The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-12-20
Terrible Affair in Boston.
Awful Murder of Dr. Parkman.


The disappearance of DIR. Parkman,
well-known in Boston for his wealth and
eccentricities, and which was mentioned
about two weeks since, has resulted in the
supposition that he was cruelty, brutally
and wantonly murdered, and his remains
or a portion of them, destroyed. The
good city of Boston has been narrowed by
the details of the supposed murder. Up
to Friday, of last week, the most frightful
rumors were circulated. All sorts of re-
ports had been flying from tongue to
tongue, and the police were dragging ri
vers and securing WOODS in search of him,
when of sudden it was asserted that he
had been murdered by Professor Webster,
of the Medical College, and his remains
partially burnt. The high standing of the
parties-their social position, moving in
the most fashionable circles Of Boston
their advanced ages, the victim being so,
and his supposed murderer So years of
age-all tended to increase the excite
ment.
Suspicion hau rested upon Professor
Webster by persons employed at the Col
lege, owing to the fact that DR.. Parkman
was known to have called there about a
note of the Professors for $425, which he
held. DIR. Parkman was not seen to leave
the College, and Mr.. Littlefeld stated to
the other professors that Mr.. Webster had
been locked up in his own room for a
length oftime that aroused his suspicious.
A secret plan was laid to search the apart
ments, which was commenced by break
ing through stone and brick walls under
the chemical room, occupied by Professor
Webster. There, in the well ofthe water
closet was found part of a human body-
the intestines having been taken out. The
search was continued, and parts of two
legs were discovered. The head, hands
and feet were gone. In the ashes in the
fire place. particles of gold, teeth, &C.,
were found, which were identified by the
dentist, as those belonging to DIR. Park
man; this was confirmed by the discovery
OF jaw bone. A pair of trowsers belong
ing to Professor Webster, with blood up
on them, was also found and in a tea
chest, covered with minerals. other mutil-
ated remains; a saw with which it is
thought the head was cut from the body,
was also found. OF course, these eviden-
ces being found in the apartments of
Prof. Webster, to which only himself had
access, were sufficient to cause his arrest.
The officers Of the law proceeded to his
house at Cambridge, and there found him
bidding adeu to gentleman who had
been visiting there. The officers told
him they wished him to proceed to the
College and aid in searching for the re
mains. He complied readily, but instead
of conveying him to the College, the car
riage in which he was placed, proceeded
direct to the Lcverett street jail. This
seemed to surprise him, and he asked the
officers the meaning of it. He was in
formed of what had transpired at the Col
lege, and the effect upon him is described
as appalling. The next day he was con-
veyed to the college, to witness the putting
together of the mutilated remains. Vari-
Gus stories were published of his manner
on that occasion, but the truth is, he was
perfectly calm, though quite feeble from
the effects of his arrest, and having passed
the night in jail.
the Boston papers of Monday, Tuesday,
and Wednesday, long accounts of the state
of things there. They do not, however,
contain any additional particulars, further
than that the family of the late Dr. Park
man had taken the mutlated remains
found in the College, and had them buried
with due ceremony-satsfied of their
identity. Professor Webster was arraign-
ed on Monday, and committed by the
Court to await the decision of the Grand
Jury for the January term. He was at
tended by his counsel and friend, Frank
lin Dexter, Esq. He is represented to
have gained his equanimity, and to con-
verse quite freely with his friends. His
family, at his residence in Cambridge,
consist of a wife and three daughters, the
youngest Of whom is 16. His eldest
daughter, aged %, is married to Mr.. Dab
ney, the present Consul at Fayal, and is
abroad with her husband. Those at home
are merged in the deepest despair, at the
position in which the father and husband
is placed. Those who best know Pro-
fessor Webster, do not believe him guilty
of the crime, and suspicion has occasion
ally rested upon others, but upon exami-
nation it proved to be unfounded. Others
assert that if the remains were those Of
DIR. Parkman, they were placed where
found for the purpose of entrapping Prof.
Webster. He has not, however, attempt
ed any explanation, and we confess, from
all we have seen, appearances are strong
ly against him.
The supposed remains OF DIR. Parkman
were buried from the residence, No. s