In “Lizzie Didn’t Do It” by William Masterson, the author named Henry B. Palmer as a possible suspect in the Borden case. He argued that Palmer bore a striking resemblance to the “pale-faced” man seen by Dr. Handy on the morning of the murders. Palmer was a bank teller who embezzled funds from the Fall River River National Bank from Jan. 1892-March 1893. Masterson developed a theory that Andrew J. Borden learned of Palmer’s embezzling and threatened to expose him, giving Palmer a motive for murder. But Masterson concedes that there was no physical evidence linking him to the Borden case.
Masterson provides very little background about Henry B. Palmer, so I researched him. Whether he’s a viable suspect or not, Palmer’s story is quite interesting.
Henry B. (Buffinton) Palmer (1864-1950)
Henry’s father, George Ware Palmer, was a bookkeeper at the Richard Borden Mfg. Co. and later assistant bookkeeper at the Union Cotton Manufacturing Co. He was also involved in the insurance & real estate business with offices in the Troy Building & the Mason Bldg.
Fall River Daily Evening News, pg. 9 obit, March 16, 1910
Henry was employed by the Fall River National Bank as a messenger/clerk from 1883-1885. He was employed as a teller from 1886-March 1893. The assistant cashier who worked alongside Henry was Charles B. Cook. While still working at Fall River National Bank, Cook was also secretary & treasurer at the Troy Co-operative Bank. (Andrew J. Borden was then President of the Troy Co-operative Bank). In 1886, both banks were located in the same building.
Fall River Daily Evening News, pg. 2 Aug 12, 1886.
(Given these circumstances, it’s more likely than not that Henry Palmer and Andrew Borden were acquainted with each other.)
Fall River Daily Evening News, pg. 2, July 22,1884: Henry traveled to Westport Harbour with five other young man from Fall River, including Edward Shove (I believe Edward was the brother of Ellen M. Shove who went on the Grand Tour with Lizzie).
Fall River Daily Evening News, pg. 2, March 16, 1885: Henry B. Palmer presented his report as treasurer of the Meh-Shway-ee Missionary Society of the First Baptist Church.
The Fall River Daily Herald, pg.1, Oct. 4, 1888: Henry married Gertrude E. Cobb, daughter of Capt. Benjamin Cobb in Fall River. They had three children.
The Fall River Daily Herald, pg. 4, March 14, 1890: Henry B. Palmer and wife attend the Masonic Ball.
During the period of 1890-1892, Palmer was involved with two fraternal endowment societies in Fall River. In Feb.1890, he was elected supreme secretary of “The Sons and Daughters of America,” and in January 1891, he was elected treasurer of “Royal Order of the Ark”. Both societies were the subject of ongoing investigations for misappropriation of funds and insurance fraud. Newspaper articles regarding both societies flooded the newspapers. The Commissoner of Insurance, George Merrill, called them “schemes.” The Aug. 1, 1891 article on page 1 of
The Fall River Daily Herald goes into specific detail about the “Royal Order of the Ark.”
Fall River Daily Evening News, pg. 2, Nov. 27, 1889
Fall River Daily Evening News, pg. 8, Jan 22, 1890 (Joseph Flaherty, then Supreme Secretary of the “Sons and Daughters of America”, explains the purpose of the order. Palmer would succeed Flaherty a month later).
Fall River Daily Evening News, pg. 8, Jan. 29, 1890
The Fall River Daily Herald, pg. 1, Feb. 4, 1890
Fall River Daily Globe, pg. 4, Feb. 28, 1890;
Fall River Daily Evening News, pg. 5, Feb. 2, 1891;
Also:
Fall River Globe, May 1, 1891; The Fall River Daily Herald, pg. 1, Aug. 1, 1891: Fall River Daily Herald, Oct. 13, 1892; Fall River Daily Herald, Dec. 22, 1892; Fall River Globe, Dec. 23, 1892
The Fall River Daily Globe, pg. 8, Jan. 30, 1891: A Grand Ball was held and among the attendees were “Henry Palmer and wife” and a “Miss Lizzie Borden.”
1892: Henry’s older brother, George Ware Palmer, Jr., became a highly-esteemed and renowned electrical engineer. According to a 1917 publication by
The American Railway Engineering Association, “When, in 1892, the Globe Street Railway Co., of Fall River substituted electricity for horse power, he (Palmer) was made engineer of that company and has been associated with the Bay State, of which the Globe became a part, ever since.” (Andrew J. Borden was a director of the Globe Street Railway Co.)
Aug, 4,1892: The Borden murders and Dr. Handy’s description of a “very pale...exceedingly pale” strange man he saw between 10:20 am and 10:40 am on Second St.
Fall River Daily Globe, Sept. 1, 1892.
(At the preliminary hearing, Handy testified that the stranger did not appear drunk, but was “oscilating” or “vascilating.” Reading his testimony from both the preliminary and the trial, it’s possible that Handy was confusing the two terms and “vascilating” is a more apt description of the man’s odd behavior. According to Webster’s, one meaning of “vacilate” is to “waver in mind, will, or feeling:hesitate in choice of opinions or courses.” Handy testified that the stranger was a “small man” between 5’3 or 5’4. He believed the man had a moustache and that Handy may have seen him at a previous time on Second St. Dr. Handy’s trial testimony can be found on page 1369 in Vol. 2 of the trial transcripts:
https://lizzieandrewborden.com/wp-conte ... orden2.pdf
The Fall River Police and most sources identified Dr. Handy’s stranger as Mike “the Soldier” Graham; however, Handy never identified Graham as the stranger he saw. Handy also never described the stranger as “wild-eyed.” However, Handy repeatedly emphasized the stranger’s pale complexion.)
Alfred A. Smith, a sixteen-year old boy, claimed he found a bloody hatchet and kid gloves at 92 Second on the day of the murder. His statement appears in the Knowlton Papers. Harry Widdows posted an edited version of the statement here (scroll to middle of page):
https://lizzieandrewborden.com/LBForum/ ... fred+smith
What struck me about Alfred’s testimony was 1. His place of employment and 2. the kid gloves he found.
"MASSACHUSETTS REFORMATORY
Concord, Mass., Jan. 9, 1893
Alfred A. Smith, a boy sixteen years old, son of Robert Smith, of Suffolk St. Fall River, Mass. who was sent from Fall River, Second District Court for Breaking, Entering & Larceny on Dec. 28, 1892, made the following statement to me, in the presence of Deputy Superintendent Charles Hart.
I formerly worked for the Globe Street Railway Co. Fall River, part of the time at the North barn, Bowenville and part of the time driving a lead horse on cars from City Hall, through South Main St. to Morgan St.; ........"
At this point he describes his wandering around downtown and eventually ends up on Second St.
"When I got in front of the Borden house, I saw a woman looking out of the window, as if looking up and down the street; there were lace curtains at this window, and she was moving the curtains aside with her hands; the window was not open; I have known this was the Borden house for some time. When she saw me she backed away from the window, I do not know who the woman was, she had bangs on her forehead, I think I would know her face again if I saw it.
I continued down Second St. as far as the Academy of Music, I then turned and went back, and when in front of the Borden house, I saw the same woman a little way from the same window, she was untying a bundle.
I should say the bundle was about eighteen inches long, and strong paper around it, looked as if it was cloth of some kind; saw her take out some kind of wooden handle, when she saw me she backed away from the window toward the South of the room, and I went on to Roberson's Candy store again. I bought more candy, came out of store and came down Second St. towards City Hall again, when passing the Borden house I saw lying just inside the front fence, and near to the fence on North side of lot a hatchet and a pair of kid gloves; the gloves were all covered with blood; I went in and picked up the gloves and put them in my left hand coat pocket; I picked up the hatchet the blade was well covered with blood, and there were stains of blood on the handle. I put the hatchet under my coat and buttoned it up, as I turned to come out of the yard, I saw the same woman that I saw at the window, halfway out of the door, this door was on the north side and at the east end of the Borden house, as soon as she saw me looking at her she drew in quickly and shut the door...The gloves I used to drive horse with, one of them got wore out and I threw it away, the other I think is at home in the bureau drawer, I am not sure but I think it is. The gloves were too long in the fingers and too small in the wrists for me. I think it is the left hand glove that is at home.”
Assuming Alfred’s story was true, were they women gloves... or men’s gloves? Interestingly enough, there are references in the articles below to Henry Palmer’s gloves and the size of his wrists.
The Fall River Daily Globe, pg. 8, March 21, 1893: “Teller Palmer and $6,000 Missing From The Fall River National Bank”
The alarm was sounded when Palmer failed to show up for work. The bank alerted the police to the missing money.
He was described as “a young man, about 26 years of age, slight in build, with light hair and mustache and unusually pale. It is believed that his chalk-like complexion will lead to his arrest, as it is sure to attract attention now that the alarm has been given.” It was noted that he had few intimate friends, that he occasionally purchased drinks at barrooms (frowned upon behavior for bank tellers at the time) and that he was known to dabble in stocks and gamble, usually occurring significant losses. “The culprit is well-connected in this city and had all the advantages which his friends could give him. To them, his downfall is as unexpected as it is humiliating.”
The Fall River Daily Herald, pg. 8, March 21, 1893: described Palmer as “28 years old, 5’9”, square-shouldered but not stout; blue eyes, light hair, light mustache and sallow complexion. He always appeared neatly and quietly dressed.” The article also notes that Palmer, “had been more or less prominent in the best social circles previous to his marriage, after that he withdrew almost entirely from society and seemed to be devoted to home life, rarely appearing in public festivities.” There was a report that the Troy Co-operative Bank funds had been tampered with but “that report was pronounced to be groundless.” People who knew him thought him “odd” that he did not choose male associates and preferred to travel alone.” Also, he had been seen at unusual hours in the third ward of the city, and, only a few days before fleeing, he had asked a friend for a $5,000 loan, which was declined.
(This article reports that Palmer was 5’9. Dr. Handy described the stranger he saw as “small,” between 5’3” and 5’4.” I couldn’t find any other references to Palmer’s actual height. However, while researching Palmer’s immediate family, I came across a couple of references that made me question his reported height. First, Henry’s older brother, George W. Palmer, Jr., electrical engineer for the Globe St. Railway Co., was described as “a small man physically, but a large man mentally.”
Fall River Daily Evening News, “Carmen Await Board Decision.” May 24, 1915, pg. 7.
Also, Henry Palmer’s son, Henry Palmer, Jr., was unusually small in height. An article in the
Fall River Daily Globe, Nov. 3, 1903 under “High School Notes” reports, “Henry Palmer of Rm. 3, the smallest pupil that ever entered High school and a member of the cadets accompanied the team to Newport yesterday as mascot. He was dressed in a little rugby suit that looked as though it was made for a five-year older.” Family genetics suggest that Henry Palmer may have been a smaller man than reported.)
The Boston Herald, pg. 10, Mar 22, 1893: “The Directors of the Troy Co-operative Bank, which does business in the rooms of the Fall River National Bank, held a meeting tonight and discovered that their funds had not undergone any change by the departure of Henry P. Palmer, the missing teller of the national bank. Palmer was employed as a receiver for the Co-operative bank on deposit nights.”
The Fall River Daily Herald, pg. 8, March 22, 1893: “There are stories abroad to the effect that he (Palmer) was not a model husband and father, and people who have encountered the young man in dark streets in the south part of the city late at night were inclined to say that they had suspected this to be the case, and would not be surprised if the final revelation of the affair brought a woman into the light.” Palmer is also described as “a young man of bright prospects who has yielded to temptation.”
The Fall River Daily Evening News, pg. 1, April 17, 1893: After apparently fleeing to St. Louis, Palmer contacted his father and made arrangements to surrender in Fall River, where he was promptly arrested by Marshall Fleet. His father, George W. Palmer, retained Andrew J. Jennings as his attorney. He was arraigned the same day and entered a plea of not guilty. As to his appearance, he had shaved off his mustache and his hair had been cut short.
“He was neatly, even stylishly dressed, and sat quietly through the session with his eyes cast down and his face partially hidden by his gloved hand... The pallor which has always been noticeable about his face has been emphasized by worry, if not hardship, during the past week and would have assisted more than ever in his detection.”
Palmer had embezzled $6,000. However, he was only charged with embezzling $2,000, the amount known to be missing at the time the bank reported it but before the investigation of the books was complete. The missing $2,000 had been stolen in January 1892, and was the first evidence of embezzlement. The theft continued over a period of at least a year, eventually totally $6,000. (Obviously, Andrew J. Borden was still alive and active in Fall River banking circles from Jan-Aug. 1892).
The Fall River Daily Globe, pg. 7, April 17, 1893: He was accompanied by his father and brother. (George W. Palmer, Jr.). “All sorts of stories as to his family relations and former conduct were soon flying around, and it was concluded that he had been tampering with the possibilities of acquiring wealth through the medium of the bucket shops.” (Note: According to Investopedia, “bucket shops” became common in the late 1800s, when the spread of new communications technologies, such as the telegraph, made it possible to speculate on stock prices in a timely manner. Bucket shops emerged to let clients gamble on stock prices in the same way that they might otherwise bet on racehorses,)
“Young Palmer appeared in a light spring overcoat, neat suit of clothes, and very elegant kid gloves. He did not deem it necessary to remove his gloves and coat while in the dock. His face was destitute of a mustache and had the same pallor which characterized it before his departure.” His “coolness and self-possession” was noted, and he seemed unperturbed by the number of police officers and newspaper reporters that were present. He even chatted pleasantly with the officer who handcuffed him;
it was noted that the handcuff was too large for Palmer’s wrist. He was taken by private hack to the depot en route to Taunton to await trial.
The Fall River Daily Herald, pg. 8, April 17, 1893: It was reported that
“all the time he was in court, he rested his head on his gloved hand, and the broken little finger which has been one of the marks about him which could not be disguised and which the detectives underlined in their description of him was easy to be noticed...Palmer sat among the prisoners in the dock and his stylish clothes and gloved hands made the contrast between him and his companions very strong...When he was taken into the guard room he didn’t mind the staring of the men around him and joked with the officer about the handcuffs that were being placed on him.
The cuffs were by far too small for the officer and a little too large for Palmer’s delicate hand..when he emerged handcuffed to the officer, he was as cool and collected as if he were going through a grand march in a ball room...he was by far the coolest prisoner that has stepped from the guard room in many a day.”
Fall River Globe, pg. 8, April 18, 1893: “Palmer in Taunton Jail” It was believed that Palmer would be able to post the $5,000 bail, but that wasn’t the case. According to a police officer who conversed with Palmer after his hearing, Palmer stated that “he did not care whether he got bonds or not. In fact, his indifference to his position was just a little out of the commonplace, and the officer was heard to comment thereon.” Palmer declined to speak to the press on the advice of his attorney Jennings and had “resolved to rest his fate in his lawyer’s judgment.” He met with his minister who asked him where he’d been. Palmer replied, “I have concluded to say nothing. Ask my father, he will perhaps inform you.” The police believed that, as a fugitive, Palmer was hidden in the city by his friends, and that Jennings had advised his friends that the best course for Palmer to take was to surrender and go to trial.
The Fall River Daily Herald, pg. 1, May 25, 1893: “No Long Delay In Shipping Palmer Off to Jail – May Be Pardoned...The speed with which Henry B. Palmer was found out, tried, and punished, is a marvel to many minds in town today. His case came up in the circuit court in Boston. He had kept his stealings very quiet, and when he left town he also kept his whereabouts unknown. He is young and five years imprisonment is likely to satisfy the purposes of the law. It is the feeling about town that Palmer will be pardoned if he can bear up under four years of prison life, and so he will not lose his citizenship. The news of the sentencing came unexpectedly to many people, although it was quite generally known that he had been indicted.”
Fall River Daily Evening News, pg. 7, July 10, 1895: “Seeking A Pardon. A petition is in circulation asking for the pardon of Henry B. Palmer, the defaulting teller of the Fall River National Bank. One of the largest stockholders in the bank heads the petition. Palmer is at the Massachusetts reformatory at Concord, and has served about half his sentence.”
The Fall River Daily Herald, pg. 7, May 25, 1896: On May 24, 1893, Palmer pleaded guilty and was sentenced to the minimum of 5 years at Concord State Prison. Both the judge who sentenced him and the U.S. District Attorney were in favor of a pardon based on Palmer’s “open and frank confession, his previous excellent character, his manly and exemplary conduct in prison, his sincere contrition, the condition of his family, and in the belief that he intends to deserve a renewal of the confidence of the community.” After serving three years, Palmer was granted the requested pardon by President Cleveland. “It is understood that Palmer has proved himself to be of much assistance to the prison officials in caring for their books and has enjoyed special privileges of late. Within a month he has visited his former home in this city to make arrangements to move his household to Concord, where he will be permanently employed at the reformatory.”
After a few years in Concord, Palmer returned to Fall River where he was employed as bookkeeper at Cobb & Reed, a grocery store on South Main St., co-owned by his father-in-law, Capt. Benjamin Cobb.
Fall River Globe, pg. 7, Dec. 18, 1902: Bertha Dean Cobb weds George W. Bowen. Bertha Cobb was Henry Palmer’s sister-in-law. George W. Bowen was employed as a bookkeeper for John Crowe, the building contractor of “Crowe’s yard/barn” fame in the Borden case. George Bowen was administrator of Crowe’s estate when he died in 1927. He was also a pallbearer at Crowe’s funeral.
Fall River Daily Evening News, pg. 4, November 15, 1906: Attendance at the Women’s Union Bazaar. Participants included Mrs. George W. Palmer, Jr.; Caroline A. Palmer (Henry’s sister); Mrs. George S. Brigham (Lizzie’s dear friend); Miss Anna H. Borden (Lizzie’s friend and Grand Tour companion); and Dora Sowle (Eudora...housekeeper & nurse to Hiram C. Harrington).
A few other interesting facts related to Henry:
1. Emma testified at Lizzie’s trial that Lizzie owned two shares of Fall River National Bank stock.
2. George W. Palmer Jr.’s son wrote a biography of his father that was published in 1972. It appears to be out-of-print. Perhaps it contains additional information about his uncle, Henry.
3. Henry’s uncle, Henry S. Buffinton, was a trustee in the Five Cents Savings Bank in Fall River.
Fall River Daily Evening News (obit), pg. 1, May 3, 1895. (Charles J. Holmes, Lizzie’s ardent supporter, was treasurer).
Henry B. Palmer and his family later moved to Somerville, MA and then to Weymouth where he died in July 1950 at age 86.
In his book, Masterson concluded his summary on Palmer by relating a story about Andrew J. Jennings. In 1894, Jennings gave an interview to the
Fall River Daily Herald stating that he had pursued a clue in the summer of 1893 that he thought might solve the Borden case, but the clue led nowhere. Masterson wondered if the clue was related to Palmer...maybe he confided something to Jennings or maybe Jennings noted the resemblance between Palmer and Dr. Handy’s pale-faced man.
Comments are welcome. Thanks!
)
) that Cook would have an extremely high level of confidence he would get the Mary Ann Borden estate to manage if he killed the Borden's. If he did get control, he ended up losing it in a relatively short span of time. Just can't find any indicators that he did manage her estate for any period of time.
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