The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-07-18
TWO FEET IN THE GRAVE
REMARKABLE STORY OF THE LIFE
OF PARKES, OF ST. LOUIS.

First He Lost a Leg, Then He Lost the
Other, Then an Arm-As Often as He
Married Wife She Was Killed-Now
All His Relatives Are Dead.
Just as day was dawning William F.
Parkes, who is nearly seventy years old, or
that portion of him which still lives, was
found by Henry Murphy, grave digger,
lying unconscious upon Parkes' own grave
in a remote part of Calvary cemetery.
With the help of physician he was re-
vived after an hours hard work.
The story of Mr.. Parkes' life and his
queer mania is indeed a remarkable and in
teresting one. Half of him is dead and
buried, but in the rosewood coffin which he
purchased himself there is still room
enough for the rest of him when life passes
away.
Mr.. Parkes was born in a suburb Of De
troit little less than seventy years ago.
His father was well to do.
When but twenty years old he married
Bessie Woodruff, whom he had known
since infancy This was but the COM
mencement OF his matrimonial career.
Mr.. Parkes lost his first wife year after
be married her, and shortly after her death
he met with his first accident. While rid.
ing a half broken colt one day the horse
suddenly SHE'D and threw him 70 the
ground, breaking his left leg. The surgeon
who was called to attend him set the leg
wrong, and it was necessary TO break II
again. The operation was not a success,
and blood poisoning set in.
After lengthy consultation the physi-
oio H. Id - harr
The doctors wanted TO take the pieces OF
the leg to dissect, but young Parkes insist
ed that they should be buried. After much
arguing his wish was gratifed, his leg be-
ing buried in a neighboring cemetery.
When Psrkes finally recovered he mar
ried his dead wife's sister, who mad nursed
him during his long illness. Mr.. Parkes
decided to go 10 Saratoga Springs for his
health and take his young bride with him.
he was never TO reach the place.
When half way TO his destination the
sleeping car that carried him and mis- wife
jumped the track, and disastrous wreck
occurred. Nr. Parkes' remaining leg was
crushed and mangled, and be was taken
from the wreck unconscious. Clasped
tightly in his arms WAS MS young bride,
but she was dead.
Young Parkes' father was hastily mott
fed, and he insisted that his son should be
brought home.
For many long hours the best surgeons
that could be procured la5ored 20 save his
remaining leg. AT the end they were com
PEELED TO amputate the leg close 10 the
body. The grave was opened and the leg
buried with the other, leaving Mr. Pzrkes
a man without lezs.
be was now almost entirely helpless, and
for q year lie remained n his father
house, almost without hope AMI longing
for death. Summer came and a unique
wheel chair was made for Mr.. Parkes. and
he propelled himself for short distances
about the neighbor hood-
Among the boart1e-s s. Al adjoining
farm was Miss Bessie Whit. She was
consump;Ive and had bslr o1e ARIA, that
member having been crushed b. q fall
Her IA her veSs wealthy aGa she had con
siderable money IN her Own night Xoung
Pa-kes met her. They both were uutort1-
nate AID their feeling. were AKIN Threa