The sun., 1890-01-13
A TALK WITH EMMA PURSEL.
HER FIRST STATEMENT OF HER PART
IN THE kNIFFIN TRAGEDK


| 5he Indignantly Denies that Her Relations
| with the Dentist Were Improper-Hor
| Account of the Assault by BurElars.
PHILADELPHIA. JAM 12-The Philadelphia
| Times has this despatch from correspondent
| from Phillpsburg:
Rocking In a quaint old-fashoned chair, and
gazing in deep thought at the bright GOALS In
the mammoth fireplace before her. Miss Emma
Pursel, the central figure Of the Trenton trag-
edy. was sitting late this afternoon in the large
sitting room OF the family homestead In the
picturesque valley OF PohatconR. near New
Village. New Jersey. On her lap was half
finished mtten she had been knitting. and few
yacds away from her on the floor was a large
ball OF yarn. Her right hand was toying with a
couple Of bodkins A small and wel-formed
foot. half hidden under rug. was tapping on the
floor. Her face betrayed no emotion whatever
as the light from the fire nickered on 1t. 1t was
pale and thoughtful This was the scene which
presented itself to the reporter whom David
Pursel. the brother OF the accused girl. pushed
back the partially opened door and granted
the first interview with Miss Pursel that has
been given since the murder Around her
large coal-black eyes a few dark lines were
traceable and the lids appeared swollen. as II
from weeping.
Her first words expressed much pleasure at
being able to be once more at home. L need
hardly tell YOU" she said. that the past week
has been one OF terrible torture to me. To be
subjected to the gaze OF thousands under the
dear Cousin, is almost too cruel 10 bear. And
then think what blow 1t has been 70 my aged
mothep and brothers % snd 5sHT m M 1hs ADDED
You deny the accusation
What were your relations with Mrs. Knit
"Myra and were more like sisters than
loved her as such and know that tine love was
reciprocal. There was nothing that l would
not Do for hep was W.T. there ae
Our natures were thoroughly IN accord. She
had lovable disp?sition. and all who knew her
what have you to say In answer to the
charge Of improner IN timacy with DR.; hnifhnt;" ;n
remit sbsrRd Is Ffonndessp %nd b
Kniifin loved his wife with all his heart. The
greatest OF aeGt1R en- was o shoTn bet each toward
and wife should be-a model one. DIR. kniflin
was not an openly affectionate husband. He
ant little acts"
He quite often walked with you toward the
Yes, it was on his way to his stables. After
eating he would often wait for me. saying that
he was going to the stables stab and you'd COM
consider it rather impolite ?" she asked. with q
IL ho hoA hOs ooho oo' thi4A Sou
DO you deny the charge Of having halluci-
afteward thought them real? In other words
were there two robberies. one last November
and one resulting in the death of Mrs. Kniffln ?"
They were not hailucinatons," was the
positive answer. They were actual robberies.
All the details published OF the first are true.
and nothing more need be said. or the last 1t
is entirely true. Myra and ]. previous 10 going
to bed. had pushed the bedstead against the
door which had no lock on it. The burglars
forced this door open in an instant at the
same time throwing the bed clean around 1
was thoroughly awakened. and rushed out of
the room into the next. Here l was caught by
the hair and drugged with chloroform, not re-
gaining consciousness until l was found the
next morning. The suddenness of the attack.
and the effect OF the chloroform has left me
with only n daZed recollection Of the affair"
TRENTON, Jan. l2.-The authorities have de-
cided to comply with the request of Prof. Cor
wallis OF Princeton College. and will have the
body of Mrs. Knifiln exhumed and the lungs
and other parts desired sent to Princeton for
analysis One OF the city detectives said to-
night that he did not expect DR.. knifHn
and Miss Pursel would be convicted. be-
cause while the authorities would prove that
no burglar had entered the house. they were
without evidence OF direct character against
anybody. 1t is likely that the prosecution will
withhold the most important evidence 1t has
from the Coroners Jury. Police Justice
Matheson said tonight that in view OF the fact
that the Grand Jury will meet In few day 1t
would he wiser to reserve what inculpatory In
formation the State possesses for that body