|
172 TRIAL OF JOHN W. WEBSTER.
for the defence. I didn't mean to be understood, that I had repeated
the whole of Dr. Webster's conversation Sunday evening, when
I was on my direct examination. I do recollect something else
that was said. When we went out, Dr. Webster followed us into the
entry, and said, I trust that you will be successful in your search. He
also said, that he should be happy to render any assistance that he
could.
This conversation was present in my mind when I was under the
direct examination. I have always remembered it, and always so
stated it.
[The Attorney General here put into the witness's hand a written
memorandum, purporting to be signed by himself; and asked him,
whether that was his signature, and whether it stated the facts truly.]
That is my signature and my handwriting. I made it at the request
of Mr. Andrews. It is only a rough outline of what occurred at the
Sunday evening's interview. Mr. Andrews said, that he merely wished
a rough outline,-that he couldn't wait for anything more; and he
wished me to put it down in my own writing, as his hands were cold.
I think that Dr. Webster did speak as I have stated there, of Dr.
Parkman's disappearance creating great feeling in his family, and the
community. I think he did also say, that Dr. Parkman had been very
insulting to him, every time that he met him. He also said, as I have
there stated, that he had told Dr. Parkman, that he would pay him
when he got his money for the tickets to his lectures; and that Dr. Park-
man said, that he would not believe his word. I cannot swear, that Dr.
Webster said, that there were two persons present when he paid Dr.
Parkman. It was only my impression at the time Mr. Andrews called
on me and I told him so. But he said, that I might as well put it down,
and I did so.
Direct, again.-The Mr. Andrews I refer to, is Mr. John L. Andrews,
who was the secretary of the coroner's inquest. He has since been
employed in collecting testimony for the Government, I believe. He
came to the Registry of Deeds, and inquired of me about the inter-
view.
I told him that either Dr. Webster said, that two persons, one of
whom was the janitor of the College, were present, when the money
was paid, or the moment before; or that, that was my impression of
what he said. I told him that I could not swear to it; but lie said, that
I might as well put it down, and sign my name to the paper; and I did
so. He said that he only wanted a rough outline. This was the only
occasion upon which he called on me.
Samuel A. Wentworth , sworn,-examined by Mr. Sohier. I live in
Vine street, in this city; am a provision-dealer. My place of business
is at the corner of Lynde and Cambridge streets.
I knew Dr. George Parkman; had known him for two years. I last
saw him in Court street, Friday, the 23d of November, between half-
past two and half-past three o'clock in the afternoon. I fix the time,
by my dinner hour being one o'clock. I went to dinner, and returned,
and then my young man went to his dinner, at two o'clock. I waited
for him to come back to my shop, and after he returned, having been
gone more than half an hour, I went down town, to get my marketing,
for Saturday. I went towards Haymarket Square; and, when in Court
street, nearly opposite the head of Sudbury street, I met Dr. Parkman,
opposite Mrs. Kidder's medicine-store. He was on the same side of the
street with me; and, aftEr I had passed, he suddenly faced half round
towards the middle of the street, with his hands behind him, and
appeared to be looking up towards the tops of the houses opposite. I
did not notice whether he left the side-walk. He was going towards
Bowdoin Square, when he stopped.
|
