Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-03-15
MRS. CUNNINGHAM-BURDELL.
New and Singular Chapter I'm her History
IFrom dc n. Y. Evening Pos

New and Singular Chapter I'm her History.
From the ~ Y Evening Post
The excitement caused by the murder of DR.
Burdoll, at 81 Bond street, on the night of Jan
nary 30, 1851, has scarcely parallel in the
criminal records Of this city. The extrsordi-
nary circumstances Of the affair; the relations
which the inmates of the house sustained 20 the
victim; the long and pedaniic inquest Of the
coroner; the subsequent trial and aeauittal Of
Mrs. Cunningham for murder, and her attempt
10 bring forward false heir to the Burdell
estate, for months filed the columns of the
public prints, and were read with absorbing
interest er-.
After the decision Of the Surrogate. which
denied the marriage Of Mrs Cunningham 10
Dr. Burlell, and excluded her from any share
IN his estate she disappeared from public vie ",
and nothing has been heard Of her except an
OccBsiOnal newspaper paragraph, one Of which
announced her marriage to Mr. Eckel. whieh b
that gentleman promptly denied Other para
graphs have representeCh her as living in fine
Siyle up town, while Others have located her in
New jersey; others have married her youngest
daug liter. To wealthy southern planter, and
others sgain have denied any such marriage.
The writer Is ih possession Of a singular and
authentic history, which will throw some light
upon her recent movements and present posi-.
iiOn.
In November last, young man giving the
name Of c. Frank Fitzgerald, Of ~. Louis, Me-,
went To the matrimonial Office of Mrs Jessie
Willis, No. - West 43d street in this city-an
office which was started in the summer Of 1858.
snl hHs been quite extensively advertised.
We copy the following specimen Of the adver-
tisements from the New York Herald of jan
uary 9th: -..
Mrs. Jessie Willis will give introductions
to ladies and gentlemen with a view to matri-
ln1ny, at her oifi,e, - West Forty third street.
from 3 10 3 d. IN. Parties suited references
0raN elnwa - Ill.
Letters from the country must be postpaid with
return letter stamps. n. BAH business con-
hlential.''
The house of Mrs. Willis is situated near Fifth
avenue. and i plain but neatly furnished. She
A. Spiritualist in faith. and on her table are
found Judge EdmOnds's work. and several
Eo"ks by spiritual mediums.
Mr. Fitzgerald was understood to have plenty
Of money. and was promised an introduction to
young widow, who was represented as posses
sing every desirable accOinplis shment; and for
this purpose he made his second visit TO the Of
f,e on Monday afternoon, but the young widow
did not make her appearance according to
agreement.
Mr. Fitzgerald waited near half an hour be-
yond the time fixed, and Mrs. Willis several
times expressed her surprise that the lady did
hot come. and finally said
This lady is always so prompt. fear she
will not be here to-day. If you choose. how
z
would like to pass away the time pleasantly.
meanwhile. there il a widow now in the ne 1t
roOm. to whom 1 will introduce you, merely
for passing acquaintance. She is consider
ally older than yourself. and do not suppose
You would think of marrying her; but she is
Intelligent and lively in conversation, and |
think you would be pleased with her"
Very we'll. ., replied Fitzgerald; ..Iet her
come in; shall be happy to see her"
Mrs. Willis then retired to the adjoining
room. the paTlOr in the rear. which cOmmuni-
Gated by folding doors. and led in the widow
IL happened that Fitzgerald was in New
York at the time of Mrs. Cunningham's trial
for murder, and having visited the court sew
erai times while il WIS in progress, retained Il
distinct recollection of the prisoners features
aLd eOuntenanee. And when Mrs. Willis led
the woman into the room, he instantly recog-
hileI in her the same Mrs. Cunningham Bur
dell whom he had seen in court.
She was dressed in deep black, a. she wa;
during her trial. and had on heavy veil OF
the same color. which was thrown back over
her hat. But her garments wore evident marks
Of time. and she looked much older than when
be saw her a few months previous.
10 was perhaps with some difficulty that be
pressed an exclamation or look of surprise
els sudden and unexpected apparition; but
Immediately it occurred to him that he would
feign ignorance. which might enable him to
learn something of her character, and perhaps
sstisfy his own mind in relation to the awful
mystery connected with her history.
Be IL known that the intrOductiOns OF mat
rimORial broker differ from intrOductiOns in
general-in that the broker gives no names
only an obscure ejaculation, which one might
possibly thinF represented name. but which
he had not understood Such was the intro
duction of Mr.. Fitzgerald TO Mrs. Cunningham
WhereuPon he arose and bowed in his politics
manner
n
ms,laIn, said he, " and having seen Mrs. vii
IiS's advertisement. Il occurred to me / nigh
make some pleasant acquaintance by calm,
here. 1 am happy TO see you, and trust Ou
acquaintance will be mutually agreeable.
Mr.. Cunningham gave Fitzgerald piercin;
look, ss if to satisfy herself whether she has
ever seen him before; and of this he was Der
fectly conscious. His sef-possessiOn, however
if shaken an instant on the first recognition
had fully returned. and he bore her scrutini
zIux glanccs without any exhibition of anxiety
She replied that she regarded Mrs Willis
Office an Institution Of great utility to strangers
and remarked that there was. in her estima
ton nothing improper in the system.
Matrimonial Offices. said she. = are yer,
common in Paris; people think nothing Of i
there. But some of our Americans have al
idea they are immoral. But that depends al
together upon the use people make of them
Strangers who come here without any acquain
tdHcer unI ~ very convenient tO De Introduce
into respectable families. where they can en-
JOY sOcial advantages. and occasionally pass
pleasant evening with Friends" "
That was my idea in coming here. replieC
Fitzgerald. New York is pleasant in the ia,
time when we can go about and see such u va
riety Of things, but at night often get tired O
the opera-tired of the theatre. and the ordi
nary amusemehts, and feel greatly the need 0
good female society
You are not msrried, then. | suppose -
oh no! Married men. | take it, are han
py and cOntented to stay at home"
Not always, replied Cunningham "Man,
find themselves worse of than before Yo,
would b. astOnished If you knew all know
about the unhapPine's Of married people il
Nrw York. These eases arc very conimon.'
g. Indeed 80
Yes everywhere. but particularly in NeV
York The truth is ladies' think ~. much o
drc-s and fashion here. they do not make goo.
wives. There are very few it for man I
harry. There are some. however. know
y.ung laiy-fOurteen years of age-a YER
particular friend Of miae--tO whom / wOul
Introduce n gentleman Of the right stamp
What qualifications would yon require %;
Well he must have means, Of course.