The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-24
Dramatic Scene in Buffalo Court
Room During the Inquest Into
Her Husbands Murder.

Buffalo, n. Y, March 2i-Mrs. Alice
Hull Burdick, widow OF Edwin Il. Bur
dick. underwent a relentless examination
by District Attorney Coatsworth yester-
day afternoon at the resumption OF the
inquest into the death OF her husband.
who was murdered Feb. 26.
With package OF letters In his hands
some OF which were written to Mrs. Bur
dick by Arthur r. Pennell. and others be-
ing communications between Mr.. Burdick
and his wife. Mr.. Coatsworth forced Mrs.
Burdick to tell the story OF her relations
with Penneil from the time he first made
love TO her I'm New Haven in 1898 until
1901. when these relations were renewed
after Burdick had forgiven his wife and
had taken her back to his home for the
Mrs. Burdick was deathly pale while on
the witness stand. She answered ques-
tions In low. faitering tone. evading
trict attorney piulessly read extracts or
luctantly admitting facts when the dis
trfct attorney pittilessly read extracts or
the 1--we letters written to her by Arthur
r. Pennell. Three-quarters OF the spec
tators in the crowded court room were
women.
George c. Miller. attorney for Edward
against Mrs. Burdick. was the first wit
ness called. He last saw Mr.. Burdick
on the afternoon OF the day he was muir
Oere0. buru1Ck spent nalf an nOur WITH
him discussing the divorce matter.
Mr.. Burdick was ready at all times
TO sacrifice his own interests for those
OF his children" said Mr.. Miller. He
carried a revolver, but / never heard him
say that he feared harm from Penner.
AT a conference held at my office
Pennell made one or two statements
from which an intimation of suicide
could be drawn. 1 never heard PenneI
say that unless the divorce action was
xxrlth hlr-ux ha l4l
Mrs. Burdick"
ASHES WE'RE CLEAN.
Henry ]. Orrett. the Pennell furnace
man. was the next witness. He simply
stated that he removed the ashes from
Peunelfs furnace on the morning after
the murder. He found no buttons, buck
les or metallic substance in the ashes.
Pennell put on the coal and shook down
the furnace as had been his custom.
The next witness was Miss Lizzie Ro-
nance. maid at the Pennell house at the
time OF the murder. She said Mr.. Pen
nell was with his wife In their room read
ing at 7:+5 on the night of the murder.
6he saw them again at 10. when she
passed their door. She did not see them
again until the next morning.
The girl admitted that she pressed PEN
peife trousers, but she said she could
not remember which he wore on either
occasion
She had not noticed whether any OF
his trousers were missing, nor whether
Mr.. and Mrs. Pennell left the house after
10 Thursday evening.
Miss Romance did not notice anything
unusual In Pencils manner on the even !
ing he and Mrs. Pennell started for the
automobile ride which ended I'm their
deaths.
MRS. BURDrcK CALLED.
Then Mrs. Burdhck took the witness
stand.
Mrs. Burdick testified that she would
be ~ years OF age on April 90 She was
married 10 Burdick In 1886 They had
three children. She met Pennel at
card party fve or six years ago. Mr.
Burdick was present She went 20 New
Haven and New York with the Pennells
in 1885 Mr. Burdick did not 20. being
detained by business
No unusual friendship rprang ND be-
tween her and Penneii. witness ala not
recall a letter from Penneli written IN
New Haven in 1900. In which he ssidi
yesterday ! was At the gateway on
two years ago I drew you in in the dark
ness. This place In enshrined TO me-"
The district attorney then showed the
letter 10 the witness. who tremhled and
was apparently taking the examination
Mrs. Burdick stated IN a whisper that
she recognized n as Penneil's Handwriting
and recalled the incident spoken OF Pen
pef1 went Into a doorway, drew her IN, !
look her IN his arms and Kissed her. She |
thought she demonstrated.
She did not recall that Pennell was at /
shelter Island I'm September. 1900. nor a 4
efter from him. IN which he wrote that /
- had found her gloves IN the pocket OF