Gilpin observer., 1909-03-18

=
citizen of Colorado, founder of Colo
rado Springs, soldier, empire builder
and philanthropist, died at his home in
Glen Eyrie at 1870 o'clock Saturday
afternoon, after being unconscious for
more than twenty-four hours.
Death was due to the fracture of
his spine by fall while horseback
riding near his home in October, 1906.
and although the general displayed
wonderful vitality before he finally
succumbed, he was subject to frequent
~elapses which alarmed his family and
friends.
Last year he was strong enough to
make a trip to Europe, where it was
sloped that change of climate and treat
Gnent by British specialists might
strengthen him and prolong his life.
After a thorough test it was found
chat the change was not beneficial
his few remaining days in the home
ne had built in the state he had loved
and served so well.
During last week he had failed rap
idly, but his previous rallies had filed
his family with hope that he might
again regain strength. All this week,
however his strength has failed and
he frequently slept heavily for hours.
He was able to take an automobile
ride Wednesday but on his return took
to his bed for the last time.
When he fell asleep about noon Fri
day no especial concern was felt, but
after time his breathing became
iabored he seemed to be comatose and
at was found that he was unconscious.
DR. w. II. Swan was hastily called,
and soon saw that the end was near.
He remained with the dying man all
night and until the end. Col. d. G..
Dodge of Denver, former railroad as
sociate and close friend of the gen
eraI, was summoned, and, with Mrs.
Dodge, arrived at the Palmer home
Saturday morning.
There were also at the bedside of
General Palmer at his death, his three
daughters, Mrs Elsie Myers. and the
Misses Dorothy and Marjorie Palmer,
Mrs Myers husband, Leopold Hamil-
ton Myers, his sister, Miss Sylvia My
ers. DR.. w. F. Slocum, president OF
Colorado college, and Miss Jacobeit
who had nursed the general for many
years General Palmer was seventy
two years old last September.
News of the death of the founder OF
Colorado Springs spread rapidly
throughout the city and universal re
gret was expressed.
William ]. Palmer was born near
Leipsic, Kent county. Del, September
IT. 1886 His parents, John and Ma
tilda Jackson Palmer, sent him dur
ing his early boyhcod to a Friends
school. after which he attended a
grammar school and high school in
Philadelphia. From his seventeenth
to his twenty-frst years he was a
member of the Hempfield railroad en-
gineerng corps. but he left this occu
patton upon coming of age, and spent
year in Europe in travel and study
Returning, he became secretary ant
treasurer of the Westmoreland Goa
Company of Pennsylvania. which po
sition he held for year. He then ac
cepted a position as private secretary
10 j. Edgar Thompson, president ant
controlling power of the great Penn
sylvania railroad 1t was under thi:
master mind that General Palmer frs
received the training which fitted hin
Tor the great work of his life in the
FAR West.
At the outbreak of the Civil War
General Palmer recruited organized
and was made captain of tho Ander
son troop of cavalry and thus entered
upon a military career which is on'
of the most brilliant recorded of thi
memorable conflict. His record be
gins soon after the battle OF Bull Run
when he was assigned to>special dut.
undar Gen Robert Anderson, whel
the latter took command in Kentucky
Gen. w. T. Sherman accepted Pal
rmers troop of cavalry when Genera
Anderson retired, and under AndeI
sons successor, General Buell.. tn
Palmer troop saw active service in TIL
Nashville and Shiloh campaigns.
year later at the request of Genera
Rosecrans, General Palmer. then Car
tain Palmer, was authorized by Gov
Rrnor Curtin OF Pennsylvania to oil
gan.ze the Fifteenth Pennsylvani
cavalry. Hardly had this work bee
completed when Palmer was sent
head off the Confederate invasion Il
the Cumberland valley of Marylnnt
(which was accomplished at the battl
1f Antietam in September. 1862.
On the day following that histori