Report of the trial of Prof. John W. Webster : indicted for the murder of Dr. George Parkman, before the Supreme judicial court of Massachusetts, holden at Boston, on Tuesday, March 19, 1850 / Phonographic report, by Dr. James W. Stone.

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

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the trial of Prof. John W. Webster : indicted for the murder of Dr. George Parkman, before the Supreme judicial court of Massachusetts, holden at Boston, on Tuesday, March 19, 1850 / Phonographic report, by Dr. James W. Stone. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    { heard that Dr. Parkman was missing, I saw Dr. Webster at my place of business. I do not recollect the time of day, but should think the after part of the day. It must have been Monday or Tuesday after Dr. Parkman’s disappearance, for I went out of the city Wednes- day. Hecame in, and inquired for fish-hooks. Thatis all I recollect distinctly. I kiwanl answered, that we had none in the store. Iam a clerk. Mr. Stephen B. Kimball was clerk also, at the time. [had been in Dock-square about one year and a half, in the employ of M. C. Warren, at the time. I had seen Dr. Webster in the store before. It made no impression on my mind, for I have done business with him, but not very frequently at Mr. Warren’s store. ~ Soman B. KimBat, sworn. —I am clerk for Mr. Warren ; and was at the time of Dr. Parkman’s disappearance. I knew Dr. Webster. [ saw him on Monday or Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. I fix the time, by Mr. Lane’s going off the next day. He inquired for large-sized fish-hooks. It was late in the afternoon, for it was getting dark. James W. Encerty, sworn. —Iam a hardware dealer. Remember the time of Dr. Parkman’s disappearance. A person came into the store Tuesday, the 27th of November, towards night, to purchase fish-hooks, the largest we had. [showed him the largest, of which he purchased half a dozen, and went away. [ Fish-hooks shown, and identified by witness.] I fix them by a peculiar mark on them, and by their unusual size. I have had them on hand two or three years. I did not then know Prof. Webster; but have seen him at the jail, and in Court, and recognize him as the one who purchased them. He did not state what he wished to-do with them. Witiiam W. Meap, sworn.— lama hardware dealer, in Union-street. Am net acquainted with Dr. Webster, but have seen him. He called on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and inquired for fish-hooks ; a hook .o form a grapple-hook. I showed the kind I had, and he purchased three of them. I showed him how they might be put together, so as to form a grapple. The ones that he purchased were considerably smaller than those shown me. I could not swear positively that the person was Dr. Webster. I told an officer that he had ona dark dress ; an over-coat. I went down to the jail, to look at him. They showed me where he was. I went in a short time, and came out, and remarked that, if I should see him with hat and coat on,I should feel more confident. The hat and coat were put on,and 1 thought that it looked like the same person. He came into my store about quarter of one; any way, it was before one. Truman M. Tyter, sworn.—I1 ama twine manufacturer. For forty-five years [ have been an actual operator in the business. I am able to judge of the manufacture of the different kinds of twine. [ Some dark short pieces of twine were shown to the witness.] It is small marline, and rather peculiar ; itis two threaded marline. [The pieces on the fish-hooks were also shown. ] Ihave not the least doubt but the pieces are the same. ‘They are both of good Russian green hemp, a thing not usual for the manufacture of such marline at the present day. American hemp is mostly used. The Russian is used on ship-board. ‘This is unusual for common uses. The irregularities of these pieces arise from being made in small quantity. Cross-examination. When we make it, we don’t make more than forty to fifty fathoms, and then we “ball up.” There is not more