The twelve days' trial of Dr. John W. Webster for the murder of Dr. Parkman : comprising the addresses of the counsel engaged, the examination of the 121 witnesses, the prisoner's singular defence, and the chief justice's charge to the jury, and his sentence on the prisoner.

  • John White Webster
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The twelve days' trial of Dr. John W. Webster for the murder of Dr. Parkman : comprising the addresses of the counsel engaged, the examination of the 121 witnesses, the prisoner's singular defence, and the chief justice's charge to the jury, and his sentence on the prisoner. 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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    and arrest Dr. Webster. [The cinders and bone were exhibited to the jury, and identified by the marshal; also a dirk knife.] These articles I have had in my pos- session. I passed over to Dr. Keep a set of teeth, which were also found in the furnace. Cross-examined by Mr. Sohier.—The first notice was prepared on Saturday. I wrote it on Saturday night. It was submitted to the family, altered and published. I also submitted the second notice. The third was my own, and the last by the family. The new aperture made in the partition wall was near the foundation wall. When we looked through and saw the remains, they were not exactly under the hole of the privy. One part was nearer the wall, and the other on the other side ; but can't say how far they were from a perpendicular line let drop from the privy hole. The ground w^as highest near the wall, and they seemed to lie on the side of the slope. Re-examined.—I did not observe whether the tide ebbed and flowed in this space. The turf adhered to the remains when they were taken out. Calvin G. Moore (5th witness).—Last November I resided at the corner of Vine and Bridge Streets. I saw Dr. Parkman on the 23rd of November last, in Holland's store at the corner of Vine and Blossom. I was there at ten or twenty minutes to two, when Dr. Parkman came in from Vine Street. He bowed and spoke to Mr. Holland about some sugar which he purchased, as well as some butter. There was further conversation. He went out in Blossom Street, after making a remark to Mr. Holland. I did not observe where he went. Cross-examined.—I lived at 34 Bridge Street at the time. My house was across the way from Holland's, and I went there to purchase some butter, which I paid for at the time. I dined at half-past twelve, and was not in a hurry to go out. I think I said at the coroner's inquest, it was between one and two. I first mentioned seeing the Dr. to Mr. Kingsley when he came to see me on Saturday, about four or five o'clock. It was after this conversation with Mr. Kingsley that I came to the con- clusion respecting ;the time when I saw Dr. Parkman. Can't say whether I have ever stated this to any one. Mrs. Martha Moore (6th witness).—I reside at the corner of Vine and Bridge Streets. I knew Dr. Parkman by sight; I did not see Dr. Parkman on the 23rd of Nov. I told my son George to go to school ten minutes before two. He was at the corner of Fruit and Bridge Streets, on the side walk; I saw a truck there, and told him from the window he would be late; I looked at the clock at that time. He heard me, and said he would go at two. My attention was called to this fact about a week afterwards. Cross-examined.—George attended Phillip's school, which commenced at two o'clock. I recollect it was the 23rd, because I heard people talk about the matter. George called my attention to the fact within a week after. It was in my chamber ; I cannot say whether my husband vvas present, nor state any circumstances which fixed the day as Friday, though I know it was. George F. Moore (7th witness).—I am twelve years old, son of the last wit- ness; I saw Dr. Parkman 23rd of November last, in Fruit Street, I was standing there by a truck, and he was passing down towards Grove Street, about ten minutes before two ; another boy (Dwight Prouty, jun.,) was with me going to school; I said, there goes Dr. Parkman. I was at school just before it was '* tardy. I heard on Saturday that Dr. Parkman was missing. Cross-exa7)tined.—Did not see Dr. Parkman that week, before Friday ; he passed right by us ; I told mother the next day in the afternoon. DwiGiiT Pkouty, Jun., (8th witness).—I am thirteen—go to the Phillips school —I saw Dr. Parkman on Friday, Nov. 23rd, at ten minutes before two. I left the house a quarter before two by the clock; 1 saw George Moore, there was a truck in the street. I saw Dr. Parkman going down Fruit Street towards Grove Street, and I think a boy said tliere goes Dr. Parkman. He passed by me on the same side of the street. George's mother told hira from the window that it was ten minutes of two, and time to go to school.