The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-27
DAMNAbLE WRONG
DONE HER HUSBAND
Admitting This Story Told by
Burdick is True.
A FRIEND OF HIS SPEAKS
And R,htarses The Story That Burdick Told
Him Of His Wits Broken Marriage
Vows and Pennelrs Base Pu-
suit of Her.
(By the Associated Press.)

Indianapolis, Ind, March 2.-E L. Bur
dick, the murdered Buffalo manufacturer,
conhded his troubles to Herbert II. Rice,
a business man in this city. only few
weeks before Mr. Burdicks death. Mr..
Burdick and Mr.. Rice were personal
friends The former made frequent bust
ness trips to Indianapolis. His last visit
was on January q, when he called on
Mr.. Rice. He appeared to be troubled
and he took the opportunity to unbosom
himself to Mr.. Rice.
"He led me to a quiet corner in the fac
terry" said Mr.. Rice, 'and began telling
me his troubles. prefacing his remarks
by saying that he did not know why he
was telling them to me, but / was so
far from Buffalo that it would be all
right He talked of his wife and Pen
nells attentions TO her. He said Pen
nell and his wife went to Buffalo and
were taken into society and that the ac-
uuaintance of his wife and himself with
the Pencils soon ripened into friendship.
The families were together a great deal,
they played golf. attended dances and
parties. and the Pencils had the free
dom of the Burdiek home.
"He said Pennell was a brilliant chap
socially, and that he admired him and
knew that his wife admired him also
He said Pennell and Mrs, Burdick seemed
to enjoy each others company particu-
larly, but that he had no suspicious at
first.
'Burdick said he afterward learned
diaI- hnU
ing clandestine meetings He did not
state the source of his information, but
he said he confronted both with accusa-
tion and beth confessed to having had
improper relations.
ION promises of Pennell to leave Buff
falo and the promise of his Wife not to
meet Pennell again. Burdick said lie
agreed not to take any action in the
matter. Neither promise was kept, he
said, as Pennell remained in Buffalo and
Mrs. Burdck soon was meeting him again.
"When Burdick learned of the matter
he threatened to bring suit for divorce,
Again they pleaded with him, he said. and
on the solemn renewal of the promises
he let the matter rest once more. Notwith-
standing these promises, Penneli stayed
in Buffalo and continued to meet Mrs.
Burdick. Burdick said he found slip OF
paper. containing a list of meeting places
and dates, made out in cipher. On this
paper was one address and date Bur-
dick thought he desciphered correctly.
ACCOMPANIED by detectives he went to
the address and found Pennell and Mrs.
Burdick together.
"With this evidence he determined to
obtain divorce he said. Burdick held
n conference with Pennell and Mrs. Bur
dick. and Pcnnell and the woman agreed
that they would not contest the SUIT tcr
divorce but would aid in securing 1t ID
n o,iiet way to avoid notoriety as much
as possible. They promised to ME an
answer to his complaint without delay'
Thev did not file the answer however
hut instead, put detectives on the track
NJ Mr.. Burdick, having resolved between
themselves that they would contest th'
suit.
"Burdick said the detectives followed
ove,v move he made and trumpet up a
lot of false evidence against him. which
involved his friends, respectable people
of whom he thought great deal.
"Burdick said he lived at hotel, apart
from his wife for some time. and the
detectives knowing this, drew conclu-
sions adverse to his moral character and
made the most OF it.
"Burdick did not know that he was
being watched by the detectives Ho
told me that he was in state of dis
traction and that he sought the society
OF his friends for relief from his state
of depression. He said that he had
taken highly respectable women riding
no. cfn
respectable eating places; that he hao
met his friends on the street and ha1
treated them to soda and candy. ant
that he had played golf and attended So
cial functions. He said that he coui%
see readily how persons intent on doinl
him wrong. could miseonstrue his act.
and impugn his motives.
"Burdick did not know of the evidence
obtained against him until after the de
tectives had reported to Pennell and Mrs
Burdick They then endeavored to ge
him to withdraw his suit for divorce
threatening to use such evidence a
would tend to besmirch the character o
several respectable persons. Mr.. Bur
dick said that this evidence was all un
true. He told me that he conducted him
self with propriety and had done nothing
that would reflect on his moral char
acter. He desired to protect his friend
and his children.
He said Mrs. Burdiek called on hin
and pleaded for the privilege of havin
the children with her and that ne con
scented to let her have one at a time.
she would deliver into his hands tn
false evidence she prepared against hir
and agree not to make use of it, whic
she refused to do. He said Mrs. Burdic
told him that she loved PenneH in
way she could never love him.
He said that he could now realiz
that there had always been somethin
lacking in her affection for him. u
had provided her with good home an
they had lived happily until Pennell dis
rupted their family relations.
He said that on more than one oc
CASTOR Pennell had threatened TO comm
suicide. He said that while the Pencil
were in the East. Mrs. Pennell had writ
ten him a letter pleading with him
drop the divorce proceedings, stating thf
il he did not. there would be doub'
s,,ieida that of herself and Arthu