The daily Republican., 1902-11-22
HORSE THIEVES
FLOCCED AT POST.
Palmer Once a Convict Who
Had Been Pardoned, Again
in the Pillory.
PUNISHMENT WAS HEAVY.
Preacher Burglar Squirms Un-
der h--Many Chester
County People at the
Whippings.

"pihLouoo ydlu tuIo morning, Is q
criminal well known to the police
of the East His latest crime was
the theft Of horse from John
Mccall. For this he stood in the
pillory for one hour and was whip
ped with twenty lashes this morn
ing. People who knew him will
breathe easy for five years at least,
the period of his Imprisonment.
| Palmers life reads like romance
! but he has shown that ESe is a con.
tirmel criminal. After serving a
term in Media, and a Western Peni
Tertiary, he went to Pomeroy. and
engaged in the hay and feed busi-
ness. He was daily visitor to
Coatesville, and male many friends,
as he is fine looking man and ap-
parently well educated. At Pome-
roy he became involved in a base
transaction, and was afterwards
arrested for stealing team. For
this he received four years in New
Castle jail. After his sentence two
young women of Pomeroy got into
the case, and while one carried q
petition for his pardon, the other
met her with remonstrance
against the same. The pardon was
finally granted, on account OF
Palmers health, and he returned to
COatesville.
After a rest of few weeks he
began business again by setting up
matrimonial bureau. His meth
DDS were unique and he reaped q
rich harvest while boarding with
the woman who secured his pardon
at New Castle. He would watch the
city papers to see the ads of men
III search of wives, and would open
a correspondence. With one he
would re present himself as coun-
try girl, with a father who would
allow her no company, and ''she''
dearly lOng"d for a taste of city life.
With another he was young widow
and to further his scheme he mailed
photographs Of some ofCoatesville's
finest looking women which he stole
from gallery, while making ar
rangements to have the photograph
VI IL Noll!du lllelu taken.
He was arrested last spring and
taken to Philadelphia by Post
Otlice Inspector. When the case
came to trial lie pleaded guilty and
received six months InMoyamensing.
lie took great delight in telling OF
bis matrimonial venture and how
the SO bills rolled in to him, and the
scene at the hearing is said to have
been amusing. as mcn Of all ages,
who were duped were ashamed to
testify against him. 10 an old
bachelor he would write:
want to leave home and spend
ny life with you, dear. Papa wl!lnot
give me a c6ut, SO il you will advance
me SO will leave Gainesville on the
Seashore Express on Friday after.
noon and meet you at Broad Street. q
will have an automobile coat, black
velvet hat and will carry purse IN
my lefthand. You will please weara
pink carnatIon in the left lapel of
'Our coat 50 that will know the
nan to whOm slaI! give my eternal
oYe.
After answering several letters
Palmer said he took the train and
1t Broad Street Station were lined
lp SIX men With pink carnations in
heir coats. all look iu. for the auto
Mobile coat and black hat. Palmer
s a cripple and as lie hobuled p2sr
hem with his cane he gave grin
IS he felt their 500 in his pocket Ee
Old this story o. the stand, and no
ooncr was he liberated than he was
rrcsted for the crime for which he
as ju-t tcen sentenced. Palmer
aid by the residents Of pOmcroy to
osscSs sort Of hypnotic Intluenc.
yer all with whom he comes in con.
act and IL Is SAID he has done tricKs
n some OF the residents OF that vii
age which they would rather suffer
lan have the name Of making public.
is also reported that one OF his late
'capadcs is that he slept witha
Ian al hOte! about a year ago, and
lat during the night Palmer drug.
ed the man and stole his sold watch.
c has proved himself a veritable
and the mystery is that
always coniesses when caught,
I'd takes delight in boastipg Of his
'lminal work.
The whipping Of Paine was the
uwinS card, From Palmers homs
'unty and West Chester were
'esent Chief of Police Jeffers.
leriff W. II. Turner, Deputy
nerif, William Martin, Register Of
ills, Dr.. Prlser, City Councilman
Iptian, T. W, Taylor Barton Tay.
+, Officer John Babb, County Com
issiouers John Farran land David
squire Grubb and A. B.
'ar.
Warden Meserye administered
c twenty ashes on palmer's back
th heavy hand. The horse
ief squrmed beneath the lash
d the Chester County people ex.
essel their qualification at seeing
liner get his just deserts.
Palmer also stood an hour in the
lory.
Thomas Samsel another horse
ct begged Warden Meserve, whip
htly but the lash ie! heavily and
back sh owed the blood oozing
om the marks. lie also stood au
ur in the plllory.
Massey, Graves, a coored preach.
burglar aud Cooper stood their
lppins we'll.
Ten minutes after the whippinss
re over the men fell in line aud
tn the other prisoners ate
arly dinner.