Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-05-14
The Burdell Murder Case.

From the New Tribune Nay
The trial of Mrs. Cunningham is progressing
quite as rapidly as the public has right to ex-
pect Yesterday, the third day of the trial, the
prosecution rested and the defense opened their
case and examined three or four witnesses Mr..
Clinton promises to get all his evidence in to-
day or tomorrow, but there is little prospect
that the trial will terminate before Tuesday or
"wednesday. Judge Davis displays commenda-
BILE energy and patience in sitting ten hours
day, and winning golden opinions by the dig
nifty with which he presides and the decision of
character which he has, with some exceptions
shown from Gay to day.
The notorious Coroner Connery, who was the
first witness examined yesterday, identified Mrs.
Cunningham's deposition at the inquest. He
was somewhat roughly handled by the PRISON
er's counsel, but preserved his customary Dig
nifty throughout, answering some questions rath-
er warmly, and refusing to answer others on the
ground that they bore upon his personal con-
duct at the inquest, which was a matter now
pending before another tribunal.
Two or three witnesses were called with ref
erence to to the lights in DR. Burdells house on
the night of the murder. Mr.. Byrne. who lives
in Blocker street, directly in the rear. saw a
light in one of the third story windows at half
past two in the morning, and Ar. Fredricks,
who lives next door to Mr. Bryne. saw light
and the shadow of an object ing in tho sec
ond story of either No 90 or 81 Bond street at
about halfpast eleven. Mr. and Mrs. Schwarz-
waelder, who lives at No. 20, were called to
prove that the latter light could not have been
in their room, where, though partially burned
down light was burning, the shutters were clos
ed, which was also the case in the ADJOINING
| hail. Neither heard any cry or smeit anything
unusual. though their room, it will be remem'
bered, adjoined DIR. Burdelps.
Two matrons of the City Prison testified that
Mrs Cunningham used her left hand aptly
in sewing as well as her right, having had
the rheumatism, she said in the latter Dr. Ma
| guire identified certain documents as IN DIR
Burdsl's handwriting, and the loaded pisto
[tound in Mrs. Cunningham's bureau) as his
property. He was cross-examined at length up
| ON the relations between himself, others OF the
| family and DIR. Burdell. The release and agree
ment, already known to our readers, were also
introduced.
DIR. Uhl was examined by the defence al
great length. In his opinion the drops Of
blood in DIR. Burdslls room as well as those in
the hall and basement, came from the assassin
who might have been either right or left-handed
He thought it improbable that person of equa
strength with DIR. Burdell could have inflicted
all the wounds without bearing marks OF VIC
lence. Under this impression. and with strong
suspicious against her on his mind, he looked
/ carefully at her neck and arms on Saturday
evening, but saw no marks. He had never eXa
mined body where so many accurate wounds
had been given. nor had DIR. Carnochsn called
later in the day. In estimating the value of this
testimony, ii must be borne in mind that the lat
ter of these gentlemen is Professor of Surgery II
the largest hospital in the country, and that The
former has attended 1900 post-mor.ems within
i five years. Dr. Carnochan also thought that any
person OF less size and strength than the decea
sed would have born marks of the encounter
particularly if female, and inclined to the opin
bn inhf -knndnH and
least as tall as DR.. Burdell.
The only other testimony specially to be men
toned was that of the Rev DIR. Beecher OF Sar
| atogaSprings, whose testified that Mr.. Cunning
hams third daughter entered his boarding
school last Summer at DIR. Burdell's request
and that his bill for her tuition was paid through
his own brother, who corroborated the statemen
by DIR. Burdell in December. The examination
Of DIR. Roberts, called to show that the relation
between Mrs. Cunningham and the murdere'
man were friendly, was not concluded whel
the Court adjourned.
Some surprise has been expressed that tn
p Government has not called Farrell, whose test
mony would, it Is thought, go to shew that tn
murder was perpetrated by some person withil
the house, whether that person be Mr.. Ecksl o
not. Other witnesses, also, on whose testmon.
great reliance has been placed, have not bee
put upon the stand; but we see no reason t
doubt that District Attorney Hall has sitted tn
evidence with his customary diligence and a
cumen, and retain all that was material. Hi
course in leaving it to the other side to examin
the members of the Cunningham family is
wise one. since he has greater latitude IN cross
examination, and will be thus more likely t.
wiring the truth from them, if they know any
thing that makes in favor of the prosecution
Mr. Clinton in his opening announced that tn
r defense would call the and daughters Q
> Mrs. Cunningham, and "poor Snodgrass,"
,l~Ot,1 81.
interesting day during the whole trial. He CAV
, no intimation that he could throw any light OF
the manner in which or the places where Dr.
Burdel spent that last Friday evening. 1t can
not but have been noticed that the name of Mr.
: Eckel has scarcely been mentioned by eithe
witness or counsel thus far. We presume tn
prosecution is in this cautious not to do so i'm
polite a thing as to enlist the sympathy whic
may be felt in his behalf, in addition to that en-
. tertained for Mrs. Cunningham.