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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    one before. Th y might have been there, but I never saw them before. There i a hole in the bottom of the si ik, so that, when the water runs into ‘he sink, it will immediately ru: off. By Mr. Sohier. The chip cut there was done by an officer. The sink was made to Jet off water when Dr. Webster was making gas. The sink was sometimes used for breaking up ice. Don’t know whether the other F’rofessors have keys of the outside doors. Awnvrix A. Fostsr, sworn.— Am a provision dealer in this city. Remember filling an order from Professor Webster to Mr. Littlefield. It was Tuesday, November 27th. Think it was from three to four ociock. The order was torn up. Mr. Littlefield brought an order, at the same time, for some sweet potatoes. [Mr. Clifford showed him a transcript of the charge of the turkey, to which he testified. ] A week or two after this, Mr. Littlefield came in and inquired what day he brought the order, and I told him. Mrs. Caronuine N. LittLertetp, sworn.—Iam the wife of Mr. Ephraim Littlefield, the janitor of the College. We occupy a part of the basement of the College. I knew Dr. Parkman by sight. I think I heard of his disappearance on Saturday. I know I heard of it Sunday, because my husband told me. On Sunday afternoon, after tea, Mr. Littlefield went out. He came in, and beckoned me from the kitchen to the.bed-room. He said he believed that Dr. Parkman was murdered by Dr. Webster. I said, “ For mercy’s sake, what makes you think so? Don’t you ever mention such a thing again. If the Professor should hear of it, it will make trouble for you.” | The reason I gave him for saying so was, that if the Professor should get hold of it, it would make trouble for him. I do not know that I had noticed anything unusual before this, but after this I recol- lected that the door by the laboratory stairs, which was usually left open, had been fastened since Friday afternoon. Some time before, Dr. Webster asked me if I would not get water from his pipes, be- cause he wanted it used. This gave me occasion to pass through that door. Some time about four o’clock, on Friday afternoon, I sent my little girl to get some water there, and she came back and said she could not get in. I told her she must be mistaken, for that door was never fastened. I went, and found it was fastened. On Saturday, also,I recollect the door was fastened. I know, when I went to get a pail of water for breakfast, it was locked; and I cannot tell how often afterwards I noticed it. We could obtain the same water from the cellar; but as Dr. Webster had requested me to get water there, I thought I would. I don’t recollect about Sunday; but on Monday morning, between nine and ten, Dr. Samuel Parkman came to my door, and inquired if Mr. Littlefield was at home. I told him he was somewhere in the building. He asked if Prof. Webster was in, and which way he could go to see him. I told him he could go by the way of the door leading from our cellar, if the door was not fastened. I went, and found it unfastened, and showed him up stairs. A short time after, I went for some water, and found the door fast- ened. Never tried any other door than the one that leads from our cellar into his laboratory. I think it was that same forenoon that Mr,