The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-03-28
BTRDICK'S CONFESSION
Murdered Man Unbosomed Himself
to indianapolis Friend.
HEARTsRokEN AND CRUSHED
penne'i and Mrs. Rurdick Gathered
Evidence TO Besmirch His Character
and Make Him Withdraw Divorce
Subtle Had No Bad Habits.

Subtle Had No Bad Habits.
Indianapolis. March Pee. L. Bur
dick. the murdered Buffalo manufac-
turer. con6ded his troubles to Her
bert II. Rice. a business man in this
r city only few weeks before Mr.. Bur
dicks death. Mr. 3urdick and Mr..
iIice were personal friends. The for
ner made frequent business trips to
indianapolis. His last visit was on
January p when he called on Mr.. Rice.
lie appeared troubled and he took the
opportunity TO unbosom himself to Mr..
Rice.
Mr. Rice said: "Burdick said he
learned that Pencil and Mrs. Burdick
were having clandestine meetings. He
did not state the source of his infor-
nation. but he said he confronted both
with accusations and both confessed 10
having had improper relations. On
promises Of Pencil to leave Buffalo
and the promise of his wife not to meet
PenneE again, Rurdick said he agreed
not. to take any action in the matter.
Neither promise was kept. he said. as
Pencil remained in Buffalo and Mrs
burdick soon was meeting him again.
Mr.. Burdick ssid 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. Burdick together.
With this evidence. he determined
to obtain a divorce, he said. Burdick
held conference with PenneI and
Mrs. Burdick and Pencil and the wo-
man agreed that they would not con-
test the suit for divorce. but would aid
In securing il in a quiet way. to avoid
notoriety rs much as possible. They
promised to file an answer TO his COM
paint without delay. They did not file
the answer however, but instead nut
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 state of dis
traction and that he sought the society
OF depression. He said that he had
taken highly respectable women riding
in his automobile and had stopped AZ
respectable 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
readily see how persons intent on doing
him wrong could misconstrue his ae-
tons 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 endeav-
ored to set him to withdraw his suit for
divorce. threatening TO use such evil
dence as would tend to besmirch the
character OF several respectable per
sons. Mr. Burdick said that this evil
dence was all untrue. He told me that
he conducted himself with proprietv
and had done nothing that would re-
fleet upon his moral character. He de-
sired TO protect his friends and his
children
He said that on more than one oc-
casion Pennell had threatened TO COM
NIT suicide. About the last thing
that Burdick said to me was that he
had about decided not to push his suit
for a year or more. in order to keep
Pennell and Mrs. Burdick guessing.
Burdick was heartbroken aud complete
ly crushed. Tears stood in his eyes as
he told me of his troubles"
Mr.. Rice said he asked Burdick why
he did not kill the man who wrecked
his life. and Burdick replied that such
thing could not be thought of on ac-
count OF the children. Mr.. Rice has
written District Attorney Coatswortt
at Buffalo. telling him of Burdick's
confession to him. with a view of cor
tradicting the evidence that tends tc
besmirch Burdick's character Rice
said Burdicl, had no bad habits. that
he knew %, and that he always consid-
cred him an estimable man.
Corperr-mcGovern Fight Not Fixed
San r -anciscO. March ga repor,
] lss,t fferr