Dr. James W. Stone. Report of the Trial of
Professor John W. Webster ...
, 1850
,
Image No: 117
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Dr. James W. Stone. Report of the Trial of
Professor John W. Webster ...
, 1850
,
Image No: 117
   Enlarge and print image (53K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
108 We parted a little this side of the toll-house, and I had no more con- versation with Dr. Webster. I saw Dr. Parkman the Wednesday or Thursday before his disappearance. Dr. Parkman came to the toll- house, and asked if I had seen Dr. Webster that day. I said, No. This was between ten and eleven o'clock. In about fifteen or twenty minutes, Dr. Parkman came along, in a chaise, with the top turned down, and went over the bridge. That was the last time I saw him. He had been twice, within four or six days, to inquire if I had seen Dr. Webster. Cross-examination. I first mentioned this conversation with Dr. Webster to Mr. Hadley, as soon as I got to the toll-house. I made no memorandum. Mrs. BETSEY BENT COLEMAN,sworn;-I reside in Cambridgeport. Have known Dr. Webster a number of years; I saw him Friday, the day of his arrest, at my house, at about four o'clock. A servant showed him into the room, but did not bring his name. He inquired, when I came down, at what time I had seen Dr. Parkman last. He asked what day I saw him. I told him I thought I saw him Thursday, the day before his disappearance, as I was sitting at my window. °' It was on Friday, you say," said he. " No," I answered. °° I was busy on Friday, in the lower part of the house." °° How was he dressed?" I told him in dark clothes. I asked him if he,had heard anything of him. He said that there had been a coat or cloak fished up, which was thought to be his, which had spots of blood on it. There was a hat found, likewise. I said, then, '° 0, dear, then I am afraid he's murdered." He said, °° We are afraid he is." He said there was a $20 bill left at the toll-house, by an Irishman. That was all he said then. He asked me twice or three times if I was sure that it was Thursday. I think I saw Dr. Parkman on Thursday afternoon. I saw Dr. Webster to the door. He repeated, at the door, °' Was n't it Friday you saw him?" I told him, No. That was the last I saw of Dr. Webster. SAMUEL D. PARKER, sworn. Am attorney for the Commonwealth, for the County of Suffolk. On the 30th of November, there were some twelve or fifteen persons came into my room ; among them, Marshal Tukey and Robert G. Shaw. They made some statements about finding some remains at the Medical College. They told me that Dr. Webster was in jail. They asked what should be done. I said, if they were human remains, they should go for a coroner. We next spoke of holding Dr. Webster. I told them that a complaint must be made and sworn to before some magistrate, and that Judge Merrill was the nearest. He was sent for. He objected, on the ground that he was a remote relation to the prisoner. But it was found that it was not near enough to conflict with the duties of his office. It was some ten minutes before any one was willing to make a'complaint. At last, Mr. Kingsley said, 1° 1 will." I drew up the complaint, stating that Dr. Parkman had last been seen at the Medical College, and that he believed Dr. Webster to be concerned in his disappearance. This was signed and sworn to. I told Mr. Tukey to search the place thoroughly. Dr. Bigelow and Dr. Martin Gay were sent for, and accompanied me to the jail. We inquired for Mr. Andrews, the jailer. He was not there. Mr. Leighton, the clerk, however, came. He went down