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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    C. M. Hovey, sworn.—I reside in Cambridge. I keep a seed store, in Boston. Have known Prof. Webster for about twenty years ; perhaps twenty-five. His reputation as a peaceable man has been considered very high. Dantet TREADWELL, sworn. —I reside in Cambridge. Have been connected with the College; but am not now. Iam acquainted with Prof. Webster, and have been for nearly thirty years. I think he has been considered as a quiet, peaceable, and humane man; but some- what petulant, and nervous. But he is generally considered a per- fectly harmless man. NINTH DAY.— Thursday, March 28th. [The Jury came into the Court-room a little before nine o’clock ; and in a few minutes after, the Court came in. After the usual calling of the Jury, the evidence on the part of the defence was resumed. ] NarwaniEt J. Bowprtcu, sworn. —I reside in Boston. Have been acquainted with Prof. Webster for about thirty years. His general character is that of a humane and peaceable man ; but he is possessed of a somewhat quick and irritable temper. J. D. Hever, sworn.—I reside in Cambridge, and have known Dr. Webster for about twenty-five years. He is generally considered asa peaceable and quiet, but nervous and sometimes passionate man ; but not ever violent. James CavanacuH, sworn. —I have resided in Cambridge for six- teen years, and have known Prof. Webster all that time. I lived three years with Professor Webster. His general reputation is that of a peaceable and agreeable man; but he is sometimes hasty in his temper. I always found hima kind-hearted and pleasant man, when I lived in his family. Mason Asranam Epwarps, sworn.—I reside in Cambridge; am City Marshal. Have been acquainted with Professor Webster for fif- teen years; I lived in the same ward with him. He has been, as far as I know, a peaceable and humane man. : Pretec W. Cuanpier, Esq., sworn. —I have known Dr. Webster personally for about twelve years. He is generally considered as a mild man, deficient in energy of character and strength of passion. His general character for kindness and humanity is decidedly favorable. Dr. Morritt Wyman, sworn. —I reside in Cambridge, and have for the last twelve years. Iam not a near neighbor, but live not far from Dr. Webster. My acquaintance with him commenced fifteen years ago, and has continued up to the present time. His general reputation has been, as far as I know, that of a kind, amiable, and agreeable man. Dr. Jarep Srarxs, (President of Harvard University,) sworn. — I reside in Cambridge, and have for seventeen years; during which time, I have known the defendant. From my own observation, he has appeared kind and amiable. I never knew of anything against him. I did not hear anything until his arrest. As far as I know, I should say that he has been generally considered an amiable and kind-hearted man. Cross-examination. I have heard many remarks about him since