The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-12-04

The BosroS MurDrR.-Tha citizens Of Boston
were, for about week, considerably excited by
the sudden and mysterious disappearance of one
Of its wealthest inhabitants; and the interest aud
excitement caused by such a strange affair, gave
place to horror and establishment, upon the an
nouncement that the remains Of his body had been
iound on the premises occupied by DR.. John w.
Webster, Medical Professor Of Harvard College.
The particulars and details of events Which have
uanspired, calculated confirm the suspicious en-
teraned, and fix the charge upon the party named,
have been given in columns, and 1t Is probable
that shall next hear the result Of the Coroner
investigation.
Or PaIkman was one of the weathiest men in
Boston, aud belonged to Of the oldest families
He was brother of the Rev. Dr. Parkman, Uui-
tartan minister Of that city. aud brotherin.law of
Robert G.. Shaw, Eco, a rich and well known mer-
chant also of Boston. DR.. Parkman was about
sixty years old-a Physician Of moderate abili-
ties and limited practice. He was very eccentric
in his manner and appeared TO strangers, deranged
He was, 1t Is said, Of very violent tenn
per, arbitrary in all his dealings, particularly in
money matters. A. g landlord, he was exceeding
" summary in all his dealings with his tenants;
and, although possessing immense wealth, was
close and misery in financial affairs. That he
was subject to cts of arrangement or abstraction.
we have no doubt, both from our personal know
ledge and from that Of others; aud the peculiari
ties Of his disposition were such that difficulties
with those with whom he has been brought in
contact have frequently occurred.
ltisnscessary TO give these facts, before entering
upon any remarks in relation to the cause of the
murder, and the probability of DIR. Webster being
the murderer. Il has been stated that Dr. Park
man held note against nr. Webster, for $50,
which had been n long time past due, although
covered by mortgage upon real estate. DR..
Parkman had repeatedly urged the payment Of this
note, and had resorted to means secure its pay
m,nt which had deeply lncensed DR.. Webster and
created bitter animosity between them, which had,
Up 10 the 22d Of November, been no further de-
veloped than in angry words and stroag epi-
thets At that time, m consequence Of its
coming to the knowledge of DR.. Webster, through
some exceedingly good.naturcd friend, that DR..
Pafkman had stated that he would have the pay
ment for that note at any risk and all hazards Dr.
Webster called at the house Of Or. Parkman,
and not finding him at home, left word for him to
call at the hospital at ! O'Clock on Friday, and his
demand should be satisfied. Agreeably to the re-
guest, DIR. Psrkman went to the hospital, aud, it's
sId, never let 1t alive. The rest lie already well
known. Dr. Webster, it is reported, was very
much embarrassed in his fnsacial affairs, having
involved himself in building large and sPIen-
did dwelling in Cambridge, which hss already
become known as Webster's Folly" THIS,
and other sSuavagaai expenditures, surround
ed him with entertainments, and made the
payment Of debt OF si5e a lmost impossibillty.
With bis feelings wounded by the remarks made
by Or. Parkman, and knowledge, doubtless, Of
his utter inability to meet the demand of such
relentless creditor. interview took place between
them, the result OF which is still wrs,,t in mystery.
SO far the evidence is entirely circums;sntial.
DR.. John w. Webster has, for sevetal years,
been the Professor Of Chemistry IN Harvard Cob
lege, and ~ somewhat celebrated as lecturer on
that science. lie is about fifty years old, and is
connected, by marriage, with many Of the most
respectable families in Massachusetts. 10 dispose
ton he lie mild and amiable, and in habits strictly
moral and temperate. Nothing, in the whole his
tory Of his life, has indicated that be possessed