Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 27   Enlarge and print image (66K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
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Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 27   Enlarge and print image (66K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
• TRIAL. OF JOHN W. WEBSTER. 2 versation which occurred in the lecture-room. We didn't remain there but some two or three minutes. Dr. Ainsworth was with us some part of the time. I can't tell who produced the key to the receptacle when we looked in there. Monday, Dr. Webster was in his working- dress, with a pair of overalls on, or an apron and a cap on. It was the same with him, Tuesday. When we knocked the first time, Tuesday, Littlefield left us for something, and went down stairs. In coming back, he met us just as we were going down stairs, and told us that Dr. Webster was in there, and he could make him hear, and then gave the knocks, as I have before spoken of. I only traced Dr. Parkman to the Medical College by inquiries; no other way. I don't know what became of the tan in the tea-chest. I didn't examine it to see if it contained blood. I am positive that I saw tan in the tea-chest, and minerals on top,of it. The saw which I have spoken of, was a carpenter's fine hand-saw, with a ridge on the back of it; such as butchers use for sawing bones. I examined the knife found in the tea-chest, and saw rusty spots on it. I don't know whether it was from blood or not. On the knife found up stairs, the Turkish knife or yataghan, there were very slight marks, supposed to be blood. Patrick McGowan, sworn,-examined by Mr. Bemis. I was the house-servant of the late Dr. George Parkman, and now live with Mrs. Parkman. I have lived with the family, since the 16th -of September last. I remember the day of the Doctor's disappearance. Somebody called at the house that morning, and inquired for the Doctor. I didn't know the person, and he didn't give me his address. I think that I should not know the person, if I saw him. I can't say that it was the prisoner. He called between eight and nine, I should think. I do not recollect any other person's calling about that time in the morning. The Doctor was crossing the entry from the breakfast-room at the time of the person's calling, and stepped to the door. I heard some- thing said about the Doctor's meeting the person, or answering the question, if he would meet him at some place, at half-past one, o'clock; and I understood the Doctor to answer, " yes," that " he would meet him there." I last saw the Doctor, about eleven o'clock, that day, and have never seen him since, He was very punctual at his meals. I never knew him absent from dinner, at the regular hour, but once, while I lived there; and then he came in before the family had finished. Cross-examined by Mr. Sohier.-The Doctor kept no other man- servant while I was there. I attended the door that morning. Some other persons called during the course of the morning; not many. I did not tell any of them, that the Doctor had gone out of town for the day. Robert G. Shaw, sworn,-examined by Mr. Clifford. I am the brother-in-law of the late Dr. George Parkman. He would have been sixty years old in February following his decease. He was well acquainted with the defendant; but for how many years he had been so, I am unable to say. The first that I knew of his lending Dr. Web- ster money, was when I told him of his having sold me his minerals. The last time that I saw Dr. Parkman, was on the day of his dis- appearance. He called at my house between nine and ten o'clock in the morning of that day, and we walked down to State street together. He appeared to be in very good health and good spirits. We parted about ten o'clock, at the Merchants' Bank. Saturday morning, (the next day,) Mrs. Parkman sent for me, and I went in and found her do great distress, from the absence of her hus- band, who had not been home since yesterday. I went from the house •