Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 79   Enlarge and print image (64K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
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Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 79   Enlarge and print image (64K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
TRIAL OF JOHN'W. WEBSTER. 79 when, apt six and a half o'clock, P. M., the Court adjourned, till Satur- day morning. FIFTH DAY.-Saturday, March 23d. The court came in this morning, shortly after nine o'clock. The jury were called, and the proceedings commenced. Ephraim Littlefield, cross-examined by Mr. Sohier.-On Monday, the 19th of November, when the interview took place between Dr. Parkman and Dr. Webster, it was not dark out of doors. The lights were burn- ing. The interview took place in the upper laboratory. Dr. Parkmau said Are you ready for me, now," or, " tonight? " " No, I am not, Doctor," replied Dr. Webster. He either accused Dr. Webster of sell- ing something, that he had sold before, or said something about mort- gaging a second time. He made a gesture with his hand, [imitated by the witness,] and said, Dr. Webster, something must be accomplished to-morrow." This was, as he went out of the door, and while he was standing in the door-way. Dr. Parkman might have stopped there, a half an hour. He appeared to be a, little riled; somewhat excited: I remained about an hour, and Dr. Webster left, after I did. On Friday, November 23d when I took the broom, to sweep up the Doctor's back room, I cannot say, whether I took it from behind the door, or not. There was no particular place for it. I know that I placed it behind the door, after I was done, and that I saw the sledge there, at that time. The sledge was left by masons, who did some work for Dr. Webster, the year before,-or, I first saw it, after they had got done. He had a flue torn down, and built up. I don't know, that the sledge was sent in from Cambridge. I mean to say, that both faces of the sledge were rounded. I never did anything with it. I never searched for it, until after Dr. Webster was arrested. I never thought of it before. I then searched all over the building, and under it, for it. There is another sledge there now; weighing two or three pounds, with ono round face; I presume, that it be], ngs to Dr. Webster. I generally dine at one o'clock, at the ,,ime Dr. Holmes's lecture begin. I was detained on that day, the 23d, by examining the 'tickets at Dr. Holmes's lecture-room door. The students held the tickets in their hands, showed them, and passed in. I recollect being nearly crowded away from the door, two or three times, by them, as they rushed in. I should think that it took fifteen minutes to take the tickets, as some of the students usually stopped in Dr. Webster's room some little time after the lecture was over, to ask explanations, &c. The door shut after me in Dr. Ware's room. The door shuts itself, and shuts with a slam. I remained there, till three or four minutes of two. I did not go to sleep; did not Jay there long enough to get asleep. I reclined with my head on my arm. On Friday afternoon, I thought I heard some one walking in the laboratory. The sound might possibly have come from the dissecting- room. I stood near the door; had tried to get it open. I can't say what I was listening for. I put my ear up to the door, and heard the water run. I- have recollected it ever since. I thought that I heard 'footsteps. I went back up-stairs, and tried that door. When Dr. Web- ster came down, at half-past five, he must have seen me, as he passed within a foot of me. He did not speak to me, nor I to him. I left home that night, about six o'clock. I was not reay to go to the party, when I saw the Doctor. I cant tell precisely what time it was. I tried the doors after Dr. Webster passed, and before I went to the party. I tried them,. to get in, in order to do up his work wash the glasses, sweep up, and prepare for fires. It takes sometimes half an hour, and sometimes an hour; sometimes it is dirty work.