Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1886-01-21
HOWARD PARKER'S DEATH.
A SAD STORY OF UyREQUITED
LOVE.
After a Long and Happy COnrtshtp O
Young Man Finds Himself Sup.
planted by Later Wooer.

| planted Dy Latcr NO0eTs
stung TO the Quick he Takes to Drink
and Dies by Accident or Design, From
the Effects "a Fatal Drug.
From the st. Louis Chronicle. January 9th.
at was one of the saddest cases
that can recall to mind, and the
facts have never been published, not
even by our local press"
The speaker was one OF the oldest
and best known citizens of Troy, |
Lincoln county, and he referred to
Howard S. Parker, prosecuting attor-
ney of that county, who died sud.
denly and mysteriously on December
2Sth, 1885,
II knew Parker from the time he
located in Troy" continued the gen.
tleman, 'sand was never more sur
prised in my life than when | heard
of his death. He was born in Ken
lucky in 1858, and was admitted to
the bar there. Six years ago he came
to Missouri, and after a short resi-
dence in St. Louis, where he practiced
his profession, removed to Troy. His
ability soon gained him recognition at
the hands of the people, and twice he
was chosen Representative IN the
Legislature. About three years ago
Parker made the acquaintance of
Miss Jennie Mckee, the daughter OF
the "Widow" Mckee, of Troy. Jen-
ME was a teacher in the public school
+ and one of the most accomplished
, Young ladies of Lincoln county. 1t
was the old story--friendship ripened
1 into love, and year ago it was gen
: orally understood that they were en-
o gagged. There were none to be found
who did not look upon the match with
! favor, and both received the con-
, gratulations Of their numerous
friends. | do not know that a day
4 was ever fixed for the ceremony, yet
n 1t was generally believed that it was
mot far distant. Also numbered
8 among Miss McKee's gentlemen
q friends was Charles Granfeld, son
n of a minister. and who held clerical
n position in the office of the county
% clerk. A few months ago Granfielo
n made application for and was ap'
m pointed to a clerkship in the office ot
= Assistant Postmaster General Ste
venson, at Washington, D. c. Will
If the appointment it was noticed tina
= Granheld's attentions to MISS Nc
Kee increased while those of Parke
I'D diminished, and few weeks ago /
L6 was rumored and generally credite'
w that the latter had been cast aside
ii Prior to this Parker has bee
, looked upon as a model gentlema
"a and official, and his friends wer
IT. legion. Finally came the announce
z- ment that Granfield and Miss Nc
ce Kee were engaged, and were to b
III welded December %. At the sam
- time it was noticed that Parker ha
l entered upon a career of dissipation
a and his friends feared for the result
ch For two weeks previous to Christina
Id Parker was almost constantly unde
10 the influence of liquor, until at lengt
his nervous system was completed
au- shattered. On December % M
s" Granfield and Miss Mckee wei
as married, and the fact drove Park
he almest to desperation. On Chris
m mas day, however, he was compar
ap tively calm, and sent for phial
by chloral, with the announced intentlc
1es of quieting his nerves. He partot
The of the drug, and an overdose, L pr
mn sume, was the result. He linger'
until December 2S, wholly unco
7en scious, when he died. 1t may ha
ent been a case or suicide-or 1t mi
, in not. That is the question. Most
ten our people believe, though, that
u,; death was accidental-that he seue
- quiet in the drug, and not havi1
ne rsed it previously, partook OF l.
ing freely. On the day of of Parke
the death, Mr.. Granfield and his brio
his surrounded by their friends, spo
. the sad farewells at the depot a
no' departed for Washington, tn
future home. On the following d
au- Parker's body was forwarded
Acts Lexington, Ky, where it was int
mia. red, two days later, only few yal
distant from the lamented Hei
e'- Clay. There are few in Troy v
eve do not worship the memory OF How'
This $. Parker, for better and truer
With never held official position in
state of Missouri.
.ha. Howard S. Parker was well kno
40 IN Audrain as q brilliant young
a. yer and statesman, and his pare
live (or did live) in this county.