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TRIAL Oh' JOHN W. WEBSTER. 1 73
I first called this to mind, Saturday evening, when I went home
from my shop, about ten or half-past ten o'clock. My wife told me,
that two men had been there to inquire about Dr. Parhman. I immedi-
ately made the remark, that " I guessed that he hadn't gone a great
ways, for I saw him in Court street yesterday afternoon."
After I had passed the Doctor, I crossed over the street, to go down
Sudbury street, and it was then that I noticed him.
Cross-examined, by Mr. Bemis.-There was another lady present,
who was staying at our house, when I communicated this to my wife.
I also communicated it to a man by the name of Foster, Mr. Henry L.
Foster, who lives in Blossom street,-after the remains were found. I
did not mention it to the police. No new fact, in particular, called it
to my mind, from the time I first mentioned it to my wife, till I spoke of
it to Mr. Foster.
I can't be precise as to the time when I met Dr. Parkman. I should
think, that it was about three o'clock; it must have been after half-
past two. I am sure, that it was not Thursday; for I never buy my
Saturday's marketing till Friday. There was a gentleman with me,
Mr. Isaac H. Russell, who recollects seeing Dr. Parkman at some time,
but cannot recollect the day. I did not mention the fact of seeing Dr.
Parkman, out of my house, till I told it to Mr. Foster, the Saturday after
the remains were found. I knew that the search was going on, for Dr.
Parkman, in the mean time. The two men, who called at my house in
Vine street, were searching the houses in that street. I knew, also, that
rewards were offered for the discovery of Dr. Parkman's body.
Samuel Cleland, sworn,-examined by Mr. Sohier. I reside in
Chelsea, but do business in this city, at No. 26, South Market street.
I was acquainted with Dr. George Parkman; was a tenant of his, in
1839. I last saw him, on Friday, the 23d of November, in Washington
street, between Milk and Franklin streets, between a quarter-past three
and half-past three o'clock in the afternoon: perhaps it was as near
twenty minutes past three, as anything. He was on the east side of
Washington street, going towards Roxbury.
I fix the hour from my going up to see the Rev. George Wildes, that
afternoon. I always called on him, (as he officiated occasionally for
our church in Chelsea,) at three o'clock. He was boarding at No. 18,
Franklin street. It was while I was on my way back from there, that
I met Dr. Parkman. I know that the day was Friday, in this way.
On Wednesday, the 21st, I addressed a note to the Rev. Mr. Allen, of
East Boston, requesting him to officiate at St. Luke's church, in Chelsea,
on the Sunday following. Not receiving any answer, Friday morning,
I wrote another note to him, and sent it by a boy, to East Boston. The
boy returned, and said that he could not find Mr. Alien. He brought
back the note, and I preserved it, and now have it in my pocket. About
eleven o'clock, I addressed a note to the Rev. Mr. Woart, of Christ church,
asking him to preach for us, and sent a boy with it. He returned with
an answer, which I now have in my pocket, stating that he could not
preach all day, the next Sunday.
I then waited till three o'clock, in hopes of seeing Mr. Wildes. I
remember, distinctly, leaving my store at three o'clock. I went up
through Devonshire street and Theatre alley, to Franklin street, and
found Mr. Wildes in. I spent a few minutes with him, and started to
come back again to the store, through Washington street. In coming
down Washington street, I saw Dr. Parkman. When I first noticed
him, I thought that he was walking with a laboring man, and that
attracted my attention. On getting nearer, however, I saw that I was
mistaken, and that he was alone. We passed on the same side, nearly
touching each other. I did not spear to him, as I have not done so.
for several years. I first heard of his disappearance on the Monday
following.
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