Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 64   Enlarge and print image (59K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
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Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 64   Enlarge and print image (59K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
64 TRIAL OF JOHN W. WEBSTER. Mr. Fuller took the thigh out from the thorax. I brushed off some of the tan from the chest, and saw the hole there, already cut. I saw it, at once; and remember saying to Mr. Fuller, that it was about the size of the jack-knife, which he had found. Cross-examined by Mr. Sohier.-I do not mean the sheath-knife, or yataghan; but that which was found in the tea-chest. It was shut up, at the time; but I had opened it, and had it in my hand. I put my fingers into the hole; think, that it was upon the left side. I brushed or scraped off the tan with my hand. There were some six of us present at the time,-Fuller, Heath, Rice, &c. I took hold, and lifted up the thorax; but with no more force, than enough to take up a piece of paper. The tea-chest was filled up with minerals, in papers. I should think that there was more than one tier of them. I did not turn the body over, myself; only saw it turned over. I was at the College every day but Friday, (the 30th,) for many weeks. It being now twenty minutes of seven, P. M., the Court adjourned to Friday morning, at nine o'clock. FOURTH DAY.-Friday, March 22d. The Court came in, at nine o'clock. The jury having been called, proceedings commenced. Ephraim Littlefield, sworn,-examined by Mr. Bemis. I am janitor of the Medical College; superintend the building, make the fires, and do the sweeping and dusting. I have been employed in that capacity, seven years; four years, at the old, Mason street College, and three years, at the new, in North Grove street. I have known Dr. Webster, seven years, last October; since my first connection with the College. I had known Dr. Parkman, twenty years. I was present at an interview between Dr. Parkman and Dr. Web- ster, on Monday of the week of his disappearance; the 19th of the month, I think. It was in Dr. Webster's back private room. It was somewhat dark in that room, though not dark, out of doors. I was helping Dr. Webster, who had three or four candles burning in the room. - The Doctor stood at a table, looking at a chemical book, and appeared to be reading; his back towards the door. I stood by the stove, stirring some water, in which a solution was to be made. I never heard a footstep; but the first I saw, Dr. Parkman came into the back room, from the door leading from the lecture-room into the back room. Dr. Webster looked round, and appeared surprised to see him enter so suddenly. The first words he said, were, " Dr. Webster, are you ready for me, to-night? " Dr. Parkman spoke quick and loud. Dr. Webster made answer, " No, I am not ready t07night, Doctor." Dr. Parkman said something else; but what it was, I don't recollect. He either accused Dr. Webster of selling something that had been mortgaged before, or of mortgaging it a second time; or something like that. He took some papers out of his pocket. Dr. Webster said, " I was not aware of it." Dr. Parkman said, " It is so, and you know it." Dr. Webster told him, " I will see you, to-morrow, Doctor." Dr. Parkman stood then .near the door; he put his hand up, and said, " Doctor, some- thing must be accomplished to-morrow." He then went out, and it was the last time that I saw him in the building. About half-past one, P. M., the next day, I was standing in front of the College, and Dr. Webster came up, and asked me, " If I was busy, or could carry a note to Dr. Parkman? " " If you are," said he, " you must get some one to carry it for me;", but he pressed me to carry it