The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-08-22

were chiefly in attempted explanation of
some OF the circumstances connected
with the evidence against him. My
very calmness has been brought against
me-" he exclaimed "My trust has
been in my Godw
The jury were prepared for speedy
though not precipltate verdict. 1t APP
pears that the twelve good men and
true composing it, representing four
different religious denominations, had
agreed to the suggestion of the foreman,
made at an early stage of the trial, to
hold brief religious services every even
ing, soliciting divine guidance in the
discharge of their momentous duty.
When the case had been closed, and
they finally retired to make up their
verdict, they again, before anything
was done, united in prayer, the foreman
calling upon one of the jurors to lead.
A vote was taken consecutively on the
following questions
First. Are the remains of human body
found in the Medical College on the Both of
November, 1s49, those of the late DIR. George
Parkman
Second. Did Dr. George Parkman come to
his death by the hands of DIR. John W. Web
ster in the Medical College, on the 29d of No
vember 1849!
Third. Is DR.. John W. Webster guilty, as
set forth in the Indictment of the willful muir
der of DR.. George Parkman.
On each of these points the vote was
unanimously in the affirmative, some
discussion preceding the decision or the
second and third-and the jury with
heavy hearts returned to the court
to render their verdict of Guilty.
The effect of the announcement upon
the prisoner was severe. When even
the public had expected that the jury
would disagree, what must not have
been his hopes? AS the terrible answer
of the foreman fell upon his ear, he
started like person shot ; his hand
dropped upon the rail in front, his chin
dropped upon his breast; and after re-
naming thus moment or two, he sank
into a chair, covering his eyes with his
hands. And when the presiding JUS
tice, in solemn but tender language, had
concluded the sentence of death, the
prisoner sank further back in his chair
and wept. Then taking out his hand
kerchief and wiping his face, he leaned
forward and rested his forehead upon
the bar, as if to conceal the current of
his tears from the thousand eyes that
were turned upon him; and in this
position he remained some little time
undisturbed.
Prof. Webster subsequently paid the
penalty of death affixed to the crime of
which he had been convicted. Before
the execution of the sentence, and in
he hope of effecting a Communication of
| ~ he 40 b tln 90. a<
that he murdered Dr. Parkman, not pre-
meditatedly, but in the heat of passion,
caused by the irritating demeanor of his
I importunate creditor, and that the at
tempted destruction of the body was an
afterthought entirely. This confession
was not credited by the Governor and
Council of the State, before whose no.
tice it was brought in the hope of saving
the life of the unhappy mantle for
mer, at least, believing that Prof Web
ster enticed his victim to death with the
deliberate purpose of making way with
the body by means at his hand, and thus
concealing the crime, or at least destroy
ing the evidence of it.
1t is also understood that Rufus
Choate was at first solicited to under
take Prof. Webster's defense, and that
after full examination of the case he
consented to do so, providing the act of
killing should be admitted and provoca-
ton be alleged in palliation of it ; but
this proposition was declined by the
prisoner, or by those acting in his be-
half, from what motives we leave the
reader to determine. There was little
doubt at the time but that this line of
defense would have proved successful,
and the crime, if crime was proved,
thus have been extenuated.
And so has passed into history one of
the most remarkable murder cases of
this. country and this century, which,
CHASTITY as its details may be, deserves
remembrance at such time as the
present, in view of its bearing on Grim
inal iurisprudence.-Ga