The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-02-07

The MURDER IN BoND STREEr.-The evidence
taken in the case of DR.. Barden yesterday, has q
strong bearing against the parties Immediately
under suspicion. We have still further proof Of
the bad feeling existing between Burden and
Mrs. Cunningham. Mr. Alvah Blaisdell, who
seems TO have been q confidential friend Of the
deceased, swears that he saw the Doctor on the
day preceding the murder-that he was then in
mortal fear of Mrs. Cunningham, her eldest
daughter, Mr.. Eckel and Mr.. Snodgrass-that
they would go stealthily about the house, some
times coming to his apartments, opening the
door softly, and then retiring when he turned to
look at them-that he had had fight the week
with him. Three policemen made oath to a
quarrel between Mrs Cunningham and DR.. Bur-
dell, when he accused her Of stealing his keys
from his pocket while he slept. Mrs. Cunning
ham told these policemen that she was Bur-
dells wife by every tie possible. One of the
men swears that she said che would have his
(Burdell's) hearts BLOOD" another, that in her
rage she struck the Doctor in the breast. Miss
Hubbard, cousin of deceased, swears that be
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, and that the threats Of jea-
lous woman are more frequently the ebullitions
of momentary passion than of a settled purpose;
and that with an imperfect chain of physical evil
dence, the moral circumstantial proof must be
stronger than this. Still it is part, and very
important part of chain which is daily becom-
ing stronger.
With reference to the alleged marriage, the
Coroner has received information from Albany
that DR.. Burdell was at Saratoga at the time
the certificate Is dated, and that afidavits 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 ~
the ground. The motive to murder might lave
been just as strong, whether the marriage was
fraud OF not. We have point of interest in the
testimony Of the man who made Eckel's wig,
who Identifies Mrs. Cunningham as the person
who accompanied Eckel when it was ordered 1t
is not direct evidence but along with other tesi-
mony it shows Eckel's completely with Mrs. C.
in many matters, great and small, and it is
unfortunate that he should have taken means
to disguise bis 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; it
was newly invented burglar preof lock, which
cannot be picked, and with a key which cannot be
five take with this the testimony of
Mr.. Ross, who saw a man supposed to be the
Doctor 60 into the house at half past ten, and
also that of Mr.. Brooks, who heard the cry of
murder at the same hour, we have series of
remarkable condolences 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
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 accusations at their doors-we are simply
endeavoring to get at the facts and natural de-
auctions in the case.
The evidence of yesterday was chiefly confined
to testimony on the quarrels OF Mrs. Cunningham
and DR.. Burdell. To-day Mrs. Cunningham and
her daughters will be examined, and their test-
mony will be looked for with the greatest
anxiety.