Through Five Administrations

[RJNorton]

Hi Bill. I will quote from Mike Kauffman's American Brutus. Mike's opinion, as stated here, represents what I have read from several leading experts.

"He (Parker) had been assigned to the White House on detached service to the commissioner of public buildings, and was paid out of the Interior Department budget to protect the building and its furnishings - not the president. Mr. Lincoln had never been guarded in the theater before, and if anyone had suggested he be accompanied by guards on Good Friday, he undoubtedly would have rejected the idea."

According to this theory Parker's job was simply to escort the president to the theater, and once the presidential party was safely seated, Parker was on his own until the play was over. Parker spent at least part of the time drinking next door (as did Forbes and Burke).

Personally I tend to disagree and think Parker shirked his duty and should have been held accountable for blowing off his assignment (as I feel his job as a police officer was to protect Lincoln). Although William Hanchett and others consider Crook's reminisces to be more myth than fact, I do agree with Crook's opinion on Parker.

Toia mentioned that Mary Lincoln blamed Parker. According to Elizabeth Keckly Mary was overheard blaming him (Parker) for her husband's murder. Soon after the assassination Parker was the guard assigned to protect Mrs. Lincoln one night. She yelled at him, "So you are on guard tonight - on guard in the White House after helping to murder the president." Parker replied, "Pardon me, but I did not help to murder the president... I could never stoop to murder - much less to the murder of so good and great a man as the president." Mrs. Lincoln indicated she didn't believe him. Parker then continued, "I did wrong, I admit, and have bitterly repented... I did not believe any one would try to kill so good a man in such a public place, and the belief made me careless. I was attracted by the play, and did not see the assassin enter the box." Mrs. Lincoln told him she would always believe he was guilty and with a wave of her hand, she motioned for him to leave the room.

To this day Parker's exact location at the time of the shooting remains unknown. He was not seen again until 6:00 A.M. the next morning.