Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-02-05

ASSASSINATION OF Jr. Buruell, rather increases
than diminishes as the coroners investigation
progresses. The mysterious circumstances
connected with the affair become more COM
plicated, and it is now intimated that Burdell
and Mrs. Cunningham were never married /;
that Eckel and Mis- g. were on very init.
mate terms, and that Eckel personated Bur
dell in the marriage ceremony, and had his
name inserted in the marriage certificate
These facts are pretty clearly proved by the
testimony taken on Monday. The New York
Express has the following review of the testi-
mony taken, and of the latest developments in
this great tragedy -
AT the close of the third day of the in
quest, the murder of DR.. Burdell, in his own
office in Bond street. remains as fearful a
mystery as ever. Early in the day, the coro-
ner made a new search of the premises, and
while so engaged brought to light several more
articles of principally of female wear
ing apparel-smeared with blood. The ties D..
timony Of young Snodgrass who was the first
witness put upon the stand. shows that he be-
ieved the DIR. and Mrs. Cunningham to be
man and wife but he never troubled him
self to inquire particularly. He confirmed
the testimony previously made, that they were
on bad terms and added that, while Eckel
and he frequently spent the evening in Mrs,
Cunningham's bedroom, DIR. Burdell was
never known to do so. A servant girl of Mrs.
Cunningham's, one of whom she discharged
the day before the murder, testified that there
seemed to be two parties in the house-one of
which was the Doctor; the other comprised
everybody else, from the lady to Mr.. Snod-
grass.
The servant also testified that Mr.. Eckel,
not long since, at the breakfast table, remark
od Thof 81 - H. az - II
Doctor a knock. If 1t could only be done handy"
and at the same time, she AYERS, he looked
wickedly at Mrs. Cunningham, wLo jesting-
ly rebuked him for his language. The Officers
found in Mr.. EckePs secretary package of
papers, much more important than those in
the Doctors safe. Among them were the
agreement between the Doctor and the lady,
IN regard to the house ; strange unsigned
agreement, in the Doctor handwriting, that
IN consideration of the settlement of certain
suits, he would always befriend tie lady and
her family a statement, dated October l6,
1856, that up to that date he had never made
will, and that if any will should be pro-
duced, with an anterior date, and purporting
to be his, it would be forgery. A variety Of
othe- pBpers were found in this package, but
as they have not yet been put in evidence, the
coroner declines to have them published.
Several hours were spent by the coroner,
the jury, and the officers, on Monday, in ram
saeking every portion of the premises. the
physicians in attendance on the inquest, also,
at the request of the coroner, examined every
part of the bodies OF Mrs. Cunningham, Mr..
Eckel and Mr. SnodgIass, in order to see if
they had any cut, Scratch or other wound
that might have been received surprising
them to have been concerned IN the fatal at
r IL Al.
wound or blemish was found on either of
their bodies. The corpse was then re~exam-
ined, to see if the wounds could have been
made with the dagger that was found in Mrs.
Cunningham drawer. The weapon is
small two-edged, ivory handled dirk, about
six inches long, in worn metal sheath. The
most careful probing and scrutiny rendered it
apparent that none of the fatal stabs could
have been made with this instrument, but
that the death knife m ust have been sharp
pointed, two-edged dagger, at least eight inch
es by three quarters i'll the blade.
The theory that the eye of murdered per-
son will retain the impression of the last OBJ
ject seen before death, was spoken of by one
of the Jurors and in accordance with re-
quest to that effect, the coroner ordered that
microscopic examination of the eye should be
made. The test will take place at nine o'clock
this morning Drs Doremus and Gourley,
both eminent microscopes, being the operat-
ors. Ii the wonderful theory, proposed some
time since by the Swans OF France, proves to
be correct in this, the first instance of its
practical application in merica, it may have
an important bearing in clearing up this ter
rble mystery. The results of the examine
ton will be looked for with great interest by
all.
Al, e. u,
fails to implioate any person in the house of
the commission of the murder, yet demon
strates the existence of family drama of no
little romance and complication. The strange
relations sustained towards Mrs. Cunningham
by Mr.. Eckel and Mr.. Snodgrass, and the ap.
parent i'll feeling of the trio to- the deceased
the fact that the man she claimed to be her
husband was never seen in her room, and had
but little intercourse with her, while her pri-
yate apartments communicated with the bed
chambers Of two other men the merry
making and punch drinking in her bedroom,
while the doctor was out or keeping bachelors
hall in his own parlor the conduct of Mr.
Eckel, in acting as though he were master of
the house; his being seen by her own daugh-
rer, through the keyhole, in the ladys bed
room and his having private papers of the
Doctors in his room, attracted the attention of
every one present at the inquest on Monday,
and caused no little remark.
The mystery of Ketchum's shirt has been
cleared up by young Snodgrass, who says that
he borrowed it from a friend while in the
country; but the blood on it is yet unexplsin-
ed. The finding of bloody dress of Miss
Augusta Cunningham, and bloody news
paper in the stove in that young lady's room,
are also strange facts. and are yet to be ac-
counted for. Mr.. Eckel's absence early FRI
day morning is explained by witness, Mr..
Smith Ely, who swears that he had bust
ness appointment with him at eight o'clock
precisely. The witnesses, Mrs. g. and her
family, Messrs. Eckel aAd Snodgrass, exhibit
the most perfect composure, selt-possession
and GOODNESS. None of them had any objec-
tons to be examined by the officers but Mrs.
G. appeared extremely anxious TO preserve the
papers taken from Eekel's escretoire.
The house where this dread deed was COM
Intted, has since been an object of the intens-
est interest Excited crowds stand constantly
about the doors, ald at the other side Of the
street, steadily gazing to the second story
windows, and discussing all the details Of the
inquest. Us soon as they get them. The house
is four story and basement dwelling, and
entered by n lofty flight of marble steps, like
most houses in Bond street. The hall inside
is wide and commodious. The parlors are on
the right hand of the entrance, and are ele-
gantly furnished-if anything, a trihe too
gaudily for good taste. There are three large
mirrors in the two rooms, and the frames are
very heavy with molding and gliding The
second floor consists of two large rooms, with
a pantry aud dark room between them, and a
small hall bedroom front. The front room
,vas ~ noctor's he'd roon the hack room