Evening journal., 1903-03-26
BURDICK WEPT
OVER TROUBLES
Murdered Man Told Friend
in indianapolis He Was
Heartbroken
SAID PENNELL THREATENED SUICIDE
Pennell and Mrs. Burdek cathsred
Evidence to Besmiroh His Character
and Make Him Withdraw Divorce
Subtle Had No Bad Habits.

Subtle Had No Bad Habits.
Indianapolis. March 26.-E. l.. Bur-
dick. the murdered Buffalo manufac-
turer, conhded his troubles to Her
bert II. Rice. business man in this |
city, only n few weeks before Mr.. Bur-
dicks death. Mr. BurdlcS and Mr..
Rice were personal friends. The for
mer made frequent business trips to
indianapolis. His last visit was on
January %, when he called on Mr.. Rice.
He appeared troubled and he took the
opportunity to unbosom himself to Mr..
Rice.
Mir. Rice said: "Burdlck said he
learned that Ponnell and Mrs. Burdick
were having olandestine meetings. lie
did not state the source of his infor-
nation. but he said he confronted both
with accusations and both confessed to
having had improper relations. On
promises Ct Pennell TO leave Buffalo
and the promise of his wife not to meet
Pennell again, Burdicl said he agreed
not to take any action in the matter.
Neither promise was kept, he said, as
/ Pennoll remained in Buffalo and Mrs.
! Burdick soon was meeting him again.
! Mr.. BUrdick said he found a slip of pa
per. containing list of meeting places
and dates, made out in cipher. On this
paper was one address and date Bur
dick thought he deciphered correctly.
Accompanied by detectives he went to
the address and found Pennell and
Mrs. Burdiclz together.
with this evidence. he determined
to obtain a divorce, he said BurdiclS
held a conference with Pennell and
Mrs. Burdick and Pennell and the wo-
man agreed that they would not con-
test the suit for divorce but would aid
in securing II in q quiet way, to avoid
notorloty as much as possible. They
promised TO file an answer TO his com
plaint without delay. They did not file
the answer, however, but instead put
detectives on the track Of Mr.. Burdick,
having resolved between themselves
that they would contest the suit.
"Burdick did not know that he was
being watched by the detectives. He
told me that he was in a state of dis
traction and that he sought the society
Of his friends-for relief from his state
Of depression. He said that he had
taken highly respectable women riding
in his automobile and had stopped at
respectable eating places; that he had
met his friends on the street and had
treated them to soda and candy, and
fh.f ho had ,1,,-oI eoIf -rd ,ff,,a,a
Cocial functions. He said that he could
readily see how persons intent on doing
him wrong could misconstrue his ac-
tions and impugn his motives.
"Burdick did not know OF the evi-
dence obtained against him until after
the detectives had reported TO Pennell
and Mrs. Burdick. They then endeav-
orod to set him to withdraw his suit for
divorce, threatening to use such evil
2 dence as would tend to besmirch the
Z character Of several respectable per-
II sons. Mr. lurdick said that this evi
= donce was all untrue. He told me that
a he conducted himself with propriety
+ and had done nothing that would re-
s feet upon his moral character He dc
sired to protect his friends and hi.
children.
"He said that on more than one oc.
4 casion Pennell had threatened to com.
e NIT suicide. About the last thing
It that Burdick said to me was that h,
had about decided not to push his suit
fora year or more. In order to keeI
Pennell and Mrs. Burdick guessing
Burdick was heartbroken and complete
ly crushed. Tears stood in his eyes al
he told me of his troubles"
Mr.. Rice said he asked Burdick VIII
] he did not kill the man who wrecke,
his life. and Burdick replied that suel
q thing could not be thought of on ac
\ count of the children. Mr.. Rice ha,
written District Attorney Coatswortl
nt Buffalo, telling him of Burdickl
confession to him, with q view Of con
tradicting the evidence that tends {,
besmirch Burdicfs character Ric
said Burdick had no bad habits. tha
/ he know of, and that he always consid
% cred him an estimable man.