Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-12
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL OF PROF. J. w. WEBSTER.

If you were to search the annals of crime in both this country and Europe it is not likely that you would find more extraordinary case than the murder of Dr. George Parkman, a noted millionaire of Boston, by Pr1f. Harvard college. The Parkman- Webster trial remains as interesting and as vital in it's importance to-day as 1t was in 1S49, when the entire country was stirred by the murder and the developments brought out at the trial.
 pr. Parkman was a philanthropist and a highly respected citizen. He was one of the founders of the Massa- chusetts Medical college and it was through his influence that Prof. Web ster secured his position at Har- ward.
 The doctor left home one morning to make a purchase for the family. When he failed to return his relatives became anxious and the following day instituted a search for him. The search was kept up for more than a week not only in Boston and vicinity but over land and water and under water.
 Finally 1t was learned that Dr. Parkman had had an appointment Friday in the latter's rooms in tha medical college of Boston, in which institution he lectured. It took con- siderable thought before any one was willing to put even the slightest suspicion upon the honored professor. But all clews led to the professor and finally it was decided to examine his apartments in the college.
 The premises used by the professor consisted of a lecture room. an upper laboratory, furnished with a stove, water and a sink. and a small room odi fy,in mi 2 were kept. These were on the fist floor. By basement stairway way was made to a vault at the base of the building. and it was in this vault, a week after the murder, on Nov. 30, that there was discovered parts of male human body.
 In consequence of this disclosure Prof. Webster was immediately appre- hended. Then a more careful search was made. which resulted in the f1nd- ing, buried among tea in tea chest. large bunting knife and various parts of a human body.
 In arresting Prof. Webster three of the Boston police proceeded at night in a coach to his residence in Cam bridge. He very willingly accom- panied the officers. but he was de- they reached the jail and he found himself prisoner, he said: What :s the meaning of all this?" To this was replied: You are now in custody on the charge of being the murderer of Dr. Parkman."
 On hearing this announcement, ne uttered two or three sentences which were not distinctly understood, but which were supposed to refer to the nature of the crime with which le was charged.
 After a long investigation of the case the grand jury found an indice- ment against the prisoner for the murder, which came on for trial at Boston before Chief Justice Shaw and three associate justices, Wilde, Met calfe and Dewey. March 1s, 1850. their places upon the bench Prof. Webster entered and took his seat in the fellon's dock. When the indfct- ment was read to him he pleaded Mot guilty" His counsel was ex-Gov. Clifford.
 there being no fewer than 116 wit nesses examined-forty-seve of them being called on behaH of the accused, including his professional friends and neighbors. Scientific testimony was also given by Prof. O. W. Holmes and others and the court sat eight or nine hours each day. The testimony was of a most deeply interesting and ex- acting character.
 It was brought out that the cause of the murder was a dispute over the payment of a debt that Webster was owing to Dr. Parkman. Through all the protracted trial the prisoner main tained & perfect composure and previ- ous to the charge Of the judge Web ster addressed the jury, explaining away the evidence against him and asserting his innocence.
 The jury brought in verdict of guilty. After several attempts to have this verdict set aside, and when this was found impossible of accomplish ment, Prof Webster confessed his guilt, but he said he was prvoked to striking Parkman at insinuations he had made, and with no intent to ser iously harm him. So plain, however, were the facts involving his guilt that he was compelled to pay the extreme penalty of the law within full view of the classic halls of Harvard.