Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-01-17
The Parkman Murder.

The Parkman Murder.
The Boston JIal abiding to the report
set ahoat by correspondent of the Albany
Evening journal that the remains found IN
DR.. Webster's apartments were identified as
DR.. Parhmans by tuft Of hair on the
shoulder, and the scar remaining from
surgical operation, says:
THE above statements, furnished 10 tie
Albany paper, by some penny-a-llner, are
manufactured entirely out of whole cloth,
without the semblance of shadow of fJun-
datlon. THIS we state upon good and sut-
ficent authority. Statements Of similar
character, aud equally untrue, have been
furnished to numerous papers at distance,
aud extensively copied throughout the coan-
try.
Another and still less justiiabe spe-
cies of romance and stupid malevoence a.
rising from The horrible death of Dr. Park
man, is the continued allusion made to T.
qhraim Li'tleield. as participates in the
murder, If not the actual criminal. 1t was
rumored Yesterday, and the story obtained
considerable credence in the city, that Lit
llefieid had become suddenly conscience
stricken, and had made u clean breast of it,
by acknowledging himself the murderer -
Mr.. Llttleileld has the reputation of being
an amia5le and inoiiensIve man but il is by
no means impossible that he may, If such
senseless allegations are persevered IN, call
upon parties TO prove them
The Nal has an article on Dr.. Webster,
from which we take the following:
DR.. Webster is incarcerated in the same
cell where was imprisoned for 50 many
months, Captain Pedro Gilbert, of the brig
Mexican, no died upon the scafTold with
the rest OF his condemned crew. A gentle
man who visited him few DAYS ago, saws
that the cell Is not more comfortable than
those occupied by other prisoners, with the
exception Of the bed-cIothes, which have
been furnished by his family. He does not
partake of the prison fare, bu: is allowed the
same privilege Of other prisoners, to buy
such extra food as he sees fit to use. His
health is very little impaired by confne-
ment, and his conversation and demeauor
seem to denote that of a man being martyr
ed to singular and untoward circumstances,
rather than that of conscIence-stricken
criminal seeking some legal fallacy for es-
cape or merIted punishment. Our inform
ant states that Dr. W. is now, and has been
engaged during his Imprisonment in writing
defense, in which he states all his bu-
sness dealings with Dr. Parkman up to the
time OF the allied ged murder. In this state
nlent he does not attempt to controvert the
circumstances connected with the discovery
OF tie body, bat takes the broad ground Of
A conspiracy to Tx upon him the odium of
deed iur the purpose of obtaining tae re-
Wasd offered, believing that the remnants Of
Il body found was not the body of DR.. Park
man, Lu: another body ingenious!y placed
where it was found by other hands. Such
We learn. will be one of the points taken by
his counsel IN his defense
We are also informed that the families of
DR.. Parkman and DR.. Webster have ever
been on the most friendly terms, receiving
and changing visits constantly; but as re-
gsrds tue money dealings between the de-
ceased and DR.. W. there eau be no doubt;
and that the only cause Of serious difficulty
between the parties grew out of the proven
hal punctuallty of Dr. P and want ofpru-
dence and forethoucht in DR.. w.
Since this dreadful occurrence, Mrs
Parkman has several times written letters of
friendship to Mrs. Webster, al Cambridge,
III which, without abiding IN the lea,t de-
gree to the murder, she ~sers the hand Of
fellowship and christian syispathy to her
sister In misfortune, pointing out the path
that the Great Ruler of all things has offer
Ell to the afflicted.
In addition to this we have heard of an
other fact well worthy to mention. 4 day
or two after the rumor became general that
Mr.. P was missing, and rewards offered for
lie body, Il conversation took place IN pres
ence OF DR.. Webster and his own family
circle. His daughter in speaking Of the
rumored murder, said, You, Pa, it is stated
here, was the last person that saw him alive,
for he was seen to enter the College at noon
asd he must have wandered away out of
town aiterward ; aHd she made son ex-
clamation OF pity. The accounts are quite
exclaimed the aunt Of the
young lady. And what dreadful thing
ii would he if they should go so far as to
charge Your father with the murder This
was said Of course without any point or
meaning, and elected an answer of lndif-
eFence from the young lady but it turned
out too true; for DIR. " ebster was that very
night arrested by the officers and carried to
orIscn, and Miss VS. aunt, when her pre-
fiction or thoughts were fulfilled tainted aud
'emained for long time III d state Of III
iensibillty.