The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-05
THE FRIEND Ik1HE WOODS
With Whom Mrs. Barnaby Would
Frequently Spend Some
Time Visiting.
Comparisons Made Which Suggest
q Similarity In Styles
of Writing.
Graves Signature on the Gilsey House
Register, Denver--That in the
Note Bearing Death.


and unpleasant illusions have been made
in connection with the Barnaby murder
case concerning Mrs. Barnaby's friends
from the woods" and an attempt has been
made by DIR. Graves to give the impression,
through published interviews, that these
friends in the woods'' might be able to
give some assistance in arriving at solu-
ton of the mystery of the affair. Probably
the most intimate friends that Mrs. Bar
naby had during her summers at the Adj
rondacks were Mr.. and Mrs. Carmon Parse,
of this city. Mr.. Parse is known by bank
ing men throughout the country as the
author OF the most undecipherable cashiers
signature in the United Stated. He is
cashier of the First National bank of Plain
field. just now he is seriously ill., and it
was impossible to-day for reporter
to see him, but an interview was
had with the banks assistant cash
ier, Frank S. Runyon, who has
confidential knowledge of all Mr.. Parse's
affairs. Mr.. Runyon said that from con-
versations which he had had with Mr.. Parse
he knew that the banker had entertained a
very high regard for Mrs. Barnaby, and he
intimated that he had not so good one of
DIR. Graves.
indeed said Mr.. Runyon, "AIr. Parse
had gone SO far as to caution her against
the doctor. Mrs. Barnaoy knew that Mr..
Parse was most skillful man in financial
matters, and Mrs. Barnaby consulted him
great Zeal in regard to her affairs. She
was always glad to get his advice. ] do not
know that he ever saw great deal Of DIR.
1,,,Av Ill L. L.. e
the doctors complete management of her
affairs and of his influence over her. Mr..
Parse for some reason took a strong dislike
to the doctor and told Mrs Barnaby to
watch out for him. l saw the Parses on
Sunday, when the story of Mrs. Barnaby's
death was first published, and they talked
freely about the case. Cannon was
then considerably better than he is
innate friends. Both Mr.. and Mrs.
Parse were outspoken IN praise of Mrs.
Barnaby's character" Mrs Parse readily
granted a correspondent an interview at
the Parses' country home in the suburbs
Of North Plain eld'
MRS. Batnaby, MIR. Parse and myself
spent several summers together in the Adj
rondacks," she said. "Mrs. Barnaby WIS, to
great extent, helpless, on account of Dar-
tial paralysis, and in her dependent state
she naturally spent nearly all of her time
in the company of her women friends.
was with her constantly. she was always
perfect lady, and never was the slightest
suspicion aroused against her character.
l he charge of DR.. Graves that she was in
temperate is absurd. The only thing she
ever drank was medicinal tonic prepared
especially for invalids. The further init
nation of the doctor that her conduct
with Edgar A. Bennett, who was our
quet lake and Blue Mountain. was
in any way questionable is unkind and un-
just. Her relations with Bennett were no
more friendly than weie those of the others
of our party; there was nothing whatever
out of the way. Bennett was perfect gen
tleman at all times; the only fault we had
to find with him was that he would occa-
drink more than we thought was
good for him. He is now oprietor of a
boarding house for private parties at Blue
Mountain. and is as popular among his
patrons as he deserves to be.
The blackmailing schemes of which DIR.
Graves hints 80 broadly do not believe ex-
listed. There was no one at hand during
any of the several summers which we spent
together to prosecute such schemes, and
from what knew and saw of the woman
am sure thGt the doctors charges that she
suffered herself to become COM
promised and then had to submit to the ex-
tortion of hush money are false. Myself
and Mr.. Parse were with Mrs Barnaby n
great deal of the time, and when We were
not a very capable maid was always in at
tendance, SO that nothing questionable
could possibly have occurred without it's
speedily reaching my ears"
When asked for her opinion of DIR.
Graves. Mrs. Parse shrugged her shoulders
and said that she did not know him. 'He
seems to think that Mrs. Barnaby's friends
OF the woods know great deal about
Mrs. Barnaby's DEATH, she added. But,
inasmuch as Mr.. Parse and myself were
among Mrs. Bnrnaby's most cordial ac-
quaintances in the mountains, can say
that say that none of the woodland
friends could in any way be benefited by
her death, and" she concluded, signiti-
cantly. financial interest seems to have
been the motive for her murder.''