Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-22
A DISABLED VETERAN.
Joshua Parker a Physical Wreck
From Army Service.

Efforts are being made to have Joshua
Parker, a soldier of the late war, a native
Of Indiana, now a resident of this city, and
totally disabled, placed on the soldiers
roll of the House of Representatives" In
order that he may secure a position under
the doorkeeper, or be given some other
place he can fill until a vacancy occurs on
that roll.
1t is said that Mr.. Parker is the most Sc
verely disabled soldier of tho war on the
Union side now alive. who has not been
literally provided for by the general gov
ernment, either by way of pension or by
appointment to an office, the pay of which
will be commensurate with what he en-
dured as a soldier
The movement has the support not only
of Representative Robinson OF Indiana, hut
of eX-President Harrison, eX-Gov. Claude
Matthews of Indiana. ox-Attorney General
w. II. II. Miller, Attorney General Ketch-
am of Indiana and many others of promi-
hence in the state of Indiana, where Mr..
Parker is well known.
The military record OF Mr.. Parker is one
Of the best, and is unimpeachable. During
his four years Of service, which began
April 20, 1861, and ended at the termina-
ton of the struggle, he was In many bat
ties, principal among which were Chicka-
manga, Missionary Ridge and Bentonville,
N. c., the latter being the last engagement
OF the war, having been fought March 10,
Aopo- ne Was repeatedly NOuHuoU, ana al
though he was shot through one of his
hips, became blind of one eye and is al
most so in the other, besides receiving in
ternal injuries he never during the period
OF his two enlistments asked for or ac-
cepted furlough.
His most serious injuries were, however
received July 1, 1877, twelve years after
the close of the war, when. by the prema-
ture discharge of a cannon, which was
being used to fire an Independence day sa-
lutte. Mr.. Parker lost both arms. Since
then his lot has been hard one.
He is in receipt of a small pension, and
with this he and his wife, the latter I'M
wearied in her efforts to care for him for
the past twenty years, manage to pay the
rent Of the rooms they occupy, at the cor
ner of 4th and H streets northwest, and
to purchase necessary supplies.
Mrs. Parker is also a cripple in one hand
Despite all the troubles enumerated. Mr.
and Mrs. Parker manage to operate a
street organ, and by this means exc out a
sort of an existence. The receipts from
this source are, however, naturally vary
ing IN amount, sometimes for hours the
passers-by not contributing more than a
nickel. while at other times the donations
run from 40 to 60 or 30 cents a day.
1t Is the impression of some persons who
have learned of Mr.. Parker's history that
he is entitled to a much greater pension
than he is receiving, but so far no one be-
sides Representative Robinson has taken
an active interest in the matter and for
some cause. which up to this time remains
unexplained. the increase has not been
granted. 1t is hoped by friends of Mr.
Parker that Commissioner Evans will see
his way clear to investigate his claims for
an increase of pension, and IL proved cor
rect, grant the petition without further
delay.