The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-31
PENNELL INQUEST is
INDEFINITELY
POSTPONED
Unexpected Outcome of the
Re-opening of the Burdick
Inquest--Friends Of Pen
nell Opposed to Lnyestiga-
ton of His Death.

BUFFALO. y. Y, March 30.-Justice
Murphy is to announce his findings in
She Burdick inquest in police court
tomorrow morning. No arrests VIII De
made, no warrants VIII be issued Ihe
courts findings viii be interesting as
q closing commentary on the famous
case. The inquest was closed formally
by Judge Murphy today after hearing
the testimony of Quinn and King, the
former bartender and cashier of the
Hotel Roland in New York, about Pen
nelTs alleged statement to them OF his
Willingness to kill one man even if he
went to the gallOws for il. No other
witnesses were called.
The Pennell inquest, which Judge
Murphy announced would begin
this morning, was postponed indefinite
". The reason announced was the
absence of witnesses from the city
District Attorney COatSwOrth said he
was ready to go ahead and that the
pOstpOnement was not at his request.
One witness was absent from the city.
He was Wallace Thayer, Pennelrs at
torney and confidential friend up to
the time OF his death.
Considerable pressure has been
brought to bear by friends of the Pen
nells to avert the inquest and post
pone it Indefinitely if not block 1t per-
manently. The efforts, Of course. had
10 weight with the court and Judge
AIurphy's decision not to hold the in
quest at present was based On all the
circumstances of the case.
None of Pennell's Papers.
When the Penneu inquest will be
held, if at all, is not yet settled. When
1t is held the probability is that neither
in PennelPs papers nor effects VIII any
thing be produced to throw light on
the affairs Of Burdick or to add any
valuable information to the Burdick
case. The Pennel heirs have been re-
luctant from the outset to have any
of the dead mans papers made pub
lie. When Justice Murphy was about
to begin the Pennell inquest last week
at the close of the BurdiCk inquest,
Attorney Thomas Penney appeared be-
fore Judge Murphy in private and
argued earnestly against beginning the
inquest at that time and opposed hold
ing any inquest. Mr.. Penney insisted
upon the postponement and Judge
Murphy yielded, but announced that
the PenneH inquest would begin at 10
o'clock this morning. After consider
ing the matter and learning that At
torney Thayer was out of the city
Judge Murphy postponed the Pennell
inquest Indefinitely. 1t is possible that
between the lines of Justice Murphy 8
findings tomorrow may be found some
thing indicative of the circumstances
that might cause 1t to he deemed nee
essary to prOlong the Burdick case or
to delay the beginning of the PenneIl
case.
What the Witnesses Said.
Alex G. Quinn, the bartender from
New York, was the first witness TO-
day. He said he made the acquaint-
ance Of Arthur r. Pennell early in De-
cember last at the Hotel Roland. Ask
ed 10 relate the conversation he had
with Pennell at that time, Quinn said:
MI. Penneu entered into conVersa-
ton with the cashier and myself Mr..
Pennell had several drinks. He gave
me his card. During the conversation
Pennell said: You do not know what
is passing through my mind, boys.
There is one man whom [ could kill
now even if l hung for it l remarked
that his man must be out of the state
as we have more improved methods
here now"
rs there anything else you recall of
the conversation between you, Pennell
and the Cashier?"
Nothing. except matters of ordinary
conversation"
F. G. H. King, former cashier of the
Hotel Roland. who was present during
the conversation related by Quinn. was
the next witness. Detailing this con-
VersatiCn. King said:
"Pennell discussed a picture that was
hanging on the wall of the room, and
after having a few drinks. he said:
There is one man [ could Kill. although
might swing for it. After having
another drink l proposed a toast, which
was responded to by Mr.. Penneu 1
think he said: Here's to death At
the same time he said he was havine q
the greatest time of his life, although it
was at the expense of another"