The Alaska daily empire., 1918-12-24
OLD TIMER OF
 SEWARD MEETS
 DEATH BY COLD
John 0. Parker Freezes to Death Near Seldovla While Searching for
 Place of Refuge.

Recently The Empires special from Saward told about tragedy in which are given more details in the follow ing from the Seward Gateway:
 John o. Parker one of the old timers of this section of Alaska, was frozen to death at China Pot, Kache- mak Bay, on December 9th or 7th., according to word brought here last night by Clyde Coleman, manager of the Kachemak Bay cannery, who ar rived on the gas boat Grizzle. China Pot is six or eight miles from Hali- but Cove It is believed that par .ies left Seldovia yesterday for China Pot to recover the body and take it to Seldovia for burial.
 Parker and Frank Ernst, formerly lovia in the Parker gas boat, the Barbara, for cruise up Cook Inlet. Something went wrong with the en- zine and the boat drifted ashore The weather was extremely cold and raw wind was blowing at the time
 n going ashore the two men became exceedingly wet Parker directed Ernst to a cabin for assistance, but
 n giving the directions, gave the wrong way for Ernst to go.
 Ernst returned to the place where the two had separated, about an hour later to report that there was no cabin in the indicated direction. Parker was nowhere to be seen, but ! trail in the snow along the beach indicated direction he had gone.
 Erast followed this trail which led to an old windfall. Behind this windfall, Ernst found the body of his companion, frozen stiff. It is be-
 ieved that Parker, with the chill of leath creeping over him, started in
 he direction of a cabin which he lnew to be near where the boat had )een beached. The raw wind kept
 lowly freezing his clothing and ar
 lying at the old windfall, Parker
 ay down to rest, and like those be-
 ng chilled, a slumber overlook the
 unfortunate man and he froze to
 ,eath
 Ernst wandered around for some
 ime and then found the cabin of
 nan named Christensen. Ernst by
 his time was badly frost bitten him
 elf. Christensen took him in
 mall boat to Seldovia where Ernst
 eceived medical attention. Both hod1U tOoS badly that they were amputated Parker was we'll known around ;eward Cordoya and in the Interior Tor six years Parker worked at the Northern for Leo Margules and Ed Vhittemore, but in the Spring of 917 decided that he would enter he fishing industry. Parker pur- ,hased the gas boat Barbara and vent to Seldovia where, since that ime he has been engaged in the herring business. Parker was in Seward about two months ago, on nis return from attending court at Valdez Owing to- the steamer sched- lies at that time, Parker went to Anchorage and then down to Seldov- a, where his gasboat was tied up. on the last steamer from Seldovia, he Admiral Watson, Leo Margules received a personal letter regarding | business affairs, dated Nov. 21st. Parker at that time had only glow ng views for the fishing business | which would come from his efforts. MT Parker was about 5 years of | ige. the last 15 or 20 years having been spent in this section. During | his time Parker had made several | rips to the Interior especially .round the Iditarod and also to Cor | Iowa where he is we'll known. Par | ker's death caused sorrow in Sew | ard last night by those who knew
 the man, all stating that he was one
 of the good fellows of the Northland. E