Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-12-17
DEAD IN HIS BUNK.
William X. Parker, an Old Utah Set
tier, Dies Very Mysteriously.
stiff and Cold in Death, Face Down
ward In q Pool Of Blood.
A Coroner's Jury Summoned This
Afternoon TO Elicit Facts In
the Case.

Shortly after O'Clock this morning the
news was spread about the streets that
an old man had been found lying dead in
his room Just back oil Teasdel's store. On
arriving at the spot half-dozen persons
were found peering through small
window into the beggarly apartments,
where lay, stretched out on the floor, the
lifeless form of William Knowlton
Parker,
ONE OF THE RELICS OF UTAH's EARLY DAYS.
The sight was sickening to behold, for
nothing filed the dark dismal room but
an old cot OF rags, on which the poor old
wanderer bunked, small stove on which
stood part of supper OF bacon, boiled
potatoes and odd scraps, some remnants
of furniture, box OF paper and enve-
lopes, few dozen lead pencils, pens and
holders, together with few card boards
OF plated jewelry, which the old fellow
contemplated peddIing about the streets.
When discovered this morning by Mr..
John Brooks, at about o'clock,
THE BODY WAS LYING FACE DOWN
On the floor in deep pool of blood, as
though hemmorhage had attended the
sudden death.
An officer being summoned the body
was turned face up, when the CHASTITY
features sent shudder through the look
ers-on. The nose was badly broken and
displaced by some heavy blow, either in
falling, as is supposed, or from some out
side cause. A long confusion extended
over the left eye, while the left orb
and side OF the face are badly bruised.
No other injuries were apparent, and
no signs OF struggle having taken
place were evident from the condi
ton of the body and surroundings.
Mr.. Robert Gardner said that he had al
lowed the old gentleman to use the small
room adjoining his confectionery estab-
lshment, and during the past year he
had become somewhat acquainted with
his habits. Parker had worked some
years ago for Meader and McVicker,
doing chores about their assay Office, for
which he received small remuneration
on which to live. One year ago last July
Parker fell and broke his right hip bone,
which laid him up in the hospital for n
few months, and an allowance OF $l5 II
month was sent him by relatives in
Washington, which he continued to re-
1
he has done no work to speak of, but has
passed the time in company with several
old cronies who were in the habit of call
ing at his room to smoke and chat. He
was considered q sort OF worthless but
PERFECTLY HARMLESS OLD MAN,
And consequently allowed to 90 about
with no attention ever being paid him.
Mr.. Brooks, engineer ut the Troy Laun-
dry, was among the last who saw him
alive. Last evening at about half-past
o'clock Parker was sitting in his room, at
the rear of the laundry, talking with
George Gainsford, an old-time acquaint-
ance. Brooks saw Parker yesterday, and
although he was in the regular habit OF
drinking, he is positive that he had no
liquor about him all the day. Parker
was complaining of his injured limb pain
ing him, and asked Brooks for some
money with which to buy a porous plas-
ter. He went away, and not calling at
the engine-room this morning as usual,
for matches, caused Brooks to look in the
window while passing by the room some
I time later, when he discovered the body.
The reporter made his way to the resi-
denee OF Margaret ID. Parker, II s. Fifth
West street, and learned of
THE FAMILY RELATIONS OF THE DECEASED.
Mrs. Parker had just learned of the mys-
terious death, and stated the following
particulars concerning what she knew of
the man, once her husband. They were
married some years ago, following the
death of his first wife, and lived together
until about eight years ago, when every
thing began to work unharmoniously and
they separated by divorce. w. X Parker
was born in Washington, ID. c., and was
76 years OF age last August He was a
tailor by trade, and for several years dill
igently piled his vocation. In 1850 w.
! X Parker
CAME TO UTAH FROM NAUvoo
As Il member of the Mormon Church.
About fifteen years ago he apostatized
from the Church and took up with Spirit
ualism and all other spirits possible to
convive with. He was not quarrclsome
man, but his mode OF life was unnatural,
and it changed him. His relations in
Washington are wealthy and influential,
and when his mother died a considerable
sum OF money was deposited in safe
hands with the understanding tina. it
should be dealt out to him il
his whereabouts were ever learned,
and ii not, his children should
possess it. Some time ago, n
nephew living in Washington, and in
charge of the money, ascertained that
MIR. Parker was living in Salt Lake, and
at once provided that $l5 be sent in each
menth, and more. ii necessary, so long as
he should live. He has had the allow
ance, and more each month when requir-
ing it.
THE DECEASED LEAVES SIN GRowN-up
CHILDREN,
Three boys and three girls. One of the
girls is married and resides in the State
OF Michigan, while the other five children
live in Utah. AS soon as the family
learned OF the sad and mysterious death,
all old feuds were laid aside, and they
very properly repaired to the last scene
of once familiar and beloved parent
Two OF the boys are engaged in Skull
Valley, and from the long-standing feel
ings OF estrangement it is not likely they
be will present at the burial, which will be
betrayed by the means of the deceased.
w. X. Parker was OF medium stature,
with blue eyes, dark brown hair, and
beard sprinkled with gray. When found
he had on dark coat and vest, checked
cotton shirt, overalls, and pair OF heavy
miners shoes. His life OF misery is
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