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A NOTED MINING MAN PASSES AWAY-1 Death of James F. Parks, One of the Most Expert and Practical Mining Men of Amador County.On Saturday morning a shock was given to the whole community by the news that JamOs F. Parks, the well-known superintendent of the Kennedy mine, was found dead in his room that morning. A bullet wound in his head, and a pistol by his side told the sad tale of how he came to his end. He had been sick for a long time with that fatal malady known as miner's consumption. This insidious disease had sapped the foundations of life, and it was only a question of a few days ere the end would be reached. On Friday the change to cold damp weather affected him seriously, adding much to his discomfort. It was a hopeless strugglewith suffering and disease. There was no other outlet than the grave, and the patient himself was as fully cousciousof this as anyone.On the fatal morning about 7 o’clock, the housekeeper, Mrs. Love, left the sick chamber for a few moments to attend to other household duties. On returning to the room she noticed the deceased stretched across the bed. Approaching closer a quantity of blood on the bedclothes was seen, and furtherexamination showed that the victim$was in a dying condition. A bullet#wound in the right temple was the cause of death. No one in the house heard the report of the pistol. R. I. Kerr and C. M. Belshaw were sent for; when they arrived life was extinct.Coroner Huberty held an inquest the same morning, with the following named persons sworn as jurors: W. G. Thompson, C. W. Freeman, J. R, Smallfield, C. M. Kelly, S. N. Spag-noli and L. J. Fontenrose.The witnesses examined were Dr. A. M. Gall, the family physician, Mrs. Sarah A. Love and R. I. Kerr. The witnesses stated that the deceased had never in his con versation made any remarks that would convey tho idea that he ever contemplated suicide. The pistol was left in the room at the deceased’s request. It had been taken from the room once, and he noticed its absence, and insisted that it be returned, and to pacify him it was restored. No importance was attached to this incident, as the deceased for a number of years had been accustomed to having a weapon.Mrs. Love testified that Mr. Parks rose shortly after 7 o’clock Saturday morning, and dressed himself as usual. Shortly afterward he told her that he would like to have a glass of cold water. She thereupon left the room, and went to the ice chest to prepare the water. Returning with it, she noticed a strong smell of powder. Entering the room, Mr. Parks was seen lying on the bed,and her first impression was that hehad fallen in a fainting spell. She went to raise him up, aud then noticed blood dripping from the back of his hoad. The smell of powder was much stronger on throwing back the bed clothing. Probably the weapon was muffled by the bed clothing for the purpose of deadening the sound. By the time that others were able to reach the 6cene the victim was dead. The pistol was held close to the right temple, the ball lodging inside the skull on the left side of the head. The wound would cause death in a few* minutes. Only ten minutes elapsed from the time that Mrs. Love left the sick chamber and her re-entry. No writing was left to throw any light on tho tragedy. The jury returned a verdict that death was caused by a wound in tho head, caused by a pistol shot fired by the deceased.In the death of Mr. Parks Amador county has lost one of the most efficient and practical mining exports that ever came to this section. For over thirty years he has occupied a prominent place in the management of the mines of this county. Prior to his advent here he was connected with the mine6 of Virginia City and White Pine county, and afterward had charge of the Indian Valley mine in Plumas county. In 1873 he came to Amador county to take charge of the Keystone mine at Amador City. All tho underground development work was intrusted to his care, and under his management the property paid handsome dividends for fourteen years. In 1887 he surrendered his position at the Keystone to take charge as superintendent of the Kennedy mine, and held that position up to the time of his death. To his judgment and foresight is due the fact that the Kennedy has been made tho most lavish bullion producer, and by far the largest employer of labor the county has ever known. He always adopted tho policy of koepiug up development work, and aimed at making the monthly yield as nearly uniform as possible. The life of the Kennedy mine has in no small degree depended upon this policy. The vast ore bodies now opened up to tho east wore discovered by this system of persisted.t prospecting. To his judgmont as a miner is also due the existence of the South Eureka. He was one of the original promoters of that company, and personally superintended the operations until failing health corapolled him to resign. He selected the point where, without quartz croppings of any kind as a guide, the shaft was sunk. No man in Amador county was bettor posted in the conditions of the mother lodo than he. His judgment was always an important factor with mining invostors.James Franklin Parks was born in Cooper county, Missouri, September 9, 1835. In 1855 he crossod tho plains to California, driving an ox team, arriving at Volcano after a journey of four and a half months. His first experience at mining in California was on Kern river, afterward going to Mariposa, whore he gained his first experience in quartz mining at Hornitas.In 1871 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Phebe, a native of England, who survives him. He leaves four children—two sons and two daughters— namely, Lillian, now tho wife of JudgeJohn F. Davis, Samuel Thomas, who is employed at the Kennedy, James F. Parks, who has a responsible mining position in Korea, and Mary Elizabeth, now Mrs. Rradley.Deceased was a member of the I. O.O. F., and also of the A. O. U, W. Funeral services were held at the residence at Kennedy heights on Sunday afternoon, the Rev. J. W. Phelps officiating. The body was forwarded to San Francisco on Monday, it being the deceased's wish that his remains be cremated.Found Dead.An old-timer named Joseph Patterson was found dead on the raucb of J. W. Sibole at Mt. Echo on Monda\T afternoon. The deceased was engaged to chop wood on the Sibole place. He had been working there two or three days. He went to work on the morning of Monday as usual. The circumstances indicated that he had probably worked up to about noon of that day. He lived in a cabin on the land of C. H. Henderson, who kept track of his movements, as he was old and infirm. Failing to return to his cabin Monday evening, Henderson started to look for him.His body was found stretched out dead, a short distance from where he had been working. Marks on the side hill showed where he had apparently slid down hill a short distance. There were no marks of violence about tho body, and all the circumstances pointed to death from natural causes. The coroner was notified, and went to the scene on Tuesday for the purpose of holding an inquest if deemed necessary. Deceased was 71 years of age on the day of his death. He was an old resident of the valley, Having liyed in that vicinity for the past 40 years. He was a single man, and has no relatives in this county, so far as known. He was a native of Maryland.A Sudden DeathJane, wife of James Moore, the well-known cattle man of Jackson valley, died very suddenly at the home near Lancha Plana on Monday last. Her demise was without any premonitory symptoms, and entirely unexpected by her relatives and friends. Her husband was on the cattle range in the mountains above West Point at the time, and was notified by special messenger of the sad event. It seems that Mrs. Moore was in her customary health on Monday morning She visited a sister at the home of R. W. Bar nett, a near neighbor, during the morning, in usual health and spirits. After returning to her own home, relatives from lone called in the afternoon, and found her in an unconscious state. She never regained consciousness, and before medical aid could be summoned she had passed from life to death. Besides a devoted husband, deceased leaves a family of five children, one son and four daughters, all grown up, to mourn her departure. The funeral took place on Wednesday, the remains being buried at lone.The Salve That Healswithout leaving a scar is DeWitt’s.The name Witch Hazel is appled to many salves, but DeWitt’s Witch Hazel Salve is the only Witch Hazel Salve made that contains the pure unadulterated witch hazel. If any other Witch Hazel Salve is offered you it is a counterfeit. E. C. DeWitt invented Witch Hazel Salve aud DeWitt’s Witch Hazel Salve is the best salve in the world for cuts, burns, bruises, tetter, or blind, bleeding, itching and protruding piles. Sold by City Pharmacy. Jackson.More Proclamations.theis-or-AtthePosted outside of the Union hall on Court street may be seen a placard, issued by the Western Federation of Miners from the headquarters of the organization in Colorado. The notice bears the sensational headlines, “Is Liberty Dead.” “The People vs. Military Despotism in Colorado.” The document is incendiary and seditious in its tendency, seeking to inflame the public mind against the action of state authorities in Colorado. The suance of such proclamations by an ganized body is to be deprecated.this distance from the scene of labor troubles in Colorado it is difficult to get a clear idea of the merits of the struggle now in progress at Cripple Creek and other points in that state, which has led to the calling out of the military forces to protect the property and business of the mine owners. In the excitement of a strike, either side is liable to proceed to extremes. Astate government, however, is presumed to act from the best motives, with a view of preserving the pSaee. The issuance of an inflammatory document, like the one in question, by an organized body is a grave mistake. It is intended to shake confidence of the people in the constituted authorities.To circulate such one-sided statements broadcast, beyond the confines of the state whore the trouble exists, is anything but wise.To Cure A Cold In One DayTake Laxative Bromo Quinine Tablets. All druggists refund the money if it fails to cure. E. W. Grove’s signature is on each box. 25c.“Capt. Rackett, “ a laughablo play was presented in Love’s hall last niqht by local amateurs. There was a good attendance and the performers aro said to havo acquitted themselves creditably. The proceeds were for the benefit of St. Augustines Episcopal church.Owing to tho pressure of other engagements, Rabbi Samuelson of San Francisco was unable to be in Jackson last Sunday as expected, to perform the Jewish rites upon the now comer at the Ladar home. Tho interesting event will come off in a few days, tho Rabbipromising to reach Jackson next Monday.Drink El Dorado Brewing Co.’s “Valley Brew.” Seldom equaled, never oxcelled. El Dorado BrewingCo., Stockton, Cal.Nothing will please an invalid as well as a package of those fancy cakes fromCaminetti’s Mkt.Arrangements have been made that taxpayers may ascertain from lists left at the various postoffices in the county,outside of Jackson, the amount required to settle their respective indebtedness on account of state and county taxes for the current year. This will obviate the necessity of a trip to the county seat, and also save a largeamount of correspondence,
Newspaper Details
Jackson Amador Ledger
Jackson, California, US
Fri, Oct 16, 1903
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 26 Apr 2022
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