Janice Morgan

By September 1854, William Palmer found himself chased by tragedy. In the past five years, he'd lost his mother-in-law, his good friend, and four infant children. At least, that's how it looked from the outside. Multiple people, including the Palmer's housekeeper, believe he'd orchestrated some of those six deaths. Because at the time, he owed multiple creditors over 20,000 pounds.

By September 1854, William Palmer found himself chased by tragedy. In the past five years, he'd lost his mother-in-law, his good friend, and four infant children. At least, that's how it looked from the outside. Multiple people, including the Palmer's housekeeper, believe he'd orchestrated some of those six deaths. Because at the time, he owed multiple creditors over 20,000 pounds.

Today, that's worth millions. This made it nearly impossible to get out of the hole. But that didn't stop him from trying. By this point, Dr. Palmer had all but given up on his medical practice. His operating costs were too high. Perhaps he felt gambling had better odds than trudging along with his business.

Today, that's worth millions. This made it nearly impossible to get out of the hole. But that didn't stop him from trying. By this point, Dr. Palmer had all but given up on his medical practice. His operating costs were too high. Perhaps he felt gambling had better odds than trudging along with his business.

At the same time, he dug himself deeper into debt, taking out multiple life insurance policies on his wife, Anne. Anne was quite young and, by all accounts, healthy. Still, Palmer committed to outsized life insurance premiums, all on top of his existing debt. Around this time, Anne noticed that death seemed to follow her husband. She also likely observed his increasing financial desperation.

At the same time, he dug himself deeper into debt, taking out multiple life insurance policies on his wife, Anne. Anne was quite young and, by all accounts, healthy. Still, Palmer committed to outsized life insurance premiums, all on top of his existing debt. Around this time, Anne noticed that death seemed to follow her husband. She also likely observed his increasing financial desperation.

Still, they remained married. It's likely she was dealing with her own grief over the loss of their four infants and busy raising their surviving son, William Jr. One night, Anne decided to attend a concert with Palmer's sister, Sarah. Perhaps she wanted a brief distraction from her ongoing grief. The pair traveled by carriage to Liverpool, about 80 miles northwest.

Still, they remained married. It's likely she was dealing with her own grief over the loss of their four infants and busy raising their surviving son, William Jr. One night, Anne decided to attend a concert with Palmer's sister, Sarah. Perhaps she wanted a brief distraction from her ongoing grief. The pair traveled by carriage to Liverpool, about 80 miles northwest.

The air was cool as they made their way through the fields and over the low hills. When the two arrived in Liverpool that evening, the hall was packed. Anne enjoyed the music. It was just what she needed. The next day, the pair returned to Rugeley. The morning after, Anne woke up feeling unusually tired. She experienced a low-grade fever and decided to spend the day in bed.

The air was cool as they made their way through the fields and over the low hills. When the two arrived in Liverpool that evening, the hall was packed. Anne enjoyed the music. It was just what she needed. The next day, the pair returned to Rugeley. The morning after, Anne woke up feeling unusually tired. She experienced a low-grade fever and decided to spend the day in bed.

Naturally, Palmer cared for Anne, cooking her food. However, Anne's condition only deteriorated. She was quick to vomit up the food Palmer made for her and fell gravely ill. Soon, Palmer called a doctor friend to assess Anne. Dr. Bamford came right away. Same Dr. Bamford who examined John Cook after he died and issued the questionable death certificate. Dr. Bamford asked Palmer what he'd observed.

Naturally, Palmer cared for Anne, cooking her food. However, Anne's condition only deteriorated. She was quick to vomit up the food Palmer made for her and fell gravely ill. Soon, Palmer called a doctor friend to assess Anne. Dr. Bamford came right away. Same Dr. Bamford who examined John Cook after he died and issued the questionable death certificate. Dr. Bamford asked Palmer what he'd observed.

Palmer described Anne's symptoms as vomiting, fever, and cramps. He believed Anne suffered from cholera. Already influenced by Palmer's assessment, Dr. Bamford observed Anne. Her heartbeat was irregular, and she was severely dehydrated. He prescribed calomel pills, which would basically cause her body to purge out whatever virus she had.

Palmer described Anne's symptoms as vomiting, fever, and cramps. He believed Anne suffered from cholera. Already influenced by Palmer's assessment, Dr. Bamford observed Anne. Her heartbeat was irregular, and she was severely dehydrated. He prescribed calomel pills, which would basically cause her body to purge out whatever virus she had.

But when Dr. Bamford returned a few days later, Anne had only taken one of the pills and seemed to be in worse condition. She didn't speak, and her movements were limited. Visitors over the next few days said they saw Palmer give Anne water, which appeared to be mixed with something, but they couldn't tell what it was. When anyone came to check on Anne, Palmer never left her side.

But when Dr. Bamford returned a few days later, Anne had only taken one of the pills and seemed to be in worse condition. She didn't speak, and her movements were limited. Visitors over the next few days said they saw Palmer give Anne water, which appeared to be mixed with something, but they couldn't tell what it was. When anyone came to check on Anne, Palmer never left her side.

Each visitor agreed, though, Anne's health seemed increasingly worse. On September 29th, 1854, Anne's breath was labored and her skin was cool to the touch. Palmer stayed with her, and by day's end, she was dead. Official reports state she died of cholera. Now, Anne did have some symptoms of cholera, including vomiting, cramps, dehydration, and an unusual heart rate.

Each visitor agreed, though, Anne's health seemed increasingly worse. On September 29th, 1854, Anne's breath was labored and her skin was cool to the touch. Palmer stayed with her, and by day's end, she was dead. Official reports state she died of cholera. Now, Anne did have some symptoms of cholera, including vomiting, cramps, dehydration, and an unusual heart rate.

Cholera can spread through dirty water, and it's possible Anne contracted it from something she drank on her trip. However, the symptoms also line up with strychnine poisoning, much like the deaths of John Cook and Anne's own mother. And remember, guests recall Palmer giving his wife glasses of cloudy water, which could have been dosed with strychnine.

Cholera can spread through dirty water, and it's possible Anne contracted it from something she drank on her trip. However, the symptoms also line up with strychnine poisoning, much like the deaths of John Cook and Anne's own mother. And remember, guests recall Palmer giving his wife glasses of cloudy water, which could have been dosed with strychnine.