Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-07-28
SEEKS REVENGE
BY MURDER and
THEN ENDS LIFE
Failing to Kin SeatOn Banker John
". Parkinson Sends Bullet
Thrown Own Brain.
After shooting three times in an

1
After shooting three times in 81
unsuccessful attempt to sla!
Charles Seaton. president OF .tht
State bank at Seaton. H.. abou
lis Saturday afternoon. John "
Parkinson. Familiarity finown Al
Straw" Parkinson, aged about (:
years. stepped into Henry's garage
at Seaton and sent q bullet crash
ing into his own, brain. The ball en-.
tered the right temple and brought
almost instant death.
Revenge for alleged financial
wrongs was ascribed as reason fol
the attempt to murder Seaton IN G
letter left by the dead man. On two
loose, pencil scrawled pages he sci
forth his grievances:
You, yes. you, Charles Seaton
was responsible for getting my
father to make his will before he
died." runs the death message
You have wronged me and
knocked me in every way you could
since had a little trouble with
Jack Hurst and he tried to throw
something on me that I was inno-
cent of; for instance, throwing that
brick through his window. l never
done that, believe me-
you also used Kellogg as a tool
in getting my father to make his
will. You impressed upon kellogg
that you would get a little over a
thousand dollars for settling up
the estate. You tried to turn my
brother and sister against me. and
succeeded" rams the Indictment.
You have used me scandaIous and
know you Will never hand over
that $500 to me OF my brother
and sister. but you viii pay for the
dirty deeds you have done to a
man that never laid a straw in
your path.
Revenge Sole Motive.
Il am not writing this under the
influence of liquor and am not
doing the act under it either. am
not insane now or will l be when
l do the act, but l am doing it for
revenge and it will hurt my
brother and sister more than that
AAIAlC OAu oRlIL ny VI TCbtVVs
Parkinson had been in trouble
before and was addicted to the use
of liquor and drugs. The man he
attempted to kill is one of the most
influential and reputable citizens OF
Seaton and is president OF the Sea-
ton State bank. The "Kellogg"
mentioned in the suicides letter is
Arthur Kellogg, cashier. 1t is said
that upon one other occasion Par
kinson attempted to take his own
life.
Among Parkinson's effects was
found $3.50 in change and two $50
bills neatly folded in his right sock.
There were also several bottles of
whisky, a bottle of drug tablets or
dope" and other articles indicat-
ing that he was addicted to this
habit.
Witnesses of Saturdays shooting
testified that Parkinson was stand
ing in front Of the garage just be
fore the shooting took place. He
did not seem TO be under the in
fuence of drink. several stated. Mr..
Seaton passed by and Parkinson is
said to have exchanged pleasant
ries of the day. The former had
proceeded some distance past when
suddenly wheeled and
whipping out So caIibre revolver
began firing. There were three
shots, none of which took effect.
The intended victim was unaware
that the shots we're meant for him.
Harold Carlson, IL years old, mar
rowIy escaped death when one of
the bullets graZed his chest, Great
ing a minor flesh wound.
After the third shot Parkinson
into the garage and wit
nesses said they heard another,
somewhat muffled report Investi-
CATION disclosed him lying face
a bullet hole in his
right temple and the revolver
clutched in his right hand. He was
still breathing, but death was inevi-
table and he expired q few minutes
later.
Verdict Suicide.
An inquest was conducted Satur-
day afternoon in the State bank OF
Seaton by Coroney A. ~. Mackey.
Verdict of the jury was suicide.
Surviving the dead man are one
brother. Harry c. Parkinson OF
near Aledo, and two sisters, Mrs.
M. r. McConnon and Mrs. John
Williams. both of this city. The
body was brought to the Murphy
rooms here. Funeral
services were held at 2 o'clock this
afternoon at the home OF q brother
in-lsw. John Williams. Rev. F. F..
Shut. pastor of the Methodist
had charge. lnterment
was in the Aledo cemetery.