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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    Cross-examined.—The truck was near the corner of Fruit Street, moving towards the Iron Foundry. Elias Fuller (9th witness).—I carry on the Iron Foundry, my counting-house is on the west side of North Grove Street, opposite Fruit Street, which I can look down ; my room is seventy-five feet from the Medical College ; I knew Dr. Parkman, saw him frequently, and had business with him. He had a claim on the ground under my foundry ; I saw the Dr. on Friday, Nov. 23rd, between half past-one and two.— I was on the side walk, in front of North Grove Street, to see Joseph Annis, who had agreed to meet me at two. I cannot say precisely when I saw the Dr., but think it was a few minutes before two ; I had not my watch with me while waiting for Mr. Annis, and so inquired of my brother, he replied the first time, twenty minutes of two. After this Dr. Parkman passed towards the Medical College, he came over and passed within a few feet of me. [This witness confirmed the preceding, respecting the truck.] Cross-examined.—He was dressed in a dark frock coat. Albert Fuller (10th witness).—Am brother of the preceding witness ; knew Dr. Parkman for some years, and met him frequently. I saw him on the 23rd of Novem- ber last, passing towards the Medical College, within twelve feet of me ; I stepped down from where I was at work, to see if he went to my counting-room; he did not enter, but passed towards the college ; this was near two o'clock ; I was there all the afternoon, and did not see the Doctor afterwards ; there are two ways of going from the college, but if he had left by Fruit Street I think I should have seen him; I was not in the building, but at the door. [Confirmed the preceding witness, as to the inquiry about the time,] I heard of the Doctor's disappearance on Saturday ; on Tuesday after. Dr. Webster came into my room and signed a check for Mr. Cum- mings ; Mr Littlefield borrowed a tool of me on Friday, I think, after the disappear- ance of Dr. Parkman, in the afterneon. By Counsel.—For what purpose ? Objected to. By the Court—Not admissible.] Witness.—I furnished him with chisels ; I had lent him a bar before ; Mr. Kingsley called on me that afternooii, to make inquiries ; when Dr. Webster signed the check at my counting-room, he made a remark, that he saw by the papers that nothing had been heard of Dr. Parkman. Cross-examined—I passed Friday, the 23rd, weighing iron ; I had men putting in the iron ; I could see both side-walks of Fruit Street; I stood side to the door, Leonard Fuller (11th witness).—Brother of the preceding; work in the foundry with my brothers ; after Dr. Parkman's disappearance I recollect Mr. Little- field's borrowing of me a steel churndrill, four feet long, the day the remains were found, after dinner; he came back after a chisel and hammer, which he took with him ; when he came for them, his coat and jacket were off, and his clothes were soiled ; he went to the college, and I saw nothing more of him that night; I saw Dr. Parkman on Friday, the 23rd, but can't say at what time ; I have known him for ten years ; he came to my counting-room nearly every day ; he was prompt and punctual. Cross-examined.—I sawthe Doctor in Court Street,buthad no conversation with him. Paul Holland (12th witness).—I was a grocer at the corner of Vine and Blossom Streets ; on Friday, 23rd of November, saw Dr. Parkman, in my store between one and two—about half past one; he staid about fifteen minutes, and bought thirty-two pounds crushed sugar and six pounds of butter ; he brought in a paper bag with him ; I had but little conversation with him, but after the articles were put up, he asked permission to leave the bag for a few minutes or five minutes, that he would call for it—this was as he was going out; when I told him I would send up the things, he replied, any time in the afternoon ; not calling f^r the bag, I opened it, and found lettuce ; on Saturday afternoon I heard from Mr. Kingsley and others that the Doctor was missing; I usually dined about two. Cross-examined.—Dr. Parkman had on a black frock coat, black pants, and, I think, black satin vest.