The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-07

eide. -
A brief telegram in the Dispatch yester-
dav morning stated that Monday, IN the
conrt-room at st. Louis, John {. Parker
- trial for murder, shot and Killed his
.,i,o and then sent bullet through his
n hra,n. The Herdld's st. Louis spc-
s,al rivcs the particulars OF the tragedy,
The motive that led to 1t, and the circum-
s,,nces surrounding it, as follows;
John &. Parker, the murderer, was
",,idey NV trade, and for years had borne
/. -, ",',l rcpntaiion. He was arraigned To-
" a. n stand trial for the murder OF MI
u,soi PAXTON. baker, whom he had stab
,."d in a drinking-saloon. Fifth street and
Chyisty avenue, on the night OF August 20,
1881.
THE DEVOTED WIFE.
Scnjc Parker. the young wife, whose
,.o8v now lies at the morgue, was a slight,
,rctty. and delicate little woman. Though
her family i not wealthy, her social posi-
,,on was 80 much better than her husbands
INA, their marriage about two years ago
,oade ouite a local sensation. Her devotion
~ Inc man Of her choice. rough and deS-
,,.rofe rs he was, was known long before
fh.H
-, line fTaii form of the Young wife has
I'm constantly seen about the Jail, and the
,,tonathy Of all employed about the jail
80 hers. Every moment that the rcgula-
,iore nermiiied she spent IN his company,
"f,en bringing their infant with her. The
,ooraercr's affection for the devoted little
nr,.sture seemed unbounded, and il was
noted as his only rcdeeming feature.
N COURT.
His trial. NJ has been said, was set down
Tor to-day. and he was brought into court
with several other prisoners. The court
wss crowded. The young wife, Nellie,
was there. her baby boy in her arms. With
her were two of Parker's sisters. She
seemed calm and even cheerful, and as
soon A. she could manage II crossed to the
barred cage where he was confined, and
leaned against il talking TO him through the
crate. Attendants made way for her ana
noticed the aiIectiOnate nature OF her greet
inc TO him and the gentleness with which
no REPLIED 10 her. While they were con-
vcrsine. Governor Charles II. Johnson, his
attorney. rose i'm the court and asked per-
mission 10 consult with his client in the
iury.room. Permission was granted. An
officer took the man from the cage. Nellie.
with a smile, handed the laughing baby TO
her sister-in-law and walked beside her
husband across the court, the lawyers,
Governor johnson and Presley \. Jones,
leading and the sisters following.
THE RUsE.
Tho sDectators gaZed at the little process
sion with some interest; but, save the
wife and husband, no one knew that u was
a procession 10 death for two Of them. Yet
such il vas. To the rough, desperate TEL
low il was the way TO deiiyorance, even
through the grave. But 10 the little crea-
ture by his side it was such test OF Will
power that it can hardly be measured. She
knew that he was gong to Kill her; she
had agreed 10 die at his hands. He
lad tbe weapon Of fate deity colt
cealcd. Clinging 10 her husband,
dcspairing at heart, but calm Of face,
She passed on with him aud entered the
iurv-rOom. Life closed upon her as the
attendant locked the door whereby they
had entered. Husband and wife sat down
ON n bench together. Not a sign of fear
was uDOn either. She sat with her hand i'm
his. lie talked earnestly with his lawyers.
Governor johnson arose and left the jury
room with crave face. Presby Jones sat
near by writing. Neither lawyer suspected
that the whole affair had been the rlse Of
desperate man and woman weary OF life.
THE DOUBLE DEATH.
The door had closed behind Governor
Johnson, and the occupants of the room
Parker, his wife. and the busy attorney
cXcepted-wCre watching in dumb way
the attendant who was shooting the bolts.
At this moment it was that Parker swiftly
drew bis PISTOL. and. putting the muzzle
against the back Of bis wiie's head, pulled
the trigger. The report rang ont, and
brought an TO their feet as the young wife
mmblcd forward in heap to the door
dead, Before any one could take step
toward tie murderer Parker had fred
again, the bullet this time piercing his
own Bran. He fell beside her-not dead,
but soon TO Gle.
THE TRAGEDY ENDED.
Conformation was on every face. Court
officials rushed in and doctors were sum-
mOned. I'm forty minutes Parker breathcd
hi, lat. The tragedy was over
TIE WEAPON.
The story runs that Mrs. Kraft, one Of
Palkers sisters, it was who supplied him
with the weapon She is said to declare
that she gave the pistol to her brother 10
defend himself, because she had been told
that the brother OF PaytOn. for whose MUIR
der Parker was to have been tried, had
threatened 10 Kill him on sight.
TnE MURDFRER's LETTER.
The following letter, IN the handwriting
Of the murderer. since discovered, shows
that this idea was started by Parker him.
SELF and that the object OF killing himself
and his vile was steadily adhered TO all
through:
ST. LOUIS CITY, February 4, 1888.
Dear Loving Sister Mary and Dear
Friend Frank: / have tried 10 avoid this
terrible death, hut it looks impossible.
am firing Of seeing my poor and devoted
wife getting any more abuse and suffering,
and II is more than can endure. Oh, love
Is terrible! / hope we viii lie better off
in the next world than in this wicked one.
See that am put alongside my little boy
Morris, and give our bodies TO my old
friend, John p. Mutually. The Knights
Of Honor will take care OF my
sweet, loving wife. Give my love to
al, and especially Tom Callahan.
This is hard, but determination Is still
harder. / am determined 10 carry out my
plan, and have 10 do il mighty slick. You
will see that for yourself. The party who
gave me the pistol is ignorant of what l
amabOut. | have TO tell him so many lies
TO accomplish my desire, but cannot help
1t. Give NT. Obey owen his oyercOat; il
4 his, and may God bless him. Kiss my
little boy for me. and hope you may both
liNe happy forever. Give my love 10 all.
VIII bring this 10 q close, hoping 10 meet
you in better world.
Good night, and God bless you both.
JOHN &. PARKER.