The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1850-04-04
The Yrial of Professor Webster.

|DoStSh SoAHhuoity W hiSh PltSh VI cACltc-
ment. The trial closed on last Friday. AT
ten minutes past nine Attorney General Cliff
ford opened his argument He clio sed about
five O'Clock. Professor Webster then made
some earnest remarks 10 the jury in his own
defence in which he blamed his counsel for
not using all the evidence which he had put
into their power. They doubtless did all
that could be done, and it must be reimem-
bered that ifthey had started hypothesis TO
3explain away the heavy chain ofcircumstan-
fees which wove the proof of guilt. and this
hypothesis had failed or been broken down,
sthe guilt of Webster would have been still
yrnore apparent, and the trial must at ono
shave ended.
After Webster had concluded, Chief JUS
Jtlce Shaw charged the jury. The jury reti-
I red at five minutes past eight o'clock, and
came into court at eleven O'Clock. Chief JUS
| lice Shaw called OIL the prisoner 10 stand up
land hear the verdict.
Chief Jus,ice-Mr. Foreman, have you a.
greed 10 verdict.
Foreman-We have.
Chief Justce-Do you find the prisoner
guilty or not guilty!
Foreman-GUILTY!
The prisoner sank back into his chair with
This hands upon the railing and his face on
his hands, and SO remained ten minutes.
When he recovered from the shock, he
lsaid 10 officer Jones, "why are you keeping
/ me here TO be gazed at!" He was immed-
lately carried up 10 the Jail, and locked up for
lthe night, the precaution having been taken
Ito remove his razor and knife.
A buggy was at the door ofthe Courtroom
10 convey the sad intelligence 10 his family
lat Cambridge.
During the whole of this trial, we under
stand from the officer in charge, that Profess
lsor Websei has not shed tear or expressed
any particular interest for anything but his
table of supplies. His last order TO officer
Lawrence, when he left the Jail TO hear the
verdict, was-Tell Parker 10 send me some
oi his best turkey for dinner tomorrow, and
IA LOT of good cigars"
There can scarcely be doubt that this
verdict is a just one. The circumstances
|are so numerous and conclusive, and not one
|of them has been explained away to salts
faction. Thus, take one fact. Webster is
now in possession of his note TO Parkman
and others for S512. When asked how he
had paid this, he replied, BY money which
Mr. Pete had paid him Oh the morning of
DR.. Parkman's disappearance. Yet it was
proved that this same money Professor Web
.ter next day deposited in the Charles River
Bank. A number of such deceptions were
brought home TO Webster on his trial, and
added 10 the general feeling that he must be
guilty
The Express man between Boston and
swears, that on the Goth of Nov
,ember, he carried 10 the College for Prof.
Webster two bundles Of grapevine cuttings
from Webster's house: he took also a box
and bag of tan; he was directed by Web.
ster TO leave them in Lihlfield's cellar; he
never gave him such directions before, al
though he had carried parcels there more
!, !han 200 different times; he had always left
!. Them in the labraory On the 2Sth of Nov
sember he went there again: carried two box
les, one D feet long u wide, and 10 inches
1deep-,he other u feet square, The larger
/ tone was empty; loft them in Litllefield's cell
/ lar; saw the grape-cuttings in the cellar, but
not the tan; "a portion of the remains, ii will
/ sbc remembered, was found in the tan) after
the arrest of Webster, lie visited the College
| but could not find the larger box; he identi-
fies the knife found in the room, as belong
ling TO Webster.
The most Influential menin New England
3kai Interested themselves in behalf of the
accused man, and his high position in soci-
5ety added TO the intense interest which the
public fel! to hear the evidence and know
/ the result of he trial. The trial was conduct
led with the utmost propriety and decorum,
/ land there was not the slightest appeal 10 the
passion or prejudice ofihe jury or bystanders.
The history of this case suggests whole
/ some moral lesson. Both the criminal and
The unfortunate sufferer had violated the law
/ of their nature in their habits and life, and
this has brought the one to an untinely death
| the other to crime aud shame. Dr. Park
| man was a relentless and unfeeling miser.-
He boarded without object, and denied him.
self the reasonable enjoyments life. lie
Ibid not feel that man is created TO minister
Ito the perfection and harmony of nature,s S
system; his life had no Joy, no aim and no
purpose. His opportunities drove his mis-
cradle debiorto desperation; and he himself
paid his life as the price Of his avarice
Professor Webster is one of those extrava-
giant and improvident men whose liberality
aud charity is worse than heathenism; since
They provide not for their own household.
He too lived a false life, neglecting one of
the great duties necessary 10 make citizen
useful in the community.
He far outlived his means, worshiped the
false appearance with which society rufus so
many; paid no regard to the practical details
] of business life; and allowed the careless and
/ 5imprudent management of his business to
'drive him TO bankruptcy, this to desperation,
1 and despair into madness, sin, crime and