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
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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![of November. I went into Dr. Webster's garden, and he was trimming grape-Yineas with it. I noticed the knife as very peculiar. I noticed blood on the Doctor's fin- , ger, and made a remark at the time about it. Derastus Clapp (37th witness).—Have been connected with the police since 1828, [The mortgage notes and the paper showing accounts between Doctors Webster and Parkman, and a memorandum which were found at Dr. Webster's house, were identified by the witness.] On the 5th December I was directed by the City Marshal to go to Cambridge and search Dr. Webster's house ; I went went with officer Hopkins, and procured the aid of Sanderson, a Cambridge officer. We went to the house of Dr. Webster; two officers went up stairs, while I remained below. This was not the first search of the house. I asked Mrs. Webster if she had any package or bundle of papers given to her by Dr. Webster. In a short time Mr. Sanderson brought down these papers* Not being mentioned in the search warrant, I directed him to put them into the trunk, where he had found them, and bring that down. I then requested Mrs. Webster to take out these papers, and that I would give her a receipt, she did so j we found nothing more. I recognised the handwriting of Dr. Parkman on two of these papers. 1 put my initials on these papers. [These papers were then shown to the court and jury.} First, a note dated Boston, June 22, 1842, to pay in fifteen months 400 dols., with interest at six per cent, per annum, to George Parkman, and signed J. W. Webster. In pencil mark at the bottom, in Dr. Parkman's handwriting, this is to be given up on payt. of W's. mort. of Jan. 1847. On the back July 10, 1845, interest is accounted to date by receipt, and 7 dols. 00 c. of the principal, leaving due 393 dols. Also, Oct. 10, 75 dols., endorsed on the top of note of back, in figures, 483 dols. 64c., paid November 23, supposed to be in the defendant's handwriting. Second, a note dated Boston, 22nd January, 1847, to pay to George Parkman, or order, 2400 dols. within four years from date, with interest yearl}', a quarter of said capital sum to be paid yearly. J. W. Websrer, and witnessed Charles Cunningham. Immediately below, in pencil mark, is 500 dols, of the above is G. P's; plus, 332 dols.—equal 832 dols. For bal. see Mr. Charles C. On the top of this note, in Dr. Parkman's hand, On paymient to G. Parkman of 832 dols. of this note, with interest, Dr. W's other mortgage ar;d note to G. P., of June 22, 1842, is to be cancelled. Then six words in pencil: Copy, W. has 831 dols. 83|c. On the back, in pencil, Nov. Srd, 17 dols. 56c. as by receipt. Then in v/riting, This endorsement, 1848, April 8, rec'd a hundred and eighteen dollars 50-100, Charles Cunningham; and gave a receipt. G. P. Also a second endorsement, One hundred and eighty-seven dollars 50-100 and receipt, C. C. Across the face of the note was marked paid twice, which v«/ould be showed to be the prisoner's handwriting. The paper was then read, giving an account of the sum due to Dr. Parkman from Dr. Webster, signed by Charles Cunningham, and addressed to Dr. Webster, April 25, 1849. In pencil marks of the defendant, Bal. due by Dr. P. 456 dols. 27 c., and 27 dols. 37 c. interest—equal 483 dols. 64c. The account had been folded as a letter and addressed to Dr. Webster at Cambridge. [The witness then produced a memorandum in Dr. Webster's handwriting, which he said he received from Dr. Webster, at the jail office on the night of his arrest. This was read and purported to give an account of what was due to Dr. Parkman, as well as what was said and done on Friday, Nov. 23, at the lecture-room, between Drs. Webster and Parkman. Two small memoranda were also shown to the Court and Jury, found in the Doctor's hand, in pencil, 483,64, and on the other, jug mol, tin box, &c.] On Tuesday, after the Doctor's disappearance, I took part in the search of Dr. Webster's apartments. I was directed to search the college, the houses in the vicinity, and the vacant lands where they were building the new jail; with several officers and Mr. Littlefield, I went to the door—either the laboratory or the store-](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21083630_0038.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
