THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, March 1, 1923
What the coroner's jury called a fatal accident, but what others describe as a killing, occurred at the rock pits of the F. F. Smith Company near Harwood in Volusia County Saturday morning last, by which a citizen of Flagler County met almost instant death.
From all that can be learned .Mr. J. B. Parker, superintending the loading of cars at the pit, had some words with a colored man by the name of White, and receiving some insolent rejoinder he picked up a shovel and made as if to strike the Negro.
The coroner's jury adduced the fact that in making the swing with the shovel Mr. Parker lost his balance fell from the car and striking the ground in such a manner as to crush in the back of his skull and also breaking his neck, exonerating the Negro of all blame.
Investigators from Bunnell make the claim that Mr. Parker was struck on the head with a rake in the Negro’s hands, knocked from the car and was killed by having the skull fractured from the blow.
They also claim that the rake handle was broken from the force of the blow and that blood and strands of Parker's hair were on the rake when it was examined by them Saturday morning after the coroner had rendered his decision.
The affair has cast a gloom over all Flagler County, for Mr. Parker was well and favorably known throughout this section. He was known as a peaceable citizen, and has been in charge of many gangs of men without having ever had any trouble ill the past. He leaves a wife four children, Rea, Earl, Pearl and Gladys to mourn the loss of a loving husband and father. His body was buried Tuesday at Daytona.
