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
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.
35/68 (page 29)
![Dr. Webster said my brother went out very rapidly from the room in the College where the interview took place I then asked Dr Webster if he knew whether my brother actually went to Cambridge. Ue said he could not tell, but intended to go himself and ascertain. I remember nothing else. I followed him to the front door, where Dr. Webster repeated his intention of going to Cambridge. I think I have a distinct recollection of the conversation. I am contideut about the statement of dashing a pen through the paper, as Dr. Webster raised his hand to in- dicate the motion made by my brother in the act.— Dr. Webster's manner, I could not but observe, was hasty,—nervous. Ue commenced speaking in a business manner immediately upon entering the room. I could not but remark that there was no expression of surprise at the mysterious disappearance and no expression oi sympathy with our distress. I should consider it a busi- ness visit. In regard to the suddenness and quickness oi manner, I have observed the same before, itapidity ol motion has characterized him, and it has been observed by all who knew him. There was a certain flun y of man- ner that I had not observed before, not so great, however, as to deeply impress me. What particularly struck me, was the expression—a want of tenderness which I should think should always characterize a man iipon such an er- rand. I recollect nothing more than the plain business errand that I liave detailed. I should be perfectly safe in saying that Dr. Webster was there not more than 10 or 15 min- utes. I cannot distinctly answer whether he wore an overcoat, but my impression is that he did not. I stood on the steps when he left. My impression is that he went down Green street towards the College—I cannot say precisely, however. My brother's domestic habits were most remarkable. He was among the most punctual of mankind in his habits and ways. Seldom or ever depart ed from the city, and was almost invariably at his regular meals. He has left a wife and a son and a daughter. His daughter had been in a very delicate state—she was one for whom he was perpetually anxious. His son was in Europe when he disappeared, but has lately returned. I believe I may say with contiiJeuce that I never knew my brother to use language wiiich properly might be called profane When he was moved, he was not an irritable man—he would use strong language, but never, on any occasion, do I recollect of hearing him use a profane word. Oross examined.—Two gentlemen called at my house to say that they saw my brother at 1| 1*. M. on Friday. I knew their names, Fesseuden and Holmes. Dr. Webster did not say what paper Dr. Parkman took and dashed his pen through. I was sorry that I did not ask Dr. Webster. I was all the morning at my brother's house. Returned after dinner. None ot us went to church that day. \ At 10 minutes to 7 P. M. the Court adjourned to next morning. SEVENTH DAY. Tuesday, March 26,1850. The Court was opened this morning at the usual hour, the prisoner making his appearance a few minutes before 9 o'clock. We observed nothing in his air or manner that differed in any particular from that which has char acterized him since his trial commenced. He has to sub-1 {jde^ except through small crevices Webster invited us in, when Mr. Thompson informed the Dr. what was the object of our visit. Dr. Webster went to an account book and turned over the leaves two or three times, and appeared to tremble badly. He then left the room. He was'goue some two or three minutes and then returned, sat down in a chair, and said, it is strange that I can't hud those papers. He got up and went to a trunk which was under a table in the front room, and then went back to the account book on the centre table. He then had some conversation with the clerk, Mr Thompson, but what it was I do not Inow. He then sat down in a chair, and said, My ticket man told me that Dr. Parkman came to him and demanded what money he had in his possession for tickets sold. My ticket man re- fused to let him have the money; thereupon Dr. Parkman told my ticket man that I was a d d rascai and a scoun- drel. Says Dr. Webster, I thought hard of it at the time, but I don't care about it now, as I have settled with Dr. Parkman, and it is all over. Ue had some conversa- tion with the clerk, who went with me, and told him that the mortgage was on personal property and not real estate. I made the remark that we would go to the chief Clerk and see if Dr. Parkman had been there, and turned and left the room. I did not see Dr. Webster again that night. On Tuesday forenoon, about Hi o'clock, I went withMr. Clapp, Mr. Kice, and Mr. Kingsley to the lower laboratory stairs door leading from Mr. LittlefleJd's store- room, and found it fast. We found the other store-room door fast. We then went up to the front door of the lec- ture room. Mr. Littletieid knocked, waited a few mo- ments and then knocked again. Then Dr. Webster came to the door. I a,sked Dr. Webster wlio was with him when Dr. Parkman paid him this money. He said no one but myself I asked at what hour Dr. Parkman was there when he paid the money. He said between li and 2 o'clock. We passed down through the lecture roomand round I he end of the table. I asked Dr. Web- ster where Dr. Parkman stood when he paid him the money, and he answered here, that is by the lett hand end of the table. On Dr. Webster's left hand, as he would stand when lecturing to the students.— We passed up into the back private laboratory, and turning to a little room, he said, that is my little room where I keep my valuables. We then went down stairs,, Dr. Webster going near me. Mr. Clapp turning to the privy asked, wiiat place is this? Mr. Littletieid an- swered, this is Dr. Webster's private privy, Dr. Web- ster saying at the same moment, Gentlemen, here is another room that you have not looked into; and we passed to the store-room and out, taking very little notice of what was in the laboratory. I did not notice what tLs others were doing, Mr. Kingsley or Mr. Rice. I know that Dr. Webster led oif to another door. He seemed to be hurrying us through the room. After we had looked to the main vault, I then passed to the scuttle that leada under the main building. I took my lantern and went down underneath with Mr. Littletieid, and crawled as far we could, for the walls [Witness pointed out upon the plan the route that he and Littletieid pursued.] We crept on our hands and knees until we got to tiie place where the privy is* I asked Mr. Littlefield if it was the outside wall. There was no hole in the wall at the time. There was a conver- sation between Mr. Littletieid and myselt while we were out there in relation to the position of the privy. I have examined the walls about the cellar two separate times. There is no access to the privy wall lor the flow ot the ' - On Tuesday, 27th, I mit to the close and constant scrutiny of a large multi | did not find any tiling under the building by the privy tude of spectators, and it must be, to him, no ordinary ef- wall. I am the officer who discovered the remains in the fort to preserve a generally calm and collected demean- t,ea chest. I had been searching; from Si A. M. until 4 Last e»enin- 'during the delivery of the testimony of Dr. Francis Parkman, wherein that gentleman referred to the children and grandchild of Dr. Webster, the pris- oner manifested deep feeling—more feeling than we have witnessed at any time previous. Rau>h .:5Mith, called aud sworn. I reside in Boston.— My place of business is iu Exchange street. I am a liquor dealer. I have had very little business with Prof. Web- ster. He was owing me a small amount in the fall of last year. [VVitness identided a letter from Prof. Webster written in answer to one sent to him.] He was owing me some money. The amount had been due some time, and I wrote to Prof Webster to cancel the debt, as I wished to close up some old concerns, having formed a partner- ship business. I wrote to him, aud that [the letter identi- fied] was the reply. [The junior counsel for the govern- ment read the letter, dated Cambridge, Oct'r 15th, 1819, and it was then put into the case. The letter simply states that Prof. Webster would pay the amount when he got the fees from the Medical studeuts, until which time he asked the indulgence of Mr. Smith.] Samuel B. Follbr, called and sworn. I am one of the Police; have been for nine years. I have seen Prof. Web- ster but I have not any acquaintance with him. I saw Prof. Web.ster on Sunday, Nov. 25th, after the disappearance of Dr. Parkman. I went to East Cambridge to see if the P. M., of Saturday, Dec. 1st. I had seen the cliest once before, but did not touch it. Others were searchmg with me, some six or eight persons. I told thein that I would search that side of the building, and go through it thor- r looked over somethings on tlie shelves until I came to the tea chest. I thought it was where Dr. Webster kept his minerals, bat as 1 was searching I would look in- to it. I took out some minerals which were done up in papers. The writing on the papers appeared to be fresh. After getting out some minerals I found there was tan m the chest. I put my baud in and took out some minerals from the tan. I then ran my hand in again and took out a hunting knife, which I opened, looked at, and placed in my pocket. I then remarked that I thought there was more than tan in the chest. I took it out and turned it over, when the trunk of a human body tumbled out. 1 stood on the right side aud saw a hole in the left breast, just under the left nipple. The tan was scraped oif only with the hand. I forbid an officer to use a stick, and it was not used. Remarks were made about the hole at the time. I said the knife 1 had I supposed would ht the hole, but I did not try it at the time. [Witness identihed the tea chest in which the remains were found.] 1 found one of the kidneys iu the ash hole. 1 here were some bedclothes fouud. In the lower laboratory, on the ur. jruiK.mau. i went to Ji.asi ijamoriuge lo seii ii uue some ueucitjtiies luuu'-i. ah-..v. .^„^. n iio h-ata mortgage was cancelled, and I was told 1 could ascertain table, were found a comforter and two woollen uiauKeis, better by going to the house of Dr. Webster. I took a Mr. done up in a newspaper. The table was near the wiuuo.v. Thompson, 1 believe, a clerk, iu a chaise and went to Dr. 1 should think they had never been used, nary one oi tuem Webster's house where we arrived about dark. Dr. | —all new. I remained there at the College until me da](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21083629_0035.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
