The trial of Prof. John W. Webster, indicted for the murder of Dr. George Parkman, at the Medical college (North Grove street) on the 23d of November, 1849 : Supreme judicial court, before Chief Justice Shaw, and Associate Justices Wilde, Dewey, and Metcalf. Counsel for the government, Attorney General J.H. Clifford, and George Bemis, esq. Counsel for the defence, Hon. Pliny Merrick, and E.D. Sohier, esq. / Reported for Boston journal.

  • Webster, John White, 1793-1850
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The trial of Prof. John W. Webster, indicted for the murder of Dr. George Parkman, at the Medical college (North Grove street) on the 23d of November, 1849 : Supreme judicial court, before Chief Justice Shaw, and Associate Justices Wilde, Dewey, and Metcalf. Counsel for the government, Attorney General J.H. Clifford, and George Bemis, esq. Counsel for the defence, Hon. Pliny Merrick, and E.D. Sohier, esq. / Reported for Boston journal. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    looked at my watch and also inquired of my brother Hie time, and more than once while I was waiting for Mr. Aiinis. Mj' tirst inquiry about the time, was before 1 Raw The Doctor, and it was fnen 20 minutes to tu-o. 1 have two brothers. I inquired of by brother Albert. It was ten minutf? after T saw the Doctor. I waited a few miuutes after I saw him, and went off with Mr. Annis, The Doctor was going to the Medical College. My brotli- er Albert was in the warehouse. The Doctor nodded to when he passed. JBe crossed over the street to me within three feet of me, in the direction of the Medical College. Cross examined—He was dressed, I think, in a frock coat, and dark clothing generally Mr. Albert Fuller sworn. I am the brother of the last witness. I carry on the iron foundry also, myself. I have known Dr. Farkman full two years, and had fre- quent occasion of meeting him; saw him last on the 2.3d of November; saw him pass the street in front of our house, towards the Medical College; went down to Grove street. He passed within a short distance of me. I was at the door weighing castings at the time. I saw him bow to mv brother. The whole thing occurred near to our counting-house. He passed in the direction of the Medical College. He was seen by me last about 40 feet Jrom the College. It was between the hour of half-past one and two—perhaps nearer two. I remained in the same place all the after- noon of that day. I never saw the Doctor after that day. There are two ways of going away from the College. At the same time no one could pass into Fruit street without my seeing him. [Here the map was submitted to the witness.] My brother Elias inquired the time from me before the Dr. came up. The ne.xt day my attention was called to these circumstances by the Doctor's disappearance. I knew where Dr. Webster resided. He came into my room the Tuesday after, and signed a check for Mr. Cummings. The day after Farkman's disappearance I heard of it.— Mr. Littlefield came to my premises to borrow tools, for the purpose of breaking walls, on Friday after, the day of the prisoner's arrest. The remains were found, I think, on the evening of the day that the tools were borrowed. He borrowed the tools, not at different times, but together. My brother lent Mr. Littiefield'a bar for the purpose mentioned. Mr. Kingsley called on me at the time in retisrence to the matter. I can't say of my own knowl- edge what use was made of the tools. 1 knew Dr. Park- man to be a very punctual man—he has always been so with us. When Webster came to sign the check he made a remark to the efltct, that he thought it singular noth- ing vcas heart! of Dr. Farkman. Cross-examined. Saw the Doctor on the 23d. There were six or eight men working in the establishment at the time. From where I stood I could see both sides of the way. I was standing at the side door. It was be- tween one and two o'clock. I could see down the street all the time. Leonard Ajller sworn. I am the brother of Albert and Elias Fullei^and work in the foundry with them. I re- member the day of Dr. Parkman's disappearance, and of Mr Littletield's coming to me and wanting a bar, on the same day that the remains were found, some time after dinner. He also had a drill. The bar was about four Jeet long. He returned for a hammer and a chisel also, xvliich he wanted. He had off his coat and jacket, and was sweaty when he came to me, and his clothes were dir- ty. My brother Albert handed him chisels and other in- struments. He took the hammer and chisel and went to the College. I saw no more of him that night. I knew Dr. Parkman. I saw him on the 23d, but I can't tell the exact time. I have known him for the last three years.— Saw him at the same time my brother saw him. Cross Examined.—I saw him in Court street, but can't say the time. Could not say what particular dress he had on ; was in my chaise at the time 1 saw him. Paul Holland, sworn.—My place of business on the 23d N vember was a grocery store at the corner ol Vii.e and Blossom street. Dr. Farkman came in between one and two on that day; I think the time was about half-past one. file remained some tifteen minutes, and bought 32 pounds of sugar and 6 pounds of butter, which he desired to iiave sent home. He brought into the store with him a paper bag. He held little conversation with any person in the shop, but while the articles were being put up he asked permission to leave the bag in the store for a few moments, and said that he would call for it; he addressed me. I was standing behind the counter when he passed tlie window next to Blossom street. He said any time woulffcido to send up the things; they were sent up. The bag remained till evening, and as he did not call for it as promised, I opened it, and found it contained lettuce. Oil Saturday afternoon I heard of his being missed, from Mr. Kingsley and others. While Dr. Parkman was in the store Calvin G. Moore was also present. I showed the bag and its contents to Mr. Kingsley when I heard of his disappearance. I do not dine until two o'clock; some- times I get back at a quarter before three. Cross Examined.—Dr. Farkman did nut appear to be in a hurry when he came to me. He was dressed in a black frockj and had no overcoat. His pants were black; his cravat also black, and either silk or satin. I have no way of fixing the hour exactly, save with refierence to my din- ner-hour. Jabez Pratt, Coroner, called a-nd sworn—I am one of the Coroners of the County of Suffolk. I was called upon in my official capacity on the evening of Friday, SOth, by officer Spoor, between the hours of 9 and 10. to examine some remains which had been discovered at the Medical College in Grove street. We went to the house of Mr. Parker, and from that to the jail in Leverett street. I knew Prof. Webster before I saw him at the jail. There was a warrant put into my hands for the arrest of Dr. Webster. I went in company with Dr. Gay into the lock- up, and thence into the jail-office, and saw Dr. Webster lying on his face ni the berth, apparently very greatly depressed. Dr. Gay bad some conversation with him, and endeavored to soothe his feelings, pressing him, at the same time, to get up. Webster stated he was ui-able to do so. They helped him out of the berth. He was agitated, and seemed to tremble all over—as agitated as any person I ever saw, and exclaimed, What will be- come of my poor family I The officers then led him up stairs. They had to take hold of him and lift him up, for he was nearly helpless, and had no control over his limbs. He was taken to tiie office and treated with care. Some person offered him water, but he was so agitated he could not drink; he didn't take the tumbler in his hand, but when it was put to his lips turned from it. Before the party started we received directions that no one should hold any conver- sation with Dr. Webster. Mr. Pai ker had some conver- sation with him. He stated to the prisoner that some dis- coveries had been made in the Medical College, and we have come here to see if you will come down and make all necessary explanations. I do not recollect his an- swer, but he consented to go with us. We placed him in a carriage, with one of the officers of the jail on the out- side, and Mr. Blake and myselt inside. Mr. Cummings was also on the outside. He was in the same condition entering the carriage as at other times. The officers had to lift his feet. 1 heard him say that he felt cold in the lock up. When we ar- rived we went up to the front door of the College, the prisoner being assisted as before. There was some con- versation in the carriage, but I cannot recollect it. I re- member he complained of his arrest, and made some remarks about being taken from his family. [The attention of the witness was called to the map that he might point out the route by which the carriage pro ceeded to the College; it appeared they entered the south front door ] We entered the lecture-room; the persons who held Mr. Webster were Mr. Cummins and Mr. Blake. There was some conversation, but I do not recollect it. We then went into the small laboratory, and I believe that the door was closed, and had to be bvrst open ; I'm speaking of the door trom the lecture-room into the small room back. Some person then inquired for the key of the small room. Dr. Webster said that was his private room where he made his chemical preparations, and that there were dan- gerous matters inside, and the key, he said, he had not got from Mr. Clapp. The room was hnally broken open, and some of the party went in, myself included. Dr. Web- ster stood near the door and looked in, and remarked that if they were not careful they would break some of the bottles. On the opposite side of the room towards the window there were drawers—in the small room I mean— some of which they broke open. Dr. Webster objected to this saying, You'll find nothing there but some demi- johns and bottles, and this was true. There was also a hatchet found by some one, which I saw in the hands of an officer—nothing else but some articles of clothing. We then went down stairs to the lower room It is im- possible to give any account of the conversations which occurred, for all were scattered tiirough the room and all were talking. There was an inquiry made for the key of the privy. Webster ansvi'ered it was hanging up in its place on the nail. I think this inquiry was made below .stairs, but cannot be certain. I didn't take as nmcli pains that evening as others did. I never was in the building but once before, and 1 did not charge my mind with the minutia3. While we were in the laboratory the key was tried and did not fit. The door was then broken open, and the seat thrown up. Some persons enquired where the chim- ney was that was connected with the furnace, and some- body remarked that there was the furnace. I think some one went to the furnace and took the cover off. I direct- ed them to let it remain as it was. There were some min- erals there. Somebody held the prisoner by the arms all the time. He called for water and was so agitated that he could not drink. He appeared ditlerent from any man I ever saw before—when the water was put to his mouth he ap- peared to snap at it, and then thrust it from him violent- ly, as if it was offensive. He was more excited in the laboratory than he was up stairs, and more calm up stairs than I saw him anywhere else. All the party went out of the laboratory together, towards the trap-door; it was in the laboratory he called for water.