Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-03-26

remarks by saying that he did not know
why he should tell them to me, but |
was SO far from Buffalo that it would be
all right. He talked Of his wife and
PennelPs attentions to her.
''He said Pennell wasa brilliant chap
socially, and that he admired him, and
knew that his wife admired him, also.
He said Pennell and Mrs. Burdick
seemed to enjoy each others company
particularly, but that he had no sus-
picions at first.
"Burdick said he afterward learned
that Pennell and Mrs. Burdick were
having clandestine meetings. He did
not state the source of his information,
but he said he confronted both with
accusations, and both confessed to hav-
ing had improper relations.
''On promises of Pennell to leave Buf-
falo and the promise of his wife not to
meet Pennell again, Burdick said he
agreed not to take any action in the matter.
Neither promise was kept he said, as
Pennell remained in Buffalo and Mrs.
Burdick soon was meeting him again.
"When Burdick learned of the matter
he threatened to bring suit for divorce.
Again they pleaded with him, he said,
and on the solemn renewal of the
promise he let the matter rest once more.
Later he found list of their meeting
places, and, accompanied by detectives,
he went to one address and found Pen
nell and Mrs. Burdick together.
"With this evidence he determined to
obtain a divorce, he said. Burdick held
a conference with Pennell and Mrs. Bur
dick, and Pennell and the woman agreed
that they would not contest the suit for
divorce, but would aid in securing it in
a quiet way, to avoid notoriety, as much as
possible. They promised to file an an
swer to his complaint without delay.
They did not file the answer, however,
but instead put detectives on the track
of Mr.. Burdick, having resolved be-
tween themselves that they would con-
test the suit.
"Burdick said the detectives followed
every move he made, and trumped up
lot of false evidence against him, which
involved his friends, respectable people,
of whom he thought great deal.
Burdick said he lived at a hotel, apart
from his wife for some time, and the
detectives, knowing this, drew conclus-
ions adverse to his moral character and
made the most of it.
"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 respect
able eating places; that he had met his
friends on the street and had treated
them to soda and candy, and that he
had played golf and attended social
functions. He said that he could see
readily how persons intent on doing
him wrong could miscOnstrue his actions
and impugn his motives.
"Burdick did not know of the evil
dence obtained against him until after
the detectives had reported to Pennell
and Mrs. Burdick. They then en-
deayored to get him to withdraw his
suit for divorce, threatening to use such
evidence as would tend to besmirch the
character of several respectable persons.
Mr.. Burdick said that this evidence was
all untrue.
''He said that on more than one oc-
casion Pennell had threatened to commit
suicide. He said that while the Pennells
were in the East Mrs. Pennell had writ
ten him letter, pleading with him TO
drop the divorce proceedings, stating that
if he did not there would be double
of herself and Arthur.
About the last thing that Burdick said to
me was that he had about decided not
10 push his suit for year or more, in
order to keep Pennell and Mrs. Burdick
guessing. Burdick was heartbroken and
crushed. Tears stood in his
ives as he told me ofhis troubles" :"
Mr.. Rice said he asked Burdick why
ie did not kill the man who wrecked his
ife and Burdick replied that such a
hing could not be thought of on account
of the children. Mr.. Rice has written |
District Attorney Coatsworth at Buffalo |
telling him of Burdick's confession to |
him, with view of contradicting the |
evidence that tends to besmirch Burdick's |
character. Rice said Burdick had no |
bad habits that he knew of, and that he |
always considered himIan,estimable man.