I suspect that Col. Parker had prewar connections in St. Louis. He may have known or was related to the people who helped him. Of course, they may have helped simply because he was a Coonfederate officer. I'm still looking but coming up empty, so far. These are some of the St. Louis details (clues). It is also possible that he had Washington Co. connections, since he went to Potosi first. (This sounds like a James Bond movie)
I don't want to clutter the Message Board so I won't post again unless I find something important. Any help appreciated.
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Message from informant:
Mrs. Morris took to Potosi 2 Rebel uniforms, a Rebel flag and wollens.
Col. B. F. Parker was at Mrs. Washburn's home and Mr. Washburn took him at night to Donovan's - witnesses Rosa Kelly & Young Donovan & family.
Col. - Mr. Washburn harbored Parker and furnished him money to get here and clothes. He is a bad traitor. Miss Kelly knows that Parker was at W. - but refuses to tell on him, she is badly frightened.
Washburn, Washington and Kelly are all connected.
Patrick
May 1863 - Provost Marshal file 5013
(I've seen other informant messages in St. Louis signed "Patrick")
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Another note says that witnesses are Frank Donovan and D. Washington.
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Witnesses:
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Mathew Washburn was b. in 1819 in Mass. or NY. He m. Eliza Jane Morris 29 June 1841 in St. Louis. Washburn was a carpenter. His wife says that she is Southern and her husband is a Union man. She would like to see Price "take St. Louis".
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Malinda Morris - Mother in law of Mathew Washburn, was b. in 1803 in KY. She is with Mathew Washburn and his wife Eliza Jane in the 1860/1860/1880 St. Louis Census. She said she saw Parker when he was in prison but not since. (What was she doing at Alton Prison?)
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Mrs. Lizzie Ivers - Married to Charles Ivers. He maiden name is Pickering. He has a long Provost Marshal record. He made trips to Mobile. He died of consumption in 1861.
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Miss Rose Kelly
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Dr. Washington mentioned - There was a Doctor J.R. Washington and a Dentist Chas. Washington in St. Louis.
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Daniel H. Donovan - Influential businessman and former political appointee. Strong Confederate sympathiser. Procured salt for the Rebels in Mobile.
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The witnesses were also asked about the following people, but they may have been just fishing:
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1. Absalom C. Grimes - Confederate mail carrier and prison escape artist. He escaped 5 times, but was killed on the 6th. Grimes was an agent with the Confederate secret service under General Price. He was a close friend of Mrs. Lizzie Ivers. They went to school together. Elizabeth Ivers is in the 1860 St Louis Census. She is 19 and married to Charles Ivers. She is living with the Charles Pickering family. She was a Pickering. Dad was b. in PA mom was b. in VA.
2. Capt. Smith - had been in Alton Prison.
4. Robert Louden - Confederate mail carrier.
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