Murder at Harvard: John Webster Story

Dr. Parkman had money to spare and loaned Dr. Webster more than $400. But Parkman never viewed Webster as a charity case. He wanted his money back. Webster had no way to repay it.

Around Thanksgiving Day, 1849, Parkman became more insistent. He went to Webster's lab at the medical college and gave Webster an ultimatum: Pay the money or lose the job. Parkman, who had previously donated land to the medical college, certainly had the wherewithal to make good on his threat. He had lots of influence with powerful people.

Dr. Webster lost his temper. He grabbed a piece of wood from his lab fireplace and savagely struck Dr. Parkman, fracturing his skull. (Follow this link to view a contemporary drawing.) Shocked at what he had done, Webster tried to revive Parkman. There was no point. Parkman was dead.