Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 37   Enlarge and print image (64K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
clear space clear space clear space white space


 

Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 37   Enlarge and print image (64K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
TRIAL OF JOHN W. WEBSTER. 37 a chisel and I got him a hammer. He took them and went to the Col- lege, and I did not see him again. I knew Dr. Parkman, and saw him that day; but can't tell, at what time. He had been in the habit of coming into our counting-room, almost every day; and I had known him for the last ten years. He was a very prompt man. I did not notice anything peculiar in his appear- ance that day, different from usual. Cross-examined by Mr. Sohier.-I did not see Dr. Parkman at the time my brothers did; but in Court street the middle or earlier part, of the day. I don't recollect his dress, particularly. Paul Holland sworn,-examined by Mr. Clifford. I am a grocer. I used ~to keep at the corner of Vine and Blossom streets, but do not, at present. I saw Dr. George Parkman last, Friday, the 23d day of November. He came into my store in Blossom street, and bought thirty-two pounds of crushed sugar and six pounds of butter, which I agreed to send home. He brought in a paper-bag. While in the store, he had some conversa- tion with some one else, and, before going out, asked permission to leave the bag for a ` few " minutes, or " five " minutes, I don't remem- ber which. He gave no directions about the other things, but said he would call for the bag. I suggested that I would wind the other things home that afternoon. That was just as he was going out of the store; and he bent over and said that that would do, and spoke about calling for the bag. I sent the other things up to his house in Walnut street, that afternoon, but the bag remained in the shop till evening, and I found on opening it, that it contained green lettuce. I heard of the Doctor's being missing, Saturday afternoon, from Mr. Kingsley and others, Mr. Calvin Moore was in the store at the time that Dr. Parkman was. The bag of lettuce remained in the store till Saturday afternoon, when Mr. Kingsley called to inquire about Dr. Parkman. I was not in, when Mr. Kingsley first called. My clerk was not in when Dr. Parkman called, but had gone to dinner. He usually goes at one, and returns at two or quarter past, and then I go. I can- not say how long it was after the Doctor went out on Friday, before the clerk returned. Cross-examined by Mr. Sohier.--Dr. Parkman did not appear to be in a hurry. He had on a black frock-coat, but no overcoat. His pants were black and I think he had on a black cravat,-either silk or satin,- and a black hat. Tabez Pratt, sworn,-examined by Mr. Bemis. I am one of the coroners of this county. I was called upon, by officer Spurr , on the evening of the 30th of November, between :nine and ten o'clock, to go to the Medical College and see certain remains which had been found. I went with him to the house of Samuel D. Parker, Esq., the County Attorney, and thence in company with him, Dr. Martin Gay, and some others, to the jail in Leverett street. I saw Professor Webster in the lock-up under the jail-office. Previously to this time, I had had a warrant put into my hands for his arrest, issued by the justice before whom the complaint had been made. When I went into the lock-up, Professor Webster was lying on his face in the berth apparently in very great distress. Dr. Gay said some- thing to him; desired him to be calm and requested him to get up. He said that he wag unable to get up. They helped him out of the berth. He was very much agitated, and trembled and shook all over; more than any person whom I ever saw, He exclaimed, " What will become of my poor family ! Afterwards, two of the officers took hold of him, and had to pretty much carry him up stairs. He was nearly helpless, so far as the use of his limbs was concerned. He was taken up into