Early yesterday morning a large flag was raised at the residence of Mrs. Jane Palmer on School Street, in memory of her husband, who was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864. E.D. Clemans gave a brief military history of Comrade Palmer, and at the close Miss. Fannie E. Prescott raised the Stars and Stripes. Henry Brandis, William Batten, William Hyland, Thomas L. Gray and others of the G.A.R. assisted in the flag raising. This flag was presented to Mrs. Palmer by her son, Prof. W.P. Palmer, principal of the Bristol Academy at Taunton, Mass. Sergt. William H. Palmer, whose memory was so affectionately recalled, was born on the old Palmer homestead in 1830, and was (the) sixth generation to inherit the ancient and historical landmark in Webster. The house was built by Col. Jonathan Day in 1774, was originally occupied as a hostelry, from which a stage left each week for Boston. Sergt. Palmer enlisted in Company I, 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, left Worcester August 8, 1861, for Washington. D.C., was taken prisoner at Ball’s Bluff, was engaged at Chansellorsville, Gettysburg and subsequent battles, and killed at the Wilderness. He was a brave soldier and belongs among those whose work will not be forgotten.---Worcester Spy. July 5. |