Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-11
PENNELL INQUEST.
No Proof Presented Showing
Cause Of Death.
J. Frederick Penneil, the Brother,
was Not Present.
Justice Murphy Renders Decision With
out Stating Cause Of Death.

Buffalo, N. " April 1O.-The evidence
given, today. at the inquest into the
deaths of Arthur r. Pencil and Mrs.
Pennell before Justice Murphy, will not
help the authorities in any way to a
solution of the Burdick murder mys-
terry, Whether the tragedy at Genres
stone quarry on March 10, in which
Pennell was killed and Mrs Pennell
was fatally injured, was due to acct
dent or design was not proven. Thomas
Penney who has acted as attorney for
the Pennell family since Arthur's death
declared that so far as he was aware,
nothing in the papers left by Mr.. PEN
nell would throw any light upon the
murder of Edwin l.. Burdick. When
questioned regarding the alleged de-
falcations by Pennell, Mr.. Penney de-
clined to answer. j. Frederick PennelI,
brother of the dead lawyer, and admin
istrator of his estate, who had possess
sion of most of Arthur's papers was
out of the city and Mr. Penney inform
ed the court that he did not know
where he was or when he would return
to Buffalo.
Mr.. Penney's refusal to answer ques-
tons relating to the alleged defalcation
on the ground of professional privilege
was sustained by Justice Murphy.
Evidence that would show defalca-
ton would simply be accumulative, j."
said Justice Murphy after the evidence
was all in. No stronger motive could
be proven than has already been
brought out here. But proving a mo-
1.-Two Ii.
court IS prepared to announce it's find
ings.
Il hereby find and certify" continued
Judge Murphy, that Arthur Pennell
came to his death on the 10th day of
March, 1908, as result of injuries re-
ceived while riding an automobile, the
said automobile plunging from an en-
bankment into the Genres stone quar-
ry. That 1 cannot determine from the
evidence submitted whether such
plunge was accidental or designed.
THAT Carrie Lamb Pennell came tc
her death as result of the said plunge
of the automobile into the quarry"
During his examination w. c. ON
phelius, formerly Pencils stenogra-
pher, produced a typewriter copy OF
for publication by Pencil before his
death. The statement in full is as fol-
lows:
To the Public:
Now that the flood of sensationalisn
and yellow journalism has lessened, an6
that. public sentiment has died down tC
a Gamer consideration of facts and events
leading up to a terrible tragedy which
mas recently taken place in this city,
wish, i'll behalf of myself, but, especially
more in behalf of others whose sufferirgs
are even greater than mine, to make this
statement.
Owing to the fact that my name was Sc
unfortunately at this time connected with
the pending divorce proceedings, it was
forced into great publicity in connection
with the tragedy itself. So far as any
possible connection with that crime was
concerned, | satisfied, think, the district
attorney and his assistants thoroughly
that had nothing to do with it, and since
that time neither has my house nor my
self been under suspicion or surveillance
After being out for short time in the
early part of that evening l spent the rest
of it at home, as was shown by the evil
our house. | think l was soon acquitted
both by the public and the authorities
with any connection with the crime
1t now becomes incumbent upon me tC
make some statement relative to my con
nection with the divorce proceedings. Ir
this statement 1 wish to say as little as
possible about the dead. But it must be-
remembered that those who are living
have their lives to live and the rights OF
the living are greater than the rights OF
the dead. There was no truth in the
charges brought by the plaintiff in the
proceedings against the defendant, and
myself. The charges were absolutely de
MED under oath and counter charges ha(
beer, made and in short time the case
referee and settled. The relations exist
ing between the plaintiff and the defend
ant. had been strained for some tlint
her leave her home. My wife and myself
had taken her side in the controversy that
arose between them and she had consulted
me for legal advice and protection. During
this time the man himself was in init
mate relations with woman whom he
desired to marry. For that purpose it was
necessary to be free from his. wife Iic
discovered the fact that his wife knew OF
these relations by gaining access to the
safe deposit vault u1 where she kept her
over her blank signature and purloining
Continued on page A.