Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-12-08
THE BOSTON TRAGEDY

| III Norm OToVe street, Boston, MONDAY dlleIuooH ny
| the Investigating Committee of the coroners jury
The thorax and the thigh found in the chest
ed with tan and minerals, subjected to chemical
tests and it was discovered that these portions OF the
body had been treated with strong solution OF potash
which had hardened and corroded the skin and flesh in
several places and given to the whole that crisped and
burnt appearance which remarked at the time they
were first discovered 1t twas also apparent upon exam
nation that the horax and thigh had been subjected for
short time to the action OF fire. as the hair on those
parts was snged an effect which could not have been
produced by the potash
1t is well known to chemists that the application of
solution OF potash dead flesh has the tendency to
preserve Tor great length OF time from pureacon,
and that tan has the quality Of absorbing purescen and
other odors to remarkable degree.
On the right thigh and the left leg which were dis
covered in the water traces of alkaline could be dis
covered by the application Of the most rigid tests
Chips taken from those parts of the building supposed
to be stained with blood subjected to microscopic
examination but gobules such as are found in the
human blood discovered and the committee came
to the conclusion that the spots had been caused by to-
| bacco spittle.
The veins and arteries OF both thighs and the left leg
have been carefully disseced out and will be subjected
to chemical analysis to-day, for the purpose of disco
verlng it they have been injected with arsenic acid
chloride OF zinc, which is employed at the college for
the preservation OF bodies used by the students for dis
sectonths will prove conclusvey whether the parts
otthe frame discovered belong to subject for dissection
| or not.
The OF metal discovered in the furnace of the
laboratory, and which at first supposed to be
congomeration OF the gold and silver OF DR. Parkmans
watch ana com, We're analysed, and thus Tar they
found to consist OF mixture OF lead and TIM such
would necessarily result from the fusion Of the lead
| lining of tea chest
few days whether the body discovered the premises
of Professor Webster be really that OF DIR. Parkman
not. Meanwhile will observe, that yesterday, the
investigation of the committee of the Coroners jury
were more favorable than was previously anticipated
and to-day, it shall appear that the discovered
mains have been injected with arsenic acid or chloride
OF zinc, new feature will arise in the which will
produce still atersurprse than any yet manifested
AS to the burnt copper cups which We're supposed to
have been the remains OF Dr. Parkmans coat buttons
have turned be instruments for chemical purposes
the silver and other metals which supposed to be
the residuum of the Doctors watch and specie have
proved to be lead and tin and the supposed spots of
blood turn out to be tobacco juice, wien examined by
powerful microscope, it would not be surprising if the
remains OF the corpse should be found to have been in
fused with anatomical injecting matter and thus destroy
the tragic poetry with which the public have been enter
tanned and shocked for the past week.
We learn this morning from good authority, that the
family and friends OF the late Dr. Parkman, have be-
come fully satisfied Of the identity of the remains dis
covered in Professor Websters apartment. DIR. Keep
the dentist, has returned to the city, and on examining
the arica teeth and portion OF the jaw, at pro-
nounced them to be the same he made for the unortu
nate gentleman. 1t is said that the funeral will take
place tomorrow from the deceaseds late residence No.
| =, Walnut street.
The Boston Herald of Tuesday gives the following
| incidents connected with the late tragedy:
There was seen and actually noted down, the fact
that Professor Websters chemical experiments took up
much larger portion OF his time during the past week
than he was wont to bestow upon them and satstac-
tory proof seemed to the mind OF Lefeld that
the Professor was in his laboratory all night the Friday
| that DR. Parkman was missing. boy who lives OPP
pose the foundry stated that Friday night last one
Of the windows OF Professor Websters room was opeped
and singular stencil issued from it, but such odors
often occur the neighborhood, it created no excite
men
An Irshman by the name Of Patrick McGinnis, who
lives in what is called the black hole in Cypress street,
harangued the multitude stating in his speech that he
Dr.. Parkman go into the College on Friday morn
ing he came out at halt past o'clock, and returned
at six in the evening. This man has been employed to
take away the oa or the relics OF the dead carcasses
and empty them into the different receptacles OF filth
He was employed to go OF errand, and in passing
the stairs, heard what is supposed be aterca
man he distinctly heard could swear to and the sub
I Ject in dispute the payment of a of 1money
which the Dr. said had been due for some time and
that he was tired OF further promises He stopped the
door tor few moments, and heard reply made either
that she you would not have much more trouble about
the matter-ith had annoyed him to death, and he was
| heartily sick oft"
There were many angry words used by both parties
but ne (McGinns not thinking anything of the matter,
left the door, and proceeded perform the Grand that
he had been Instructed TO do. He saw Dr. P, more
The Herald gives the following history of the family
and career of Prof. WEBSTER
He is the son OF the late Redied Webster, Esq for
mery affluent resident of the north part of Boston
where he died some time about the year 1884, leaving
about $40 GOO which, we learn, is conveyed as life
estate to Professor Webster, and at his death to his
children Young Webster, while in college was not
considered passionate fractions, but rather chicken
hearted as one OF his college mates expresses it, he
nervous but not quarrelsome. After he had graduated
he went to Europe, and finished his medical education
in England and Scotland. On his return from thence
about the time OF his fathers death, he stopped the
Azores and became acquainted with Miss Hinckley,
now his wife, at the port OF Fayal; she then resd
ing with her father, who held the post of American Con-
sui at that port. He married her there and returned
Cambridge, and lectured at the college for year or
two, when he elected Professor, the year 1897
Since then he has resided in Cambridge, and has ecr
ed upon chemistry geology, mineral ogy at Cambridge
and IN this cly and was in receipt OF salary. and from
tickets to his lectures at the medical college, at the time
OF his arrest, OF from two to three thousand dollars
which from his carelessness about money matters
insufficient for his wants. and kept him always in debt
His family consists of wife and four daughters the
youngest sixteen years of age, and the eldest about
twenty three. The eldest is married to Mr.. Dabney
the present Consul at Fayal The other three daugh-
reside at Cambridge and with their mother are in
deep acuon on account OF the arrest md suspicious OF
| their husband and father,
| The Boston Post describes Dr. Websters appearance
in the Police Court, on Monday, as follows;
| Notwithstanding DR.. Webster had signed paper to
the effect that he willing to remain in jail until the
result of the Coroners inquest should be known, and
thus avoid, at least tor tho present, appearance in
court, Mr. Parker, County Attorney, saw objections
in so grave matter, in having prisoner in custody
upon other authority than his voluntary consent
and therefore, arrangements were made yesterday fore
noon for bringing him into the Police Court and exhi-
biting the complaint 70 him III due torn About one
o'clock he was brought up from Jail in carriage and,
together with Franklin Dexter Esq his counsel Sheriff
EVeleth and Mr.. Parker shown into the Judges
lobby The court room was then cleared OF all persons
but the officers, the prisoner having requested private
hearing He waived the reading Of the complaint, but
his counsel examined it very closely, without taking
any exception tot The offence not being balable,
Judge Gushing ordered that the prisoner should be com
med to Jail, there to remain to answer to whatever
charge the Grand Jury for the January term for the
county OF Suffolk may allege against him. He was then
taken back tojail. He appeared aftabe and collected
and even smiled pleasantly when told that he would
have to remain few minutes while the papers were
being made out. He read newspaper while waiting
for the documents to be putinto shape,
TO the Editors of the Times:
GENTLEMEN-ln your issue of the 9Th, Isaw some OBJ