New York Globe report of the Webster Case, 1850,
Image No: 24
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New York Globe report of the Webster Case, 1850,
Image No: 24
   Enlarge and print image (92K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
23 Cross-examined-I have examined the brick taken up from the laboratory floor on the suspi- cion that some blood had percolated the crevices between them; did not find any blood on them; there was none on the mortar : did not examine the sattd'S I'saw a hole between the ribs and-the chestor thorax ; the flesh was torn near the hole, which might have been caused by cutting the cartilage of the sternum; a drop of blood falling from the bight of three feet, and striking a vertical surface, would trickle down and would sot be splashed as it is on the.pantaiogns ; after the first 48 Sours the blood would assume a dark brown hue, after which it would not change even for years ; the hue of the blood on the pantaloons and slippers was somewhatobscured lay being on a dark ground. [Here a recess of tea minutes was granted to the jury.) Resumed-The blood of a human being can be distinguished from that of come animals by microscopic examination. Dr. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES called-I saw Dr, Parkman on the 28d November, 1849 ; am Dean of the Medical Faculty of Harvard College ; Prof. W. lectures four times a week, through- out the course, and his laboratory and lecture rooms form a distinct part of the College, en- tirely separate from the rooms of all the other professors. Prof. W. lectures from twelve to one o'clock; myself from one to two o'clock; the separation of the parts very evidently showed some anatomical knowledge ; Dr. Wyman called my attention to the manner in which the ster- num was separated from the ribs. I remarked that the sternum was cut from the ribs .by some person who knew in what direa- Lion to cut ; if a wound should be gives in the region of the heart, protracted upwards, there would be but very little effusion of blood ; if the wound was given horizontally, then there would be a considerable effusion of blood ; remember the day when Dr. P, disappeared ; my, lectures had commenced that day ; Dr. W.'s moms are not so situated that I ban hear noises is them from, my room; never was disturbed is my lecture room by noises in Prof. W.'s rooms: the reason why I do not hear noises in my lecture room from the Professor's, is that when my lecture room is occupied, his is not ; a part of his lecture room is under mine, but not directly under the part where I stand to lecture. Cross' examined-Can't answer, except hypothetically, as to whether blood would flow eater- nally, or sot from a wound given in the region of the heart ; I have heard applause from Dr. W.'s students in his room, while I have been in my operating-room. A mortal blow might be given on the head of a person without there being any effusion of blood. WILLIAM EATON, Policeman, called-I was present at the Medical College at the time the thorax was taken from the tea chest. .The thorax Was taken out of the tea chest and laid on its back ; saw that -the akin was burned over on the ribs ; saw the hole between the ribs, and remarked that it was about the size of the knife, Cross-examined-I refer to the knife found in the tea chest ; put my hand on the fissure be- tween the ribs ; those around said, « Don't touch the body" I brushed off the tan from the tho- rax with my hand ; there were about five or six others in the room. No one but myself, at the time I first saw the thorax, attempted to brush the tan off; saw the hole in the thorax when I took it up; did not know that the remains were in the tea chest until it was turned over ; officer Fuller stood for some time .side by, side, taking out miner- als ; there were two layers of them ; I unwrapped several species of minerals ; I stayed night and day at the Medical College after Professor W.'s arrest until the body was taken away; did not turn the body over myself, but knew that it was turned over; do not know by whom. At this juncture the Court adjourned until 9 o'clock, A.M., Friday. ' FOURTH DAY. At nine o'clock the prisoner who had been placed in the dock a few minutes before, was taken, in custody of his official attendant, Td. J. Jones, to one of the ante-rooms in the Court-house, to consult with Judge Merrick, senior counsel for the defense. He entered at ten minutes past nine o'clock, and was shortly after followed by the Court. The names of the jury were neat called, and the proceedings commenced. EPHRAIM LTTTJ.EFIELn Called-I have no middle name; my connection with the Medical College is that 'of Janitor ; have charge of the whole building ; mike fires in the rooms, and have been Janitor seven years ; since last October had charge of the College in Mason street ; have known Professor Webster since I first acted as Janitor ; knew Dr, Parkman ; was present at an interview between Dr. P. and Prof. W., on Monday, November lath, towards evening; we were in his (W.'s) private room ; I stood near the stove, stirring some water with salt; there wore three candles burning at the time. The Professor was reading a chemical book, as I suppose, at the time while I was stirring the water. I didn't hear any footsteps, but on looking up suddenly I saw Dr. P. in the loom. I ob- served that Prof. W. was surprised to see him appear so suddenly. Dr. P, said, as I thought, °' Prof. W., are you ready to meet this to-night ?" The Dr. afterwards's aid something about Dr. Webster's having sold something to some person which he, Webster, had before sold to him, Parkman. Prof. W. said, °1 I do not remember that it is so-had forgotten it." 1tDr. P. showed W. some papers; and then went toward the door, and raising his hand odd :