Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-02-19
The Bond stree, Mnrder.

John j. Eckel, Emma Augusta Cunningham
or Burdell, and George Vail Suodgrass, the
persons implicated in the murder of the late
Or. Harvey Burdell, at No. 81 Bond street.
Eckel stated that he is Thirty four years old,
was born in Morristown, N. J., and by occu-
patton is a dealer in hides and fat. In rela-
ton to the charge against him, he said -
II can say no more than that l am inno-.
cent of the CHARGE"
Mrs. Cunningham or Burdell stated that
she is thirty six years of age, was born in
New York, and never had any occupation ex-
cept that of mother and wife.
In relation to the charge against her, she
said =
Il most certainly say that l am entirely
innocent"
Snodgrass stated that he is eighteen years
OF age was born in Troy New York and by
occupation is an entry clerk. In relation to
the charge against him, he said =
81 am entirely innocent; l know nothing
of the facts relative to the murder of Dr. Bur-
dell. If any one knows anything about the
murder in the family, l think it is Miss Au-
gusta Cunningham or her mother. Under
stand me THAT is, if the murder was perpe-
trated by any of the inmates of the house"
At the close of the examination, the parties
ton of the Grand Jury.
CONVERSATION WITH MRS. cUNNINGHAM.
On Sunday she was attred in
mourning dress and dark shawl, and her head
was uncovered. In appearance and dress she
looked much the same as when before the
coroner on the night after the murder except
that she seemed more calm and collected than
she did then. As our reporter passed her CELL
she turned her face to the WALL and bent her
head so that only her back was visible, as
though anxious to escape observation and in.
quiry. One of the lady visitors who saw and
conversed with her yesterday, asked her why
she, woman of full age aud ripe experience,
ever consented to place herself in so equivo-
cal situation by keeping her marriage with
Dr. Burdell a secret? She replied that she
was afraid of the Doctor, as he had sworn
that if she divulged the marriage before the
time that he would take her life. She further
stated that he kept two large loaded pistols in
his room, and she thinks they NAV be found
there now in his closet. The reason he did
not attend the party was because she told him
that if he die that she would there proclaim
herself his wife; and her if she did he would
blow her brains out on tbs spot and, she add
ed, be would certainly have done it, his tenn
per was so violent She says no tongue can
tell how she loved that man, notwithstanding
she stood in such mortal fear of her lie Yes
terday morning she remarked, after reading
the testimony about the purchase of the dag.
ger by Snodgrass, 81 have no doubt that
matter will all be cleared up, and the party
who really bought it will come forward ana
exonerate him from the charge" One of her
visitors was impressed by somewhat singu-
lar remark, which she involuntarily made
without any apparent cause to elicit it. 1t
was to the effect that she had little or no
strength in her hands. tWhY,' said she, II
could not lift two pound weight" In all
her conversation she maintained her perfect
innocence of the crime laid at her door, and
SCOTS at the idea that she could have com
mitted tor that the community can believe
she did. why" said she, sit is not posi-
BILE tor them to prove anything against us. l
was willing to tell all knew, but they would
not believe me nor my daughters ; and vet
they are the soul of truth" When asked if
she had friends to whom she could confide
her little boys, she said she had a brother and
sister, but as she had never yet gone to them
for assistance, she should not ask it now.
TALK WITH EcKEL.
Eckel said he was verv comfortable. and
seemed marvellously calm and self.possessed.
His meals are sent in from a restaurant, and
he has the privilege of light at night if he
wishes 1t. Newspapers, cigars, and other lux
ures are allowed him, and he saws with one
exception he has experienced nothing but the
kindest treatment since his incarceration.
That exception was the policeman who bro't
him to the Tombs. He said ID have al
ways gone quietly wherever they wished me
to go, relying on my entire innocence of the
murder; but he, before he set out, tied a
piece of cord to my wrist, and thus led me
through the streets to prison. When we ar.
iNedh orn ba,,l
| benumbed from the ligature that l could not
move my fingers for some time" He admit.
| ted that the circumstantial evidence against
the family was rather weighty. but he assert
| ed his entire Innocence, and his full belief
| that the others now charged with the crime
would be proved innocent. This he said very
earnestly, and with much emotion. He add.
| ed, with even more feeling, "God knows am
innocent; and although have suffered mnch
from unjust suspicion, and shall probably suf-
fer more, yet would rather be here with nv
conscience free from guilt, than be at liberty
with the sin OF this murder upon nv soul /"
In emphatic terms he denied that he went To
the door on that night, as Farrell charges but
said he never left the third floor after he went
up, at IL or 10 o'clock, until he went out
| on his business next morning.
The public excitement at this murder. he
| IiAA"Aob ASauS Peoplc W sHdIcn 100 eagerly at
! every little circumstance that goes to substan.
tate their foregone conclusions, and that in
their eagerness they lose sight of all probable
| ity, and cast aside whatever Goes not chime
| with their own opinions. In reference to
Farrells identification Of him, he SAYS that his
| picture had been hawked about the streets
and his person described until he believed
nlne-tenths OF the community would have no
difficulty in pointing him out.
MIR. Eckel, in allusion to the eagerness with
which his private character had been can.
vassed, said that perhaps there were few men
| whose morality would stand the test of a rioid
scrutiny but he argued that they were not
| therefore to be set down as murderers. or ca
| pable of doing murder. Where was his mo-
tive for committing such crimes He never
| knew DR.. Burdell nor Mrs. Cunningham un-
til about the middle of October last, when he
saw by an advertisement that he could obtain
| board at No, 81 Bond street, and called and
gave references. Subsequently he went there
again, according to agreement and Mrs. Gun.
| bingham, having consulted with Dr. Burdel
received him as boarder.
The hrst night he was there he overheard A
dispute between her and the Doctor, in which
the latter used language that convinced him
that ne was hi gentleman, and therefore he
RETAINED from cultvaling his acquaintance
His whole intercourse with him never exceed
ed the usual forms of recognition when thew
| passed each other in the hall. The idea that he
could have personated DIR. Burdell in the
| marriage with Mrs CUNNING ham in tvo