Mary McCrory was married to Charles Phleger. After his murder in 1892, there were three trials of the accused murderer of her husband. At several points during these trials she was asked to testify. Below is one news article about the trial events in October of 1892.
THE PROSECUTION CLOSES.
Last of the Evidence for the State Against H. J. Palmer.
A Witness Who "Wants to See Palmer Convicted — B. R. Crocker Prejudiced, Too.
The prosecution completed its evidence in the trial of H. J. Palmer, charged with the murder of Charles Phleger. yesterday, and the defense will begin this morning. There was the usual large and interested crowd of spectators in the courtroom. The first witness placed on the stand by the prosecution was Coroner Clark. He was recalled for the purpose of showing that four bullets were found on the body of Phleger at the autopsy, he said three bullets entered the body and one dropped out of the dead man's sleeve.
Police Officer Frank White testified that he was Day Jailer at the City Prison on the day of the tragedy, He was there when Mr. Hole came with Palmer. The latter appeared to bo very excited and talked incessantly. In the corridor of the jail Palmer said, referring to the killing, "I had to do it, and I guess he will never testify against anyone else." Jailer White said he thought Palmer was considerably under the influenee of liquor. It did not occur to him that the defendant might be crazy, he appeared, though, to be laboring under a great mental strain. A. L. Hart, Palmer's attorney, came into tho jail just as the witness was locking the prisoner up, and told the latter to keep quiet and not make a fool of himself. Palmer was confined in the jail for some time, and the witness said his attention was frequently attracted to the prisoner's peculiar conduct. He did not appear to realize what he had done, and would laugh and cut up like a schoolboy.
HOW PALMER BEHAVED.
B. R. Crocker, the next witness, knew both Palmer and Phleger, as both had been in his employ. They had charge of the Monument ranch at one time. The witness knew that Palmer did not like Phleger, claiming that the latter was trying to ruin him. Palmer frequently spoke of this in bitter terms. "One time," said the witness, "I was talking with Palmer on the railroad bridge, near the Yolo side, when Phleger passed. Palmer said to me, 'There is that-----I should have killed long ago.' At another time in my office, at Sixth and M streets, Palmer said, 'I will kill Phleger yet.' I rebuked him for uttering the remark." On cross-examination Crocker said that he had no more feeling against Palmer than he would entertain toward any other man in his (Palmer's) situation. Mr. Crocker admitted that he and Palmer had "had words" and that his feelings were more friendly to the prosecution than to the defense.
THE WIDOW TESTIFIES.
Mrs. Mary Phleger, widow of the slain man, took the witness-stand and testified that her husband was a native of Ohio and was 31 years of age at the time of his death. On the day of the tragedy he left their home on Fifth street, between X and L, on the morning of March 12th, between 8 and 9 o'clock. He returned home and went up town again between 10 and 11 o'clock. Witness accompanied her husband up town; they went to the bank and separated at Fifth and X streets. Half an hour afterward she heard of his death. Witness said that Palmer and her husband were partners in carrying on the Monument ranch for several years. A contract was made by which Palmer was to buy Phleger out, but he never paid the money. He did pay $1,500 in notes, the understandiug being that the notes were to be forfeited if tho balance due were not paid.
WANTS PALMER CONVICTED. John P. Chalmers, who was in charge of the Monument ranch when Palmer and Phleger owned it, and who appears to be a bitter enemy to Palmer, proved to be an interesting witness, he said he had heard Palmer speak disparagingly of Phleger, and on one occasion took his pistol with him when ho went to town, remarking that he was liable to use it on "some good friends he had." Upon cross-examination General Hart brought out the fact that frequent quarrels had occurred between tho witness and Palmer and their families.
DOESK'T LIKE THE DEFENDANT.
"Did you not at one time raise a row because Mrs. Palmer took a cap of cream and a little butter, which was from their own cows, but were under attachment?"
"Yes, sir; 1 did, because I was ordered by the Sheriff to account for every cent." "Did you not threaten to whip Mr. Palmer one time?"
"I told him to stand up in the corner and behave himself aud he did it." "Was it because Palmer wanted to use his buggy that you proposed to chastise him?"
"No, it was because he abused my wife."
"You want Palmer hanged, do you not?" asked General Hart. "No. sir; I don't want to see any man hanged." "But you want to see him punished." "Yes, sir," replied witness.
THE PROSECUTION CLOSES
It is expected that the defense will require nearly two weeks to present its side of the case.
Sacramento Daily Union (10/6/1892)
THE PROSECUTION CLOSES.
Last of the Evidence for the State Against H. J. Palmer.
A Witness Who "Wants to See Palmer Convicted — B. R. Crocker Prejudiced, Too.
The prosecution completed its evidence in the trial of H. J. Palmer, charged with the murder of Charles Phleger. yesterday, and the defense will begin this morning. There was the usual large and interested crowd of spectators in the courtroom. The first witness placed on the stand by the prosecution was Coroner Clark. He was recalled for the purpose of showing that four bullets were found on the body of Phleger at the autopsy, he said three bullets entered the body and one dropped out of the dead man's sleeve.
Police Officer Frank White testified that he was Day Jailer at the City Prison on the day of the tragedy, He was there when Mr. Hole came with Palmer. The latter appeared to bo very excited and talked incessantly. In the corridor of the jail Palmer said, referring to the killing, "I had to do it, and I guess he will never testify against anyone else." Jailer White said he thought Palmer was considerably under the influenee of liquor. It did not occur to him that the defendant might be crazy, he appeared, though, to be laboring under a great mental strain. A. L. Hart, Palmer's attorney, came into tho jail just as the witness was locking the prisoner up, and told the latter to keep quiet and not make a fool of himself. Palmer was confined in the jail for some time, and the witness said his attention was frequently attracted to the prisoner's peculiar conduct. He did not appear to realize what he had done, and would laugh and cut up like a schoolboy.
HOW PALMER BEHAVED.
B. R. Crocker, the next witness, knew both Palmer and Phleger, as both had been in his employ. They had charge of the Monument ranch at one time. The witness knew that Palmer did not like Phleger, claiming that the latter was trying to ruin him. Palmer frequently spoke of this in bitter terms. "One time," said the witness, "I was talking with Palmer on the railroad bridge, near the Yolo side, when Phleger passed. Palmer said to me, 'There is that-----I should have killed long ago.' At another time in my office, at Sixth and M streets, Palmer said, 'I will kill Phleger yet.' I rebuked him for uttering the remark." On cross-examination Crocker said that he had no more feeling against Palmer than he would entertain toward any other man in his (Palmer's) situation. Mr. Crocker admitted that he and Palmer had "had words" and that his feelings were more friendly to the prosecution than to the defense.
THE WIDOW TESTIFIES.
Mrs. Mary Phleger, widow of the slain man, took the witness-stand and testified that her husband was a native of Ohio and was 31 years of age at the time of his death. On the day of the tragedy he left their home on Fifth street, between X and L, on the morning of March 12th, between 8 and 9 o'clock. He returned home and went up town again between 10 and 11 o'clock. Witness accompanied her husband up town; they went to the bank and separated at Fifth and X streets. Half an hour afterward she heard of his death. Witness said that Palmer and her husband were partners in carrying on the Monument ranch for several years. A contract was made by which Palmer was to buy Phleger out, but he never paid the money. He did pay $1,500 in notes, the understandiug being that the notes were to be forfeited if tho balance due were not paid.
WANTS PALMER CONVICTED. John P. Chalmers, who was in charge of the Monument ranch when Palmer and Phleger owned it, and who appears to be a bitter enemy to Palmer, proved to be an interesting witness, he said he had heard Palmer speak disparagingly of Phleger, and on one occasion took his pistol with him when ho went to town, remarking that he was liable to use it on "some good friends he had." Upon cross-examination General Hart brought out the fact that frequent quarrels had occurred between tho witness and Palmer and their families.
DOESK'T LIKE THE DEFENDANT.
"Did you not at one time raise a row because Mrs. Palmer took a cap of cream and a little butter, which was from their own cows, but were under attachment?"
"Yes, sir; 1 did, because I was ordered by the Sheriff to account for every cent." "Did you not threaten to whip Mr. Palmer one time?"
"I told him to stand up in the corner and behave himself aud he did it." "Was it because Palmer wanted to use his buggy that you proposed to chastise him?"
"No, it was because he abused my wife."
"You want Palmer hanged, do you not?" asked General Hart. "No. sir; I don't want to see any man hanged." "But you want to see him punished." "Yes, sir," replied witness.
THE PROSECUTION CLOSES
It is expected that the defense will require nearly two weeks to present its side of the case.
Sacramento Daily Union (10/6/1892)
Mary McCrory was married to Charles Phleger. After his murder in 1892, there were three trials of the accused murderer of her husband. At several points during these trials she was asked to testify. Below is one news article about the trial events in October of 1892.
THE PROSECUTION CLOSES.
Last of the Evidence for the State Against H. J. Palmer.
A Witness Who "Wants to See Palmer Convicted — B. R. Crocker Prejudiced, Too.
The prosecution completed its evidence in the trial of H. J. Palmer, charged with the murder of Charles Phleger. yesterday, and the defense will begin this morning. There was the usual large and interested crowd of spectators in the courtroom. The first witness placed on the stand by the prosecution was Coroner Clark. He was recalled for the purpose of showing that four bullets were found on the body of Phleger at the autopsy, he said three bullets entered the body and one dropped out of the dead man's sleeve.
Police Officer Frank White testified that he was Day Jailer at the City Prison on the day of the tragedy, He was there when Mr. Hole came with Palmer. The latter appeared to bo very excited and talked incessantly. In the corridor of the jail Palmer said, referring to the killing, "I had to do it, and I guess he will never testify against anyone else." Jailer White said he thought Palmer was considerably under the influenee of liquor. It did not occur to him that the defendant might be crazy, he appeared, though, to be laboring under a great mental strain. A. L. Hart, Palmer's attorney, came into tho jail just as the witness was locking the prisoner up, and told the latter to keep quiet and not make a fool of himself. Palmer was confined in the jail for some time, and the witness said his attention was frequently attracted to the prisoner's peculiar conduct. He did not appear to realize what he had done, and would laugh and cut up like a schoolboy.
HOW PALMER BEHAVED.
B. R. Crocker, the next witness, knew both Palmer and Phleger, as both had been in his employ. They had charge of the Monument ranch at one time. The witness knew that Palmer did not like Phleger, claiming that the latter was trying to ruin him. Palmer frequently spoke of this in bitter terms. "One time," said the witness, "I was talking with Palmer on the railroad bridge, near the Yolo side, when Phleger passed. Palmer said to me, 'There is that-----I should have killed long ago.' At another time in my office, at Sixth and M streets, Palmer said, 'I will kill Phleger yet.' I rebuked him for uttering the remark." On cross-examination Crocker said that he had no more feeling against Palmer than he would entertain toward any other man in his (Palmer's) situation. Mr. Crocker admitted that he and Palmer had "had words" and that his feelings were more friendly to the prosecution than to the defense.
THE WIDOW TESTIFIES.
Mrs. Mary Phleger, widow of the slain man, took the witness-stand and testified that her husband was a native of Ohio and was 31 years of age at the time of his death. On the day of the tragedy he left their home on Fifth street, between X and L, on the morning of March 12th, between 8 and 9 o'clock. He returned home and went up town again between 10 and 11 o'clock. Witness accompanied her husband up town; they went to the bank and separated at Fifth and X streets. Half an hour afterward she heard of his death. Witness said that Palmer and her husband were partners in carrying on the Monument ranch for several years. A contract was made by which Palmer was to buy Phleger out, but he never paid the money. He did pay $1,500 in notes, the understandiug being that the notes were to be forfeited if tho balance due were not paid.
WANTS PALMER CONVICTED. John P. Chalmers, who was in charge of the Monument ranch when Palmer and Phleger owned it, and who appears to be a bitter enemy to Palmer, proved to be an interesting witness, he said he had heard Palmer speak disparagingly of Phleger, and on one occasion took his pistol with him when ho went to town, remarking that he was liable to use it on "some good friends he had." Upon cross-examination General Hart brought out the fact that frequent quarrels had occurred between tho witness and Palmer and their families.
DOESK'T LIKE THE DEFENDANT.
"Did you not at one time raise a row because Mrs. Palmer took a cap of cream and a little butter, which was from their own cows, but were under attachment?"
"Yes, sir; 1 did, because I was ordered by the Sheriff to account for every cent." "Did you not threaten to whip Mr. Palmer one time?"
"I told him to stand up in the corner and behave himself aud he did it." "Was it because Palmer wanted to use his buggy that you proposed to chastise him?"
"No, it was because he abused my wife."
"You want Palmer hanged, do you not?" asked General Hart. "No. sir; I don't want to see any man hanged." "But you want to see him punished." "Yes, sir," replied witness.
THE PROSECUTION CLOSES
It is expected that the defense will require nearly two weeks to present its side of the case.
Sacramento Daily Union (10/6/1892)
THE PROSECUTION CLOSES.
Last of the Evidence for the State Against H. J. Palmer.
A Witness Who "Wants to See Palmer Convicted — B. R. Crocker Prejudiced, Too.
The prosecution completed its evidence in the trial of H. J. Palmer, charged with the murder of Charles Phleger. yesterday, and the defense will begin this morning. There was the usual large and interested crowd of spectators in the courtroom. The first witness placed on the stand by the prosecution was Coroner Clark. He was recalled for the purpose of showing that four bullets were found on the body of Phleger at the autopsy, he said three bullets entered the body and one dropped out of the dead man's sleeve.
Police Officer Frank White testified that he was Day Jailer at the City Prison on the day of the tragedy, He was there when Mr. Hole came with Palmer. The latter appeared to bo very excited and talked incessantly. In the corridor of the jail Palmer said, referring to the killing, "I had to do it, and I guess he will never testify against anyone else." Jailer White said he thought Palmer was considerably under the influenee of liquor. It did not occur to him that the defendant might be crazy, he appeared, though, to be laboring under a great mental strain. A. L. Hart, Palmer's attorney, came into tho jail just as the witness was locking the prisoner up, and told the latter to keep quiet and not make a fool of himself. Palmer was confined in the jail for some time, and the witness said his attention was frequently attracted to the prisoner's peculiar conduct. He did not appear to realize what he had done, and would laugh and cut up like a schoolboy.
HOW PALMER BEHAVED.
B. R. Crocker, the next witness, knew both Palmer and Phleger, as both had been in his employ. They had charge of the Monument ranch at one time. The witness knew that Palmer did not like Phleger, claiming that the latter was trying to ruin him. Palmer frequently spoke of this in bitter terms. "One time," said the witness, "I was talking with Palmer on the railroad bridge, near the Yolo side, when Phleger passed. Palmer said to me, 'There is that-----I should have killed long ago.' At another time in my office, at Sixth and M streets, Palmer said, 'I will kill Phleger yet.' I rebuked him for uttering the remark." On cross-examination Crocker said that he had no more feeling against Palmer than he would entertain toward any other man in his (Palmer's) situation. Mr. Crocker admitted that he and Palmer had "had words" and that his feelings were more friendly to the prosecution than to the defense.
THE WIDOW TESTIFIES.
Mrs. Mary Phleger, widow of the slain man, took the witness-stand and testified that her husband was a native of Ohio and was 31 years of age at the time of his death. On the day of the tragedy he left their home on Fifth street, between X and L, on the morning of March 12th, between 8 and 9 o'clock. He returned home and went up town again between 10 and 11 o'clock. Witness accompanied her husband up town; they went to the bank and separated at Fifth and X streets. Half an hour afterward she heard of his death. Witness said that Palmer and her husband were partners in carrying on the Monument ranch for several years. A contract was made by which Palmer was to buy Phleger out, but he never paid the money. He did pay $1,500 in notes, the understandiug being that the notes were to be forfeited if tho balance due were not paid.
WANTS PALMER CONVICTED. John P. Chalmers, who was in charge of the Monument ranch when Palmer and Phleger owned it, and who appears to be a bitter enemy to Palmer, proved to be an interesting witness, he said he had heard Palmer speak disparagingly of Phleger, and on one occasion took his pistol with him when ho went to town, remarking that he was liable to use it on "some good friends he had." Upon cross-examination General Hart brought out the fact that frequent quarrels had occurred between tho witness and Palmer and their families.
DOESK'T LIKE THE DEFENDANT.
"Did you not at one time raise a row because Mrs. Palmer took a cap of cream and a little butter, which was from their own cows, but were under attachment?"
"Yes, sir; 1 did, because I was ordered by the Sheriff to account for every cent." "Did you not threaten to whip Mr. Palmer one time?"
"I told him to stand up in the corner and behave himself aud he did it." "Was it because Palmer wanted to use his buggy that you proposed to chastise him?"
"No, it was because he abused my wife."
"You want Palmer hanged, do you not?" asked General Hart. "No. sir; I don't want to see any man hanged." "But you want to see him punished." "Yes, sir," replied witness.
THE PROSECUTION CLOSES
It is expected that the defense will require nearly two weeks to present its side of the case.
Sacramento Daily Union (10/6/1892)
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