The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-06
Correspondence Of tbs Republic.
BosroN, Dec. 3. 1919.

BOSTON, Dec. 8, 1919.
THE SUPPOSED MURDER OF DR.. PARKMAS.
The affecting topic of my last two letters con
tnues to occupy public attention here to the ex-
cluson Of almost every other subject of present mo-
ment. Further developments do not relieve Pro-
fessor Webster from the mesh of suspicious crcum-
stances in which the unhappy man is involved.
Let briefly state the authentic facts that have
appeared up to this afternoon.
Professor Webster states that on Friday, Nov.
23d, DR.. Parkman called at the Medical College,
and was paid by him (Webster) $4s3 "a, which
amount was to take up two notes and cancel
mortgage. On the morning of that same day. Prof.
Webster had called at DR.. Parkman's house, and,
the Doctor being out, had left word for him that he
would pay him if he would call at his room at the
College soon after one O'Clock, p. M Since half
past one on that day, when DIR. Parkman was
seen by number of people to enter the Col
lege, reliable information of him has been OBJ
tanned. All reports of his being seen here and there
turn out fallacious. He to GO into the
College-but not TO come out
On Tuesday last (Nov. 27th) the Medical College
was searched, and the search included the apart
ments of Professor Webster. Nothing to implicate
him was found. Suspicious continued to increase,
however; and the people in the neghborhood of the
College chung to the idea that the College was re-
Dr. Henry j. Bigelow, Professor of Surgery at Har-
ward University, renewed the search. A vault I'M
der the laboratory of Professor Webster was broken
into, and portion of human body drawn forth.
The fact deemed sufficient to authorize the ar
rest Of the Professor, and he accordingly ar
rested at his house in Cambridge on Friday even
ing, November 30th.
In order to avoid alarming his family the officers
simply told him that he was wanted at the College
to aid in the search. 1t not till the carriage
drove up to the Jail, and he told that he
rested that he betrayed emotion. Then his
guish was intense and indescribable. He
after visited by Mr. Parker (the county attor-
ney) and other citizens Mr. Parker addressed
him kindly, advised him to say nothing while la
boring under his appalling state of excitement, and
expressed the pain which his own duty now
tailed upon him.
At about III O'Clock he was taken by the officers
to the College. He weak that he had to be
borne bodily to the carriage. Being confronted
with the mutilated remains that had been discover
ed and brought from his laboratory, he seemed
struck with frenzy, but said nothing. Water be-
ing offered him, the sight seemed to throw him in
to commissions, if he were laboring under par
oxysm of hydrophobia. Since that time his suffer
ngs have been unspeakable; and he has been
unable to retain any thing on his stomach.
On Saturday afternoon further discoveries were
made at the college, among them that of tea chest
in the Professors laboratory, which chest being
empted, the trunk and right thigh of human
body rolled out upon the floor. large knife, the
blade of which bore unquestonable evidence Of the
partial crasure of blood by some chemical sub
stance, also discovered The remains in the
chest found to correspond with those found
in the vault. In the CRATE used by Professor W.,
some artificial teeth, small particles of bone, and
bits of fused gold and silver, with some buttons
were found.
jury of inquest have been sworn, who will
make their report on Wednesday The Hon
Franklin Dexter has been retained as counsel for
Professor W.
malicious attempt was made by one of the
penny papers on Saturday to excite public odum
against the Medical College in consequence of this
affair, None but the brutality ignorant could be
entra4ed by such appeal. The mayor, how
ever, took precautionary measures, and several
military companies were kept under until
last night II is singular fact that the ground on
which the Medical College is built was gift to the
institution from DIR. Parkman.
Although public excitement is still intense, a
healthier tone begins to be manifest in the dispo.
stion to suspend opinion, notwithstanding the ac-
cumulatng facts, in regard to the individual sus-
pected of the diabocal deed 1t is hard if blame
less life up to nearly sixty years of age may not
claim this forbeaance from the public.