The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-03-27

Buffalo. y. Y, March 23.-Mrs. Hull
Burdick, widow of Edwin L. Burdick,
underwent Il merciIess examination by
District Attorney CoatswOrth this af-
ternOOn at the resumption of the in
quest into the death Of her husband,
who was murdered on February 18th.
Mrs. Burdick was on the stand when
court adjourned until 10 O'Clock to-
morrow morning. She then will be re-
called, to complete her testimony. With
u package of letters in his hands, some
of which were written to Mrs. Bur-
dick. by Arthur r. PennelI, CORE
%spondent in the divorce proceedings in
stituted 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 Pencil, from the time
he first made love to her in New
Haven. in 1895 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.
Mrs. Burdick was deathIy pale while
Oh the witness stand. She answered
questions in a low, faltering tone,
eVadInS 4 direct answer whenever pos
sibIe and reluctantly admitting facts,
when the district attorney pitilessIy
read extracts of the love letters to her
by Arthur r. Pencil.
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 Murphy
ordered the room cleared and no one
was admitted until l o'clock. When
the inquest was resumed at 2 o'clock,
most of the spectators in the crowded
court room We're women There was
4 hum of excitement when Mrs. Bur
dick took the witness stand.
Mrs. Burdic testified that she met
Pencil ut u card party five or six
years ago. at which Mr.. Burdick was
present. She went to New Haven and
New York with the Pencils in 1898.
Mr.. Burdick did not go being detained
by business. No unusual friendship
sprang up between her and Pennell.
Witness did not recall q letter from
Pencil 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 to me in the darkness. This
place is enshrined to me-"
AT this point Attorney Hartzeil, Mrs.
Burdick's counsel asked what was the
purpose of the questions. Judge Muir
ply said he could object to her an
swering any questions that might hold
Mrs. Burdick up to public ridicule.
w don't wish to object, but we
trust that no unnecessary questions
Will be asked" said Mr.. Hartzell.
The district attorney produced the
letter and handed it to the witness,
who trembled violently.
DO you recognize it as Pennell's
h3ndWriting?"
Yes" whispered Mrs. Burdfck.
And o recaN the incident now?"
Yes. sir"
Mrs. Burdick, in recalling the Incl
dent. confessed that Pennell went into
q doorway. drew her in. took her in
his arms and kissed her. She thought
she demonstrated. She did not remem-
Der that Pennell was at Shelter Island
in September 1900, nor a letter from
him. in which he wrote that he had
found her gloves in the pocket of his
tuxedo. The letter was handed her.
She read it hastily and did not APP
pear to enjoy it's contents. 1t was
written by Pennell she said. but she
did not remember having seen it be-
fore. Mrs. Burdick was shown another
letter from Shelter Island. written in
September. 1900. and it was identified
by her. She did not recall PenneII's
~telephOning her from New York. as
stated in the letter.
Mrs. Burdick was then questioned at
some length relative to the meaning
Pennell, in which he said: Il will meet
you at 1. >. 5 Wednesday morning"
but Mrs. Burdick answered that she
did not NOW There were two or
three houses she said. at which she
used to meet him.
NJ T-.+-v-@r+L --1I,1-I --~-L1-
letter pOstmarked New Haven. Sep
tember 70. 1900. Mrs. Burdick said she
recalled receiving it. Pennell wrote:
y shall try and comfort myself by
.nhOning from New York and on
Thursday shall know the exquisite
10 her dear picture in the locket."
and declared her my love, life. my
dearest one" Mr.. Coatsworth pro-
duced another letter written from New
York September Is. 1900. addressed 10
Mrs. BurdiCk. In this letter he wrote:
Il just came from telephoning you and
hearing Your dear. sweet voice. Am l
foolish 10 phone you from way down
here. II was worth all it cost me. I
fealze more and more that you are the
only woman in the world for me-"
ID You remember getting that let
ter?' asked the district attorney.
mo. sir"
In this same letter he says: Only a
day more and l shall Once more see
the love light in your eyes and exper-
fence the paradise within your arms
what does he mean by tha Mrs. Bur-
dick?"
II don't know"
What does he mean by the Para
disc within your arms
Il don't Know"
Pretty strong language isn't it?"
Mr.. Coatsworth showed the witness
another letter, written from New York