The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1850-07-11
THE EXTRAORDINARY CONFESSION
of Professor John w. Webster, Of.
THE MURDER OF
DOCTOR GEORGE PARKMAN.
BosroN, TUESDAY, July 2.

BOSTON, TUESDAY, July x
At the meeting of the Council, this morn
ing, the case of Professor Webster, was re-
ferred 10 Committee.
Before the Committe ), at IL o'clock, ap-
peared, Rev. DIR. Putnam, the spiritual advl-
ser of the condemned, with a petition for
the communication of punrhm ,nt, -ogether
with confession that he killed DR. Park
man.
The Rev. gentleman prefaced the stale
ment by few remarks relative 10 the man
ner in which the confession was made 10 him.
He stated that he had no personal acquain-
tanceship with Professor Webster before be-
ing called TO act in The capacity OF spiritual
adviser. Iii the first few weeks of his visit
he sought no ACKNOWLEDGING of the pris-
oaee. All length on the 23d of May, he vis-
tied him in his cell and demanded of him,
for his own well being, that he should tell
the truth in regard 10 The matter, and hs &c :
ceded 10 the request by making statement
which was now submitted for the considera-
ton of the Council. 1t was as follows:
sent the note TO DR.. Parkman, which ii
appears was carried by the 10y Maxwell. |
handed it to Lt,le6eld unsealed. 1t was TO
ask DR.. Parkman 10 call at my rooms on Fri
day the 23d, after my lecture. He had be-
come of late very importuna;e for his pay.
He had threatened me with suit, 10 put an
officer into my house, and to drive me from
my professorship, if did not pay him. The
purport of my note was simply TO ask the
conference. did not tell him in it what ]
could do or what had TO say about the pay
ment / wished TO gain for those few days
release from his solicitations, 10 which
was liable every day on occasions and in a
manner very oisagreeable, and also 10 avert
for so long time, al least, the fulflment Of
recent threats of severe measures. did not
expect TO be able 10 pay him when Friday
should arrive. My purpose was, if he
should accede 10 the proposed interview, TO
state TO him my embarrassments, and utter
inability 10 pay him at present, TO apologize
for those things in my conduct which had
offended him, to throw myself upon his mer-
ry, and 10 beg for further time and indul.
gence for the sake of my family, if not for
my own, and 10 make as good promises 10
him as could have any hope of keeping.
did not hear from him on that day or the
next wednesday, butI found on Thurs
day he had been abroad in pursuit of me
without finding me. imagined he had for
gotten the appointment, or else did not mean
10 wait for it. feared he would come in
upon me at my lecture room or while was
preparing my experiments for it-therefore
called at his house that morning, (Friday)
between eight and nine o'clock, to remind
him Of my wish TO see him at the College at
quarter past one o'clock-my lecture closing
at one o'clock. did not stop 10 talk to him,
for ! expected the conversation v ould be a
long one, and had my lecture TO prepare,
for it was necessary for me to have my time
and also TO keep my mind free from other
exciting matters.
DR.. Parkman agreed to call on me as |
proposed He came accordingly betweeL
u and . o'clock, entering at the lecture room
door, was engaged in removing some
glasses from my lecture'room table into the