Year: 1875

The Mouroeville Spectator contains
the following account concerning
Katie Palmer. whose body was found
in the MAumee river at Defiance
severa! weeks since


"kate Palmer came to this place
about six years ago in charge of the
agent OF New York Or phan Asylum,
She was bound to Mr.. John ehm. OF
Standardsburg, for whom sue worked
for some time. Since leaving him
she has been employed by a number
OF different families Of this place and
vicinity. At the time OF her death
she was probably nearly twenty years
OF age. She was not considered very
bright in intellect, but was considered
a good trusty. honest girl. she was
| possessed OF 8 very peculiar disDOsi-
ton, always laughing or crying,
always very happy or very despond-
ent and melancholy. She was en-
plOyed for some months the past
winter and spring in the family of the
/ editor Of this paper, and when in her


happy mood did her work with q will,
/ but when Van Wrinkle departed for the
u " Nol Ae-SI Weeks Oh


melancholy for the poor girl. There
[ would be weeping all the day when
/ she received no letter from him, and


when she did ger one she would ery


another day for joy. AT. other times


she was useless as n helper, being ab-
sent-minded, careless and mOpish.


Van Wrinkle came To the Bergin


House at this place on the 9Th OF


January of this year, and was en-


piOyed as al errand boy, or man, as


he is about thirty years of age. SIR.
/ Bergin informs US that he performed


his duties faithfully and was very


much liked. Shortly after coming


here he became acquainted with Kate
Palmer and it seems to have been =
case of love at first sight on both
sides. He was her constant attend
ant on Sundays, and such other times
as they could meet, until some time
in April, when he departed for Illi-


nOis, as he said, to procure paying
employment, promising To return aud
redeem his promise of marriage as
soon as he could aeeumulate a few
necessary dollars. Letters breathing
love and devotion were exchanged
eNA0 AA6AAC W A. uAlSCIADlc tALIAN4~
gantly happy until his return.


About four weeks ago be returned
and joyous meeting took place at
the house of Mr.. ThOs. Egeringim,
where she was at that time employed.


Kate at this time gave up her situa-
! ton and came to the house of Mr..
George Winters, where she usually
! stopped when out of a situation. Van


Wrinkle claimed that-he was not vet
ready to fulfill his vows, and that ne
could get no work In this section. He
urged Kate to 90 with him to Illinois,
where he could procure situations for
both, aud faithfully promised that
when he procured permanent and
paying situation, to marry her. We
understand that he not only entreated
but threatened and abused the poor
girl into taking q step which she felt
was wrong. Kate, driven almost
crazy with the promises, threats and
persaasiOns OF Van Wrinkle, and Oe-
ing out Of q situation, gave him what
money she had (abOut ten dOllars)
and took what has proved to be a IA
tai step. They left here in company
about three weeks ago.


L OJi AaIlc was
relatives or near friends, bat she was
no doubt subject To "a much restraint
as many girls who are to-day living
with loving parents, and we believe
she was pure and good, but loved too
well. She gave the rich affections OF
her young heart in the keeping Of
one who was no doubt unworthy, and
driven to desperation by his cruelty
and the knowledge OF the fact that he
was about to desert her, she sought
relief and found it In q suicides
grave. If those who had charge of
this girl in years gone by had not
been too modest to warn her against
the dangers to which she would be ex-
posed and if some kind motherly
friend had advised with her when she
was struggling against the entreaties
and threats of her unworthy imagined
lover, Katie might have been spared
for years of usefulness and happiness.
There is no nome made desolate by
the death of Katie Palmer. No weep
ing father, mother, sister or brother
to read with fearful eyes, the an
nOuncement Of her tragic end, but we
believe that in the Court on high the
charge of murderl Is recorded against,
not only Van Winkle, but against
others who knew their duty and did
it not."'