New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-05
PARKS DIES In PRISON.
Career of Leader Who Bldckmailed
mplOyers and Ruled HouseSmiths.

Samuel J. Parks. the walking delegate of the
housesmths' union. who was convicted twice or
extortion. died in the hospital OF Sing Sing Prison
yesterday. Death due TO consumption from
which he suffered before he was convicted. Parks
was almost alone when he died The prison physi-
clan him Tuesday night and then Parks
was barely conscious and evidently dying. Mrs
Parks. who has been going to the prison to see
her husband every visiting day. did not reach
the prison yesterday until efter his death.
The fact that Parks rear death was known
this city Sunday. when the Central FEEDER
ated Union passed resolution authorizing the ap-
pontment of a delegation to ask Governor odeu to
pardon him. so that he might die out OF prison
Parks was first sent TO the prison on August q
Of last year He set to work in the fibre brush
shop and was kept at hard labor there until sep
TENDER .. when he was released on bail. the courts
granting him a trial. Coming back to the
city he resumed his leadership of the strikers, the
union keeping him in office with full pay while lie
WAS in prison He headed a delegation from his
union the national convention OF the housesmiths
at Kansas City and victory by being recog-
nized in OF strong opposition. In the Labor
Day parade in this city he rode at the head OF the
procession in company with William s. Devery
Devery friend and supporter OF Parks and
was his bondsman when Parks was first arrested
giving cash bail for him. Parks in turn supported
Devery when Deyery candidate for Mayor
last fall and tried hard swing the labor vote to
his friend. AS bondsman, Devery surrendered
Parks for trial, and second trial resulted in an
other conviction for PARKS. AFTER MS second con-
viction Parks sent back to Sing Sing on No
vember g. to serve a term OF two years and three
months. He was set 10 work in the brush shop for
a time but his disease soon made work impossible
for him. and he sent to the hospital
Samuel ]. Parks a native OF the County
Down In the North of Ireland, and was first promi-
nenty Identified with the iron workers of this city
about eight years ago. Before he became a house
smith he worked at various trades and was at one
time a lumberman. beginning work in Canada
%
York from Chicago where he had learned the trade
of housesmith. and had been employed by the
George A. Fuller Company. Statements were made
after the graft charges in the old Board or
Building Trades that Parks came here under an
agreement with the officers of the Fuller company
to make it easy for the company 10 procure men by
ordering strikes against other firms. This was de-
MED during the trial of Parks by ex-Judge McCon-
nell then president of the Fuller company.
When Parks came here he found the House
smiths Union in a demoralized condition. How he
became organizer is not known. He was then
a of exceptionally strong physique. and his
methods of organization were peculiar 10 himself
II was a physical force question with him. He
tackled first the East Side and organized the men
in the shops there driving them into the union with
his fists Then he attacked the West Side with the
same arguments and the result was the strongest
union OF housesmiths the city had seen so far.
which became known the Housesmiths. Bridge
men and Structural Iron Workers Union The
union Joined the old Board OF Building Trades. and
Parks became president of the board The board
became machine for corruption.
Parks speedily to first rank In the industry
Of ordering strikes. to force contractors 70 pay
blackmail. Unlike many Of his associates, he MADE
no secret OF his business. and said he was not IN
the business FOR his health. Employers became
afraid q him. and he emphasized his demands with
insulting language which his victims had ether 70
holiness caused his undOing and he finally was
convicted and sentenced 10 Sing Sing on the charge
Of eXtortion brought by Josephus Plenty, New
Jersey contractor. The offence complained OF TOOK
place Ia this city. and when Parks was sent 10 Slg
Sing several other charges were pending against
him After the conviction OF Parks. Josephus
Plenty his accuser, died.
The meetings Of the HOusesmiths and Bridge
mems Union MaennerChor Hall when Parks was
. al the height OF his power Will long be remem-
hercd their turbulence Several brawny al
herents. who came to be known as the PARKS en-
tertainment committee" made IL lively FOR any one
who opposed Parks. p not unusual punishment for
a man who had the presumption 70 oppose Parks
VAS 20 knock him down and stand on his face.
THIS reign OF terror lasted up TO the time Parks wa
convicted and sent to prison. His adherents stood
. To- him To the last, and he was not looked on as
finally down and OUT until ne was sent 10 PRISON
the second time.
Parks's body was brought to this city last night
the train which arrived at the Grand central
Station AT 6l2 O'Clock IL taken at once 70 the
boarding house No 2ll East Eighty seventh- st.
. where Mrs Parks has been living. The removal OF
the body Was the direction OF ]. W Johnston.
International and treasurer of the House
smiths and Brtdgemen's Union, OF No. ia East
Orch hundred -Fifteenth-st Johnston said That
old union. and the organization which contains
most of Parkss strongest supporters, including his
Z old entertainment committee, would meet in
MaemerchOr Hall Friday night and arrange TO at
te nd the funeral Members Of that union said last
night that they intended 10 raise purse for Mrs.
/ Pa he vii be SUNDAY.