The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-18
Woman Friend Of "Chuck"
Palmer Charges Him With
Having knowledge OF North
western University Students
Disappearance
ACCUSER CONFRONTS BOY
IN PROSECUTORS OFFICE
Witness Claims Youth Told
Her Where Missing Mans
Body Was Hidden-Attor-
ney Asserts Investigation Is
Now Upon Road To Success

CHICAGO. May 17.-Charles
Chuck" Palmer. star football player
and senior at Northwestern univer-
sty, was being held tonight in con-
nection with the disappearance of
Leighton Mount, freshman in Septem-
Der. 1921. Palmers protests that he
knows anything about the case.
Palmer was taken into custody
after Mrs. Violet Bachman, a former
friend, had told assistant states at
torneyS that Palmer told her, short
~ after Mounts disappearance, that
Mount was safe, that he knew whore
he was and that he later told her he
could not talk about the case.
Palmer, who had been held incom-
municado since late last night, was
confronted by Mrs. Bachman today
in the presence of assistant states
attorneys, when she repeated alleged
conversations she had with him.
He fatty denied her statements, al
though he admitted that he knew
Lawson. in 1921. Also present al the
questioning of Palmer and Mrs.
Bachman was Roscoe Conkling
Fitch, student, who a few days ago
claimed to know "all about the
Mount case but said later he
thought inquisitors were talking
about Louis Anber, student killed in
an automobile accident few weeks
ago.
Worked In Bakery.
Assistant states attorneys said
Palmer would be held in as long as
1t is believed he can furnish infor-
nation not yet divulged.
Mrs. Bachman said she worked
with Palmer in bakery during the
summer OF 1921 and said that short
ly after Mount disappeared after
class rush, Palmer told her that he
knew where Mount was.
Later she declared Palmer told her
he could not talk about the affair.
Palmer told John Sbarbaro. as
sstant attorney, that he had been
with Miss Lawson on but two oc.
casions, once in September Is. pre-
vious to Mounts disappearance and
once early in October. He said he
did not discuss the Mount case with
her.
Had Part In Class Rush.
Palmer admitted according to in
vestigators, that he had participated
in the class rush the night Mount
vanished. but insisted that because
he was in football training he went
10 his rooms about l a. m. He said
ne Idu IOoilS Win u. AIIeH Mills u
Akron. former student, who was
brought here for questioning.
Intimating that further informa-
ton was expected from Palmer.
Charles Wharton, assistant states
attorney tonight said:
This is the first real evidence We
have been able to dig UP in this case.
policemen to the fraternity house
where Palmer stays. twice without
result. We finally found Palmer at
l o'clock this morning.
Palmer Complains.
Palmer complained at his treat
ment at the hands of authorities
r. G. Bachman, husband of Mrs.
Bachman, said today that he had
been trying to get the Information
he said his wife possessed to the
authorities for three weeks or ever
since a SHELTON, believed by the
authorities. to be Mounts was found.
Of what his wife knew and they
attached no Importance to it.
Palmer is one of the best athletes
developed at the Northwestern for
many years. Mrs. Bachman said
that her statement would stand"
despite Palmer's denials. Asked If
he knew of any difference between
might prompt her to connect his
name with the affair Palmer replied
that he knew of none.
The grand jury, which had been
investigating the Mount case. De,
voted its time to other matters
while assistant states attorneys
tri d to solve the newest angle of the
mystery.
Some surprise was caused by an
nouncement that the coroner's in
quest into the death Of Auber would
be resumed tomorrow. 1t had been
set for later date.