Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 56   Enlarge and print image (63K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
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Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 56   Enlarge and print image (63K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
56 TRIAL OF JOHN W. WEBSTER. of the counsel for the Government, and the City Marshal, when the latter delivered them to the former, under seal, and the seal was broken by the Attorney General., I have had them in my custody since. They struck me, at once, when I first looked at them, a.s the teeth made for Dr. Parkman. The general shape was the same. I find a hole through the block, at the same point as we were accustomed to make it: In look- ing it over carefully, on the inside, I noticed a surface, which appeared to have been ground. The moment that I saw it, I recollected that that block of Dr. Parkman's had been ground in that way. I saw Dr. Keep grind it. The grinding did not reach quite down to the plate, as this does not.-(Showing the left lower block.) The grinding was done after the Doctor went to the Medical College opening. I have good reason to believe that these are Dr. Parkman's teeth, as I have to believe any fact within my knowledge. I have not tile slightest doubt, that these are the same blocks of teeth which I worked on for Dr. Parkman. I remember the circumstances accompanying their being ordered, because we were obliged to be very prompt, in getting them ready, at the time set. The Doctor was sure to call, at the time he set, for any of his appointments. He had made appointments for trying them in, at several times, and always kept them, punctually. The opening of the Medical College, when President Everett delivered the address, was the time set for the teeth to be done; and I recollect, that, an accident occurred in baking them, we were compelled to sit up nearly all night to finish them. We got them finished, just in time to let the Doctor go over to the College. I went there, myself, and sat, where I could see the Doctor, and observe, if he had occasion to speak, how well he used them. I think the ceremony took place in the early part of November, 1846. I have the impression that Dr. Parkman did not speak; but that, when complimented for his liberality by Governor Everett, he merely acknowledged it with a bow. He might have said a few words, but I rather think not. I understood the compliment to refer to the dona- tion of the land for the College. At this stage of the proceedings, it being two o'clock, P. M., the Court adjourned to three and a half, P. M. Thursday afternoon, March 21st The Court resumed its session at three and a half o'clock. Lester Noble.-Direct, resumed.-It was in the early part of my studies, that I worked on Dr. Parkman's teeth. The first operation towards a set of teeth, is to take the impression in wax. I made the metallic moulds, myself. As there were quite a number of sets of teeth, in process of manufacture at the time, I cannot tell precisely how much time was spent upon this set, in particular; but it must have amounted to a number of days, altogether. I have made the experiment of put- ting mineral teeth into the fire without muffling, and then heating them suddenly, and never knew them fail to crack. I coincide with Dr. Keep, in his statement of the greater danger of those cracking, which have been in wear, and imbibed moisture. This set of Dr. Parkman's had to be annealed again, after being once fitted to his mouth: Some accident happened to them,-I should think about a year, after they were first fitted in. The lower set got bent together, and it became necessary to bind them down, and anneal them to the plate. The mark of the blow-pipe is still visible, on the blocks. [Shows it.] Cross-examination waived. Jeffries Wyman, sworn,-examined by Mr. Bemis. I am a Professor of Anatomy in Harvard College; have been a teacher of anatomy for the last eight years.