Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-03-16
PARKER SWINGS UNDER
THE RIVER BRIDGE.
THEPLACARD, JUSTICE ATLAsT. .
THE "vIGILANTEs," DO THEIR WORK
SATURDAY NIGHT BETWEEN
AND O'clock.
Gazette Extra

Parker was hanged unier the bridge.
BY 9 o'c'ock hundreds of people had
assembled at the scene of the tragedy
moved by curiosity and desire to
be satisfied as to whether the report
could be real.
The rumor was correct. There,
dangling between the blue heavens
and the blue waters hanged the body
of VIM. A. Parker, stark and cold,
a gag in his mouth, and rope tight
about his neck and fast to the iron
rod supporting the BRIDE draw
above. His feet were both short
distance from the water below, and
above his head on placa'd were
written, in a clear, determin d hand,
these fat d wo- DIS, Justice at Last"
AS the crowd stood there looking
upon the horrible spectac e, all Sem
ed to conc de thu immensely Of the
deed, but few regrets were said for
Parker, and the hope was expressed
that this deed, though awful in itself,
might strike terror to the he arts Of
evil doors and check their mad
career.
1t seems that Parker was in town
Saturday attending to business in
the morning, but later was drinking
and boisterous. It is said that he
boosted, as he had done several
times before, th.:t it was he who
killed Gen. Grimes. About o'clock
he became so drunk that he was
placed in the lock up, in the rear of
fire companies engine rooms, under
Meath Town Hall, and Rafe Long,
the colured night watch, left in
charge. AT ten minutes past the
street lamps near by were sud- My
eatinguished, and Immediately doz
en- or fifteen men, some of them
masked, filed in, ordered the keeper
to get into cell and closed the door
on him, then broke the lock on Park
er's cell and brought him forth to
his doom. Intoxicated as he was. or
supporting that friends had come to
his rescue, he seems to have made no
resistance, until he reached the street,
when he cried "Murder!' two or
three times. Doubtless he was then
gagged and carried forward to the
place of execution.
About 3 o'c ock the hanging man
was discovered by the bridge keeper
who had come TO open the draw for
Str. Beta. The Sheriff was informed,
and Mr.. Arthur Mayo appoin' ed as
coroner, ard about o:3o held the
inquest with Messrs S. F. Burbank,
w. J. Crump'er, D. S. Simmons, ].
L. Gardner, Chestine Woodland and
w. T. Bailey as jury.
They rendered verdict THAT the
OCSCdSSi, w III a. al aCl, (dlHc ~
his death by hanging at the hands of
persons unknown to the jury"
Friends and relatives of deceased,
removed body o-day for interment,
In this connection we are reminded |
hat it was on Saturday, 14th August,
1880, that General Grimes was assas.
;inated. He had heen to Washing |
ON. and left late in the afternoon,
accompanied by F. Byran Satter.
waite, then IS years old When
Bear Creek, five or six miles
rom Washington, gun was fired
rom the road side and the leaden
struck it's mark. and the
General breathed his last in q few
minutes. Young Satterwaite carried
him to Mr. Stickney's, and then Mr..
Stickney took his place and conveyed
he body to the home Of the grief
stricken family.
Parker was arrested and arraigned
t November court, but owing to