At Green Lake, Nobody Had a Reputation Quite Like Rev. Parker's

J. A. L. Parker had a very bad reputation in the Green Lake community where he lived, according to testimony in Judge Dangler's court yesterday in the settlement of Parker's account of the estate of his deceased wife. Wallingford was the only witness permitted to testify as to Parker's reputation. Parker's counsel claimed to be taken by surprise and objected to reputation being brought in while the hearing was in progress. The court sustained the objection until after Wallingford had testified. Wallingford said he had known Parker since he went to Green Lake. On examination he was asked: 'Is his general reputation for truth and veracity in the community in which he lives good?' 'It's bad,' he answered. 'Would you believe him under oath?' 'I most certainly would not.' Wallingford's direct examination continued about two minutes, but his testimony was fast. Parker's counsel grew a little excited, and Parker conveniently absented himself from the room. 'Who have you heard speak of Parker?' 'Everybody's talked about him.' 'Tell some particular people who spoke of him,' insisted the lawyer. 'C. P. Stone has told me he's a liar and a hypocrite. Dr. E. C. Ellis says he's a thief and a rascal. Mr. Stewart, of the Fremont Mill, has remarked that Parker is a—— rascal and a——d thief. In fact, Parker's bad reputation has been the general subject of conversation at Green Lake for years. Parker can get all the reputation he wants out there.' 'Others can get a reputation at Green Lake, too, can't they?' sneered the lawyer. 'Yes, but none that's equal to Rev. Parker's,' answered Wallingford. When asked for the names of other persons who had given Parker a bad reputation, Wallingford mentioned his brother-in-law, W. D. Wood, who had said Parker was 'a bad egg'; Contractor Wells; and Deputy Customs Collector McDonald. Probably 100 others considered Parker's reputation bad. 'I came here,' said Wallingford, 'to testify to that which every other person in Green Lake will testify to if you get them here.' When Wallingford left the stand, C. P. Stone was called, but his attorney thought the plaintiffs should not show up Parker's bad reputation because the attack had been made upon his client rather suddenly and because, from the pleadings, there was no necessity for such an attack. If the court was going to allow witnesses to testify against Parker, the reverend gentleman would have to ask for a continuance in order that he, too, could bring a few witnesses who would tell what good reputation he enjoyed in the community. He hinted that the animus of someone had prompted the attack on Mr. Parker's reputation. Parker's lawyer denied that such was the truth. He was just trying to get at the facts in the case. Parker had claimed that he had turned over all his effects to the special administrator, which was denied by Mrs. Kellogg and the special administrator. He had made more statements which were contradicted. One of the first witnesses called in the afternoon was Mrs. Herta Sandell, who resided near the Parker residence at Green Lake and who had been employed by the Parkers at various times as a servant. She testified that one day after Mrs. Parker's death Mrs. Kellogg, the mother-in-law of the deceased, took her into Mr. Parker's room, opened a trunk and showed her a large amount of silverware and jewelry, which she said Mr. Parker had accused someone of stealing. The valuables were supposed to have belonged to the deceased, Mrs. Parker. Mrs. Kellogg, the witness said, had the key to the trunk, and after exhibiting its contents locked it, and the two went downstairs. Later Mrs. Kellogg and the witness left the house together, and, so far as the witness knew, Mrs. Kellogg did not go upstairs again. Another witness was Clara May Kellogg, sister of the deceased Mrs. Parker and daughter of Mrs. Kellogg. She said she attended the wedding of her sister and Mr. Parker at Omaha. A great many articles of value belonging to Mrs. Parker personally were not at the Green Lake residence at the time of death. They consisted of a silver pitcher, knives and spoons and other silverware, together with a number of pieces of household furniture. The silverware in almost every instance was marked with the deceased's initials. The trunk she saw was on the day that Mrs. Webster, Mrs. Sandell and herself looked in the trunk in October, 1894. Later, on cross-examination, the witness said she had a distinct recollection of each piece of furniture and silverware referred to, and was positive that it was in the trunk on October 31, 1894, the day that Mrs. Kellogg exhibited it to them. The special administrator had no further evidence to introduce against Parker. The defense then put Parker on the stand. He testified as to several transactions in which he had been concerned, and announced that he would take the matter under advisement.