Parker’s Story Discredited

Negro Who Says He Felled McKinley’s Assassin Claims to Have Been
Rewarded by Uncle Sam.

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 28.—The story told by James S. Parker, the gigantic negro, who declares that he felled the assassin Czolgosz in Buffalo when President McKinley was shot, to the effect that as a reward for his bravery, Senator Hanna has obtained for him a position as messenger in the United States Senale [sic], is discredited here.
     Parker’s story about his heroism at Buffalo has never been officially accepted. The secret service men declard [sic] that there were five or six individuals in front of Czolgosz [sic] and that he was not near enough to render any assistance to the stricken President or to avenge the crime. His testimony was not considered important enough to be called for at the trial.
     Parker has posed as a hero among the negro population ever since and at Altoona, Pa., announced on Saturday that he had been rewarded. Senator Hanna says that Parker asked him to help him get a position about three or four weeks ago. He referred him to Secretary Cortelyou at the White House with a message to the effect that Mr. Cortelyou should send word to Senator Hanna if he wanted him appointed. That word never came.
     It was stated at the White House this morning that Parker had not been given any federal appointment nor had he been recommended for such by any one connected with the executive branch of the government.