Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 100   Enlarge and print image (60K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
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Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 100   Enlarge and print image (60K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
102 TRIAL OF JOHN W. WEBSTER. The first search of the prisoner's house was made on Saturday morn- ing, December 1st. I go-t Mr. Charles Cunningham to accompany me, as I thought that it would be a disagreeable business, to go alone. We found this bank-book in a drawer in ,the library. [Witness produced a small memorandum-book, apparently used for the purpose of keeping the prisoner's account with the Charles-River Bank.] Our search, otherwise, did not amount to anything; that is, we did not get what we went for. We searched the library, very closely, behind the books on the shelves, &c. We also searched the trunk, in which the notes and account were afterwards found; but I saw no papers there like them, then. I should have seen them, I think, unless they had been in the folds of some other paper: and -they were not so, when we found them afterwards. We searched the Professor's mineralogical cabinet, at the College in Cambridge, and his own house, again, that day; but did not find anything. It being now two, P. M., the Court adjourned till three and a half o'clock. Monday, P. M., March 25th. The Court came in at three and a half o'clock, and the trial pro- ceeded. Derastus Clapp,-recalled,-cross-examined by Mr. Sohier. There were other private papers in Dr. Webster's wallet, at the time of his arrest. I think that Mr. Littlefield tried to open the door by the labora- tory-stairs, when we tried to get into the Doctor's apartments, on Tuesday, though I don't distinctly recollect seeing him do so. I heard him say that he had. I looked into the back private room. Things looked tidy and snug there. I saw some minerals in the lower Labora- tory, but my attention was not particularly called to them. I do not recollect whether there was a fire in the furnace in the lower laboratory, or not.. I don't recollect anything else being said about making a search at the College, the night of the arrest, while we were coming in in the carriage, further than what I have already stated. The keys, which I have produced, were all that I found upon the Doctor, or in searching at his house, and the College. He said, coming in, that Dr. Parkinan was an honest man, and that he did not believe he should suffer any loss, if he were never found. The conversation between us was free and easy, as I desired to prevent his suspecting that he was under arrest. It was half-past eight, when I made out the mittimus, for I looked at my watch. Charles W. Little, sworn,-examined by Mr. Bemis. I am a student in the senior class at Harvard University, and reside in Cambridge. I knew Dr. George Parkman by sight. I recollect meeting him on Thursday, November 22d, between the hours of one, and two, P. M., in Cambridge, in the street leading by the Episcopal church to Mount Auburn;,it was between the residence of Mr. William Saunders, and the Washington elm, and about a quarter of a mile, or less, from Dr. Web- ster's residence. Dr. Parkman was riding in a chaise, and he stopped, and asked me, where Dr. Webster lived. I told him where, and he rode on. I fix the day, from the fact of my going to New York, Friday, the 23d, the next day. Upon my return, on Sunday morning, I heard of his disappearance, and recalled the fact of his meeting me. Dr. Park- man was riding alone. No cross-examination. Seth Pettee, sworn,-examined by Mr. Bemis. I reside in Dorchester, but do business in Boston; am discount-clerk in the New England Bank, and collect funds for the Faculty of the Medical College.