The Washington herald., 1906-12-11
SEEK PARKER In VAIN
Police of Seven Cities Aiding
MOtherleSS Little Girls.
GONE THREE YEARS BEFORE
Missing Father disappeared shortly
After Marriage and shipped as "a
Sailor for the TrOpics-FFiends
Fear He Has Sailed Again-BOr-
rOwed S12T from Chief.

The police departments Of Washington
and a half dozen other cities have been
aroused by sympathy with four little
mOtherless girls to help in the search for
Patent Attorney John E. Parker, who
disappeared from his home. 5l6 Eighth
street southwest, on Thursday afternoon
just eight days after the death Of his
wife. general alarm has been sent
throughout the East. but no clew Of his
whereabouts has beer obtained.
Esther, four years old, whose death is
hourly expected from diphtheria. was
slightly improved yesterday, and DR..
John B. Mullins, who is attending her.
said she had a fighting chance for life.
The missing mans acquaintances be-
lieYe that he has shipped as a sailor.
Shortly after his marriage nine years ago
he disappeared under circumstances
strikingly similar. and was gone for
three years. He had made no provi-
siOns for his family, and his wife and baby
girl were dependent on the bounty OF
friends and relatives. He returned as
mysteEi0usly as he went, explaining that
while under the influence Of liquor he had
contracted with ships captain TO sail
before the mast for the tropics He
spent some time IN Australia, finally
coming back to his wife in a penitent
mood to be taken back and forgiven.
Borrowed sI27 from Employer.
Parker was employed by c. 4. Snow
& Co. patent attorneys. Warder Build
ing. as a specification writer and patent
expert at so a week He was a good
worker and his employers say his only
fault was a fondness for drink They
believe he will return as soon as his
money gives out.
Mr.. Snow said yesterday that he had
sent Parker $1Z7 on the day Of mis- disap-
pearance after receiving a note from him
saying that two Of the children were
very sick, and that he was financially
embarrassed. He supposed that the money
was to be used for the family necessities.
but II appears now that the missing man
had made no provision for the little girls
but used 1t for travelling expenses. He
had sent his chief this note by a boy. who
said ne vas nephew:
Dear Nr. Snow:
4 am now in further trouble. Two
children iIl and / have been I'D all
night with them. I cannot leave, es-
pecially one. Have made a dozen at
tempts and each time the child's con-
dition Is worse. ] am now waiting for
Dr. Mullins, the throat specialist, who.
/ suppose will operate here. The
other 'kiddy' will receive treatment
from a less expensive doctor.
The child Is practically choking,
and may die. I have just been inter
rupted by a bad spell If you know
or can reach Mullins In any way. com
handmade him come. am a ner-
vous wreck now and must ask your
indulgence. I did not go 10 bed at all
from November - TO December /, but
/ am doing all that a man can do
under the conditions 1 am not drink
ing anything, but am afraid. awfully
afraid, Of H.
Sincerely. PARKER.
"P. S.-My nephew vii call on you
soon. WIN you please send by him
$lz7. That Is my immediate need"
Devoted to His Wife.
Mr. Snow wished 90 correct the impress
sion that he had advertised for Mr.. Par
ker- He has taken an ac We interest In
the matter. having notified the police and
contributed TO the support Of the children.
but has not undertaken to direct the
search for the missing father. He said:
Mr.. Parker seemed very attentive to
his wife, and was a good worker. his only
fault being a weakness for drink. Mrs
Parker was very beautiful woman. and
be was devoted TO her. I think the be-
reavement has affected his mind. hear
hot He ,4-fvs
her death"
Parker was last seen at about o'clock
Thursday afternoon at the American
House by L. Messenger. a distant rela-
tive. Mr.. Messenger says there was
nothing in his attitude TO give the i'm
preston that he contemplated leaving
home. About $50 Thursday he tele-
phoned TO Mr.. Messenger. saying that he
would never see him again. His voice
and manner Of speaking were such as to
indicate that he had been drinking.