The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-11

arrangements were made with them by any
person, any statements on the part OF such
agency tending TO reflect in any way upon
either myself or any Other person involved
are unqualifedly false and have no basis
in fact They are made up of those un-
FOUNDED statements of this class OF spies,
which has become OF such doubtful value
that even in the courts it is now almost
held that the presumption is against their
credibility.
Third, during the pending OF the divorce
action IL became necesassy for me to con-
suit with the defendant in reference to the
course TO pursue For that purpose II was
necessary that meeting should take place
here, in New York or Atlantic City, but
in such cases, as can be absolutely proved,
these meetings. were In such places and un-
der such circumstances as absolutely TO
of transacting the affairs relative TO the
divorce action.
Finally 1t may be said that the crime is
great a mystery to the writer as to
any one. Terrible notori'ty and publicity
has been brought upon people, more espe-
cially women, who have entirely unde-
all concerned, especially 20 the family
which has suffered and must suffer most.
For that we must thank the spirit of yell
low journalism, which does not hesitate
20 violate every principle o: truth, honor,
chivalry. justice and sanctity in those ef-
forts to make news and sell papers. which
make that style of journalism one of the
sickening things of modern civilization"
PENNEY'S TESTIMONY.
The witnesses who testified at the inquest
to-day were DIR. E. c. Dancer and the man
who saw Pennell in his automobile. Thomas
Penney. Pennell's counsel. had little In
formation of Importance that he cared to
make public. He thought he first went to
Pennell's house the morning of March
IL with Frederick Pennell. From the house
they went tc Pennelrs office, but did not
av,ofx, I,o
was willing to tell anything that had any
bearing the Burdick case, but he would
insist on exercising his privilege as attor-
ney for the estate of refusing to answer
any questions relative to the Pennell estate
or the Pennell papers bearing on the es-
tate,
'Mr. Penney cannot be made to testify
about those things" said the court
do you know anything about Pennell's
financial affairs at the time of his death?"
do you know whether he owed any con-
siderable amount of money at the time OF
his death?'
'I decline to answer
What do you know about the story that
Pennell was defaulter?"
II decline to answer. / am willing to
state that Pennell's papers refer In no way
to the Burdick case. There is no reference
in any of them to Mrs. Burdick or to de-
tectives."
Wallace Thayer, who had been Pennells
attorney before his death, made a state
ment on the stand, saying: II will state
that none of Mr.. Pennells communications
to me and in none of his papers was there
anything bearing on the Burdick murder or
the death of Mr.. Pennell. Pennell left with
me a sealed envelope of instructions and
two insurance policies for $4,000. which l
was told to hold in trust. was instructed
not to open the sealed package until the
insurance money was paid over to me, and
then was not to make public the name OF
the person for whom held the insurance
in trust or make known their names to
anybody aside from the beneficiary or bene-
ficiaries. Now, that Is all / care to state.
Wallace G. Omphelius who was Pennells
clerk, was called to the stand. He stated
that Pennell had two revolvers In his Of
fee. Witness now had them at home. PEN
nell had one up to the day following the
murder and then he got another
Then Judge Murphy rendered his verdict
and the inquest was declared closed.