Almarin Cooley Richards

[RJNorton]

Laurie mentions Parker. I think the most peculiar thing regarding Parker is what happened afterwards. Otto Eisenschiml writes as follows:

"That Parker seriously failed in his duty during the performance of Our American Cousin is a matter beyond dispute, but it is not exactly known to what extent he was technically guilty. On May 1, 1865, A. C. Richards, superintendent of the Metropolitan Police Force, preferred charges of neglect of duty against him, the specification reading as follows:

In this, that Said Parker was detailed to attend and protect the President Mr. Lincoln, that while the President was at Fords Theatre on the night of the 14 of April last, Said Parker allowed a man to enter the Presidents private Box and Shoot the President.

As witnesses were cited A. C. Richards himself and Charles Forbes of the President's house.

The police archives afford no proof that Parker was really tried. If any transcripts of the case existed, they have been removed, and even the eventual findings of the Board are available only through subsequent records. These show that, although Parker was tried on May 3, the complaint was dismissed on June 2, 1865. The minutes of this trial before the Board would make one of the most interesting chapters in the story of Lincoln's assassination.

Can anyone offer an explanation of this? How in the world could all the information and details of what happened with this case against Parker mysteriously disappear?