|
TRIAL OF JOHN W. WEBSTER.
the office, and seated in a chair. He called for water; but was so agi-
tated that he could not drink. He seemed to thrust the tumbler away
from him, when offered to him, and did not attempt to take it into his
hands.
Mr. Parker, before going down to the jail, had recommended that
none of us should hold conversation with Professor Webster, about his
arrest. Mr. Parker had some conversation, himself, with the defend-
ant, while in the office, about going down to the College: He said to
Dr. Webster, "there have been some discoveries made at the Medical
College, and we have come here to see if you are willing to go down,
and make any explanation of them which you please." I don't recollect
any answer on his part, further than that he consented to go.
Mr. Leighton, the clerk of the jail, and I, went down inside of the
carriage with him to the College. Mr. Cummings, the turnkey of the
jail, went on the outside. When we got into the, coach he was very
much in the same helpless condition, as he had been. We had to help
him in, and lift his feet in, after we had put his body in. I noticed his
perspiration in the office, though not in the lock-up. He had some con-
versation with Mr. Leighton, on the way down, but I don't recollect,
what. I only remember him complaining of being taken away from his
family, and the manner in which it had been done.
When we arrived at the College, he was taken out and led up the
front steps, supported by Leighton and Cummings, I think. I didn't
have hold of him, myself. We entered the College by the south main
door; thence went into his lecture-room, and thence into the back up-
per laboratory. The door leading into this last room had to be broken
open. We then tried to enter the back private room; found it locked.
Inquiry was made for the key; and Professor Webster said, that that
was his private room, where he made his chemical preparations and
kept his dangerous chemicals; he said that he hadn't the key, because
they had taken all his keys away, when they arrested him. The room
was broken open with an axe. Some of the party went in, and I went
in. There was a coat lying near the door. Dr. Webster stood where
he could look in, and said " That was the( coat he wore to lecture in;
that if they were not careful, while they were moving about, they would
break some of the bottles and do great mischief." On the side opposite
the entrance, there were some drawers, which either stuck or were
locked, so that they couldnt' be got opein. They broke open one or two;
and he objected, saying, " you will find nothing there but some demi-
johns and bottles; you will find nothing there of importance;"-and
such wag the fact. A new hatchet was found some where about, and
some other articles, to which I didn't pay much attention.
We then went down stairs into the lower laboratory. I cannot give
the conversation which occurred there; for there were a good many
there; the room was full, and every one was acting in his own way;
besides, I was a stranger to the building, and went there, supposing that
I had another duty to attend to, officially. I remember an inquiry for
the privy-key, and a key being tried into the door, which did not fit.
The door was then broken open, and the seat torn up; but I cannot say
that this last was done at the same time with the other. Some person
inquired, " Where is the chimney that was so heated?" and it was
pointed out. Some one also said, " There is the furnace;" and one of
the party took off the cover, and took up something, which was said to
be bones. I directed him to put it back, and to let everything stay as
it was; and, so far as I know, everything did so remain.
Some one was supporting Professor Webster, by the arms, all this
time. P remember his calling for water in the laboratory, and being so
agitated that he could not drink it. He appeared different from any-
thing that I ever saw before. He seemed like a mad creature. When
the water was put towards him, he would snap at it with his teeth, and
push it away with great violence, without drinking, as if it were
offensive to him. He was more excited in the lower laboratory, than
|
