Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-08-15
EXCITEMENT AT POMEROy.
Town Divided on the Question OF Pardon
ing Albert II. Palmer.


ing Albert ii. Palmer.
Pomeroy, Pa, Aug. 9.-Miss Ivagene
Meredith and Miss Lulu Hutton,
cousins aHyl prominent young women of
this town, have beensoirculating antago-
nistio petitions In the matter OF Al
bert III. Palmer, until the timo of his
arrest on charge Of horse stealing,
society man Of Pomeroy, being released
from Jail by the Delaware State Board
of Pardons. Miss Meredith, who be-
lieves that Palmer IL getting his just
deserts, has secured the larger list of
signers, which list, protest against
the imprisoned n an q release, has teen
forwarded to the Delaware authorities.
Miss Hutton, ON the other hand, went
to the ueighboring State at the time of
the accused mans trial, took up her
residence in Wilmington that she
might be near him, and now that there
is prospect Of his being released on
the allegation that he is fatally Ill with
progressive muscular atrophy, has re-
turned home and circulated her petit
ton praying that cemency be shown.
Owing to the social prominence of the
respective young women the whole town
has been drawn into the discussion,
and all Chester county, for that mat
ter, is wondering as to the outcome.
Ministers of the gospel have also beer
drawn into the discussion and at least
one of them, the Rev. Mr.. Nichols,
castor OF the Methodist church of
which Palmer was member, has sent
personal letter to the governor of
Delaware asking that the law be per-
| mittei to take Its course. Geographl
cally the town has also been divided,
those living on the east side of the
lIPennsy lvauia railroad track, headed by
Col. Daniel II. Smith, formerly owner
Of the town site and at present one of
| it's wealthiest citizens, supporting the
petition Of Miss Meredith, together
with most of the families living in the
north part of town, willis large part
of what is left OF Pomeroy, the south
siders, say that Miss Hutton is in the
right and that Palmer should be given
his freedom.
1t developed yesterday that personal
admiration for the man, acknowledged
on the witness Stand in Wilmington
during the trial, is the inspiration that
has led Miss Hutton to put forth her
endeavors for Palmer. On the other
hand 1t was explained by member of
Miss Meredith's family that in antag-
onizing the release of her former friend,
Palmer, she was protecting the good
name of her brother, +. Meredith. He
became debt involved while fulfilling a
contract for grading on the Pennsyl-
vauia railroad and was attacked in one
OF the West Chester papers.
The articles were, they say, later
traced to Palmer, who at that time
pretended to be friend Of the Meredith
family. Later Mr.. Meredith, ST., paid
| off the Indebtedness of his sou. Miss
| Meredith has remembered this fact, it
was explained at her home, and, coup
| was already under indictment for
stealing horses from her father in
Chester county when the Delaware
officials arrested him for stealing
another in that State and sent him up
for four years, she has decided that it
| is her duty to work against his release
| Events which led up to the rival
petitions and the antagonism over
\ Palmer began with his arrival in this
borough more than two years ago.
From tho start he made good impress
sion, his good clcthes, abundance of
money and aaable manners almost i'm
mediately winning for him inRress into
the most exclusive. circles. On Sunday
he attended the Methodist Church in
| which denomination he claimed mem
bership, and the neighborhood is still
talking of the IS contributions which
he used to put upon the plate at morn
ing service.
Things went lovely until the follow
ing summer, when Palmer branched
out as hay buyer and railroad con-
tractor in small way. Then people
began to grumble that he was slow In
meeting some Of his bills, but he man
aged to weather the storm until young
Mr.. Meredith left town little over a
year ago. Later two of Meredith
horses disappeared, together with carts
and harness. The harness was re-
covered from Palmer's barn by officers
armed with q search warrant. One OF
the horses was found at Coatesville and
the other in another part of the county.
Palmer was arrested on the three
charges and released under 81, 200 bail.
Before tho case came to trial, how.
ever. he was arrested on the Delaware
side on the charge OF having stolen O
horse and buggy, since which time,
almost year ago, he has been In jai
at New Castle. During his residence
Il here he boarded at the house where
Miss Hutton made her home, and
throughout all of the trouble she has
remained loyal to him.
| ...