Dr. James W. Stone. Report of the Trial of
Professor John W. Webster ...
, 1850
,
Image No: 48
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Dr. James W. Stone. Report of the Trial of
Professor John W. Webster ...
, 1850
,
Image No: 48
   Enlarge and print image (55K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
39 for the key to the small room at the back of it. Dr. Webster replied that was his private room, where he prepared his lectures and kept dangerous things; he had not the key; Mr. Clapp had taken all his keys from him. The door was broken open ; there was a coat there, which he used when he lectured ; there were drawers, or closets, on the opposite side. Either they stuck, or were locked; some were broken open. Dr. Webster objected to its being done; said they con- tained only some demijohns and bottles. Such was the fact ; discov- ered nothing there of importance; then went down stairs. There was an inquiry made for the key of the privy. Dr. Web- ster said it was hanging on a nail ; don't remember whether this was made before or after going down ; did not examine the build- ing particularly, not thinking it my duty to do so. The key was ap- plied to the door of the privy, and did not fit; the door was broken by my direction, and the seats were torn up, not. both at the same time; some person inquired where was the chimney that was hot; it was pointed out, and the furnace. Some person went to the furnace, and took off the cover, taking out something; I directed them to let it stay as it was ; some one had hold of Dr. Webster by the arm all the time; he appeared different from any man I ever saw before. He called for water; when the water was offered him, he would seem to snap at it with his teeth, and push it from him; was more excited in the lower laboratory than up stairs. Mr. Andrews, the jailer, came into the laboratory while we were there ; we went out of the laboratory into an entry or cellar, where a trap-door was opened. Mr. Clapp and Mr. Littlefield went down, and requested me to. Went down, going on hands and knees; the highest place was not more than four feet. The remains were brought up ; Dr. Webster was very much agitated; don't recollect distinctly how Dr. Webster appeared then. Did not go back to the jail with Dr. Web- ster ; the remains were put into a box in a cool place, and officers left in charge. , Next day, summoned a Jury of Inquest, at four o'clock; I took out the contents of the furnace myself. It was on Saturday ; can- not remember whether it was before four o'clock, or after; police offi- cers aided in taking out the contents of the furnace, but took out nearly all myself; directed the officers to pick out the bones and pieces of metal. There were bones, and pieces of metal that looked like pewter or lead; also some pieces that looked like gold ; there was much ashes on top ; found considerable pieces of cinders sticking to the brick, which I knocked of with a poker. Court adjourned to half past three. AFTERNOON. The examination of CORONER PRATT, resumed.-There was a piece of jaw found toward the bottom of the furnace ; it was artifi- cial; it was one piece. I caused it to be put in the hands of Dr. Winslow Lewis, Jr. Found it about two thirds of the way from the top to the bottom; the depth of the contents of the furnace was about one foot. The bones were picked out of the ashes; were pre- served at that time; they were delivered to the chemists and medical men, to take such parts as they chose to examine. Sent for Dr. Jef- fries Wyman ; I do not know what portion of the bones he took; I had no further charge of the laboratory. The ribs and some of the