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Jim Woodall · 12-03-2014, 01:04 AM

(12-01-2014 02:57 PM)L Verge Wrote: As for any more specifics on John Parker's assignment that night, may I wish you all the luck in the world trying to pin that down. Frankly, if two of the greatest Lincoln assassination researchers in the world (James O. Hall and Michael W. Kauffman) couldn't pin it down, I fear they are lost - or so far underground that it will take a miracle to get them released.

Now, before someone goes off on a tangent and decides that my last sentence must indicate a great conspiracy, let me say that the records were supposedly still with the Metro Police until sometime in the 1960s, at which time some tidy supervisor suggested that the files needed to be cleaned out. I have been told by two separate sources that they ended up in the circular file. However, one source (who was then serving as the department's historian) told me that the Parker file and others supposedly were seen in the trash by someone who saved them for his own collection. When I last spoke with the historian (who now has another job), the "owner" was still alive. He did not know - or would not divulge - who the owner was.

I found a blog entry up on Slate discussing the MPD log entries regarding the assassination. Of note, the story of the log book history parallels the comments above. Was this all part of the same incident of house cleaning? If so, maybe the Parker info is now available.

The log book is now back at NARA as of 2008. The NARA link embedded in the article takes you to a magazine, "Prologue", article titled "To Protect and to Server: The Records of the D.C. Metropolitan Police, 1861-1930" by John P. Deeben.

A Clayton · 12-03-2014, 06:52 AM

(12-03-2014 01:04 AM)Jim Woodall Wrote:
(12-01-2014 02:57 PM)L Verge Wrote: As for any more specifics on John Parker's assignment that night, may I wish you all the luck in the world trying to pin that down. Frankly, if two of the greatest Lincoln assassination researchers in the world (James O. Hall and Michael W. Kauffman) couldn't pin it down, I fear they are lost - or so far underground that it will take a miracle to get them released.

Now, before someone goes off on a tangent and decides that my last sentence must indicate a great conspiracy, let me say that the records were supposedly still with the Metro Police until sometime in the 1960s, at which time some tidy supervisor suggested that the files needed to be cleaned out. I have been told by two separate sources that they ended up in the circular file. However, one source (who was then serving as the department's historian) told me that the Parker file and others supposedly were seen in the trash by someone who saved them for his own collection. When I last spoke with the historian (who now has another job), the "owner" was still alive. He did not know - or would not divulge - who the owner was.

I found a blog entry up on Slate discussing the MPD log entries regarding the assassination. Of note, the story of the log book history parallels the comments above. Was this all part of the same incident of house cleaning? If so, maybe the Parker info is now available.

The log book is now back at NARA as of 2008. The NARA link embedded in the article takes you to a magazine, "Prologue", article titled "To Protect and to Server: The Records of the D.C. Metropolitan Police, 1861-1930" by John P. Deeben.

Jim Woodall, thanks for this information. I can tell you just from site that this is an old MPDC log book. MPDC later referred to these types of books as PSS Books; PSS was the acronym for Patrol Signal System. I'll also pass the link along to Chuck Gallagher who maintains an MPDC historical website here: http://www.dcmetropolicecollector.com/

Best regards, Anne Clayton

L Verge · 12-03-2014, 11:01 AM

(12-03-2014 06:52 AM)A Clayton Wrote:
(12-03-2014 01:04 AM)Jim Woodall Wrote:
(12-01-2014 02:57 PM)L Verge Wrote: As for any more specifics on John Parker's assignment that night, may I wish you all the luck in the world trying to pin that down. Frankly, if two of the greatest Lincoln assassination researchers in the world (James O. Hall and Michael W. Kauffman) couldn't pin it down, I fear they are lost - or so far underground that it will take a miracle to get them released.

Now, before someone goes off on a tangent and decides that my last sentence must indicate a great conspiracy, let me say that the records were supposedly still with the Metro Police until sometime in the 1960s, at which time some tidy supervisor suggested that the files needed to be cleaned out. I have been told by two separate sources that they ended up in the circular file. However, one source (who was then serving as the department's historian) told me that the Parker file and others supposedly were seen in the trash by someone who saved them for his own collection. When I last spoke with the historian (who now has another job), the "owner" was still alive. He did not know - or would not divulge - who the owner was.

I found a blog entry up on Slate discussing the MPD log entries regarding the assassination. Of note, the story of the log book history parallels the comments above. Was this all part of the same incident of house cleaning? If so, maybe the Parker info is now available.

The log book is now back at NARA as of 2008. The NARA link embedded in the article takes you to a magazine, "Prologue", article titled "To Protect and to Server: The Records of the D.C. Metropolitan Police, 1861-1930" by John P. Deeben.

Jim Woodall, thanks for this information. I can tell you just from site that this is an old MPDC log book. MPDC later referred to these types of books as PSS Books; PSS was the acronym for Patrol Signal System. I'll also pass the link along to Chuck Gallagher who maintains an MPDC historical website here: http://www.dcmetropolicecollector.com/

Best regards, Anne Clayton

We were aware that the police log book had been turned over to NARA a few years back, but unfortunately, the Parker file was separate and is still missing. BTW: It sure made me feel old when I went on Mr. Gallagher's website and saw that Nick Breul is now retired! He's the one that I dealt with earlier and was very nice and very interested in getting history right.

A Clayton · 12-03-2014, 01:36 PM

(12-03-2014 11:01 AM)L Verge Wrote:
(12-03-2014 06:52 AM)A Clayton Wrote:
(12-03-2014 01:04 AM)Jim Woodall Wrote:
(12-01-2014 02:57 PM)L Verge Wrote: As for any more specifics on John Parker's assignment that night, may I wish you all the luck in the world trying to pin that down. Frankly, if two of the greatest Lincoln assassination researchers in the world (James O. Hall and Michael W. Kauffman) couldn't pin it down, I fear they are lost - or so far underground that it will take a miracle to get them released.

Now, before someone goes off on a tangent and decides that my last sentence must indicate a great conspiracy, let me say that the records were supposedly still with the Metro Police until sometime in the 1960s, at which time some tidy supervisor suggested that the files needed to be cleaned out. I have been told by two separate sources that they ended up in the circular file. However, one source (who was then serving as the department's historian) told me that the Parker file and others supposedly were seen in the trash by someone who saved them for his own collection. When I last spoke with the historian (who now has another job), the "owner" was still alive. He did not know - or would not divulge - who the owner was.

I found a blog entry up on Slate discussing the MPD log entries regarding the assassination. Of note, the story of the log book history parallels the comments above. Was this all part of the same incident of house cleaning? If so, maybe the Parker info is now available.

The log book is now back at NARA as of 2008. The NARA link embedded in the article takes you to a magazine, "Prologue", article titled "To Protect and to Server: The Records of the D.C. Metropolitan Police, 1861-1930" by John P. Deeben.

Jim Woodall, thanks for this information. I can tell you just from site that this is an old MPDC log book. MPDC later referred to these types of books as PSS Books; PSS was the acronym for Patrol Signal System. I'll also pass the link along to Chuck Gallagher who maintains an MPDC historical website here: http://www.dcmetropolicecollector.com/

Best regards, Anne Clayton

We were aware that the police log book had been turned over to NARA a few years back, but unfortunately, the Parker file was separate and is still missing. BTW: It sure made me feel old when I went on Mr. Gallagher's website and saw that Nick Breul is now retired! He's the one that I dealt with earlier and was very nice and very interested in getting history right.

L Verge - Thanks very much for your response re: Nick Breul, former MPDC, and now Dir of Sec at National Cathedral, I understand. Interestingly, I heard just this morning that there is a meeting, this morning, of the committee that is working on the MPDC museum. I also understand that Maurice Cullinane, former MPDC Chief of Police, may be there. I would give my eye teeth to be in attendance.

Jim Woodall, I contribute to Chuck's site - Chuck does the collecting and posting, and I've done some research for him, and answered some questions. He's very approachable, if you have questions, and is careful to make attributions to those providing information or photos that he posts on his site. Chuck Gallagher is currently a sworn police officer in MA.

Best regards to all, Anne Clayton

Jim Woodall · (This post was last modified: 12-04-2014 07:24 AM by Jim Woodall.)

Anne Clayton - Thanks for posting the link. I had previously visited his site in looking for further information on two relatives from the early MPD. One is Captain William Thomas Anderson(often referred to as Captain Thomas Anderson) who did not join until 1873 and was a member of the force for 47 years just barely eeking out a lengthier service than his cousin, the last of the original members from 1861, Lingan B. Anderson.

Lingan had served, at times, on White House duty where he had fond memories of President Lincoln. He also searched for Booth out in Anacostia. He supposedly wore badge number 1. I see from the link that the website has 4 pictures of Lingan including the mounted picture and one other which also appear in the Washington Post full page article from 19 August 1917 on pg. 4.

For those who have read my postings discussing relatives associated with Mary Surratt, I had relatives on the other side, as well. Angel

Another site that has many MPD service records listed is Bytes of History

A Clayton · 12-04-2014, 07:27 AM

(12-04-2014 06:57 AM)Jim Woodall Wrote: Anne Clayton - Thanks for posting the link. I had previously visited his site in looking for further information on two relatives from the early MPD. One is Captain William Thomas Anderson(often referred to as Captain Thomas Anderson) who did not join until 1873 and was a member of the force for 47 years just barely eeking out a lengthier service than his cousin, the last of the original members from 1861, Lingan B. Anderson.

Lingan had served, at times, on White House duty where he had fond memories of President Lincoln. He also searched for Booth out in Anacostia. He supposedly wore badge number 1. I see from the link that the website has 4 pictures of Lingan including the mounted picture and one other which also appear in the Washington Post full page article from 19 August 1917 on pg. 4.

For those who have read my postings discussing relatives associated with Mary Surratt, I had relatives on the other side, as well.

Another site that has many service records listed is Bytes of History

You're welcome. I did those pics for Chuck, and I have the large news article, to which I think you refer, cropped down, making it a bit easier to read. It's in pdf format, and would be happy to email it to you, along with the edited photos. Do you have stories about Lingan and William Thomas Anderson. Were they brothers?

Best regards, Anne Clayton