Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-13
THE PURCELLs SHOW THEIR GRIT.
Miss Purcell Denies the Charges Against
-. Her Emphaticaiiy.

= In an interview in the PHILADELPHIA Times
David Purcell. brother Of the young woman
charged with the murder of Mrs. Kniffen at
Trenton, says:
''We will sell our farms and use every cent
We have in the world, if necessary, in order to
prove her innocence"
''Yes," interrupted his younger brother, VIM.
Purcell, with a sudden outburst of feeling, ''if
we have to use the pick and shovel on yonder
railroad to do it."
"what is your theory Of the murder?"
THAT OF burglary" was the answer of David.
"Haye you any evidence to substantiate such
a belief?" -
I'VE have. We have conclusive evidence of
it. We have traced them into the house. We
have found that the shutters over the refriger-
ator have been forced open and the entrance
to have been effected by that way. In the
house VIC have traced them to the second floor
In the sitting room the seat of a chair has been
broken by an attempt to light the gas. This
shows that the man was heavy. The imprint
made in the seat is found to tally with foot
prints elsewhere. All the other evidence is
minor details entirely in the knowledge Of the
detectives"
"Have you suspicion Of any particular men?''
Yes; we have found that a negro-and we
have strong evidence as to who he is-was
watching the outside OF the house while the
burglars were at work. We think that we have
the robbers. At any rate the evidence is very
and their movements watched closely every
hour. very interesting feature about it is
that they are not professional crooks. They
are not well known in any way"
In an opinion as to the cause OF the death of
Mrs. Kniffen Mr.. Purcell said: Il am as in
cllned to believe that she was as much fright
ened to death as to say it was due to the effects
Of chloroform. A bold attack in the middle of
the night with no protection will give enough
fright to cause death to any one subject to
heart failure. How do we know then that the
effects Of the chloroform did it? 1t is only con-
joctuTe at best"
Miss Purcell was also interviewed and said:
Il need hardly tell you that the past week
has been one of terrible torture to me. To be
subjected to the gaze Of thousands under the
accusation OF having murdered a near and dear
cousin Is almost too cruel to bear. And then
think what blow it has been to my aged
mother and brothers and sisters" she added,
her eyes seeming ready to fill with tears.
You deny the accusation?"
Il do"
The answer was given with frankness. The
face was honest, open and truthful
What were your relations with Mrs.
Kniffen?''
"Myra and 1 were more like sisters than
cousins, so close was the bond between us. !
loved her as such and know that the love was
reciprocal. There was nothing that would
not do for her, nor was there anything that she
would not do for me. We never quarreled
Our natures were thoroughly in accord She
! had n lovable disposition and ali who knew
her were drawn toward her."
What have you to say in answer to the
charge OF improper intimacy with DR..
Knffen?"
1T is false" was the quick, indignant and
emphatic reply. Such charge is groundless.
DIR. knlffen loved his wife with all his heart
The greatest OF affection was shown each toward
the other. Their life was what that Of a man
and wife should be-a model one. DR.. Kniffen
was not an openly affectionate husband He
showed his love toward his wife in many
pleasant little acts"
HE quite often walked with you toward the
place where you worked?"
eyes, 1t was on his way to his stable. After
eating he would often wait for me, saying that
he Was going to the stables and would accom-
pany me on my way that far. This was done
out of politeness and civility. Wouldn't you
consider it rather impolite," she asked with
a smile, ''if he hsd not done so2 ! think you
would"