been in Jail at New
Castle During his residence in Pome
roy he boarded at the house wher
Miss Hutton made her home, ant
throughout all of the trouble she ha
remained loyal to him.