Dr. James W. Stone. Report of the Trial of
Professor John W. Webster ...
, 1850
,
Image No: 184
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Dr. James W. Stone. Report of the Trial of
Professor John W. Webster ...
, 1850
,
Image No: 184
   Enlarge and print image (55K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
175 day, he, as a member of a religious society in Chelsea, as an agent acting in its behalf, was taking measures to secure the attendance of a clergyman upon the next Sabbath morning; that he wrote a note to one of his friends, and that that note was despatched, but re- turned to him unopened ; that he had occasion to write another to one of his friends, to which he received an. answer. The note returned was thrown into his desk, and those notes can now be produced. They are on the table, and cars be presented to you the moment the Attorney-General is willing. He knows this was Friday, from the business in which he was en- gaged, from the time in which he did that business, and from the notes which were written, - one of them by himself, and the other by a clergyman, a friend of his, -both of which notes he offers to produce, to fortify his recollection. He says that in the afternoon he had occasion to go to Franklin-street, to meet a clergyman ; that he passed through Devonshire-street, Theatre-alley, into Franklin-street; saw his friend; had his communication with him ; and then im- mediately passed into Washington-street : and in that street, between Franklin and Milk streets, at an hour which could not vary much from twenty minutes after three, he saw Dr. George Parkman coming towards him. He saw him under circumstances which particularly attracted his attention. He thought them a little peculiar. He knew the position which Dr. Parkman occupied in society; that he was a man of affluence and wealth. He saw him walking with a laboring man, in his common and ordinary dress. In consequence, he watched him. He discovered that they separated, and that Dr. Parkman was not walking with this individual, as he thought he was. He kept his eye upon him, and they passed side by side. He saw him at a distance of four or five rods, and saw him when they met and passed each other. About the time there can be no question. About the place there can be no question. It was Friday, the 23d of November, twenty minutes after three, in Washington-street, between Franklin and Milk streets. Was it Dr. Parkman ? Mr. Cleland knows him as well as you know his Honor on the bench. He had known him for years. His atten- tion was particularly attracted towards him. It was fixed in his mind. And when he came to know of the disappearance of Dr. Parkman, he communicated it to the Government, and was told that it was of no consequence to inform the police of it, because Dr. Parkman had been seen on Washington-street, at the South End, afterwards. Here is a gentleman, beyond all doubt and suspicion, who tells you that he saw Dr. Parkman at this hour. Then, Gentlemen, there is the testimony of Mrs. Rhodes and her daughter. They say that on that afternoon they visited this part of the city. They came from the westerly part of the city, where they reside, to do some shopping for the family. Among other places, they went to Hovey & Co.'s store, in Winter-street, and there pur- chased a dress. The number of yards and price were given; and going to Mr. Hovey's, it is found that on that day there was sold this article, precisely at this price per yard, and precisely this price in the aggregate, and that there was no other such sale as that on that day ! I suppose that no one in his senses will question that this dress