St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-03-17
PARKERSON'S PLUCK,
The Leader Of the New Or
leans Regulators Tells
His Story.
The Victims Of the Tragedy
He Regarded as Shiny
Reptiles.
He Assumes Full RESPONSE
bility for His Share in the
Work.
No Regrets for the Dismal
Past and No Fear for the
Future.

Past and No Fear for the
Future.
NEW ORLEANS, March 16.-I saw this
morning William S. Parkerson, the
leader of the regulators" His offices
are in Commercial place, a tagged alley
for pedestrians only, with an iron-cov-
cred gutter in the middle, and dingy,
tail houses on either side. He occupies
two rooms up one flight of stairs, plain
ly but comfortably furnished. with
small CRATE fires. ParkersOn is only
thlrty-four years old, is exactly six feet
nigh, heavily built, and dresses in a
brown tweed suit with black necktie.
His head is large and round, his fore
head broad, his hair brown and parted
on one side. He has heavy
brown mustache and double chin. His
eyes are intensely black, quiet enough
IN repose, but snapping fire in moments
OF excitement. and looking out from be-
hind gold-rimmed spectacles. The most
striking thing about Parkerson is his
voice. which is deep, but soft, almost
caresslng. His manner is eminently
quiet. without trace of swagger. AL.
together he impreSSes one as man of
great magnetism and immense reserve
force. A pattern of domesticity,
and great favorite with those
who know him we'll, he lives
wife sick wife and three
children in modern house near the
swamp at the edge of the city. His pop
ularity was attested in 1888, when he
was made the leader of body of young
men who OverthreW the ring Democ-
racy that controlled the CITY and elected
the entire anti-ring ticket. He holds no
public office himself. He was elected
city attorney by the reformers, but re-
fused to serve.
Your name is very much before the
public just now, Mr. Parkerson," | re-
marked as he offered ma seat.
"Yes, we had thirty-minute expert
ence Saturday." he said, with a quaint
smile. The most wonderful thing
about it is that it was over SO soon. /
take more credit for that than anything
sIse"
He gave me his own version of the
outbreak, bit by bit. and not without
reluctance, although he seems to con-
slider his work public service.
Il didn't take the Initiative" he said,
III answer to questions. 81 could not
tell who did. 1t was all done by others.
l was in court on Friday morning in
distant building. attending to some busi-
ness, and came back to this Office after
the verdict acquitting the Italians.
when got there L found large num-
Der OF citizens awaiting me, some of
them old enough to be my grandfather.
With those who (so mo + a
were perhaps sixty or seventy. They
were talking about the outrageous
verdict and told me they had come to
ask me to take some measures to right
1t. After fifteen minutes conversation
we adjourned to meet again that even
ing. l had no connection with the case
beyond taking good citizens interest
IN 1t and dropping into court once or
twice to see how it was getting along.
That evening we met in the rooms of
young man, whose name l don't care to
give. There were about $50 of US, among
them the men who were here in the
morning. We stood up and were
packed like sardines. They made me
chairman. There was some more talk
ing about the verdict, and was again
appealed to. None of US drank any-
thing, and there were no refreshments
i'll the room. We all signed a call that
was published in the next mornings
papers asking the citizens to assemble
at 10 O'Clock on Saturday morning at
the Clay statue, and saying we would
be prepared TO carry out their lnstruc-
tions.'
Meaning that you would be ready to
kill the prisoners?''
That was the feeling, we under
stood of the public pulse. Saturday |
came to my office at 8:45, and at Gas
stated for the rendezvous at our friends
room. l was little ahead of time.
-Four OF five of US went from there to
the statue, where we found muttering
mob OF many thousands. We walked
around outside the ratings two or three
times to give our own people chance
to fall in. Then [ went through the
gate Of the ratings and up the
steps As soon as l took off my
hat the people began to cheer. / don't
remember exactly what | said, but |
made little speech, telling them we
had duty to perform; that it was the
most terrible duty l had ever under
taken; that the law had miscarried, and
9 we were prepared to do whatever thev
desired They shouted. Come on"
What did you understand from
that?''
That we were to go to the prison."
words?"
''Oh. it was known well enough. At
the meeting on Friday night they tried
to get me to the prison. but l refused
to do anything at night. From the
statue we started for the prison. lead
ing and the crowd following us. We
had to walk about mile, and. as we
walked along, people came from the
side streets and fell into the procession.
The women were crying and the men
cheering. 1t was the most terrible
thing | ever saw-the quiet determine
tion of the crowd. There was no dis
order. We stopped on the way at
our trends rooms. where we found
guns awaiting US. had my own gun
there. There were about $50 Winches-
ters and shotguns. l think, given out.
l never carry revolver, but that MORN
ing put one in my pocket. | took a
winchester, besides. AT this moment l
am unarmed. AT the prison gate Lem
Davis. think that is his name, came to
the door. asked him for the KEYS TO
let US in. He said he couldn't give
them. L aid If he didn't we'd break
into the prison. He still refused.
Then aEdered the crowd 10
make ready and break, sent for
some gun powder and also sent detach-
-ment to break in at the side door. which
was about block away, the building
being an immense one and covering
more thau 4 square Of ground Mean
time we got some wood and used it TO
batter the main door. That resisted.
but the side door was forced. Then |
went around to the Side door, placed
three men on guard, one legal officer
OF this municipality, telling them whom
m TQ md Oh %I,.