John Wesley Parker (1849-1889)

PARKER, WARNER, MCALPINE

Posted By: Mickey Vande Kamp (email)
Date: 5/21/2006 at 11:41:07

A Dreadful Death.

Last Monday morning the citizens of Thedford were shocked by the sad news that Mr. John Parker, who was out hunting deer with Mr. Crow, had shot him-self. Several teams started immediately for the scene of the tragedy. Hopes were entertained that he might only be wounded, but on the return of some of the party, the worst was confirmed. The news was broken to his wife and children by sympathizing neighbors, Their grief was terrible to witness and brought tears to eyes unused to weeping. On inquiry the particulars of the accident were found to be as follows: They had succeeded in bringing down two deer. Mr. Crow was in the act of disembowling one of the deer, when he heard a gun go off. On looking around he beheld Mr. Parker falling and ere he could reach his side life was gone. The most probable theory is, that he struck the butt of his gun on the frozen earth with sufficient force to discharge it. The ball struck the point of the chin coming out near the angle of the jaw, on the right side, completely shattering the lower part of the face. Death was instantaneous. The body was brought to town and carried to the court house, where an inquest was held. The verdict in substance was: "Death caused by gun shot wound in the head, the gun being discharged accidently, while in his own hands." On Wednesday, January 1st, he was buried, the funeral being in charge of the Grand Army of the Republic. Rev. J.Q.Helm, pastor of the M.E.church, preached the sermon from the words: What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." The deceased was born May 3rd, 1849, in Mahaska county, Iowa. He enlisted two months before he was eight-teen, in the 13th Iowa regiment and was mustered out in the fall of 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. He came to this place last May and engaged in the implement business. His family have only been here a short time, having arrived the 7th day of December, 1889. Mr. Parker was a man who made friends where ever he went. He was an upright business man, a jovial companion and a true friend; always found on the side of right and justice. In his family he was all that a father and husband should be and to them the loss is irreparable. He leaves a wife and four children, two sons and two daughters, to mourn his untimely death. We lose one of our most highly respected citizens whose place it will be hard to fill. The family have the sympathy of the entire community. May the God of the widow and fatherless, comfort them and help them to say; "Thy will be done."--Thedford (Neb.) Tribune

The Maxwell Tribune
Jan. 16, 1890
page 8
Collins News
(branch office of The Tribune
Collins, Iowa

NOTE: John Wesley PARKER was the son of Nancy WARNER and her husband William PARKER. John's wife was Julia Mae McALPINE.