Dr. James W. Stone. Report of the Trial of
Professor John W. Webster ...
, 1850
,
Image No: 266
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Dr. James W. Stone. Report of the Trial of
Professor John W. Webster ...
, 1850
,
Image No: 266
   Enlarge and print image (54K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
257 is this creditor, inexorable, as he calls him, and as his Counsel echoes - i-lzflexible, I think would have been more just. The cloud over him is broadening and blackening, day bv day. What can he do ? What is he exposed to ? The disclosure to the world of his false but fair character! The exposure of his fraud ! But more, and that which comes nearest home to the bosom of such a man - for I grant you he has strong domestic affections, and warm attach- ments-that which comes nearest home to the bosom of such a man is, that all his effects were liable to be seized, at any moment, and his home stripped of that which stood as security for his debts. His household furniture was all that was left. The minerals, as you will see, when you examine the mortgage, were already disposed of, and money raised on them to pay his debts. That had all been exhausted. You will see, by the papers we put in, that his friends' benevolence and beneficence had been exhausted, and he had no resources left. He was left stripped and bare, to receive the shock, coming upon him from this creditor, whose just indignation he had reason to dread. What was involved in this impending blow, which he thus feared was about to be struck home upon him ? The loss of caste ! The loss of reputation! For he could not stand an hour, with that repu- tation assailed and exposed. Now, Gentlemen, when you come to motive, I undertake to say, that no poor, illiterate outcast, from the dregs of social life, who prowls out from his hiding; place to steal the bread for himself, starv- ing, or for his starving wife and children, ever had a motive which addressed itself with more force to him, than was thus addressed to this prisoner by circumstances like these, to get. rid, in some way, in any way, of this tremendous cloud that was darkening all around him, and deepening every hour. Certainly he was the last man with whom Dr. Parkman is shown to have been in contact. Dr. Parkman is found dead on his premises, and under his lock and key; and he gives no explanation. His property is found in his possession; and he gives a false account of how he came by it. His body is mutilated, under such circumstances as I have shown you could not exist with- out the prisoner's knowledge. His own movements, acts, declarations, and the unconscious disclosures which his fear of detection wrung from him are evidences of his guilt. Now, Gentlemen, what were his financial relations to Dr. Park- man ? Here is a most instructive chapter. Dr. Parkman had held two mortgages : - one to secure the 8400 note, which was given in 1842 ; and another, which secured that note, and another note for 82432, which was given in 1847. The mortgage that was given in 1847 covered all his household furniture, all his books, min- erals, and other objects of Natural History. That cabinet had been disposed of, so that all that was left to secure this mortgage was the household furniture, and what books he may have had. That 82432 included the 8400 note. In 1842, Dr. Parkman had made a loan to Dr. Webster of 8400, and had taken a mortgage. Judge Mrarrick. There is no evidence of it. Mr. Clifford. It appears that it was so. He took his note for 8400. In 1847, a loan is made to Webster, of which Dr. Parkman contributes 8500. The whole amount of that loan is 81600. In 17