The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-04
SAM PARKS IS DEAD.
Noted Labor Leader Falls a Victim to
Consumption in Prison.

Ossining, N. Y, May 4.-Sam Parks, the
New York labor leader, who went to Sir g
Sing prison some months ago after his
conviction on a charge of extortion. died
in the prison today. He had consum ption
at the time of his conviction and had
failed rapidly since he was sent to Sing
Until about a month ago Parks had been
hopeful of a pardon and of ending his
days outside of prison bars. Since then
he has become reconcffed to his fate.
Il have. served my fellow men with my
very life, said Parks, but these fellows
have not deserved all that have done for
them. was bounded by the people like
3 wild beast. The newspapers drove me
to the wall What right did they have to
interfere in my business?''
When Parks realized that he would have
to serve his full term in prison he swore
YOU tell the people in New. York" ne
said to a reporter who saw him in the
Sam Parks is not dead yet Sam Parks
is going to get we'll am coming down
to New York and I'll make everybody
who ever had anything against me pay
dearly I am going to get even with al
Parks
The prison physician visited Parks
in the hospital last night at o'clock.
The patient was then barely conscious.
Later he became unconscious and re-
manned in that condition until death.
Only the hospital attendants and one
or two prison officials were at his bed
side when he expired.
brought to the prison on August rs
last. On securing a new trial he was
released on bail on September 5.
After his second conviction he was
brought back to prison on Novem Der
6, to serve a term of two years and
three months. He was at first put to
work in the fire brush shop, but his
condition became such that he was
der treatment there to the time of his
death.
Sam Parks was prominent for years
in labor circles, being a leader in
and the loyalty to him of his aSSOci-
ates was remarkable. He was walk
ing delegate, or business agent, of the
local housesmiths' and bridgemen's
union for several years, and it was I'M
der his leadership that the big strike
of ironworkers in New York last year
was inaugurated. That strike involved
the national iron workers organiza-
ton, and National President Buchan-
an finally announced himself as
against Parks and the general strike
throughout this country which the
New York leader sought to have or
dered. The contest was carried to
the annual convention of the union,
where Parks prevented the recogni-
ton of a rival local union which had
the approval of both President Blu
chanan and the New York contract
OrS. During last summer charges of
extortion were made against Parks
and he was finally indicted, it being
alleged that he had taken $500 from
an employer on a promise to call off a
strike. Other similar charges were
made, but both times he was tried
on the one case. After returning to
New York from Sing Sing, the first
verdict having been overturned by a
higher court, Parks was one of the
central figures in the Labor day pa
rade last September. When convicted
the second time and sentenced to Sing
Sing he announced that he had given
UP the fight for himself and for labor
and wanted to die in peace. Tim Nc
Carthy, one of Parks associates, was
also convicted and sent to Sing Sing
on the charge of extortion. Since
Parks condition became more serious
and death seemed only a question of
a few days there was talk of making
an attempt to secure his pardon, but
Governor Odell said yesterday that no
application for a pardon had reached
him.