Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 103   Enlarge and print image (70K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
clear space clear space clear space white space


 

Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 103   Enlarge and print image (70K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
TRIAL OF JOHN W. WEBSTER. 105 aberration of mind; so much so, that he was obliged to, or did, put his business out of his hands; and Mr. Blake, a relative, attended to it, for him." After making these remarks, he said, "You will have no further trouble with Dr. Parkman, for I have settled with him." There was no further conversation, of any consequence, and I went away. I first paid him, however, the $90, in a check on the Freeman's Bank, drawn by myself, as Trustee. I next went to the College, in the afternoon of the same day, Friday; sometime between four and five o'clock. I went. to the front door, (that at the top of the steps,) and found it fastened. I rang the bell, and a woman came through the library, to the door. I supposed that she was going to open the door, but she did not; she inquired, through the side- lights, if I wished to see Mr. Littlefield. I told her, that I did; and she said, if I would go to the east end, under the shed, I should find him. I did go, and met Mr. Littlefield apt. the door; inquired of him, if he hall sent for me. He was dressed as usual, but came in his stocking-feet; without shoes. He said, that he did want to see me, and that he wanted me to fill up a set of tickets for a student, who was going to leave, in the morning. The student's name, was, P. R. Ridgeway. I filled up the tickets, and Mr. Littlefield told me, that he would give me the money far them, on the next day, when I called. I stayed at the College, some fifteen minutes, and :then went away., I called at the college the next day, Saturday, not far from three, P. M. I saw Mr. Littlefield, but cannot tell, precisely when; he was sitting at a table, in Professor Ware's lacture-room. My visit to Professor Webster, on Friday, was, for the purpose of paying him the money which I held, to get it out of my hands. So far as I know, he was not informed of my purpose in coming. I had told Mr. Littlefield, the night before, to tell Professor Webster, that I should call at the College, the next morning; but sent no word about paying him money. I don't know whether Mr. Littlefield conveyed my message, or not. When I had the interview with Dr. Parkman, I can't say that he used any profane language. When I told him that I had paid over the funds to Dr. Webster, he said, "The de'il you have," or something like that. His language was hard, or harsh; but I do not know, that it was coupled with a profane expression, when he sent the message to Dr. Webster, about his being a dishonorable man. If he had used a profane expres- sion, I think I should have recollected it. When I talked to Dr. Webster, I mentioned to him the fact of Dr. Parkman's making inquiries about his funds; but think that I did not communicate the message, about his being a dishonest, or dishonorable man. I am not sure about it; but recollect thinking at the time that Dr. Parkman said it, that I would not deliver it, but only confine myself to my own reasons for paying over the money. Cross-examined by Mr. Sohier.-I have no means of knowing how many tickets Dr. Webster, himself, sold. I have no record of any others, than those that I sold myself, and those were ninety-seven. To the Chief Justice.-The whole number of students, was one hun- dred and seven-i. e., who took any of the professors' tickets. Mr. Pettee, resumes.-I presume that the bills paid out by the teller of the New England Bank, were New England Bank bills; he pays out no others. I had no other business with Dr. Webster, on Friday morn- ing, except in relation to the tickets. Dr. Parkman appeared to be harsh in his expressions, and to be very much excited. I am not posi- tive; whether I told Professor Webster, his message, or not. I rather think, not. Direct, again.-I don't think that I communicated to Dr. Webster, any such message. from Dr. Parkman, as that "he was a d-d rascal, or a d-d whelp." If I had carried such language, from one gentleman to another, I think that I should have recollected it.