Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 112   Enlarge and print image (66K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
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Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 112   Enlarge and print image (66K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
114 TRIAL OF JOHN W. WEBSTER. made r-o expression of sympathy for the family of Dr. Parkman: this, I thought strange, when every person one met in the streets, expressed so much. He said very little about the search, and made no inquiries at all, about the family of Dr. Parkman. The interview lasted some fifteen or twenty minutes. He changed his position and manner, after we had commenced talking upon general subjects; but, they remained the same, while we were talking of Dr. Parkman. I went out by the same door at which I entered, and I heard him bolt the door after me. Cross-examined, by Mr. Sohier.-I cannot recollect, whether Dr. Webster waited on me to the door. I only infer that he came up there, from hearing the bolt slide, after I went out. I heard of the disap- pearance of Dr. Parkman, about five o'clock, on Saturday afternoon. I felt very great apprehension, myself, at that time. Dr. Webster appeared to be preparing for his lecture, of the next day. He told me so. He was moving about a jar upon the table. I did not assist in the preparation of the hand-bills. I looked into the upper laboratory, after we had finished the conversation about Dr. Parkman. The one-hundred dollar bill, was the only one which he was able to recollect. Charles B. Starkweather, sworn,-examined by Mr. Bemis. I am a police-officer; have been connected with the police, four years. I took part in the search for Dr. Parkman, as early as Saturday, the day after his disappearance; and continued to do so, till the time that the remains were found. I accompanied Mr. Kingsley on his visit to the College, on Monday, November 26th. We went up the front steps, and saw Mr. Littlefield, and Dr. Bigelow, and, I think, Dr. Ainsworth. We made known the object of our visit; told them, that we had come to look over the College for Dr. Parkman. They offered no objection, and we went into the College. Mr. Littlefield tried Dr. Webster's lecture-room door, and it was fastened. He knocked on it, two or three times, quite hard; and then Dr. Webster came, and opened the door. We told him, what we came for. He opened .the door; we went in; down the steps, to the back laboratory, and to the lower laboratory. He followed us down. When we got to .the steps of the lower laboratory, Dr. Webster said, "This is all my apartments." Mr. Littlefield opened the door into his own apartments, and we went out by the laboratory-stairs door. We merely looked round .the rooms, and were not there, more than three minutes. I was one of the party who went out to arrest Professor Webster, on Friday night, :the 30th of November. Mr. Clapp and Mr. Spurr were with me. The Doctor talked very freely, while coming in, about the railroad to Cambridge, &c. He also spoke of a Mrs. Bent, who had seen Dr. Parkman, on Friday; and he wanted us to drive over to the Port, to see her. We came over Cragie's Bridge, into Boston. Mr. Clapp talked with the Doctor. When we go-t to the corner of Second street, Dr. Webster remarked, "You ought to have turned that corner, if you are going to the College." Something was said, in reply, about the driver being green; but I could not hear perfectly, as I sat on the front seat, while the Doctor sat beside Mr. Clapp, on the back seat. When we arrived at the jail, we got out, and went into the back office„ Dr. Webster was the first person to speak; and, he .said, "Mr. Clapp, what does this mean?" Mr. Clapp said, "We have done looking for Dr. Parkman, and you are in custody for the murder of Dr. Park- man." "Wha:t! me?" says Dr. Webster. "Yes, you, Sir; and you are in custody for the murder of Dr. Parkman." Mr. Clapp and Mr. Spurr then left us, and said, that they would go and see if they could find Mr. Parker and the Marshal. Mr. Clapp made out a mittimus, handed it to me, and said, "Don't commit the Doctor, until I get back." He had previously searched his person.