The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-06-30

a monster"
The tickle disposition Of the French peo-
pie was never better illustrated than In
their universal demand for vengeance and
the tears that were shed when. few
months later the murderess was execut-
ed on the guillotine.
The Boston Mystery.
Professor John White Webster had for
twenty-five years been a lecturer in the
department of chemistry in the medical
college of Harvard University, the posi-
ton occupied subsequently, by DR.. Holmes
Professor Webster was born, raised and
educated IN Boston. His reputation as a
scholar, a man of honor and integrity
was unimpeachable. He enjoyed the es-
TEEN and respect of wide circle of ae-
quaaistanoes, numbering many of Fhe
most prominent men OF the period.
DR.. George Parlxman had also been a
lifelong resident of Boston, He stood
as high in the estimation of the elite of
that sity as dad Professor Webster The
two men had been friends from boyhood
and had always entertained the highest
regard for each other. DIR. Parl1man do
mated the ground on which the medical
college was built and had therefore been
permitted to name the professor of chem
istry. He had nominated Professor Web
a
lessor Webster became financially indebt-
ed to DIR .Parkman. A few years later
the loan was increased and a mortgage on
Professor Websters mineral collection
given as security. Subsequently Profes-
sor Webster sold the collection. This ac-
ton arounsed the indignation OF DIR. Park
man, who denounced his former friend
as a dishonest man and demanded imme-
date payment OF the obligation.
On November 20, 1S49. Dr. Pariman
called at the college and made a second
demand just as Professor Webster dis
missed a class before which he had been
lecturing. The professor then promised
to pay the note on November %. On the
morning of November % he called at the
home of DIR. Parl1man and told servant
to have the doctor call at the lecture room
for the money at 1880 o'clock. Between
and o'clock of the same day number
of people saw DR.. Parkman hurrying to-
ward the college. A student saw ham as
cending the stairs that led to Professor
webster's room at about the hour of 1870.
1t was never established that he was
seen alive after that time, though wit
nesses for the defense testified at the trial
that they had seen the doctor as late as
o'clock in the afternoon. Several OF
these witnesses related minute ciroum-
stances of their meetings with him. ana
established the hour by numerous col
lateral incidents.
From 1880 until $50 o'clock Professor
Webster was locked in his laboratory.
The janitor tried the door twice during
the afternoon, but on each occasion found
II holted on the inside. AT $50 o'clock
Professor Webster left the college and
went home He dined with his family as
usual. made a call during the evening
and appeared vivacious and perfectly
happy.
Reads 'H Penserosa."
The next morning he had the janitor
build a fire in the laboratory stove. The
police were notified that DR.. Pardkman
was missing. A search was Instituted
and advertisements inserted in the daily
a,apers Professor webster spent the
afternoon locked in his laboratory. In
che evening he read I'll Penserosa" to
his family until o'clock. and, then play
ed whist until bed time. While at supper
he read the advertisement announcing
the disappearance of his former friend
and expressed great solicitude for his
welfare. He told the members OF his
family that DR.. Parkman had called at
the laboratory at about 1880 O'Clock on the
day of his disappearance; that he Pro-
fessor Webster) had paid him $483 and
that the doctor had left the laboratory
promising to go to the city clerks office
and have the mortgage discharged. This
same statement he made on the follow
ing day to one of DR.. Parkman's rela-
tives.
Monday, November %, Professor Web
ster again locked himself in the labora-
tory and spent the day there. number
of visitors called during the day to see
him, and in each case there was a con-
siderable delay In unlocking the door.
During .hc aste::ce sc.- pcl!ce officials
called at the college and searched the
premises. After brief delay they were
admitted to the laboratory, and Pro-
fessor Webster assisted them in making
what they were satisfied to call a thorough
search of the place. Nothing in the
least suspicious or out of the ordinary
was discovered. On the following day an
other delegation of police officers searched
the college and laboratory Their examd-
nation was more thorough, but its re-
suit was the same as in the former ex-
animation.
BY Wednesday morning, November %.
a conviction that DR.. Parkman had been
murdered prevailed in every ones mind.
A reward of $1,000 was offered for evidence
which would lead to detection of the
murderer. Professor Webster spent the
morning locked in his laboratory. He
went nOme at Otioch me- Jdillpi
then examined and found that a fire
had been buring during the forenoon In
the laboratory furnace. This was unusual
He also discovered that two barrels of
pitch knots had been burned.
Thanksgiving Day November %, Pro-
fessor Webster read aloud to his family.
and in the evening called on a number of
friends. The mysterious disappearance
OF DIR. Parkman was discussed. The Pro-
fessor displayed nothing more than the
soicitude of a friend. and told OF the
last visit the doctor had paid to him.
The JanitOr Suspicious.
The janitor was suspicious. He believed
that DIR. Parkman had been murdered In
the laboratory. He decided to break into
vault which was built under the floor
of the room. On November 30 he asked
assistance OF the police, and with three
officers forced the brick wall of the vault.
A pelvis, a thigh and a portion of a
human leg were found. In the evening
two police officers called at the home of
Professor Webster. They asked him to
go with them to the college for another
inspection. He cordially and willingly
consented to do so. When he had entered
the carriage it was Immediately driven
to the Jail Professor Webster was told
that he was under arrest on the sus-
picion OF having murdered Dr. Parkman.
He was perfectly cool and composed at
first, but in a few moments he became
faint. His mind seemed stupefied, and he
was too weak TO stand. Later in the
night he was asked 10 visit the college
"a ..,gTft,osy <sopunnt NVhno tho ,sart.r