Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 21   Enlarge and print image (70K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
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Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 21   Enlarge and print image (70K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
'TRIAL OI' JOT1_I~ 1\`. \\'EBSTER. 21 College in readiness, as we happen to know, from having duplicates from the same surveyor, Mr. Bryant; and perhaps they will be able to furnish a more complete representation of it by means of a model. After introducing their testimony in part, we shall be better able to judge of the need of further personal observation. The Chief Justice remarked, that there was no doubt of the authority of the Court to grant a view, if they deemed one expedient. Views had been granted of late in several capital cases. He could now recollect the instance of Washington Goode's case, tried last year, and of a case of Arson, the name of which he could not call to mind, which occurred three or four years before, in this county. The Court would consider, of the application; and if the progress of the trial seemed to develop a necessity for a more immediate and personal inspection of the Medical College, it would be permitted at some time when the Court were not actively engaged; perhaps to-morrow morning, before the opening.* Mr. Bemis having proceeded to call the witnesses for the Govern- ment, Mr. Sohier moved that all except the witness actually testifying, should be removed from the court-room. The counsel for the Com- monwealth having intimated that they had no objections to the course, provided the order were made applicable also to the witnesses for the defence, and that an exception should be made in favor of the medical and scientific witnesses, the Court ordered that all the witnesses on both sides, except the class last named, should withdraw to an adjoin- ing room till sent for. Before commencing the examination, the Court intimated, in reply to an inquiry on the part of the prosecution, that witnesses would be expected to be examined to the extent of their knowledge upon all points of inquiry, and should not be examined in part, merely, at on-- stage, with a view to being recalled to other points, at a subsequent stage. Charles M. Kingsley, sworn,-examined by Mr. Bemis. I was agent for Dr. George Parkman, and had been such from May or June, 1836, .till the time of his decease. I had the care of his real estate, and used to see him every day, and sometimes three or four times a day, while I was his agent. I always made it a point to see him at least once a day. The Doctor owned many estates at the west end, comprising the principal part of the neighborhood around the Medical College, and near where I live, in Blossom street. He owned all around me, and frequently called on me at my house. I remember the day of his disappearance. He was first missed, Fri- day, Nov. 23d, 1849. 1 wanted to see him on the afternoon of that day, and called at his house, No. 8 Walnut street, a little before three o'clock. I had seen him the day before, Thursday, and had been with him most of the day. I called on him, Friday, to get an answer about a lease. I did not find him at home, as I expected, though it was immediately after his usual time, of dining, half-past two. He was usually very punctual about his habits, and about his hour of dining. I had never been disappointed before in meeting him at that hour: I suppose I 'Prior to the Revised Statutes, the Court considered that a view should sel- dom, if ever, be permitted in a capital case: and then, without the presence of any other person than the of$cer in attendance. Knapp's Case, 9 Pick. 495. Parker's Case, 2 Pick. 550. But by the Revised Statutes, Char. 137. 3 10, " the Court may order a view by any jury empanelled to try a criminal case." , The case referred to by the Chief Justice, of the view on the trial for arson, was doubtless that of 'Edmund Hollihan. tried in December. 1845. Two other views in capital cases, besides those named, have also been granted in this county, within the last two years.-in Joseph Jewell's Case. tried May, 1848; and in Augustus Dutee's trial in July. of the same year. In all these instances, counsel, or eome other representative of each party, attended the jury, by permission of the Court_