Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-27
INQUEST CLOSED
And Coroner Will Start Pencil
Inquest, on Monday.
Rev. Mr.. Powers Says Pencil Threat
ened to Commit Suicide.
Mrs. Hull Tried to Stop His Relations
With Mrs. Burdick.

Buffalo. N. Y, March 26.-The in
quest into the death of Edwin l.. Bur-
dick. who was murdered just month
ago, ended, this afternoon. AT the
close of the inquest Judge Murphy ali
nounced that an official inquiry into the
tragic death of Arthur r. Pencil, who
has figured so prominently in the Bur-
dick inquest, will be begun, Monday.
The Burdick inquest has served to
develop several theories relative to the
crime, that had been suggested many
days ago, but it would be hardly cor
rect to say that the investigation has
added anything more than an appear
ance of reasonability to any of these
theories. Aside from the failure of the
authorities to secure evidence bearing
directly upon the commission of the
murderer. there is feeling of satisfac-
ton that the name of Mr.. Burdick has
been lifted from the mire in which it
was first dragged and his character
shown in it's true light.
The evidence brought out under the
skilled examinations of witnesses by
District Attorney Coatsworth has
shown Burdick to have been a loving
father, always willing to sacrifice his
own happiness and pride for the sake
of his children, that he was the victim
of false friendship, broken pledges and,
in face of it all, a forgiving, indulgent
husband.
The efforts of the authorities to fix
the crime on some one of course will
not end with the inquest. At the same
time there is now little hope of fasten-
ing the crime upon any one, and the
murder probably will go down in GRIM
inal history as one of the great I'M
solved mysteries.
Judge Murphy stated after court adj
journed, this afternoon, that his judg-
ment, in the case will not be handed
down until Monday, or perhaps later
next week. 1t is possible that he may
issue warrants for the arrest of John
Doe" and Jane Doe" If Judge Muir
ply sees fit to take such action, the
district attorney will be obliged to sub
nit the whole case to the grand jury.
Three new witnesses appeared on the
stand, today They We're Rev. l.. M.
Powers, pastor of the Church of the
Messiah, where the Burdick family and
Mrs. Hull We're regular attendants, and
Detectives Cornish and Coughlin, who
We're the first police officials to arrive
at the Burdick home when the crime
was discovered.
Mrs. Hull, Carol Burdick and Mag
gle Murray, the Burdick cook, were re-
called to straighten out, if possible
conflicting testimony given by them
while on the witness stand.
The report of City Chemist Hill was
read by the district attorney. 1t stat
ed that no poison was found in the
cocktail bottle or in the stomach of the
dead man. Mr.. Hills report also
showed that there were no blood stains
on the golf stick taken from the Bur-
dick home after the murder under the
supposition that it might possibly have
been the weapon with which the MUIR
derer beat out Burdicks brains.
Mr.. Powers said that before the tragedy
he talked confidentially with both Mrs.
Hull and Mr.. Burdick about the trouble
in the family. Burdick told him that
Pennell threatened suicide if divorce pro-
ceedings were not withdrawn. and that
Pennell succeeded in impressing the sin
cerity of his threat upon Mrs. Burdick.
Ms. Burdick induced her husband to go
to Pennel, the minister said and inform
him that If he would get out of town
everything would be forgiven and for
gotten. Pencil agreed to do so. AS
shown by the evidence previously sub
mitted, Ponnell failed to keep his word
and after securing possession of the tell
tale letters Burdick again began proceed
ings for divorce and cut Mrs. Burdick
adrift the second time. During all the
trouble Burdck entertained most kind
ly feeling toward Mrs. Hull and offered
to send her to California or Florida for
her health. She was always to have a
home with Mr.. Burdick. While the min
lister would not swear to it, he said he
was under the impression that Pennell
told Burdick if the divorce suit was not
discontinued something would happen"
Mrs. Hull was paler and more tremu-
lous when she appeared, today, but after
getting upon the stand she appeared calm
and composed. She gave more evidence
of feeling and interest and her voice was
that of woman who had become weary
of it all. She reiterated the evidence
previously given and the district attor-
ney failed to shake the story in any way.
Continued on page 81