Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-12-13
From the Boston Transcript.
Arrest of Prof n w wQhSfQr

HORRIBLE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES last evening our whole
population has been in STATE Of the greatest posi-
Bile excitement, in consequence of the astounding
mUr that the body of Dr. Parkman has been discover
ed, and that DR.. John w. Webster, Professor of
Chemistry in the Medical School of Harvard College,
and gentleman connected by marriage with some
of most distinguished families. has been arrested
and imprisoned, suspicion of being the murderer.
As we have been informed. what we deem to be
good authority, strong suspicious have been enter
tanned ever snce the disappearance of DR.. Parkman,
aud especially since it has generally been believed
that be was no longer living. That the place Of hi,
concealment in about the Medical College, "a
brnnc Of Harvard University in North Grove
street in this city-and accordingly constant watch
has been kept about the building. The principal rea-
sons for these suspicious. which have heard
signed, folluws:
DR.. Parklnan held note of $3.50 against Prof
Webster. which had long been overdue, aud upon
which, although it secured by mortgage of
some real estate in East Cambridge. the Doctor lad
several times importuned for the money, and been
from time TO time put off. At length he applied To
the officer who disposed of the tickets for Prot. Web
sters course of lectures, to know if there sut-
cent balance due the Professor take up the note
This circumstance Is said 10 have greatly incenSed
Prof. W., who on Friday morning of last week called
at DR.. Purkman's house. No. 8. Walnut street, and
left word eff he (Dr. p wanted his money that
mortgage to call at the Medical College about one
O'Clock that afternoon"
Inc Doctor IS KNOWN 10 nave proceeded 10 the Co-
lege at the time specied-was seen enter, by
eral persons in the vicinity, but seen 10
coDle out. The statement that he was subsequently
seen passing Cragie's Bridge, has BEEN as we hear,
satisfactorily contradicied. On his way 10 the COL
lege, DIR. Parkman purchased sumo groceries at
store the corner Of Vine and Blossom streets,
which he ordered TO be left at his house, but left in
the bag of celery which he said he would him.
self call for in few minutes. At this time, il is
stated, person wishing do business with
him, waited two three hours in vain. in order to
see him when be should come from the College.
1t is said Prof. Webster admits that DIR. Parkman
was at the College about The time mentioned, and
that. although he asserts he paid him the $3.50, he
cannot show receipt for it-when ii is well known
that DR.. P. very mehodcal in his business mat
tiers.
1t is also stated that during the whole of the past
week, Prof. Webster has kept himself very secluded
that his at The College have been kept con-
stantly Observation-Disclosures quite unusual with
him.
From these and other alleged facts such suspicious
)used that, In the Professors absence last
evening, Mr.. Ephraim LItileheld, who has the
of the College building and grounds, induced to
break the partition wall Ia the vault under the private
laboratory of Professor Webster, in the basement Of
the building, and there discovered one leg and por-
ton of the trunk of human corpse lin condition
which made it apparent that the remains had not long
been there deposited.
discovery, Win lhct tndt IrOI w eOster Is
not anstomist surgeon, but simply chemist,
and having nothing professionally do with the dis
section OF bodies, ample 10 give rise to the
founding suspicion that DR.. Parkman had thus been
most foully and diabolically murdered.
Prof. Webster accordingly arrested al his resi-
dence in Cambridge. by officers Clapp aud Rice, and
lodged IN Leyeret street jail last night, await fur
Their Developments We hear that he intensely
excited on the occasion and gave way violent
EXPLANATIONS, some of which, If reported correctly,
would 10 strengthen the chain of circumstances
pointing to the deepest guilt Among other language
of similar import, it is currently stated that he used
the following "Cdn it be that that Internal scamp
(supposed TO refer to nccompce) has BETRAYED
He ?" There ore a thousand rumors of this sort
ahoat, but how much credit to attach to them we
leave readers TO Judge.
We learn that further and thorough investigation
was made in the Professors laboratory this morning.
when in the ashes Of his furnace found pieces
Of bone from the skull and other parts of mans
head together with several false teeth coat but
tons, and some grains of gold, apparently from
watch melted down. On the stairs leading from The
laboratory 10 the lecture room above. found
spots made by strong acid capable of destroying
marks Of blood which might have been there Spilled
OF of almost instantly consuming the flesh if thrown
upon the person.
II is known that DR.. Parkman carried a gold watch
and wore artificial teeth, but yet do not
learn that any real identification has been made
corning these articles, or the portion OF the body
found.
1t states as suspicious fact in connection with the
recent unusual eloseness of Prof. Websters laborato
~, that from its chimney uncommonly dense and
smoke has been observed to Issue for several
days past; and that great amount OF pitch pine
kindlings has been used there.
The most thorough Investigations now being
made upon all the matters 10 which have alluded
The Medical College is undergoing the >,rctest search
throughout, and il may be expected that some definite
information i'll relieve the all-absorbng excite
ment, which is prevalent. i'm consequences of the
mysterious facts already developed.
From the Boston Journal Of Saturday
! FURTHER DEvELoPmENrs-Sincet the above was in
type. we learn that Mr.. Webster ordered the
of Mr. Waterman, SO and So Cornhill, a box, to be
made Of stout TIM sodered tight, with the exception
of the cover and that to be made that conld be
easily >odered its proper place. This box be
about three feet in length by foot and half in
depth and width, and directed TO be sent yester
Gay to Professor Webster, but whether to his apart
ment at the College, his residence at Cambridge,
| we did not learn.
Another fact reported to the authorities is, that
among the ashes in the furnace in Mr. Websters Toum
at the College, there have been found particles of
melted silver and gold. Also part of the lower jaw
bone of human being, one more of the teeth
which are flied with gold in peculiar manner at the
edge, corresponding precisely with those Of DIR. Park
man,, These with other circumstances which be-
ing brought light, give dark complexion to the mat
ter as far as Professor Webster is concerned, and
gether with some incauious and inflammatory state
ments published in some of the penny papers. has
created some excitement against the medical institu-
ton in North Grove street.
Threats of demolishing the building have been ut
tered in the heat Of the moment, by some individuals
but no serious apprehensons felt that the peace
of the city will be disturbed. We understand. how
ever, that Mayor Bigeow has adopted the most ener-
getic measures to suppress at a moments warning,
any rio,ous proceedings