The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-10-29
PARKER GOES FREE
Youth Charged With Forgery
Released Yesterday.
THE STATE HAD A POOR CASE
Young Man Served One Term for
Forgery and Came Near Serv-
ing Another.

| Thurman W. Parker, who has been
held at the county Jail since last July,
was released from custody yesterday
upon motion Of Prosecuting Attorney
| Wilson and left for Montana last
night, where his brother hes dead.
Notice was served on the young man
as he was released that ii he was ap-
pretended in the state within three
years new information On the same
charge would be filed against him.
That the young man escaped being
tried on the charge was simply due
to the "scaly" evidence that the state
| was able to produce against him and
the fact that he had undergone a
change of heart and has promised to
become better citizen. The charge
under which he was held was for forg-
ing the name of A. H. Harris to a
check in his charge overnight. The
it with j. A. Levy. Mr.. Levy did not
have the funds and Parker left the
check in his charge oernight. The
next morning he called for the paper
and destroyed it without getting any
thing On it. He was arrested at MIL
ton that afternoon.
Parker served two years in the
state penitentiary on a similar charge
and while doing time developed quite
a literary talent issuing in booklet
form Letters of a Convict" These
were dedicated to Warden and Mrs.
he
dearest friends
Two of the letters, which contain
a history of his early life, are repro
duced as follows:
Washington State Penitentiary,
Thursday, April 9, 1903.
My Dear Friend:
You ask me for a sketch Of my early
life-I regret that l cannot remember
more of it; even if l could l fear it
would make embarrassing reading.
But, here is a general outline Of my
career
| was born in n, Wisconsin,
January 3, 1880. You will agree when
| say that was the event of my life.
l recollect hearing my folks say that
they lived in that place during the
first year of my life, from whence
they moved to st. Paul, Mimi. In st.
Paul l grew as all children grow,
happily and innocently towards man
hood. l was by no means a model
child-the hickory stick was not
stranger to me. In fact, I remember
that my father possessed wonderful
ability in handling it-and me.
1 entered school at the age of six,
and was weaned from home. AS to
that. l fear that the weaving process
has never ceased. l, of course, play
ed hockey as all big boys did. After
partaking of as much book-knowledge
as l could in eight years, 1 announced
very formally-to my people the
fact that l would go to sea- They
threw up their hands" at the idea Of
a son of their going to sea. When
saw that they would not look upon
my plan with favor, I handed them an
ultimatum to the effect that if per-
mission were not forthcoming immed-
iately-well, would just stop paying
room rent and take leave without
bidding them adieu. Goodness me!
How alarmed they we're! Ny father
thought to brighten me, SO said, "All
right, my son, you may go; but never
| let me see your face again." or words
similar.
l went. | shall never forget the
| day Of my departure. Arising at 4:30
a. M, dressed as quietly as possible
and, seating myself in a chair which
commanded the best view Of the
room, l said, good bye to all my
trophies and trinkets." 1 stole out
and to the door Of the room where
father and mother slept There was
considerable Of a lump in my throat
From their room l went to that OF
MY sister and looked at her sweet
face. AS 1 did so I wondered If
would ever see her again. And, last.
ly, went to the room Of my brother
my dear little brother. l wanted to
awaken him and say good bye, but
did not dare. l came near changing
my mind then, and have regretted
ever since that I stif1ed the impulse
l looked at the old home for the last
time, and started out.
/ I had no trouble whatever in OBJ
tanning employment aboard ship. My
experiences at that business were as
varied and exciting as the experiences
of any sailor. remained at that call
ing until some three years ago l de-
cided to go home and see If my par
ents we're alive, and if so, would
| they forgive me. l did not write
! them. During all that time they did
not know my whereabouts. Imagine
my CONSERVATION, when upon reach
ing home. I found that they had zone