Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 122   Enlarge and print image (62K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
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Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 122   Enlarge and print image (62K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
•124 TRIAL OF JOBN \V. -WEBSTER. took hold of him in his berth, and he made a spring and grabbed his arm about Mr. Jones's neck, as if frightened. We then brought him up into the back office, and set him up in an arm-chair. Mr. Leighton and I, helped Dr. Webster into the carriage, to go to the Colllege. I rode outside. We helped him out of the carriage, and up the steps; and I don't know that I gave up my hold of him, until we returned from our visit to the College. We were detained on the steps for some time, before we gained admission to the College. He trembled, and had a cold sweat on him. His face was quite wet; the wind blew at the time, and the weather was cold. When the party were searching the little back room, the Doctor stood where he could look in. A coat was found, and the Doctor said, " That is the coat I lecture in." They were searching some drawers, and the Doctor said, " I don't know what they want, there; they will not find anything improper, there." When the Doctor was in the lower laboratory, he felt very badly. He had the same affection, as at the jail. We lifted him into the coach, when we left the College. He could not help himself, at all. We set him upon the back seat. He spoke of his family, again, as we rode back to the jail. While riding back, I noticed that his pantaloons were quite wet. His legs came in contact with mine, and I felt the moisture through. When we took off his outer coat, to hoist him into his berth, after we returned to the jail, I noticed that his under-coat was so wet, that. I could feel the moisture on the outside. We had to carry him down to his cell. We left him in his berth, lying on his back, with his head bolstered up, having fixed him as well as we could. We bolstered him up, at his request; he said, that he always laid so. I went down to see him, twice, after this; at one o'clock, and, again, at half-past two. He lay, just as we left him; awake, but seeming to be in distress. I put a lantern through into his cell, and left him for the night, at half-past two. I recollect the question being asked, "-Where the hatchet was?" which was found in the sink, while we were at the Colllege; and Little- field's going and finding it: but I don't know, who told him where it Was. Cross-examination waived. Gustavus Andrews, sworn,-examined by Mr. Bemis. I am keeper of the Leverett-street jail. I remember the night of Dr. Webster's arrest, the 30th of Novem- ber. I was at the jail, when he arrived. I first saw him at the College. I returned to the jail, shortly after he left, and finding the mittimus, and not the prisoner, I started to find out, by what authority he had been removed. I went to the College, and entered through the east door, into the laboratory. Just as I got in, Mr. Parker, the County Attorney, and quite a number of gentlemen, came down the stairs. Some one, I think, Mr. Parker, presently called my attention to the furnace. I went to it, and saw fragments of bones,-a piece of skull, I should think; and when I turned round, Dr. Webster was standing about three feet from the privy-door. He was then in a state of very great excitement. This was about the time that the privy-door was broken open. I accompanied the party into the room, where the remains were exhibited. When we went in, and were waiting, Dr. Webster placed his feet down firm,.as if to brace himself up; but as soon as the remains were brought up, he commenced trembling again. He stood about nine feet off from them. After he had remained there, looking at them some minutes. I asked Mr. Parker, If anything further was wanted of Dr. Webster: and whether he ought not to be taken back to the jail? He replied, that