Iron County register., 1903-03-26
/ MRS. B(JRD|CK TES|F|ES.
Widow Relates on the Witness
Stand a Domestic Chapter in
Buffalo Tragedy.
LOVE LETTERS PRODUCED IN COURT.
PennelFs Handwriting Identified
Mercy to Central Figure in the
Case-Package of Letters Brings
Deathly PallOr to Her Face.

| heE aCCs
Buffalo, n. V, March 24.-Mrs. Alice
Hull Burdick, widow of Edwin I. Bur-
dick, is undergoing merciless exam
ination by District Attorney Coats
worth in the resumption of the in
quest into the death of her husband,
who was murdered on February 26.
With a package of letters in his
hands, some of which were written
to Mrs. Burdick by Arthur r. Pennell,
correspondent in the divorce proceed.
ings instituted by Mr.. Burdick, and
other communications between Mr..
Burdick and his wife, Mr.. Coatsworth
forced Mrs. Burdick to tell the story
of her relations with Pennell from
the time he first made love to her in
New Haven, in 1898, until 1901, when
these relations were renewed after
Burdick had forgiven his wife and
had taken her back to his home for
the sake of their children.
Witness Pale as Death.
Mrs. Burdick was death!y pale while
on the witness stand. She answered
questions in low, faltering tone,
evading direct answer whenever
possible and reluctantly admitting
facts when the district attorney pitt
lessly read extracts of the love let
ters written to her by Arthur r.
Pennell.
Not since the inquest into the MUIR
der began has there been such intense
interest in the proceedings. AS early
as II o'clock in the morning men and
women, mostly women, applied at the
police court for> seats. Judge MUIR
ply ordered the room cleared, and
no one was admitted until one o'clock.
There was a hum of excitement
when Mrs. Burdick took the witness
stand. Mrs. Burdick testified that she
would be AZ years of age on April
30. She was married to Burdick in
1886. They had three children.
Met Mt Card Party.
Mrs Burdick met Pennell at card
party five or six years ago at which
WI lDulbIth was BlCoChp. AllV NShe
to New Haven and New York with
the Pennels in 1896. Mr.. Burdick did
not go, being detained by business. No
unusual friendship sprang up between
her and Pennell. Witness did not re-
call a letter from Pennell written in
New Haven in 1900, in which, he said
yesterday was at the gateway on
the campus grounds, where. more
than two years ago, l drew you in in
the darkness. This place enshrines
me-"
Witness Trembles Violently.
The district attorney produced the
letter and handed it to the witness,
who trembled violently.
''Do you recognize it as Pencils
handwriting?"
EYES," whispered Mrs. Burdick.
''And you recall the incident now?''
eyes, sir"
Mrs. Burdick in recalling the Incl
dent confessed that Pennell went in
to a doorway, drew her in, took her in
his arms and kissed her. She thought
she demonstrated.
Mr. Coatsworth showed the witness
several letters, one was written from
New York by Pennell and addressed
to Mrs. Burdick. She said it was his
handwriting, but she did not remem-
Der having received it.
Mrs. Burdicl<'s Memory Refreshed.
81 will read it and see if it will
refresh your recollection: AS !
looked into your beautiful eyes last
night feared there was some trouble
hidden there. | did not know. but
feared it was because of some other
reason than because l was going
away. If there was, dearest, l wish
you would tell me. There is that IN
the manner of your husband toward
you that makes me fear sometimes
that 1 might kill him Do you re.
member receiving that letter."
'No, sir.'
In another letter Pennell wrote:
"'Only day more md shall once
more see the iovelight in your eyes
and experience the paradise within
your arms What does he mean by
that, Mrs. Burdick?"
81 don't know"
"What does he mea by the para
disc within your arms""
81 don't know"
'Pretty strong language, isn't it?"
Mrs. Burdick made no answer. She
said she did not know whether her
husband was aware of the fact that
she was receiving letters fror Pen
nell. Her habit had been to keep her
letters locked in box.
She was finally inluced to admit
that she took the letters from her
trunk and gave them to her husband,
She said while she did so Mr.. Bur,
dick held her tightly by the throat.
The day proved hard one for the
witness.