|
118 TRIAL OF JOHN IV. WIMSTER.
I know the defendant, by sight. On Monday, or Tuesday, of Thanks-
giving-week, he called at our store, and inquired for large-sized fish-
hooks. I recollect the day, from Mr. Lane's going away, on Wednes-
day. It was late in the afternoon, but sufficiently light to distinguish
people.
No cross-examination.
James W. Edgerly, sworn,-examined by Mr. Clifford. I am a hard-
ware dealor. My place of business, is No. 3, Union street, in this
city.
I remember the time of Dr. Parkman's disappearance. A person
came into my store, .the Tuesday following, about night, and inquired
for the largest-sized fish-hooks. I showed the largest size, that we
had, and he bought, and paid, for a half dozen. These shown to me, are
the same. [The grapples, produced by Mr. Starkweather, were here
shown to the witness.] I identify them by a peculiar mark upon them,
and they are of unusual size and pattern. I had had them on hand, a
considerable time. I think that the defendant, Professor Webster, is
the person who bought them of me. I did not then know him, but have
since seen him at the jail, and ;in the court-house, here. He (lid not
state any.purpose, for which he bought them.
No cross-examination.
William W. Mead, sworn,-examined by Mr. Bemis. I am a hard-
ware dealer, in Union street, in this city.
I do not know the defendant personally; have only had him pointed
out to me, lately. On Friday, November 30th, the day after Thanks-
giving, a person came into the store, and inquired for fish-hooks. I
asked, what kind he wanted. He said, that he wished to have some,
to make a grapple with. I took down the largest; and he bought three.
I put :them together, and showed him how to form a grapple. The
size was considerably smaller, than that of those produced in court.
I think that it was Professor Webster; but should not wish to swear
positively to it. He was dressed in dark clothing. I can't say, whether
he had on glasses., or not.
I was afterwards called on, by officer Spurr, to go with Mr. Edgerly,
to the jail, and see Professor Webster. I went in, and looked at him;
and he, then, had on a smoking-cap, and a dressing gown. I did not
identify him at that time. Thinking that the dress might make a
difference in his appearance, I said, that if I could see him with a hat
and coat on, I could, perhaps, judge better. We went down again, acid
on some one's asking him to put on lids hat and coat, he did so; and I
thought that it looked like the same person, who had bought the fish-
hooks of me.
I should say, that it was about a quarter of one, P. M., when he
called at my store.
No cross-examination.
William N. Tyler, sworn,-examined by Mr. Clifford. I am a rope-
maker, and a twine and line manufacturer; have been in the business,
forty-five years; have been called upon, frequently, to give an opinion
as to the quality and manufacture of twine.
[The pieces of twine, produced by Mr. Starkweather, were here
exhibited to the witness.] The twine shown me, [consisting of speci-
mens from that tied round the thigh, that used with a grapple, and that
found on the ball in the back private room,] is, what is called, two-
th.readed marline. I have not the slightest doubt, that all the pi•~ces
are of one, and the same, manufacture and quality. They are all made
of good Russia clean hemp, which is unusual, in this sort of marline, at
|
