The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-04
BURDICK MURDER CASE
POLICE STILL BELIEVE A WOMAN
COMMITTED THE CRIME.
Policies on the Dead Mans Life Pay
able to the Widow. Although She
Was Cut on i'm the VIII.

BUFFALO. March 3.-Police officials
have not yet solved the mystery surround
ing the Burdick murder, though they have
an abundance of theories. In the investiga-
ton of Mr.. Burdick's personal affairs
which, since the murder, has become an
incident to the work of solving the mys-
terry. it has developed that the dead mans
life was insured for large amount. 1t is
understood the full amount will reach S25,-
600. 1t was learned to-day that, notwith-
standing the domestic troubles and divorce
proceedings of the Burdick family, several
policies on the dead mans life still remain
payable TO his wife, Alice Burdick. The
largest policy is for $4,000. 1t was taken
out about ten years ago. The policy was
made payable to Mrs. Burdick and never
since has been changed. 1t would seem
somewhat strange in view of the facts
relating to the insurance that Mr.. Burdick,
as has been alleged, should have changed
his will leaving his wife without a cent
while he did not think il necessary to
change the clause making the life insurance
payable to her. No authoritative statement
regarding the change of the will can be
obtained from Burdick's attorney. When
asked regarding the matter to-day he de-
clined to say whether the will had been
altered.
The most important news which has been
developed regarding the murder since the
announcement of the crime itself came to
light this afternoon. 1t is this: "Indis-
putable evidence shows that Burdck was
lying on the couch in his den when the
attack which ended his life made.
There was no struggle worthy of the name
or struggle, the unfortunate man succumb-
ing almost Immediately TO the few blows
struck. The assailant was woman"
The first OF these assertionS-that Burdick
was lying on the couch when murdered-is
based on most important fact which has
so far not been made public by the au-
thorltleS. This most important and vital
fact is as follows: There was not even a
spot of blood on the floor of the "den," ex-
cept just beneath the couch, and that had
soaked through from the couch. This fact
Is evidence enough to satisfy the police that
Burdick was attacked while lying down and
almost literally defenseless. That the at
tack came unawares is shown by the fur
Their fact that there were no evidences of a
struggle in the room. 1t is probable that
the first blow was sufficient to daze the I'M
fortunate man and incapacitate him for re-
Sistance. That the assailant was not man
the criminal authorities believe from some
things which they have disclosed and some
things which they decline to make known.
No one now doubts that a woman was with
Burdick that night and in the den.
But may not a man have struck the
blows which ended Burdick's life?" was
THE direct evidence Of the crime was
concealed by a woman was the reply.
I'VE are satisfied with that fact. And if it
was a woman who piled the cushions on
Burdicks body ii was woman who killed
him. The woman who struck the fatal
blows had some things to do before she left
the room, and to do these things she re-
CURED light. But all who understand a
woman's nature, no matter what sort of a
woman it might be- know that women can
not bear horrible sights. Women who can
commit murder cannot often bear the sight
of the person who has been killed. This
woman's nervous system could not bear
the appearance of a corpse with the head
horribly mutilated, lying on the couch, even
for the few moments which ii was neces-
Sary for her to remain in the room. 1t was
no doubt necessary for this woman to put
on her wraps after the murder. While she
made her preparations for going the
street, therefore, she concealed the corpse
| of Burdick by covering 1T with cushions
| These, however, are not the only reasons
We have for believing woman committed
| the crime. We have other evidence, but
| cannot disclose 1t now"
The finger of police suspicion i'm the case
| is pointing toward a woman whose home
known to the police. BY far the most i'm
| portant statement made since the tragedy
was given out to-day by Superintendent
| Bull, who heretofore has had little to say.
He announces "a suspect; that the motive
has been established. and that in due time
there Will be an arrest superintendent
| Bull says the suspect is a woman. He said
| in part: while l have not been taking an
| active part in the work and left it to Mr..
| Cusack, he reported TO me fully from time
| to time. Mr.. Cusack has well-defined
| theories He has established motive.
| gave him my ideas as to the motive that
| led up to the murder and told who L sus-
| pected of the crime. He had come to the
| same conclusion 1 did. While we think he
| could make an arrest with safety, we pre-
| fer to wait, and we believe that certain
evidence we wish to gather will lead to sue
cessful results"