LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
LeMars, Iowa
Friday, December 4, 1885

THE PARKER MURDER.
Mrs. Harriett and Miss Alice—Wife and Daughter of Arza Parker—Arrested,
Charged With the Murder

Though but little has been said concerning the Parker murder which occurred
some weeks ago, the Sentinel has all along been aware that the case was
being quietly worked up by one of Pinkerton’s detective force, who came here
in the interests of the county about one week after the homicide. The
detective has repeatedly visited the Parker homestead, talked with Mrs.
Parker and daughter, and the neighbors, and from them gained very conclusive
evidence—at least sufficient to warrant the arrest of the accused parties,
who have been suspicioned from the first as the perpetrators of this fearful
crime, and which was so intimated in the Sentinel account at that time.

Below we give the coroner’s verdict, which has been kept secret till the
arrests were made:

CORONER’S VERDICT
State of Iowa, Plymouth Co.—ss.
An inquisition holden at LeMars in Plymouth County, Iowa, on the 1st day of
November, 1885, before F. N. Myers, coroner of said county, upon the body of
Arza Parker then lying dead, by the jurors whose names are hereto
subscribed. The said jurors upon their oath do say that they said Arza
Parker came to his death by being pounded over the head with a pitchfork
handle and also being stabbed in the head by the prongs of the pitchfork
until dead, said fork was used in hands of a party unknown to the jury. The
jury feel satisfied after hearing all the evidence in the case that Harriett
Parker, wife of the said Arza Parker and Alice Parker, daughter of said Arza
Parker are implicated in the murder of the said Arza Parker and would also
advise the arrest of the said Harriett and Alice Parker as soon as the
coroner sees fit.
CHARLES TRIPP,
W. E. GOSTING,
HENRY SCHROOTER

Corner Myers Wednesday filed the proper information, carefully drawn up by
Curtis & Durley, based upon the facts set forth in the above verdict, and
warrants for the arrest of Mrs. Parker and daughter were placed in the hands
of Sheriff Haerling, who departed for the country early this morning to make
the arrests. The accused parties will be brought to this city and lodged in
jail.

[From Thursday’s Daily, December 3.]
The arrest of Mrs. Parker and daughter occurred yesterday afternoon, the
warrants being served by Deputy Sheriff Fuller. On going to the country he
learned that the Parker family were moving to the home of Mrs. Parker’s
daughter, near the West forks of the Little Sioux river in Woodbury county,
and here the officer found and arrested Mrs. Parker. Returning to the old
Parker homestead, Mr. Fuller found the daughter, Alice, and arrested her,
bringing both of the prisoners to the city and lodging them in jail. When
arrested neither of the prisoners evidenced any surprise. They took the
matter rather coolly and calmly, and rather as if they expected it.

This morning the Sentinel reported called upon
THE PRISONERS IN JAIL.
They were confined in separate cells, and Alice looked as if she had passed
a very restless night, her eyes being red and inflamed from weeping. She is
about fifteen years of age, of spare build, and not bad looking, and her
appearance impresses on rather favorably. She does not seem to fully
comprehend the serious nature of the charge resting against her, and though
nervous from weeping, talked calmly and to all appearances frankly about the
murder. She claims to know nothing as to who is the guilty party, and from
her no new facts connected with the case were learned.

Mrs. Parker takes matters less to heart, apparently, than the daughter. She
looked as if the night in jail had passed without particular discomfiture.
She is quite an elderly English woman of large frame, jet black hair, dark
complexion, and rather course features. She remarked to the Sheriff on the
way to the city that if she could have Alice with her she would about as
soon pass the winter in jail as in the old house on her farm. To the
reporter Mrs. Parker said that she had no idea who murdered her husband, and
she did not think that he had any more or worse enemies than men usually
have. She thought that she was more interested in having the mystery cleared
up than anyone else. When asked if she had employed counsel, she said, no;
that she had no money; that the money derived from the sale of hogs had gone
to pay debts, and that there was a mortgage on the farm, and she had not
means to employ attorneys, and would have to submit to whatever fate was in
store for her. She spoke without apparent nervousness or much feeling, and
the impression is left that through ignorance of the law she does not
comprehend the grave nature of the situation.

The evidence against these prisoners, implicating them with the murder, so
far as we have been able to learn, is purely circumstantial nature.

This morning Mrs. Parker was brought before Justice Alline for examination,
but not being prepared, the matter was deferred till afternoon, and at that
time the preliminary hearing was postponed for two weeks at the request of
the defense, who has retained as counsel Messrs. Argo, Kelley & Augir. The
prosecution will be conducted by Messrs. Curtis & Durley.

FASHIONABLE WEDDING.
The following taken from the Pittsburg, Pa., Sunday Leader of the 29th, will
be of interest to our readers in this city and county:

A fashionable wedding on Wednesday, that of Miss Minerva Null, of
Greensburg, and Mr. Joseph W. Hough, of LeMars, Iowa—was the most notable
social event of the season in Greensburg. A prettily decorated house (the
residence of H. H. Null) and the presence of about one-hundred guests in
their bravest attire made the scene one of rare beauty. The bride wore a
handsome dress of pale pink mervielleux, court train, lace front, tulle veil
and pearl ornaments. The bridesmaid, Miss Nellie Null, looked extremely well
in a Nile green surah with lace overdress. Mr. Daniel Dillinger, of
Ruffdale, was the groomsman. Congratulations, a superb supper, music and
dancing occupied the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Hough are enjoying a short bridal
tour in the east at the conclusion of which they will take up their
residence in LeMars. Among those present were Mr. Boyd and wife, Mr.
Pressley H. Moore, Miss Clara Boyd, Mr. J. Dempsey Boyd and wife, and Dr.
Smith Fuller of Uniontown; Mr. Lloyd Johnson and wife, of Connellsville; Dr.
Lewis Sutton and wife, of West Newton; Mrs. M. C. Gaithers and her
daughters, of Pittsburg; Mr. John J. Houseman, of Allenport; Mr. Harry Ruff
and Mr. and Mrs. Williard F. Null, of Ruffsdale, and Dr. Frank Cowan. The
present of the groom to his bride was a deed for a house and lot in LeMars.
Many other beautiful and costly presents were bestowed on the happy couple.

Mr. Hough and wife will return home from their wedding tour about the middle
of next week, when they will occupy the pleasant home already prepared for
their reception, near the corner of Washington and Fifth streets, and where
the best wishes of a very large circle of friends will attend them. Mr.
Hough is one of the most popular business men of this city, and the Sentinel
extends hearty congratulations to him as well as the fortunate lady who will
share his future.

SENEY, IA., Nov. 30, 1885.

A. H. Sturges has gone to England to winter.

Mr. D. Rebensduff is enjoying a visit from his daughter and her husband, of
Creston, Iowa.

The revival continued through last week with nothing sensational transpiring
excepting one case of hysterics.

T. A. Wood says the first note he indorsed he had to pay and he hopes it
will be the same with the next one he indorses.

Mr. Geo. Alderson, who moved to Nebraska last spring, is here on a visit to
old friends and with a possible eye to matrimony.

Thanksgiving was duly enjoyed here by service at the M. E. church and a
general suspension of business. Turkey suffered as usual.

Mr. Daniel Brown is comfortably settled on his new farm north of town. We
find Mr. Brown a pleasant, affable gentleman and extend the hand of
fellowship and welcome him to our circle.

The past week’s business was ahead of the average. Receipts of produce were
good. Shipments four cars. Prices ruled firm. We quote to-day wheat 49 to
62c, oats 20c, corn 20 to 23c, flax 85c, butter and eggs 15c.

The holiday goods for the Nimble Nickel store have commenced to arrive and
the display will be the best ever brought to this place. We recommend that
our people look over this establishment when in need of any thing as every
thing is kept on sale.

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
December 8, 1885

THE CITY.
Sam Chapman and sister of Sheldon spent Sunday in this city.

The Catholic fair will begin in this city on the 21st and continue five
days.

“Open House” will be observed on New Years Day at the Y. M. C. A. rooms.

Mr. –Dyer left last evening for his old home at Forriston, Illinois, where
he will remain until after the holidays.

Shirts cut and made to order by Cook’s system. Mrs. H. E. Damon, residence
between third and fourth, on Eagle street.

We see by the Register that Representative Dent was in that city last week
engaging quarters for the legislative session.

W. F. White was Sunday unanimously chose secretary for the M. E. Sunday
school. A worthy compliment justly bestowed.

Some people may think winter has come in like a lamb. If they are right,
then we’d like to go where winter comes in like a respectable elderly sheep.

Storm Lake Pilot: R. C. Glass and wife, now stationed in LeMars, were in the
city on Thanksgiving day, doing turkey, noting old friends, tying official
knots, etc.

About thirty hundred weight of groceries was shipped from Sioux City to
Oyens on Saturday’s freight. Evidently a new store is being started at the
latter place.

Mrs. J. D. Small Thursday received some very handsome and fragrant Carnation
pinks and rosebuds from Portland, Oregon, picked on Thanksgiving day and
sent to her by Mrs. Ben Campbell.

In the past three months forty children have been buried at Remsen, whose
deaths were caused by diphtheria and many more are suffering with the same
disease, which is in a very malignant form.

The young people of Akron are going to organize an amateur dramatic company,
and expect to give an entertainment shortly. The company will be under the
management of Mr. Heap, a young English amateur, who has recently located in
that place.

The Sentinel learns with sorrow from the Bellevue Leader that Miss Lou Hunt
is helpless with inflammatory rheumatism. Miss Hunt for a long time was a
compositor in this office, and by her ladylike ways and intelligent mind,
won the regard and esteem of all with whom she became acquainted.

Sheldon News: Rev. I. P. Patch, of LeMars, will lecture on “Society, Its
Perils and Safeguards,” at the Sheldon Congregational church, Thursday
evening, Dec. 10. The proceeds of the lecture will be devoted to the
Educational Institute at Pattersonville.

Mrs. Parker and her daughter, Alice, are inclined to talk but very little
since being incarcerated. And while they may not be, and probably are not,
the principals in the late homicide, it is believed that they know more
about it than they are willing to tell, and very wisely they keep closed
lips.