Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-27
PASTOR GOES ON The STAND
Clergyman of the Burdicks' Church is
Called al Witness.
TELLS OF TALK WITH MURDERED MAN
Also IL Taken Into Confidence OF Mrs
Hull, who Says Her DauBh
ter is Not wholly to
Blame.

BUFFALO, N. y, March 26.-When the
inquest into the murder OF Edwin L. Bur-
dick was resumed this morning the ex-
pectations were that IL would end today,
unless unforeseen matters should develop
In the final examination of witnesses.
Before today's hearing began it was an
nounced that Mrs. ]. d. Hull, mother Of
Mrs. Burdick; Rev. L. NJ. Powers, pastor
Of the Church Of the Messiah, which the
Burdicks attended, and City Chemist Her
bert NJ. Hill would testify.
Rev. Mr.. Powers recently made a state
ment, over his signature, defending Mrs.
Hull, and accusing Pennell, then dead, Of
the murder of Burdick.
1t was then said It was not so much
on account of this accusation that he was
subpoenaed, but because he was Burdick's
pastor. He knew the murdered man we'll.
Burdick. 1t is said, had talked to him OF
his troubles and Pennell, and even Of the
letters Pennell had written to Mrs. Bur-
dick.
Every seat in Judge Murphy's court was
occupied when the inquest was resumed,
but there was no crowding. The scandals
revealed by the testimony OF the witnesses
on the stand have become an old story, and
public interest in the inquest Is on the
wane, the general belief prevailing that no
arrest will follow the present proceeding
and that nothing in tn nature Of material
evidence bearing directly upon the murder
Of Burdick will be forthcoming.
Clergyman is First witness.
Rev. L. NJ Powers was the first witness.
He said that Mrs. Hull and the Burdicks
were members Of his church congregation.
On two separate occasions he had had talks
will Burdick concerning the latter's do
nestle affairs. The first one was at Bur
dicks office about three weeks prior to the
murder. He called voluntarily to talk with
Burdick about the matter, which the wit
ness said. had become common talk al
that time
Mrs. Hull also had discussed it with him
once during a call the minister made at the
house. Asked to repeat the conversation
with Mrs. Hull, Mr.. Powers said:
She told me her daughter had left home
and that a suit for divorce was pending
She said her daughter was not withou'
fault, but that she was not alone to blame
either. that II L knew the whole thing
would not believe that the fault was al
her daughters.
Mrs. Hull. he said, did not ask him tC
speak to Burdick about withdrawing tho
divorce suit.
On the first occasion that he visited
| buIulCh he Mdlhtu up HOblt Will nlm, 81
that he was with him about an hour. Bur.
dick told him about everything that hai
come out in this examination.
Pennen Threatens Suicide.
What did he tell you that has not com
out?"
HE told me that Pennell had threatene,
to commit suicide II the divorce suit wa
not withdrawn and that Pennell had sue
ceeded In impressing the sincerity Of hi
threat upon Mrs. Burdick to such an exten
that she had believed him and induced Bur
dick to go 10 Pennell and tell him that 1
he would get out OF town he would cal
everything square. l think he said Pen
nell had given e written promise to leav
town.
He told me that he had made up hi
mind TO make public all the letters tina
Pennel had written to Mrs. Burdiek and h
impressed upon me how ridiculous it wouI
a Pencil appear"
Asks Burdick 10 stop suit.
The witness said he asked Burdick Il
withdraw the divorce suit anc to take hil
wife back. but he concluded from the mans
reply that he would not do so under an!
circumstances Burdick. Mr.. Powers said
had a very kindly feeling for Mrs. Hull
He thought a good deal OF her. He tolt
me she was not well and that he had Of,
fered to send her to Florida or California
continued the witness, "and that shi
should always have a home with him
One reason Burdick gave me for not tax,
ing Mrs. Burdick back was that Mrs. HUI
always had had the chief care Of tn.
children and they would continue to b.
under her care"
Mr.. Powers said his second call upol
Burdick was mainly regarding a bushes
matter.
He was asked whether Pennell ever mad
any threat against Burdick. by Mr.. Coats
worth.
mo. All l know is that / have an i'm
preston that Pennell said to someone tina