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100 TRIAL OF JOHN W. WEBSTER.
the first to put the light into the hole, where the remains were found.
After we took the body out, we came up, and went. into the laboratory;
the door was open on the lower floor. Mr. Trenholm, the Marshal, Mr.
Littlefield, and myself, were there I went in, first, I believe. I found
4 pan of sand, on the right side of the furnace, where the bones were
found; saw the furnace, which was covered over with a soap-stone cover,
and minerals. I put my hand into the furnace, and took out a piece of
coal, and found a piece of burnt bone, adhering to it. The Marshal said,
Don't trouble anything, there.
I was sent by the Marshal, to Cambridge; I took a coach, and, in com-
pany with Officers Starkweather, and Spurr, went out there. We
stopped the coach, a few rods from Dr. Webster's house. I went ahead;
and, as I got to the gate, I met the Doctor on the front steps, showing
a gentleman out of his house. The gate was open; I passed in. I spoke
to the Doctor, before he got into his house, and told him, that we were
about to search the College, again, that evening, and wished him to be
present. He went into his library, and put on his boots, coat, and hat.
We were not in the house, two minutes. As we passed out, the Doctor
said, "I should like to go back for my keys." I told him, that it was
not necessary, as we had keys enough to unlock the College. He said,
` "Very well," and we got into the coach.
I don't recollect, that Dr. Webster said anything, as we walked to
the carriage. I told the driver to go over Cragie's Bridge, through East
Cambridge. I tried to have a free conversation, and a part of the time,
we conversed about the contemplated railroad to Cambridge. We also
talked, of the efforts which had been used to find the body of Dr. Park-
nan. I told him, what distances we had sent; and the stories that had
been told, as to his being seen. He said, "There -is a lady over there,"
(pointing towards the Port,) "a Mrs. Bent, who knows something about
it.-Suppose, we ride over there." I told him, that we had better post-
pone it, to some other time. Dr. Webster said,-(I don't recollect, what
led to it,)-that he had called at Dr. Parkman's house, about nine o'clock.
on tile morning of the 23d, requesting the Doctor to call at the College,
betwixt one, and two, P. M. He also stated, that the Doctor did call;
'that he paid him $483; and that Dr. Parkman was to cancel a mortgage.
I i`_ aired of Professor Webster, if Dr. Parkman had done so. I think
his answer was, that he did not know. I then asked him, if, in case
it had not been done, and Dr. Parkman was not found, he would be the
loser. I think his answer was, that he presumed, not.
When we arrived near the bridge, the tide was down. I pointed it
out to Professor Webster, and told him, that soundings had been had in
all those waters, above, and below, the bridge. I told him, that a hat
had been found, at the Navy Yard, which was supposed to be Dr. Park-
man's. I do not recollect, that he made any comment, or reply. When
we got to Brighton street, the Doctor said, that we were going the wrong
way. I replied, that the driver might be green, but,he would probably
find his way, to the College, in time.
We arrived opposite the jail-door, at about eight and a half o'clock.
I got out on the off-side, to see if there were any spectators in the jail.
There were none: and I came out, and opened the door, on the near side,
and said, "Gentlemen, I wish you would get out, and come into the
jail-office, a few moments." I did not hear a remark made by any indi-
vidual. We then all got out, and went into the jail-office. After we
had all got into the outer office, I took the lamp, and said, "Gentlemen,
suppose we walk into the inner office." I don't recollect a word being
said, until we had got in there.
The first one that spoke, was Dr. Webster. He turned half round to
me, and said, "What does this mean?" or, "What does all this mean?"
Said I, "Dr. Webster, you recollect that I called your attention, at the
bridge, to soundings having been had, above, and below, the bridge. We
have been sounding in, and about the College, and have done looking
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