Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-07-05
Confession Of Dr.. Webster.

We have not room to-day for more than
the following extract from this document.
describing the manner in which DIR. Park
man was killed After stating that he had
made an appointment to meet DR.. p, but
without any thoughts other than to make
some arrangement for the payment of his
Indebtedness, he says
He came, accordingly, between half-past one
and two O'Clock, entering at the lecture room
door. | was engaged in removing some glasses
from my lecture room table, into the room in
the rear, called the upper laboratory. He came
rapidly down the step, and followed me into the
laboratory. lie Immediately addressed me with
great energy" Are you ready for me, sir /:
Have you got the money ?" / replied mo,
DR.. Parkman; ;" and ! was then beginning to
state my condition, and my appeal to him, but
be would not listen to me. and interrupted me
with much yehemence. lie called me scoun-
drel and liar, and went on hcaping on me the
most bitter taunts and opprobrious epithets
While he was speaking. he drew 4 handful of
papers from his pocket, and took from among
them my two notes, and also all old letter from
DR.. Hossack, written many years ago, congratu-
latng him on his success in getting me ap-
pointed Professor of Chemistry. :" You see,
will get you out Of it He put back into his
pocket all the papers except the letter and the
notes. / cannot tell how long the torrent Of
threats and inyectiVes continued, and cannot
recall TO memory but small portion of what he
said at first, kept interposing, trying TO pacify
him, so that might obtain the object for which
sought the interview, but | could not stop him.
and soon my own temper was up; forgot
everything, and felt nothing but the sting of his
words. | was excited TO the highest degree of
passion, and while he was speaking and gesticu-
laung in the most violent and menacing manner
thrusting the letter and his fist into my face, in
my fury | seized whatever thing was handiest
(It was stick Of wood, } and dealt him an in
stantancous blow with all the force that passion
could give it. | did not know, or think or
care, where should hit him, nor how hard, nor
what the effect would be- II was on the side Of
his head, and there nothing to break tho
force of the blow. He fell instantly upon the
pavement. There was no second blow he did
not move. ! stopped down over him, and he
seemed to be lifeless. Blood flowed from mis-
mouth, and ] got n sponge and wiped it away,
| got some ammonia and applied it to his nose
but without effect Perhaps spent ten minutes
IN attempts to resusciate him, but found he
was absolutely dead. In my horror and con-
sternation, | instinctvely to the doors and
bolted them, the doors of the lecture room and
of the labor atory below. And thep, what was
TO do' 1t never occurred to me 10 go out and
declare what had been done, and obtain assist
ance. nothing but the alternative of
successful movement and conccalment Of the
body on the one hand, and of infamy and de-
struction on the other The first thing | did i,
as soon as could do anything, was TO draw the
body into the private room adjoining, where
took off the clothes, and began putting them into
the fire, which was burning in the upper labo-
ratory. They were all consumed there that af-
ternoon, with papers pocket book and Whatey-
er they contained. did not examine the pock-
cts, nor remove anything, except the watch.
saw that or the chain of it, hanging out. |
took it, and threw it over the bridge as ] went
To Cambridge My next move was TO get the
BODY into the sink which stand in The small!