100 years ago in Spokane: Former deputy accused of killing two says poolroom was operated in ‘disorderly’ manner

A sordid tale of drunkenness and violence spun out in a Spokane courtroom in the first-degree murder trial of Charles A. Palmer.

Palmer was a former justice of the peace in Milan, just north of Spokane, and a former deputy sheriff.

Several witnesses described what happened outside of Milan’s poolroom-barbershop the night of the shooting. Palmer owned the place and was renting it to Albert Burch, who was operating it.

Palmer had apparently heard rumors that the poolroom was being conducted in a “disorderly” manner and went down that night to see about it.

When he walked in, he saw teenagers and adults drunk and carousing, and saw Sheridan Verbeck, 15, dead drunk on the floor.

Palmer said, “That’s a hell of a condition for a boy to be in.”

One of the other men replied, “What the hell do you care?” to which Palmer replied, “I care a lot.”

The testimony varied over whether the men and boys in the poolroom threatened Palmer, or were merely joshing.

Palmer said he walked out the door and somebody grabbed him. One witness said five men proceeded to “pile on” Palmer. When they let him go, Palmer stepped out into the road, turned and fired his revolver. He shot George Verbeck, 32, dead and wounded Nels Verbeck, 55, in the neck. The elder Verbeck died later of his wounds. He was the father of George and Sheridan.

Palmer was expected to mount a self-defense case later in the trial.