Webster Town

Webster Town

We compile from two of the newspapers of the day, the Boston Daily Evening Transcript and the Boston Daily Evening Traveller, some particulars of the last hours and execution of Prof. Webster, which we deem not inappropriate, in this connection, to the present volume. We have taken pains to verify the statements by a reference to eye-witnesses present at the scenes or interviews, and have made an occasional alteration for the sake of greater exactness. - Rep.

Last Interview With His Family

Professor Webster was visited as usual by his family yesterday afternoon, and they remained with him nearly four hours. There is every reason to believe that they left entirely ignorant as to the day of the execution. The prisoner had felt great anxiety in regard to this closing interview, lest he should betray himself. When it was over, he felt greatly relieved, and spoke cheerfully. He had detected no sign of a recognition of the fact that this was their last interview in the demeanor of his family : neither had the jailer. To the latter, as they left the cell, they addressed some remarks plainly indicating their expectation of re-visiting the prisoner. An immense crowd had assembled in Leverett street, and about the jail, to see the unhappy family as they went out ; but Mr. Andrews took Mrs. Webster and her family through his own house to a door opening on Lowell street, where a carriage was waiting, and they thus escaped the scrutiny and remarks of the multitude.

One incident, which seemed to affect happily the spirits ot the prisoner during the interview with his family, may be worthy ot mention. For several months, they have been in the habit of reading the Bible to him in his cell, taking the chapters of the New Testament in regular course, without skipping. The chapter which thus came up yesterday, and was read, was that exultant and consoling chapter, the 15th in Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians, in which occur the words : - lmSo°when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and when this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saymg that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

The prisoner seemed much impressed by the coincidence, which had, without calculation on any one's part, given this chapter to be read at his last interview with his family, and on the last day ot his earthly existence. He recurred to the incident, after the interview, with very obvious pleasure, and seemed to derive much hope and consolation from the inspired assurances of the apostle as to the resurrection of the dead, sown " in dishonor and ' m weakness

During a great part of the day yesterday the prisoner occupied himself with setting aside little memorials for those few friends, in whose charitable feelings towards him. when he was gone, he might hone He selected a number of his books, and wrote in them the names of several persons, towards whom he wished to express some Sleet on of past obligations and favors. He seemed to take much'nterestm this occupation. Mr. Sohier, counsel for the prisoner visited him during the day. and took leave of him. P ) ite a number of applications have been made to see the priso er during the last two weeks. Clergymen from various parts o he country^have sought an interview ; and he has received numerous letters of an admonitory or ^"g^JS he has read views he has, in most instances, declined. 1 be lelteis ne nas lean. Indeed throughout his imprisonment, he has kept up his interest in

The Prisoner'S Last Night

The last interview of Dr. Putnam yesterday with the prisoner took place between half past seven and nine o'clock last evening. Officers Jones and Leightonwere present in the cell, by the sheriff's orders. Dr. Putnam wished more privacy, and the matter was finally compromised by dismissing the officers, and having Mr. Gustavus Andrews, the jailer, alone present. Of this interview we cannot say much. There was no confession contradictory of that already made by the prisoner. Professor Webster declared himself willing to die on the gallows, as " a partial expiation of the great wrong he had done to society."

His serenity, he said, was established on religious conviction. He alluded to the ceremony of his execution, and remarked that if he faltered, it would be through no fear of dying, through no effect upon him of the horrible surroundings and accompaniments of his doom, - but because of his misgivings as to the efficacy of his own repentance, and as to the future to which he was going, - because of the "clouds" that might come over his spirit at the last. He hoped, however, that he should bear up, - arranged that he should be pinioned by Mr. Andrews in preference to any other officers, - and said that he expected to be tranquil during the night, although he might not sleep.

He spoke often during the night of the morrow, and of the manner of his death, apparently with firmness. Dr. Putnam left him at nine o'clock. Afterwards, until about midnight, he conversed with his watchers, his conversation being principally of a religious character. At midnight, he fell into a sort of doze, but did not seem to sleep heavily. He would awake, converse, and fall to sleep again. The usual sounds of returning day seemed to agitate him ; but he soon recovered his composure, and, when the watchers left, he was perfectly calm.

The Execution

The scaffold was not erected until after daylight this morning. It was placed in the centre of the yard, visible from the rear of Lowell street, and the houses on the west side of Leverett street. A change had been made in its construction, a spring having been substituted to cause the falling of the drop upon which the condemned stands, instead of the cutting of a rope.

At an early hour this morning, those persons who had been furnished with passes began to assemble in the jail yard. They numbered about one hundred and fifty, of whom some fifteen or twenty were representatives of the press. The constables, police officers, and other city officers, to the number of about one hundred and twenty-five, kept order within and without the walls of the jail.

Appendix

The arrangements for the execution had all been explained at a previous interview. Dr. Putnam having spent an hour or more with him in religions conversation and devotional exercises, at Dr. Webster's request, Sheriff Eveleth and the officers of the jail were then sent for. When they enteied, he thanked them, as he had previously Mr. Andrews, in warm terms fur their many kind attentions, and for their considerate conduct during his long confinement.

At a quarter past nine, the legal witnesses of the execution, headed by the sheriff and his deputies, and followed by the spectators generally, then entered the archway of the jail, to the prisoner's cell, where a short but fervent prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Putnam.

He prayed for a brother now about to pass from this life of sin ; to be removed from this world to another. He invoked for him the aids of the Holy Spirit, and prayed that his repentance might be accepted, and be accounted to him as such in the sight of the Searcher of all hearts. He prayed that the humble hope of forgiveness that the prisoner had been permitted to entertain, might be realized in a blissful fruition. He also prayed for those who had been bereaved by the transgressions of the condemned man ; for the ministers of the law, who, while they performed their bounden duty, did it with mercy and tenderness ; that the memories and admonishments of this hour might be sanctified to all who stood before God, mortal, and soon to die. " We commit," he said, "Thy child to Thee; and while he bows himself to the law, behold him an humble suppliant at the throne of Him who tempereth justice with mercy, and receiveth the contrite heart ! Open the doors of Thy mansion, that he may enter ! Do more and better for him than we can ask or think ! "

At the conclusion of this prayer, the spectators retired from the arch. The arms of the condemned were pinioned to his side, and the procession marched to the scaffold. By the side of the condemned was his faithful religious counsellor and adviser, who had promised to accompany him, and be present at the parting scene. No sign of faltering could be observed as he ascended the steps. He appeared subdued, as one conscious of having committed a great sin, for which he was about to suffer.

As he stepped upon the drop, he looked round for his faithful friend, Dr. Putnam, who was by his side, and entered into an apparently earnest conversation with him. At almost every word Dr. AVebster bowed his head, as if what he was saying was emphatically the outpouring of his heart.

Deputy-Sheriff Coburn called the attention of the witnesses, &c, to the reading of the Executive death-warrant, which was next done in an audible manner by the Sheriff, - who, with his officers and the assembly, generally remained with uncovered heads during the reading, with the exception of the prisoner.

this was done, he again stood up. The touch of the rope upon his neck caused his face, which had heen before of a deadly pallor, to flush, and there were evident signs of a subdued but still powerful agitation. He then shook hands with the Sheriff", and spoke a few words to him.

The black cap was then placed over his face, and the light of day thus shut out from him in this world forever. The Sheriff then turned to the assembled spectators, and in a loud voire proclaimed that in the name and by the command of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, he should now proceed to do execution upon the body of John W. Webster.

At this knell of death, there was no motion of the body of the condemned, the features of the face being entirely hid from view ; but he stood perfectly still, awaiting the fatal plunge.

After concluding his proclamation, the Sheriff turned round, and pressing a spring, the drop fell, and the prisoner's mortal career was at an end. This took place at twenty-five minutes before ten o'clock. The body swayed slightly to and fro ; and, in a few seconds after the fall, there was a spasmodic drawing-up of the legs, once or twice. Beyond this there was no observable struggle.

After hanging thirty minutes, the body was examined by Dr. Henry G. Clark, City Physician, and by Dr. Charles H. Stedman, of the Lunatic Hospital, South Boston ; and they informed the Sheriff that life was extinct.

The Sheriff' then announced that fact to the assembly ; and, after thanking the witnesses for their attendance, dismissed them from further service.

The following letter was intrusted by Prof. Webster, before his execution, to the Rev. Dr. Putnam, and by him communicated for publication to the Boston Daily Evening Transcript, immediately after the execution. It was published only after consent obtained from the reverend gentleman to whom it was addressed. - Rep.

Dear Sir, - I cannot leave this world in the peace of mind for which I pray, without addressing you, as the head of that family which I have so deeply injured and afflicted, 1o make known to you and them the bitter anguish of sold, the sincere contrition and penitence, I have felt at having been the cause of the affliction under which you and they have been cailed to mourn. I can offer no excuse for my wicked and fatal ebullition of passion but what you already know, nor would I attempt to palliate it.

I had never, until the two or three last interviews with your hrother, felt towards him anything but gratitude for his many acts of kindness and friendship. That I should have allowed the feelings excited on those occasions to have overpowered me so as to involve the life of your brother and my own temporal and eternal welfare, I can, even now, hardly realize.

I may not receive from you forgiveness in this world, yet I cannot but hope and believe you will think of me with compassion, and remember me in your prayers to Him who will not turn away from the humble and repentant. Had I many lives, with what joy would I lay them all down, could I in the least atone for tha injury I have done or alleviate the affliction I have caused ! but I can now only pray for forgiveness for myself and for every consolation and blessing upon every member of your family.

In justice to those dearest to me, I beg to assure you, and I entreat you to believe me, no one of my family had the slightest doubt of my entire innocence up to the moment when the contrary was communicated to them by Dr. Putnam. That they have your sincere pity and sympathy, I feel assured.

There is no family towards every member of which I have always felt a greater degree of respect and regard than that of which you are now the head. From more than one I have received repeated acts of friendship and kindness, for which I have ever been and am most truly grateful.

Towards yourself, in particular, have not only my own feelings been those of the most sincere regard and gratitude, but every individual of my family has felt towards you that you were their pastor and friend. Often has my wife recalled the interest you took in her from her first becoming your parishioner, and often has she spoken, with feelings of deep gratitude, of the influence of your public ministrations and of your private instructions and conversations, and of your direction of her inquiries and reading in what related to her religious views. These she has often recalled and referred to, as having firmly established the religious faith and trust which are now such sources of consolation and support to her and our children, as well as to myself.

Nothing that has occurred has weakened these feelings ; and, although those I leave behind me may not meet you without the keenest anguish, I trust you will exonerate them from any participation in, or knowledge of, their father's sin, up to the moment I have mentioned. And may you remember them in your prayers to the Father of the fatherless and the widow's God !

I beg you, my dear sir, to consider this strictly a private letter, and by no means to pive it publicity ; at the same time, I will request you to make known to the immediate members of your family the state of my feelings and my contrition.

That every consolation and blessing may be vouchsafed to yourself and to every member of your family, is the heartfelt prayer of Yours, most respectfully,

Professor Webster'S Relations To His Counsel

Just as the last sheets of the Appendix were going through the press, the Reporter learning, for the first time, that Professor Webster had made a formal apology to Messrs. Merrick and Sohier for the expressions used by him in his address to the jury, relative to their conduct of his defence, and had committed to writing his acknowledgment of gratitude for their arduous and faithful services in his behalf, - a matter which every one acquainted with the subsequent connection of the counsel and client had of course supposed that the Professor had satisfactorily explained in personal intercourse, - obtained from those gentlemen, after some reluctance, copies of those letters; - or rather, in the instance of Mr. Sohier, an extract from such a letter; the same letter containing allusions to other matters which Mr. Sohier did not feel at liberty to communicate. The Reporter deems it an act no less of favor to the memory of the deceased, than of justice to his professional associates, to improve the present opportunity of giving publicity to these communications.

Dear Sir, - I have long felt that I owe you an apology for the expressions that escaped me in a moment of intense excitement and distress. I have ever been aware that nothing was omitted or overlooked by my counsel, that would in any way serve my cause, and that you took the deepest interest, and were indefatigable in my behalf. Although I have not adhered to your last advice, I trust you will approve of the course that has since been taken.

In the hope that you will pardon me for any expression of impatience or disappointment, and accept my sincere gratitude and thanks for your exertions in my behalf, - lam, respectfully and truly,

I would write you a long letter of thanks for all the interest yon have taken in my case, did I think it necessary. Whatever I may have said, under my great distress and anxiety, that was in the least painful or unpleasant to you, I know you will forgive. And I assure you that I always felt that you were doing everything in your power for me. * * * * * * *

General Index General Index

See also Interlocutory Discussions and Note. Biological state of vision, inquiry as to, permitted, Blake, James H., {witness,) examined and cross-examined, Blake, John H., (witness,) examined and cross-examined, Blake, S. Parkman, (witness,) examined and cross-examined, Block of mineral teeth produced and identified, . . 80-7 spots of, on pantaloons and slippers, . saw, supposed, explanations as to, by prisoner, Bones found in furnace produced and described, Borrowscale, John. See Jury. Boston Newspapers. See Bee, Herald, Journal, Transcript,

General Index

Challenge, right of to be used before interrogating juror, Chamberlain, John, {ivitness,) examined, Chandler, Peleg W., (witness,) examined and cross-examined Charge to jury by Chief Justice, Check borrowed by prisoner of Henchman, produced, Chief Justice Shaw, attendance of, at jury-trial, address of, to prisoner, before charge to jury, charge of, to the jury, sentence by, of the prisoner, . attendance of, at law-hearing, dicta of, on law-argument, opinion of Court by, on law-hearing,

See also Court and Interlocutory Discussions. Civis Letter produced, . identified and read, second, and note to, . Clapp, Derastus, (witness,) examined and cross-examined, Cleland, Samuel, (witness,) examined and cross-examined, Clerk of the Municipal Court, certificate of, on indictment, the jury, after empanelmentof jury, jury and prisoner, on return of verdict, . prisoner, relative to arrest of judgment, . Clifford, John H. See Attorney General. Close of opening evidence for the Government, of evidence for the defence, . on both sides, Closing Address by Mr. Merrick for defence, by the Attorney General for the Government Codman, Willard W., (witness,) examined and cross-examined, Coleman, Betsey Bent, (ivitness,) examined, Committee on Pardons, names of, See Executive.

additional explanatory, 572,580 to Mr. and Mrs. Littlefield, 604-5 to jailer and sheriff, . 605 in letter to Rev. F. Parkman, . . . 610 Copeland, Benjamin F., vote of, for commutation, . . 584 Coroner's Inquest, verdict and journal of, . . . 595-6 secret session of, note on, . . . . 596 caution by Mrs. Littlefield to her husband, statement of witness's observations, permission by, to jury, to attend religious worship, . admission by, of conversation, to show fact of inquiry, skeleton-keys in evidence, . exclusion by, of proof as to ardent spirits, opinion of, upon admissibility of handwriting for comparison, as to use of cotton-pen, .

evidence of general character, witness allowed by, to testify to new matter, though recalled, inquiry allowed by, of witness, as to sight in the biological state, dentists allowed by, to testify to their ability to recognize their own work, .....

proof admitted by, as to regularity of a clock, charge of, to jury, pronounced by Chief Justice, sentence of prisoner by, pronounced by Chief Justice, members of, present at law-hearing, . admission of Mr. Goodrich by, as associate counsel, copy of record of, . hearing before, and decision of, upon petition for writ of error, See Chief Justice and Interlocutory Discussions. Crosby, James. See Jury. Crossley, Richard, {ivitness,) examined, Cummings, John M., {witness,) examined, Cunningham, Charles, account drawn out by, produced,

Decision. See Court and Executive. Dewey, Charles A., Mr. Justice. See Court. Dicta, Judicial. See Interlocutory. Discussions, Interlocutory. See Interlocutory, fyc. 52* application for writ of error to, See also Court. Foster, Andrix A., {witness,) examined, Francis, Convers, [witness,) examined, . Fuller, Albert, (witness,) examined and cross-examined, Fuller, Daniel T. See Jury.

Fuller, Elias, (witness,) examined and cross-examined, Fuller, Leonard, (witness,) examined and cross-examined, Fuller, Samuel B., (witness, - police-officer,) examined,

Gat, George H., (ivitness,) examined and cross-examined, Giles, Joel, (witness,) examined, .... Goodrich, Charles B., admission of, as associate counsel,

See also Executive. Governor, Lieutenant. See also Reed, John, and Executive. Grapples of Fish-hooks, produced and identified, Green, James D., (witness,) examined, other specimens of prisoner's, used for comparison, Harwood, Daniel, (ivitness,) examined and cross-examined, Hastings, Edmund T., (witness,) examined, Hatch, Joseph, (ivitness,) examined, .... Hatch, Philena G. B., (witness,) examined and cross-examined, Hathaway, John, (witness,) examined, .... Hatward, Arnold. See Jury. Hearing upon Application for. writ of error, .

General Index

Interlocutory Discussions and Dicta, as to view, . as to non-user of profane language by Dr. Parkman, opinion on identity of remains, conversations of Dr. Parkman relative to prisoner, statement of facts connected with ordering mineral teeth admission of skeleton-keys in proof, correction of testimony by Littlefield, . caution of Mrs. Littlefield to her husband, position of Littlefield when watching prisoner, appearance of Littlefield after discovery of remains, communication of Dr. Parkman's language to prisoner possession of ardent spirits by prisoner, opinion of experts founded on comparison of hand opinion of witness on use of cotton-pen, new inquiry to witness when recalled, . inquiry of witness as to vision in biological state, absence of proof of payment of the notes by prisoner, dentists' ability to recognize their own work, . proof of resemblance of stranger to Dr. Parkman, trial-plates of Dr. Parkman's jaw, Key, Privy, found in prisoner's possession, produced, Keys, other, found on prisoner's person, and at his house, Keys, Skeleton, found in laboratory, and connected with prisoner prisoner's explanation as to, Kidder, Joseph, (witness,) examined, Kimball, Stephen B., (witness,) examined, Kingsley, Charles M., (witness,) examined,

George Parkman, ..... of prisoner to chairman of committee on pardons, Dr. Francis Parkman, . Messrs. Merrick and Sohier, . Lewis, Winslow, Jr., [witness,) examined,

Moore, Martha, (witness,) examined and cross-examined, Mortgage of prisoner to Dr. Parkman produced, Morton, William T. G., (witness,) examined, .

conversations, .... Prof. Wyman on microscopic tests of blood, attendance of jury on public worship, letter from Attorney General, as to Dr. George address of prisoner to jury, handwriting of first petition to Executive, names of the Executive Council, . secret session of coroner's jury, . second Civis letter, course of medical lectures, letter of one of the jury, . opinion of J. Wilde in York's case, arrangements for the jury-trial, declarations to Mr. and Mrs. Littlefield, .

jailer and sheriff, . last hours and execution of prisoner, letter of prisoner to Dr. F. Parkman, letters of same to Messrs. Merrick and Sohier, Notes, Promissory, found in prisoner's possession,

See Coroner. Preston, Joseph W., (witness,) examined and cross-examined, Prisoner. See Webster, Prof. Privy-key found in prisoner's possession, Proceedings upon application for writ of error, .

Promissory Notes found in prisoner's possession, produced, Prouty, Dwight, Jr., (ivitness,) examined and cross-examined, Putnam, George, Rev. Dr., appearance by, on behalf of prisoner

Municipal Court, . Reed, John, Lieut. Gov., chairman of committee on pardons, letter of prisoner to, as to water-pipes, report of, against commutation, See Executive. Relations of prisoner and his counsel to each other, Religious Worship, jury allowed to attend, Report of Medical Committee, on remains, of Dr. C. T. Jackson, on chemical examination, Prof. Wyman, on bones found in furnace, committee on pardons, .... Reporter. See Note. Rhoades, Abby B., (witness,) examined and cross-examined,

Mary, (ivitness,) examined and cross-examined, Rice, Charles B., {witness,) examined and cross-examined, Russell, Isaac H., (witness.) examined and cross-examined,

Sanderson, Joseph, (witness,) examined and cross-examined, Sanger, George P., (ivitness,) examined, Saw, prisoner's, produced, with spots on, .

proceedings on petition for, . Shaw, Lemuel, Chief Justice. See Chief Justice. Shaw, Robert G., (ivitness,) examined and cross-examined, Sheriff. See Eveleth, Joseph.

Skeleton-keys produced and connected with prisoner. . Si.ippf.rs, with spots on, produced and identified. Smith, George G., (witness,) examined, . cross examined, .

See also Interlocutory Discussions and Counsel. Sparks, Jared, (ivitness,) examined, Spirits, Ardent, proof as to, excluded, Stackpole, Stephen A. See Jury. Starkweather, Charles B., [witness,) examined,

Todd, Benjamin H., (witness,) examined and cross examined, . 279-80 Towels of prisoner produced from vault and identified, . 179-84 Transcript, Boston Daily Evening, account from, of execution, &c, ....... 606 required to be examined in full, in first instance, See Court and Interlocutory Discussions. Writ of Error, application for, proceedings on, Wyman, Jeffries, {witness.) examined, .

Source changes here: from History of the Twelfth Massachusetts Volunteers (Webster Regiment), by Cook, Benjamin F, published 1882; 686 words in this source stream.

Published By The

A T the annual re-union of the survivors of the Twelfth (Web- '"- ster) Regiment in August, 1879, it was voted to have a full and complete history of the regiment written. To that end an Historical Committee was chosen, consisting of five members of the Association ; and the duty of selecting an historian was dele gated to it. Subsequently the committee made choice of the undersigned. For the honor conferred upon me I heartily thank my comrades, although I think that their choice might have been better placed. There are many in the regiment more competent to perform the duty than myself; yet I can say, however, that I believe there is no one more earnestly desirous that the story of the great trials, hardships, and almost unexampled heroism of those three eventful years from 1861 to '64 shall be told to the public of to-day and succeeding generations. Neither is there one more anxious that justice be done to each and every member of the regiment.

In commencing my work, I issued a circular, asking the assist ance of comrades, and also calling for diaries, memoranda, and material of any kind, from which to construct my story. To all who responded to these circulars, or who have in any manner rendered me assistance, I take this opportunity to express my hearty thanks. To comrades George Kimball, Charles C. Wehrum, George E. Muzzey, Joseph W. Thayer, Charles W. Hastings, George W. French, and others, who have assisted me, including

Preface

The map showing the marches of the regiment, appearing in the history, was drawn by a comrade who refuses to have his name used, from a map issued 1)3' the government war-office ; and it is believed to be substantially correct. He was much assisted, also, by a map showing the route of the wagon-trains, in the possession of Quartermaster George E. Muzzey.

That the work is deficient in many respects I am fully aware, but I have the assurance of knowing that I have performed my duty as well as I could. The reasons for any deficiencies that ma}' appear will be apparent to all upon reflection, and it is un necessary for me to enumerate them. I have endeavored to make the work impartial, and to abstain as much as possible from rendering praise in special cases. There is no need of praise from your historian. Your record as soldiers does not require it ; and no language, however emphatic, can give an adequate idea of your sacrifices, your unselfish devotion, and the suffering and hardship attending your service.

My original plan was, to have prepared a full and correct roster of the regiment, showing who were killed and wounded, and other facts of interest : but company descriptive-books and muster-out rolls could not be obtained, and no persons were found who could supply such facts from memory ; therefore the work had to be abandoned. A partial or an incorrect list would be worse than none.

It may appear that some companies have received undue attention, being more frequently mentioned than others ; but, if such is the case, it is because they have furnished me with more material. It certainly is not the result of preference. The men of Company II responded well to the call for data, five of them sending matter which has been of great assistance. The diary of Thaddeus Keith of Company F (killed at the battle of the Wilderness) , forwarded to me by his brother, has been a great

The reader will please bear in mind that this little volume is not a history of the war, but the story of our campaigns. I have all the way through striven to avoid as much as possible irrelevant matters, believing that what was desired was a plain and true account of the movements and experiences of the Twelfth Regiment.

And now, resting in the hope that those most interested will approve m}T work, I present to the surviving members of the old Twelfth (Webster) Regiment this history of their service in the war of the Rebellion.