The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-03-06
mrs. PAYNE,s DENIAL
She Says She Knows Nothing of the Bur-
-. - dick Murder.


Buffalo, March 6.-Mrs. Seth r.. Payne,
whose picture was found in Burdick's den,
has made statement regarding the MUIR
der. Her name has frequently been used
In connection with the investigation. Her
home has been searched and she has been
questioned by the authorities. Mrs.
Payne said: "E
II know absolutely nothing of the muir
der Of Mr.. Burdick. have no idea who
committed it, I have no theory as to who
did it or how it was done.
My maiden name was Gertrude
Barnard. I am 20 years old. came here
from Albion, Orleans county. My father
was an Episcopal minister. Later I
moved to North Tonawonda. At that
time DR.. Payne was not a dentist. but he
was working in Tonawanda. We were
married. After that he became dentist
and now practices in Batavia, coming
home usually at least once week. We
have one child, a girl of years. She is
now living with me. ..
"Both my husband and knew the Bur-
dicks know nothing Of the divorce &C
ton Of Mrs. Burdick and Mr.. Burdick. My.
name has not appeared as correspondent
| in any action for divorce by Mrs. Burdick.
There is no reason whatever why it
| should. My husband and T have visited
or called on the Burdicks and they have
| called on US. do not recall having called
! on them without my husband, and I am
positive never called alone on Mr.. Bur-
dick at his house. For the past two
| years I do not think Mr.. Payne and I
have called regularly on the Burdicks.
The last time I talked with Mr.. Burdick
was last Thursday (the day before the
murder.) 1t was over the telephone. On
| Wednesday night he called up on the
| telephone and asked me about matter
that was purely social, and did not relate
in any way to an appointment. I told
| lii ~
and on Thursday did call him up on the
| telephone. This was shortly after noon,
| I think. We had a brief conversation
| and that was the last time 1 talked with
him. did not see him thereafter.
'On Thursday evening had dinner as
usual between and o'clock. I did not
go out of the house after dinner. Some
people live in the house with us. One OF
| them is the young woman named Mrs
Mary Cunningham. She is employed
down town and works for a living. She
knows that L did not go out after din
| ner She had a caller on Thursday even.
ing, and they sat chatting in her room.
"After dinner I went into the parlor ant
read the paper. T took some water up tt
her room, knocking on the door, and a
that time she and her caller were sitting
chatting. After leaving them I went tt
my room. Before retiring sat for abou
ten minutes with my little girl while sh,
played and scrawled on a blackboard
Then she went to bed and soon after re
tired.
'T slept as usual and awoke as usua
on Friday morning. positively was no
out Of my house between dinner on Thurs
day night and breakfast on Friday.
passed no one on the street for was no
on the street. Except those in my house
no one saw me and saw no one."
All Of Mrs. Paynes statements regard
ing her movements have been cor
roborated by Mrs. Cunningham.
Owing to the severe strain upon he
during the last few days, Mrs. Payne to
day retained Philip v. Fennelly, a lawyer
He is we'll acquainted with Mrs. Payne
! and says most emphatically that the polio
have erred in attaching Importance to he
, acquaintance with Burdick.