Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-02-19
DR.. Burdell's Murder.

We have still further proof ofthe bad
feeling existing between Burdell anc
Mrs. Cunningham. Mr. Alvah Blais
dell, who seems to have been contiden
tial friend of the deceased, swears that
he saw the Doctor on the day prece-
ding the murder-that he was then il
mortal fear of Mrs. Cunningham, hel
eldest daughter, Mr.. Eckel and Mr.
Snodgrass--that they would go STEALTH
ly about the house, notwithstanding to
his apartments, open the door softly
and then retiring when he turned to look
at them-that he had a fight the week
previous, and desired witness to come
and live with him. Three policemen
made oath to a quarrel between Mrs.
Cunningham and DR.. Burden, when he
accused her of stealing his keys from
his pocket while heslept Mrs. Cunning
ham told these policemen that she was
Burdell's wife by every tie possible
One of the men swears that she said she
would have his (Burdells) "heart's
blood;" another, that in her rage she
struck the Doctor in the breast. Miss
Hubbard, cousin of deceased, swears
that he told her that Mrs. Cunningham
had threatened to take his life in case he
told the witness something in relation to
Miss Cunningham the elder; that he did
give witness the information referred to.
1t is hardly necessary to say that much
of this is not legal evidence, threats OF
jealous women are more frequently the
ebullitions of momentary passion than OF
settled purpose; and that with an i'm
perfect chain of physical evidence, the
moral circumstantial proof must be
stronger than this. Still it is a part,
and very important part, Of chain
which is daily becoming stronger.
reference to the allegedmarriage,
the Coroner has received information
from Albany that DIR. Burdell was at
Saratoga at the time the certificate is da-
ted, and that affidavits to that effect will
be forwarded to-day. The clergyman,
Rev. Mr.. Marvine, does not identify Mr.
Eckel as the man that was married to
Mrs. Cunningham, and that point, the
direct bearing of which on the case we
never could see, falls to the ground
The motive to murder might have been
just as strong, whether the marriage
was fraud or not. We have a point
of interest, in the testimony of the
man who made Eckel's wig, who ac-
companied Eckel when it was ordered.
1t is not direct evidence, but along with
other testimony it shows Eckels COM
plicity with Mrs. {. in many matters,
great and small, and it is unfortunate
that he should have taken means to dis
guise his appearance so recently. The
theory that the act was committed from
within the house, is strengthened by the
testimony of the maker of the lock upon
the street door; ii was newly invented
burglar proof lock, which cannot be
picked, and with key which cannot be
counterteited.
If we take with this the testimony of
Mr.. Ross, who saw man, supposed to
be the Doctor, 90 into the house at half.
past 10, and also that of Mr.. Brooks, who
heard the cry of murder at the same.
hour, we have a series of remarkable CO.
which go strongly to prove
that no parties other than those within
the house could have done the murder.
Add to this the proof of enmity, and
construe it as a motive, and the case is
a strong one. As we said before, much
of this evidence will not stand the fire of
cross-examination, more of it will never
be admitted; but we are not trying the
parties or laying ACQUISITIONS at their
doors-we are simply endeavoring to get
at the facts and natural deductions of
the case.
The evidence of yesterday was chiefly
confined to testimony on the quarrels of
Mrs. Cunningham and DIR. Burdell. To
day Mrs. Cunningham and her daughters
will be examined, and their testimony
will be looked for with the greatest anx-
Y. Herald, 18th.