The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-02-19
ALLEGED
.MURDERERIMAKES
LACE||NII.HERICE:L|.
Is Held As An Important
Witness In Kilarm Muir.
der Affair.
HUSBAND HIDES WOUNDS
SUFFERS WITH BULLET IN HIS
SHOULDER SINCE CHRISTMAS
DAY.

Pretty Mrs. Samuel Palma almost
collapsed today while she restlessly
awaited the operation to remove the
bullet from the shoulder Of her hus-
band, who has suffered in silence in
the county jail ever since last Christ
mas, when he was arrested for impii-
cation in the murder Of two men in
Kilarm last Christmas Eve.
When arrested Palma aud his faith.
full wife denied being implicated in the
crime at kilarm, declaring that they
were not in the vicinity at the time OF
the shooting and knew nothing OF It,
although Palma was seriously wounded
by bullet i1nbedded in his shoulder
and at the time of the arrest was OH
his way to physicians office.
Preceding the arrest of the two,
Mrs. Palma today declared that she
had attempted to remove the bullet
with a hair pin.
"a hair pin Is a poor instrument for
such work." she said sadly to Sheriff
c. d. Conway, as she drew a long pin
from her abundant black hair, "and
could do nothing. Then the officers
came, and for my sake more than for
his own. Sam refused to tell anyone
that he was shot. He was afraid that
he and l would be accused OF the kill.
Ing OF the two men at Kilarm. He is
a very brave man. He has suffered
for all these weeks here in jail without
telling anyone of his injuries, and all
for my sake. II love him very much.
would die for him il It would result
in his being released"
Mrs. 4Palma's cell is in the second
tier above that. occupied by her hus.
band, and during the long days she
has comforted and encouraged him as
bets, she could, although at no time
was she allowed TO be in the same cell
with him. 65' lz5s.
The long irksome days Of her i'm.
prisonment have been spent in max.
Ing fancy Venetian lace OF the most
beautiful and delicate design, for she
Is an expert needlewoman, Sheriff
Conaway's wife and other women at.
taehes OF the jail having supplied her
with materials and cheered her as best
they could. l7 ~
The lace has been purchased by
kindly women Of Fairmont, who are
interested In the beautiful wife, and
they, not only appreciate the beautiful
lace she makes, but are desirous OF
helping and encouraging her.
When Mrs. Palma learned last night
that the county officers had discover.
ed her husbands wound and the terri.
BILE consequencesiw which the discovers
may mean for both of them, she drop.
ped the needlework and sank back ia
her cot with a moan which she brave.
ly tried to suppress. Then she sat nm
and forcing her trembling lips into the
semblance of a smile, she wearils
passed her hand over her troubled
forehead, brushing back her beautiful,
hair. ~ IN - = =
There. is buzzing in my head. ;
she said. Il feel sick. Take ava,
the lace and needles. II can MOI
work any more today 4.5y
During the long weeks since her ar
rest Mrs. Palma has worked faithfully
making lace, and the money received
Tor 1t was always divided with her hus
band. the man usually getting thu
lions shore, because she and she alone
Knew OF the wound from which he was
suifering and his need of extras in tho
way of food and care. Z u
There was little sleep last night 10,
either Palma or his wife. The hus
band lay quietly on his breast SO as tc
ease the wound in. his shoulder a.
much as possible. He made no com
plant. however, for George Smith. thf
deputy sheriff In charge OF the prison
ers, as well as the other county 5offi
cials had seen to 1t that Palma,s
wound had been properly dressed NV n
phycician and they had promised hin,
that the bullet would be extracted IN
day. - - = " =
Mrs. Palma was more restless, 70,
while not suffering any physical pain
she realized fully the terrible results
IN connecting both herself and he,
husband with the Kilarm crime which
the disclosure Of the mans wound
may have. .i,lf n . 4 'SH.'S - '
All day her agitation increased al
though she tried bravely to conceal n
though she tried brayely to conceal II
Finally. when the operation had beer
successfully completed and she was
tod that her husband was resting eas
ily, she smiled brightly and breathed
whispered message of hope and
cheer for the man she loves. y
The operation on Palma was per
formed by County Physician L. N
fost and Dr.. Hal Hall. The bullet lay
about two inches beneath the skin
and directly over the shoulder blade
The physicians are of the opinion that
the bullet must have, struck the shoul.
der blade and been DETECTED from M
course. - y -
b. = - - ..-=i7--T lsi !