Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 69   Enlarge and print image (67K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
clear space clear space clear space white space


 

Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 69   Enlarge and print image (67K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
TRIAL OF JOHN W. wEBSTER. Dr. W ebster went on to say, that he counted the money down to Dr. Parkman, on his lecture-room table; that Dr. Parkman grabbed the money up, without counting it and ran up, as fast as he could, two steps at a time, the steps upon. which the seats are elevated in the lec- ture-room; and, that Dr. Parkman said, that he would go immediately to Cambridge, and discharge the mortgage. Dr. Webster continued:- " I suppose he did; but I have not been over to the Registry of Deeds, to see. The Doctor said, further, that the first he knew o€ Dr. Parkman's being missing, he read it in the Transcript. He said, that he had come over to see about it; and that he was the unknown man, that was to meet Dr. Parkman, alluded to in the notice in the Transcript. I under- stood him to say, that he had been to see the Rev. Francis Parkman. He then went away, saying nothing more. Usually, when Dr. Webster talks to me he holds his head up, and looks me in the face. At this time, he held his head down, and appeared to be confused, and a good deal agitated. I never saw him so, before; that is, look as he did: my attention was attracted to it. I saw his face, and I thought that he looked pale. [The counsel for the Government proposed to ask the witness, If, from the unusual manner of Dr. Webster, he did not take occasion to speak of it? To this, the counsel for the defence objected, and the question was passed over.] I noticed agitation in his manner; he looked pale. I cannot say, which way he went; to the best of my recollection, he went towards Cambridge street. He did not go to the College. On Monday, I could not get into Dr. Webster's room to make up his fires: I triŽd twice. The first that I knew of his being fn, the College that morning, my wife told me that Dr. Samuel Parkman had been there, and had gone up to see Dr. Webster. I asked her, how he got in? since the doors were all kept locked. She said, that she tried the laboratory-stairs door, and found it unlocked. I went right up by this door, through the laboratory, into the back room, and saw Dr. Samuel Parkman and Dr. W ehster talking together. I can't say, whether there was a fire in the stove. Dr.. Webster was in the lecture-room; Dr. Samuel Parkman, near by, in the .door-way. The parties were talking about Dr. George Parkman. I heard some conversation about some money; heard Dr. -Webster say, that Dr. George Parkman was very angry. I did not stop more than half a minute. I went down stairs, and soon the front- door bell rang. I did not see Dr. Samuel Parkman go away. I went to the front door, and it was a gentleman who had specs on; he asked for Dr. Webster. The gentleman, I did not know, though I have since ascertained that it was Mr. Parkman Blake. I told him that Dr. Webster was in. He said he wanted to see hint. I asked him hjs name, so that I could carry it to Dr. Webster. I took the key to unlock Dr. Webster's lecture-room door. I found it unlocked, but bolted on the inside. I told him that I could not get in that way, but that I would go round the other way, by the laboratory-stairs. I went up stairs, and told Dr. Webster that Mr. Blake wanted to see him. He was stand- ing by the table, and did not answer, at first. He seemed to hesitate, but finally said, you may let him in. I unbolted the door, and let Mr. Blake in. It might have been about half-past ten o'clock. I cannot tell how long he stayed, .nor what was their conversation. About half-past eleven I went again to the laboratory-stairs door, to go up and wait upon the Doctor, but found it fastened. I think that it was about twelve o'clock, on that day, (Monday) that 7 was upon the front steps, and saw Mr. coming up the steps, to the front door. the bell or.not. I went down to speak Kingsley and Mr. Starkweather I can't tell whether they rang to them. Kingsley says, 11 Mr. Littlefield, we have came to look round the College. We cannot trace Dr. Parkman anywhere, but here." I offered to show him any, pate