John Wilkes Booth and John Parker on the Crossroads of History

[Dave Taylor]

History Channel is trying their luck at a late night comedy block. Weird, I know, but it is an interesting way to present history to an entertainment driven public. Last night the short show "Crossroads of History" presented a hypothetical scenario in which the policeman assigned to Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre, John Parker, was chatting up John Wilkes Booth at the Star Saloon in the moments before the assassination. The product is a humorous imagining of what their interaction could have been like. Fans of TV show "The Office" will recognize two of accountants from that show in main roles in this short.

http://www.history.com/shows/night-class...ry-lincoln

Frankly I found it very funny, especially the parts when the ladies were fawning over Edwin Booth. John Wilkes' reaction was priceless.

[BettyO]

Thanks, Dave! This one is a keeper....especially loved the "silhouette" sequence....hysterical! Where's Gardner?! No such thing as photographers in 1865?! Could just see him doing silouettes of the hanging -

[richard petersen]

Thanks

Parker and the bartender were both stars in the TV show "The Office"

[Dennis Urban]

Gotta love good satire. Most scenes were priceless. Love the two unescorted ladies in the bar; not likely. They would never be there unless plying their trade. The collar on Parker's shirt with the white showing in the center almost made him like like he was wearing a clerical collar. Do we know what Parker really looked like? I don't recall ever seeing an image of him. Female barmaid? No likely either.

[RJNorton]

Do we know what Parker really looked like? I don't recall ever seeing an image of him.

I second you, Dennis. I have never seen a picture, and offhand do not recall ever even seeing a physical description.

The descriptions I have seen don't involve what he looked like but rather relate to his job performance. In Decapitating the Union, John Fazio writes, "He (Parker) was charged, at various times, with insubordination, conduct unbecoming an officer, loafing on the beat, intoxication while on duty, insulting a lady, use of profanity, and arresting prostitutes after they had refused to grant him their favors gratis." John also lists other charges Parker faced including "firing a pistol in a brothel, otherwise than in the line of duty."

[Dennis Urban]

Do we know what Parker really looked like? I don't recall ever seeing an image of him.

I second you, Dennis. I have never seen a picture, and offhand do not recall ever even seeing a physical description.

The descriptions I have seen don't involve what he looked like but rather relate to his job performance. In Decapitating the Union, John Fazio writes, "He (Parker) was charged, at various times, with insubordination, conduct unbecoming an officer, loafing on the beat, intoxication while on duty, insulting a lady, use of profanity, and arresting prostitutes after they had refused to grant him their favors gratis." John also lists other charges Parker faced including "firing a pistol in a brothel, otherwise than in the line of duty."

Interesting how several of the charges involve ladies of the night and brothels. Firing the pistol in a brothel should not be a chargeable offense; have to get their attention somehow.

[LincolnMan]

Thr meeting of Booth and Parker in the saloon before the assassination act (if it really happened) is one of the most ironic moments in the story of events, I think.