The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-02-09

The Present Aspect OF the Barhen Case.
The inquest in the case of Doctor Burdell, the
victim of the late horrible murder in Bond street
held short session yesterday, when several wit
nessss were examined. The daughters of Mrs
Cunningham were again before the jury. Nothing
material was obtained from either of them. The
younger daughter, when questioned as to whether
she had seen any blood upon any of the garments
of her mother or sister, complained Of illness and
was allowed to retire from the room. In the
same way one of the Sons of Mrs Cunningham
set up great howl, on Saturday, when his ex-
animation Appropriated q material point Of the
case Not intending to be harsh, we must say
that good deal of this looks like humbug.
Here has a great crime been committed. These
persons may not be able to tell US anything about
the act itself, but they do know something of the
relations between the Doctor and their mother.
They must tell US all these things at some time
or other; and if they believe in their mothers
innocence they will have no objection to do so
now. At any rate, we must have no more hum
bug or nonsense with them. 1t is not time for
fippancy on the part Of one, or for a show of
mock sensibility by the other. 1t seems now as
if all the Cunninghams had tacitly agreed to say
as little as possible, falling back upon the asser
ton that they know nothing of the murder, per
The jury is not investigating the body Of the
crime The evidence is deficient in physical
circumstances, but the moral proof bears strongly
against certain parties. The only clue so far OBJ
tanned to the murderers is that some of the people
in the house had a motive to kill him. The testi
mODy of these young women would, if freely given,
60 far to show the strength of that motive
and the causes which produced the peculiar
state Of feeling between the Doctor and the other
parties residing in the house. II is possible that
the case Of Mrs. Cunningham may be damaged
should her daughters speak QUIT is certain tina.
it will be if they do not
We have now before us the testimony taken
during nine days of investigation. The inevitable
conclusions to be drawn from the present aspect
Of the testimony are as follows
l. That the Doctor was murdered with malice
aforetbOught.
This is proven by the number and character Of
the wounds, the stiffness with which the act was
accomplished, and the careful way in which the
murderers have destroyed all physical clues to
their identity.
2. That the act was committed Just before mid
night and Immediately after the Doctor entered
his apartments.
The time is fixed by two witnesses, one Of whom
heard the cry of murder" at about eleven, and
another who saw man answering the general
lae &c ~
the same hour
f. That the act was committed by some per-
sons resident in the house. or introduced for the
purpose.
5. That the motive was not that Of robbery or
direct personal gain, but that the act was insti-
gated by Jealousy, hatred, revenge, disappointed
ambition and q hope of obtaining, ultim ately,
some portion of the victims estate which be
might prevent il he were allowed to i've
6. That the passions above enumerated are
stronger with women than with men-a woman,
when she is bad, being thoroughly 50, because
society will not believe that she can repent and
reform; and therefore there is no encouragement.
for her to do so.
e. That no man would be likely to infict If
teen Satisfactorily all fatal-upon the body Of
his victim. A sighted woman might do SO.
g. That Mrs Cunningham had motive to do
the Doctor a mischief. She was extremely
Jealous. She set spies upon him. She listened
TO his conversations with his confidential frien s
She visited brothels to obtain testimony 0: Us
inGdelity. She set every one in the house
against him. She twice renewed a suit Tor
breach Of promise against him. She attempts
TO prove a doubtful marriage with him. Al!
relations Of friendship between the parties have
been broken Off for two months before the r,u--
der, and the Doctor is so far afraid tina. he viii
b. murdered by her or her friends that he will
not eat or drink in the house, and begs o frienl
TO come and live with him. There IL no eye so
sharp, no intellect 80 acute, as that Of jeaious,
woman. No movement of BJrdell's
escaped the observation OF his p1rsuer.
She knew of all bis movements. She
peered into his private papers, and stole
from his pocket the key Of his safe. The quarrel
between them was bitter and irreconcilable T0s
life. He made his will, leaving his property to
his brothers, cousins, nephews and nieces Chill
lren he had none. Wife he had none, 10y mis- own
He resolved 70 get rid Of his mistress
ss soon as possible. The time arrived when
.enants not leaseholders give notice to the land
ord Of their Observation-Disclosures they intend
20 remain or TO move after the first of My-
md the landlord signifies his wishes in r~-.ui
o the same matter. Mrs. Cunninghsm's football
Vas always about the Doctors door; she beard
everything. She heard of the will. She heard,
,n the very Friday of the murder, the Decor
ssh his friend Blaisdel TO take the house. she
heard on the same day the partial agreement
between Burdell and Mrs. Stansbury. She
anew that IL Baisdell did not take he
house, the lease with the Stansburys would be
igned on the newt day. On that Friday lie