Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 175   Enlarge and print image (67K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
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Bemis Report of the Webster Trial, 1850 [1897], Image No: 175   Enlarge and print image (67K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
TRIAL OF JOHN W. WEBSTER 175 went into Hanover street, my daughter taking the bundle with her. The purchase which I made at Mr. Hovey's, was of eleven yards of muslin de lame, at twenty cents a yard, coming to $2.20. I paid for it, at the time, so that no charge was made against me, in my name. I have been there since, and ascertained that there was an entry made that day, on their books, of that amount of cash received, for that kind of article. I have taken the greatest pains to be sure of the day. I know that I was at home the next day, Saturday, all day. The day before, Thurs- day, I was at home also, all day. I communicated my recollection of meeting Dr. George Parkman, to his brother, the Rev. Dr. Francis Park- man, on the Tuesday following. I first heard of Dr. Parkman's disap- pearance, Sunday morning; seeing it in one of the newspapers. My daughter first recalled my attention to the fact of having met him, on Tuesday. She went out to Lexington, on Saturday, and returned, Tues- day. There was some conversation at dinner, about the Doctor's disap- pearance, and she asked me, if I didn't remember meeting him in Green street, Friday, when he bowed to us; and it then occurred to my recol- lection, immediately. I have a memorandum of my purchase, at home. I cannot be mistaken in the day. I remember all my engagements that day, before and after meeting him. I did not go out, until after dinner, between two and three o'clock. I did my shopping, and I was on my way home, when I met him. Cross-examined, by the Attorney General.-I have been a parish- ioner of the Rev. Dr. Francis Parkman, and felt a great interest in the matter of his brother's disappearance. I asked my son some question about it, on Tuesday, at dinner, which led to my daughter's asking me the question which I have mentioned. I have never expressed any doubts or misgivings about the accuracy of my recollection. I have not done so, to Miss Patterson, that I am aware of. I have talked with her about it, but do not recollect saying anything of the nature of my doubt- ing my memory. If I have, I didn't mean to do so. I never told Mrs. Harrington, my sister, "that if I hadn't said so often that I had seen Dr. Parkman, Friday, I shouldn't feel confident of it now." I don't remember, or didn't know, the gentleman who was walking with Dr. Parkman. It was not Dr. Webster. He was somewhat taller and stouter than Dr. Webster. I don't know whether they were talk- ing together. They passed so quickly, that I could not see. I don't recollect what the weather was, that afternoon. I called on Dr. Francis Parkman, the Friday after my first call, to tell him of a report about a man's being seen at Chelsea. I did not call for the purpose of repeating my statement, "that I only recollected it, Tuesday, upon my daughter's mentioning it." Mary Rhoades, sworn,-examined by Mr. Sohier. I am daughter of Mrs. Rhoades, who has just testified. I knew Dr. George Parkman, by sight, and had known him nearly ten years. I saw him last, on Friday, the 23d of November, in Green street, opposite Mr. Souther's apothecary shop. My mother 'was with me. We had come from Mr: Hovey's store, in Winter street. Dr. Park- man was walking with another gentleman, and bowed to Mother as he passed. He was nearer to me than to my mother, and I had to move my bundle to avoid hitting him. The bundle was some de lame, which we had bought at Mr. Hovey's. I went to Lexington, Saturday, and heard of Dr. Parkman's disap- pearance, there, the same day. I first mentioned my recollection of seeing Dr. Parkman., to my mother and brother, Tuesday. I did not mention it to any one, before coming to Boston. I have taken a great deal of pains to fix the time when I saw Dr. Parkman. The hour was between half-past four and five, I should think; near dark. Cross-examined, by Mr. Bemis.-I did not mention this fact at Lex- ington. I heard no discussion, there, about it. The gentleman, where