Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-05-24
A aiINIsrER's DISGRACE.
Convicted of Forgery In the Federal
Courts.

Special Dispatch.
Paris. Tex. May 2s-one Of the most
remarkable cases ever tried In this
city, where 80 many notable trials
have been. ended today. II ended in
the disgrace and conviction OF y. Park
er, a Methodist preacher who has had
the respect OF and admiration OF con-
gregations in Alabama. Mississippi,
Tennessee and Texas. His crime il
that OF forgery in order to obtain
money pension vouchers. Prior to the
war, Rev. Parker lived in Huntsville.
Ala. He had a slave named Martha.
who was his cook. She married ne
gro named Austin Gilmore. During
the war Gilmore made his way to the
Federal lines and Joined the ll1th IL
linJi~ where he WIS made an under
cook. He died in Georgia in 1se9. In
1861 Martha married William Log
wood. but she still remained with
Parker In 1850 Parker had the wo-.
man TO apply for a pension. his wife
and himself certifying that she was
the widow OF Federal soldier. The
pension was granted, although Log
wood was Martha's husband, and lived
until 1873. The first draft was for
NLCoo. or this Martha received s5O.
and though she lived until November
II, 1876. II was all she got. although
the vouchers continued to go to Wash
ington. Parker moved to Memphis,
Tenn, soon after the pension was
granted, and then came to Texas.
Regularly every quarter until in
December, 1891. vouchers signed Mar
tina Gilmore, witnessed and attested.
were honored by the pension depart
ment, but like all great men, Rev.
Parker made his fatal mistake.
Across the top Of his voucher, In bold
red letters, was notice to send II
before December 4, 1891. Failing to
notice or heed this induction led to
his downfall. on December 3, 1891.
he mailed voucher at Sherman, Tex.
II was made ouy for and signed by
Martha Gilmore, witnessed by Ben
Hill and Sam Jones, and gttested by
s. y. Scott county clerk OF Dallas
county, with the seal OF the county
stamped uron It. Upon reaching
Washington It was noticed that 1t was
mailed December Q. and it was sent
to Mr.. Scott for an explanation, He
declared 1t TO be base forgery. De-
tectiyes went to work ON the case, and
In a short time Rev. Parker was in
the clutches Of the minlons of the law.
Realizing his ugly position. he began
20 lay plans 10 extrlcate himself from
his dilemma. Numei Gus letters were
written 10 negroes In various parts of
the country, asking them to make GER
tain statements. These letters sealed
his fate. They confronted him ON the
trial and showed the perfdy OF his
nature as well as his ingenuity and
resortfulness. His correspondence with
Timothy Stripping Of Dallas was raev
ard showed the desperate extremes
TO which he was driven. He offered
STRIPPING $50 to testify as he wished
and wrote the outlines of what he
wanted him to state In court. strip-
ing promptly turned Parkers letters
over to the Federal authorities. Park-
ers story. however plausible, could
not stand unsupported against a score
OF witnesses from Washington CITY.
Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee. Ar
kansas, Kentucky, and Texas. After
the verdict was read, ne remarked: Il
may be technically guilty, but not
morally"