Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-12-17
DEAD IN HIS BUNK.
William Il. Parker, an Old Utah Set.
tier, Dies Very MysteriOusly.
Stiff and Cold in Death, Face Down.
ward i'm a Pool of Blood.
A CorOner's Jury Summoned This
Afternoon to Elicit Facts in
the Case.

Shortly after O'Clock this morning Int
news was spread about the streets tina
an old man had been found lying dead il
his room just back OF Teasdel's store. Or
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 Knowltor
Parker,
ONE OF THE RELICS OF UTAH's EARLY DAYS
The sight was sickening to behold, fol
nothing filled 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, a 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 a 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-
lishment, 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
few months, and an allowance of SIS a
month was sent him by relatives in
Washington, which he continued to re-
ceive up to his death. For some months |
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 a sort of worthless but
A PERFECTLY HARMLESS OLD MAN,
And consequently allowed to 60 about
off
MIR. Brooks, engineer at 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 acouaint-
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 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
time later, when he discovered the BODY.
The reporter made his way to the resi-
l. L o.. ~
West street, and learned of
THE FAMILY RELATIONS OF THE DECEASED. ]
Mrs. Parker had just learned of the mvs- {
FERROUS death, and stated the following {
particulars concerning what she knew of '
The man, once her husband They were '
married some years ago, following the t
Heath of his first wife, and lived together
Until about eight years ago, when everv-
hing began to work unharmoniously and
hey separated by divorce. w. K. Parker
vas born in Washington, d. c., and was L
g years of age last August He was I
ailor by trade, and for several years dill t
gently piled his vocation. In 1850 w. 9
(. Parker Ii
CAME TO UTAH FROM NAUyOo =
Is member OF the Mormon Church.
about fifteen years ago he apostatized
rom the Church and took up with Spirit
allsm and all other spirits possible to .
onvive with. He was nota quarrelsome h
IAN, but his mode of life was unnatural, O
nd it changed him. His relations in .,
Washington are wealthy and influential, m m
nd when his mother died a considerable 4;
I'M OF money was deposited in safe rs
ands with the understanding that it W W
lould be dealt out to him if 70
is, whereabouts were ever learned, W
nj if not, his children should
assess it. Some time ago, "
ephew living in Washington, and in -,
large of the money, ascertained that W
r. Parker was living in Salt Lake. and ~.
once provided that SIS be sent in each ~ ~
enth, and more. if necessary, so long as va
) should live. He has had the allow
ice, and more each month when reuuir-
g it.
lie DECEASED LEAVES SIX GRowN-up
CHILDREN,
Tree boys and three girls. One of the Po
is is married and resides in the State sol sol
Michigan, while the other five children lor
e IN Utah. As soon as the family an an
lrned the sad and mysterious death, a.
old feuds were laid aside, and they ~! Lll
ry properly repaired to the last scene va .he
a once familiar and beloved parent. Ine
20 OF the boys are engaged in Skull W. Mo
LEY, and from the long-standing feel ny ny
IS OF estrangement it is not likely they Hio
will present at the burial, which will be F
rayed by the means of the deceased. trin
W. K. Parker was of medium stature. orn
n blue eyes, dark brown hair. and eml
lrd sprinkled with gray. When found fan,
had on dark coat and vest, checked mai
ton shirt, overalls, and pair of heavy etc.
iers' shoes. His life of misery is fnll
led, and what is the lesson impaired TIP
- 35 a
Masquerade at the Rink. Der
/ grand maso,arada o,, cl,o+o, Cl>u:.x Mai