The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-04
POLICE SAY THEY KNOW
MURDERER OF BURDIGK
Arrest Hourly Expected in
Buffalo Tragedy.
EVIDENCE POINTS TO WOMAN
Pledge of Authorities to Withhold
Names of Informants Brings to Light
Facts About 'Burdick Circle"

BUFFALO. y. y, March Until late /
last night there was one member Of the (
local police force who had not discussed /
the Buriick murder Observation-Disclosures
William s. Bull Last night Superin-
teudeut Bull spoke for the first time. and
his brief remarks showed cOnclusively
that the murder case is nearing a solu-
ton. The superintendent not only de
cIared that a woman was under sus-
picion. but said that an arrest would be
made I'm due time.
4 can't say just when the arrest will
be made" he said. 1T will not be until
We are fully satisfied that we have evil
dcnce enough 20 Justify making it, and
enough 10 convict"
Narrowed Down to One Suspect.
In support Of the announcement that
/ the case had narrowed down to one per
/ son was a statement made by District
/ Attorney Coatsworth, shortly after his
return to Buffalo from Albany. last even
I ing. After a long conference with Chief
/ of Detectives CUsaCk. Mr.. COatswOrth
said:
All that I care 10 sag just now is that
| 1 believe the murderer was alone in the
room with Mr.. Burdick when the crime
was committed Whether the murderer
lis d man or woman / will not say, but l
/ will say that the murderer and the muir
ldcrcd man were alone in the room when
the crime was committed
The confidence with which the police
now assert that they have single
woman under surveillance, that they
/ know all about this woman, and that II
| is only a question OF time when the ar
rest will be made is believed to be due
in part 10 Information obtained within
the past twenty-four hours and hereto
fore withheld. because certain persons
! in the so-called "Burdich circle were
unwilling 10 talk
Revulsion Against "Burdick Circle"
AS a matter of fact. there is a devel-
opment in the case which has been con
| ceaIed carefully by the police. It is Of
paramount interest, because Without it
the police were practically at elan -
still. This new feature is the revulsion
Of feeling which has developed through
out the entire Elmwood district against
the so-called Burdick circle.
This feeling manifested itself as soon
as the police announced that the deter
mination had been reached to maintain
absolutely secret the identity OF any
persons giving any information 70 the
authorities.
Many Held AloOf.
Since that announcement By the police
f. has been learned that the Burdick
circle is comparatively small; that IL
comprised a little clique. the members
OF which knew many persons in the Elm
wood district, but had little in common
with them. Nevertheless these latter
acouafntances. Of the Burdicks possessed
information that proved OF great value
TO the authorities. but they withheld il
until they were sure that their names
would not be dragged into the case And
/ they were justified I'm their attitude, the
authorities say. for the reason that they
we're not intimate with the Burdicks.
As an illustration. Sc is now known
that a prominent West Side business
/ man recently went to Pittsburg. He and
his wife had been acquaintance OF the
Burdlcks. Burdick and this man were
fond Of making automobile trips to-
l gether. but while Burdick's reputation
d was not Of the best the reputation oil
/
A Case in Point.
The authorities tried for days TO com
Y municate with this man. but ne was
rich and shrewd and they could not gel
into touch with him. As soon as the
y man learned that his name would no
appear in the affair he communicated
readily with the police. This was onll
one case in many.
~. Members Of the clubs TO which tn
Burdicks belonged have taken pains t,
explain that they had nothing in com
mon with the Burdicks. Since the rul
. Of secrecy was adopted these person
. have communicated with the district at
I, torney Some OF them talked over tn
- telephone and gave important informa
. ton. but would not divuIge their iden
tity
The police have learned that many per
sons in the social set IN which the muir
N dered Edward /. Burdick and his wifi
he moved had pass keys 20 the front doc
&c Of his home The Intimacy between tn
g, Burdicks and several other families wa
so great that friends often entered un
p announced