John Parker

[Dawn E Foster]

(02-18-2013 11:41 AM)Gene C Wrote:  How does this note compare to other samples of Mrs. Lincolns handwriting?
The date of the note sees to coincidental to me.

In Mary Todd Lincoln, Her Life and Letters, Justin G. Turner and Linda Levitt Turner footnote that entry (pg 211) with, "This order and the one which follows were written out for Mrs. Lincoln's signature, which was hastily scrawled." The one which follows is the same order, on the same date, for a Joseph Sheldon. They later (pg 221) note, "Less than two weeks earlier, before rejoining her husband at City Point, Mrs. Lincoln had signed an order detailing Parker for White House guard duty. She was perhaps too elated then by the war news to consider whether an investigation had been made into Parker's qualifications, which were dubious to say the least. It was one of those small lapses destined to have fatal consequences."

[RJNorton]

Hi Craig. Yes, in the book Dawn mentioned above there are lots of notes, etc. she wrote as First Lady signed "Mrs. Lincoln."

[Gene C]

Thanks Dawn & Roger. The fact that she might have signed a note written by a secretary or someone else slipped my mind.

[Craig Hipkins]

Thanks Roger, I checked Ruth Painter Randall's book but could not find anything.

Craig

[Dawn E Foster]

(02-18-2013 02:05 PM)Craig Hipkins Wrote:  Did Mary Lincoln often sign her correspondence "Mrs. Lincoln?" I checked Eisenchiml's book and underneath the facsimile of the letter it states "Original Letter In Possession Of Author." Eisenchiml has been dead for the better part of a half century, does anyone know where the original letter is today? It would be interesting to see what a handwriting expert would say about it's authenticity.

Craig

Sources and locations of the letters

1865

April 3. Certification. MS., Ill. State Hist. Lib., Springfield, Ill.

[L Verge]

Speaking of the Turners, I have always had good intentions of reading their work. Any comments on it?

Roger, would you prefer that I post this under the Books thread?

[RJNorton]

No, right here is fine, Laurie. I think you will enjoy reading Mary's letters with one caveat....be ready for more commas than you've ever seen in your 49 years!

The Turners include a lot of explanatory text, too, which is very helpful.

[Jim Page]

(02-18-2013 02:34 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  I think you will enjoy reading Mary's letters with one caveat....be ready for more commas than you've ever seen in your 49 years!

Wow, Roger; isn't that the truth! I wonder if all those commas she used indicate she spoke in a halting style. I have a relative who speaks that way.

--Jim

[GARY POPOLO]

(02-18-2013 05:23 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Several prominent historians have suggested that Parker was there with the Lincolns more as an escort to and from the theater rather than to provide actual protection. However, if that be the case, why was Parker charged with neglect of duty? In part, the citation read:

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

Wouldn't the citation mean negligence was involved?

Another White House policeman, Tom Pendel, wrote that he asked Parker (as Parker was departing the White House to head to Ford's), "John, are you prepared?" Another officer, Alphonso Dunn, overheard the conversation and said, "Oh Tommy, there is no danger." Pendel replied, "Dunn, you never know what might happen." My take on this conversation was that presidential protection "went with the territory" of Parker's assignment that night.

William H. Crook said of Parker, "Had he done his duty, I believe President Lincoln would not have been murdered by Booth. Parker knew he had failed in duty. He looked like a convicted criminal the next day. He was never the same man afterward."

Thanks to all who answered my question about Mr. Parker. My final thoughts on Parkers (Assignment) that evening was nothing more than total neglect of duty! My next question was going to be if in fact there were any photos of Parker. Looks like that has been already answered.

[Gene C]

Accoridng to the book I'm reading by Elizabeth Keckley, she witnessed Parker acknowledge his neglect to Mrs. Linclon as she gave him a stern tongue lashing a few days following the assassination. (I cringe just thinking about it) Seems strange to me he would go back to duty at the White House. I wonder how he was received by the other staff.

[L Verge]

I believe that American Brutus takes a different slant on John Parker and throws a lot of blame on the story that we know on Pendel and Crook in their later writings.

[Gene C]

Pendel and Crook would know what his job responsabilities were.
At the same time, Parkers actions, or lack of action, reflected badly on all the White House guards.

[J. Beckert]

(02-18-2013 08:12 PM)Gene C Wrote:  Pendel and Crook would know what his job responsabilities were.
At the same time, Parkers actions, or lack of action, reflected badly on all the White House guards.

I agree, Gene. Parker's admission to Mary Lincoln that he never thought someone would harm Lincoln doesn't absolve him of his sin. I believe the Ford's placed a chair for him right outside box #7. Whether he was dismissed by Lincoln or chose on his own to abandon his post, he was- in my opinion- grossly negligent. No record of him even being in the theater or its environs exists after the shot was fired. He dropped the ball.

[Jim Garrett]

I think Parker's overall performance with the Metropolitan Police Department pretty much sums up his qualities as a police officer, guard, etc. He was a bad fit. He took the job with MPD to avoid the draft.

[RJNorton]

(02-19-2013 05:44 AM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  I think Parker's overall performance with the Metropolitan Police Department pretty much sums up his qualities as a police officer, guard, etc. He was a bad fit. He took the job with MPD to avoid the draft.

I once read that Parker was charged with being asleep on a streetcar during the hours that he should have been out walking his beat. However, the charge was dismissed when Parker said that he and another officer had heard ducks squawking and had entered the streetcar to see what all the fuss was about.