The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-04-23

He w EBSTER Il AMILT-1 He STUDENT
STORY, &C. Mrs, Webster has pelitioned
Gov. Briggs for a change of the sentence of
death to her husband. She asks but com
mutation of the death penalty to imprlson-
nent for life, believing, no doubt, with the
confidence ola woman, that so long as there is
life there is hope ofrelease. OF this petition
the Atlas remarks:
We have no doubt that the case of DR..
Webster will receive all due attention from
the State officers, and that the same degree
OF impartiality and uprightness which have
hitherto been exercised toward the prisoner,
will continue 10 influence those who shall be
called to official action respecting his situa-
ton.
The Boston Courier has the following as
10 Prof Webster:
This unfortunate man, so far as external
appearances Indicate, has become reconciled
to his fate. His demeanor is that of per-
son endeavoring TO solve some great prob
lem-calm and thoughtful. He reads much,
and has recourse to many books and news
papers. His family visit him almost daily
/ They bear the terrible trial which has come
upon them witt. submission, patience. and a
Christian lortituGe, the turtherest possible re-
moved from that despairing anguish which
produces insanity.
] y.
| Webster bending over the body, the Boston
Mail says:
1t has been thoroughly followed up at the
! CommonW ealth's expense. The story was
stated before the remains Of DR.. Parkman
were discovered, and originated III an oh-hand.
/ lnconsiderate expression, made by medical
student on hearing that DR.. Parkman was
missing. The young gentleman. Mr.. Hold
ges is the last person in the world who could
honestly be accused of surrendering to either
threats or entreaties, where they conflcted
with his duty as good citizen and honorable
man. He is the son ofthe Rev. Mr.. Hodges.
Librarian OF Harvard University.
What purports, however. to be an anthem
tic account, from DR.. Beecher, of some one
having seen through the window with spy
glass, person cutting up a dead body in DR..
! Webster's room on the night of the murder
was given by telegraph, and Is different from
/ the above. The Boston corresp ondent of the
| New York Herald, "Videtta," who first put
the story in print, writing on the 9th inst,
says:
wish it to be distinctly understood that |
do not vouch for all the minute details ofmy
story about medical student" but do as
sert that the main fact, that some one achetb-
err student or not did discover Webster in
tie position described, is true. Time will
show it to be so,
The same writer, speaks of the complaints
! against Webster's Counsels, says:
| Webster was under the influence of opium
a large portion of the time. In their private
interviews, Webster would admit nothing
and deny little.
As to the anonymous "Civis" letters re-
ceived whilst Webster was in prison, he says
the envelope had a perloration through it
identical with that upon others given him by
the jailor, and through the whole of which
that officer had run Il pin.
| We attach very little Importance TO tho va
rious rumors that are put in circulation in re
! Iation to the connection of Webstsr with the
murder Of Dr. Parkman. He was found gull
ty of that awful crime by jury of enlighten-
ed citizens, after all the testimony that the
most untiring industry could discover had
been brought forward. To start unnecessa-
ny and graundess rumors is evidence of a
very malicious spirit. and yet such is the in
terest felt in the case that the public reads
/ all reDOrts with GREAT concern