The Glenwood post., 1909-03-20

COlOrado Springs.-Gen. W1lllam
Jackson Palmer, often termed the first
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 twentyfour 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
relapses which alarmed his family and
friends.
Last year he was strong enough to
make trip to Europe, where it was
hoped that change of climate and treat
ment by British specialists might
strengthen him and prolong his life.
After thorough test it was found
that the change was not beneficial
and he returned to Colorado to pass
his few remaining days in The home
he 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
tn ha Ia ct
When he fell asleep about noon Fri
day no especia! concern was felt, but
after a time his breathing became
iabored, he seemed to be comatose and
1t 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. ID. C..
Dodge of Denver, former railroad as
sociate and close friend of the gen
eral, was summoned, and. with Mrs.
Dodge, arrived at the Palmer home
Saturday morning.
There were also at the bedside of
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 j. Palmer was born near
Leipsic, Kent county, Del. September
tilda Jackson Palmer, sent him dur
ing his early boyhcod to a Friends
school. after which he attended a
grammar school and a high school In
Philadelphia. From his seventeenth
to his twenty-first years he was a
member of the Hempfield railroad en-
cheering corps. but he left this occu-
patton upon coming Of age, and spent
year In Europe in travel and study.
Returning, he became secretary and
treasurer OF the Westmoreland Coal
Company of Pennsylvania, which po-
sition he held for year. He then ac-
cepted a position as private secretary
to J. Edgar Thompson. president and
controlling power OF the great Penn
sylvania railroad. 1t was under this
master mind that General Palmer first
received the training which fitted him
for the great work OF his life in the
Tar West.
At the outbreak OF the Civil War
General Palmer recruited. organized
and was made captain of the Ander-
son troop of cavalry. and thus entered
upon military career which is one
of the most brilliant recorded OF this
memorable conflict. His record be-
gins soon after the battle OF Bull Run.
when he was assigned to special duty
under Gen. Robert Anderson, when
the latter took command in Kentucky
Gen. W. T. Sherman accepted Pal
mer's troop of cavalry when General
Anderson retired, and under Ander
sons successor, General Buell., tho
Palmer troop saw active service in the
Nashville and Shiloh campaigns. A
year later at the request OF General
Rosecrans. General Palmer. then Cap
tain Palmer, was authorized by Gov
ernor Curtin of Pennsylvania to Or
ganize the Fifteenth Pennsylvania
cavalry. Hardly had this work beer
completed when Palmer was sent to
head off the Confederate invasion in
the Cumberland valley of Maryland
which was accomplished at the battle
of Antietam in September, 1852.
On the day following that historic