Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 36   Enlarge and print image (66K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
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Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 36   Enlarge and print image (66K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
36 TRIAL OF JOHN W. WEBSTER. out into the street to see if he was going into the counting-room, as I thought he might have business with us, and saw that he did not go into it, but was going past towards the Medical College. Where I last saw him, he was from forty to fifty feet distant from the College. The time was between half-past one and two o'clock, and nearer two. I remained at work, where I was, all the afternoon; did not see the Doctor go back again. My position was such, that I could have seen him if he had gone out either of the two entrances to the College, by Grove street, or Fruit-street place. [The plan exhibiting the location of the Messrs. Fullers' counting-room, with reference to Grove street and Fruit-street place, was here pointed out to the jury and the Court. The attention of the former had been called to the streets and the buildings adjacent to the College, when on the view, in the morning.] I was at work at the open doorway of the foundry, and about seventy feet distant from where Fruit-street place enters Fruit street. As to the time, I remember my brother Elias's inquiry, but do not recollect how shortly after, the Doctor came by. My attention was called to the matter next day, by hearing that the Doctor was missing. I knew .the defendant slightly. He came into our counting-room, the Tuesday after the disappearance, and signed a check for a Mr. Cum- mings., a neighbor. In reply to the Court.-I heard of Dr. Parkman's disappearance, Saturday, the next day after. It was the subject of general conversa- tion in our vicinity. Mr. Littlefield came to our shop, the Friday after the disappearance, a week after; and borrowed some tools of me,-a chisel, bar, and a ham- mer. I cannot positively state the time of day that he called. I think it was afternoon; and the remains were found the same evening. I lent him a chisel; and I think my brother Leonard had previously lent him something, and, at this time, went to get a bar and a hammer for him. [An inquiry, " For what purpose, or what declared purpose, Mr. Littlefield borrowed the tools?" was here ruled inadmissible.] When Mr. Littlefield received the chisel and hammer, he went to the Medical College, and I saw no more of him that night. Kingsley, I think, called on me, to know if Littlefield had borrowed any thing. I cannot say whether Mr. Trenholm was with him or not. I did not go to the College, myself, that afternoon, and don't know what use Mr. Littlefield made of the tools. Dr. Parkman was a very punctual man. We had always found him so, in all our dealings. When Dr. Webster filled out the check, he said something to the effect, that " he saw by the papers, ,that nothing had been heard of Dr. Parkman." Cross-examined by Mr. Sohier.-When I was attending the scales, the Friday afternoon in question, I had some six or eight men at work bringing up the iron to be weighed. I merely- superintended taking off the weights. Where I stood, I could see both sidewalks in Fruit street. I stood sideways to the street, but could see up and down, well. As to the time, I repeat, that it was nearer two, than half-past one. In reply to the Foreman of the Jury.-I had to stoop some,, while at work; but never so much as to prevent my seeing up and down the street. Leonard Fuller, sworn,-examined by Mr. Bemis. I am brother of Albert and Elias, the last witnesses, and work with them in the foundry. I recollect the day of Dr. Parkman's disappearance. Mr. Littlefield came to me that day, after dinner, and wanted to borrow an iron bar. I took a churn-drill, about four feet long, and straightened it, and let him have it. In about an hour, or an hour and a half, he came back, and wanted a hammer and a chisel. He had his coat off and was sweaty, and his clothes were covered with dirt. My brother Albert handed hint