W. E. Palmer and his five year old grandson, Cecil Rickard were drowned in the creek south east of Moorefield about sundown Monday evening.

Mr. Palmer had been helping his son-in-law move on the Raleigh Palmer farm and was returning with his two grandsons, Monte and Cecil.

As near as we can learn, the team plunged into a deep hole in the creek throwing the grandson into the water and Mr. Palmer jumped in to save the boy but the stream was too swift and both were carried down the creek. Mr. Palmer’s body was found about two miles below the scene of the accident and up to now no trace of the boy’s body has been found.

The wagon was turned over and in some manner the horses got loose from it, going down the stream a short distance and landing to a place of safety. Monte Rickard clung to the overturned vehicle and called for help expecting to be thrown into the water any moment. It is estimated that he must have been in that predicament for an hour or more before he succeeded in making himself heard.

The funeral services over the remains of Mr. Palmer will be held Friday, and burial will take place at the Moorefield cemetery.

The Farnam Echo 16(14):1 Thursday, 13 March, 1919

W. E. Palmer

W. E. Palmer was born near Shelbyville, Indiana, December 19, 1851. While still young his parents moved to Illinois where after a short stay they moved again to Missouri where he grew up to manhood.

While in this state he met and afterwards married Sarah Margaret Herndon to which union were born ten children, eight of whom survive their father. The sons are B. I., of Pomona, Mo., A. C., W. H. and R. M. Palmer, all of this state. One son died while still young; his name was W. E. Palmer. The daughters are Mrs. Mary Callahan of Humphreys, Mo., Mrs. S. E. Lintz, Mrs. S. A. Reckard and Mrs. Elva Roberts, all of this state. One daughter Rovella May Palmer, preceded the father to the grave.

W. E. Palmer and wife moved to this neighborhood about thirty-five years ago, settling on a homestead south of Moorefield where several of the children were born.

He met his death while assisting his son-in-law move, crossing a ravine which he believed to be much more shallow than it really was, being about six feet deep; the jar of the buggy falling in threw one of the little grandsons out, Mr. Palmer jumped out to save the boy but in the effort they were both drowned.

In death, as in life, he was ever trying to help others, thus he died as he lived.

His interest in the affairs of the Kingdom was unusual, and he was ever trying to find ways and means to further it. As a pioneer preacher he had no equal, often times preaching where angels hesitated to trod. He was a typical pioneer preacher, when to preach often times meant to take your life into your hands. When real red blood and a very high standard of manhood was demand of the bearers of the message of Calvary.

His sacrifice was limited only by his ability and the need of others. He proved himself a true citizen, a loving friend, prayerful Christian, helpful neighbor, large hearted friend to the needy, and was very forgiving to the erring, a blessing to the weary, strength to the tired, a light to the hesitating, and an all around good man to all.

It is a comfort even at this time to say that his religion counted more in his home than any other place. If it is true that the test of a man’s character and religion is in the home, W. E. Palmer reached a very high standard in this world.

His chief interest of late was the welfare of his children and he lost his life while trying to see to them.

The Farnam Echo 16(15):1 Thursday, 20 March, 1919