Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 111   Enlarge and print image (68K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
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Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 111   Enlarge and print image (68K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
TRIAL OF JOITIN W. WEBSTER. view. Dr. Webster then went on to state, that on the Tuesday pre- ceding Dr. Parkman's disappearance, (Nov. 20th,) the Doctor had called there before his lecture was finished. That he sat down, and waited for the lecture to close. (Dr. Webster pointed out the seat he occupied.) That he sat leaning upon his elbows, waiting very patiently for him to close. After the lecture was finished, (he went on,) "Dr. Parkman came up to the table and said, `Doctor, I want some money to-day:' " he was very much excited, and very angry-" `You have $500 in your pocket, and I want some of it.' " His own countenance lighted up, and expressed great anger, while relating the interview. Dr. Webster said, that he told Dr. Parkman, that he could not pay him .that day, as he had not collected all the money for his tickets. Then, Dr. Park- man asked him, When he would pay him? and he said, On Friday. That, Dr. Parkman then went out. Dr. Webster said.that, on Friday, 'the 23d of November, an coming into the city, he had called at Dr. Parkman's house: that, he saw him at the door, and told him if he would come to the lecture-room, on that day, after lecture, that he would settle with him; and that, he did come, about half-past one, P. M. I asked him, how he knew about the time. He said, that his lecture had been finished, and three of the students had stopped, after the lecture, to ask questions, as they were accustomed to do. That, after the questions, the students went into the back part of the room, to look at some pictures, one of which had recently been put up there. The students then went out, and very soon, Dr. Parkmain appeared. He came in a great hurry, up to his table, where he was standing. Dr. Parkman asked him, "If he was ready for him?" and Dr. Webster said, he was. Dr. Parkman took oust of his side-pocket, a bundle of papers, done up loosely,-in a brown paper, I think,-and drew out some notes and he, (Dr. Webster,) took out his money, and paid him. $483 or $484, and some odd cents. There was a "four" about it, but I cannot tell whether it belonged to the dollars, or the cents. He seized the money, without counting it, and was going off. "I said," said Dr. Webster, " `there is one thing, which you have forgotten, Doctor.- Where's that mortgage?"' Dr. Parkman replied, "I haven't it with me, but I will see that it is properly cancelled." He then rushed out of the lecture-room, with these bills in his hand, carelessly exposed to view. I then asked him to recollect, what money he paid him; as it was very important, and might lead to a discovery. He said, that he could recollect but one bill; a $100 bill on the New England Bank. I pressed him rather close, knowing its importance. I asked him if they were oust-of-town bills, or, city bills?-of large, or small denominations? He replied, that he could recollect only that one $100 bill, on the New Eng- land Bank. I asked him, if he had the notes, which Dr. Parkman had given up to him? He answered in the affirmative; but in a way, which made an unfavorable impression on my mind. His eyes dropped, and he did not look me in the face. I asked him if any one was present at the interview? and he said, very emphatically, "No." He then turned the conversation to the subject of our families, Fayal, &c., and I shortly after left. I had been acquainted with the Doctor, for a good many years. I noticed that his manner was singular, on my first entering his room. He seemed to want that cordiality and politeness, that are usual to him. As I came down the lecture-room steps, I had my eye on him and thought that he looked pale. He received me in a stiff and formal manner; and I am quite confident, that he did not put out his hand to me. His manner, when speaking of Dr. Parkman's being angry, was singular I thought. He stood, fixed to .the spot, and seemed to place himself on the defensive, as if waiti 8 ng to be interrogated. He