The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-31
Judge Murphy Decides
That There Is Just
Grouno for Suspicion
Against the Supposed
Suicide.
Mrs. Hull's Actions and
Her Testimony Incon-
sistent With the Lack
of knowledge She Pro
feSses.

BUFFALO, n. Y. March 31.-Police
Justice Murphy this morning made pub
lie his findings in the iaquest into the
murder of Edwin L. Bur6ick at his home
in this city on February q last. He
reviewed the evidence at length. con-
cluded that the facts pointed to Arthur
R Pennen as the murderer. and added;
altogether these facts would, in my
opinion. constitute just ground for sus-
picion, on which a wsrrant could be Is
sued were he alive That would not
mean, however. that he was guilty. He
must be presumed innocent until proven
guilty.
Burdick's Character.
The theory that Burdick had
woman in his den as a guest that night
has not been sustained by the evidence
It has not disclosed a single immoral
act on his part. II portrays him as
loving father and more than magnani-
nous and forgiving husband. Mrs
Paine and Miss Hutchinson. whose
names have been unfortunately brought
into this ease. are. 50 far as this in
quest is able to determine, completely
exonerated-
The actions Of Mrs Hull on that
morning and her testimony on the stand
have caused me much thought and study.
To my mind they are inconsistent with
perfecr lack Of knowledge as to what
actually Occurred. So little apparent
feeling for the dead man. such an evi-
dent desire to cover up the crime and
no disposition whatever 70 aid he au-
thoritiesl in apprehending the murderer
may be explainable. bur has not been
explained
Review of Inquest.
Judge Murphy's review was as fol
lows:
4 find and certify that Edwin L.
Burdisek came 10 his death in the early
morning hours of February q, 1903. at
his home, 101 Ashland Avenue, in this
city
The cause Of his death was com
p2und multiple fracture of the skull
and this fracture was the result Of
several blows by some person with
ssuIl ged weapon, delivered principally
fon t. 5acls of the head.
Identity Not Established.
The blows were delivered with homf-
s8daI intent The identity CT the mur-
d-erer has not been established.
THE inquest was held for the purpose
sf Determining whether or not a crime
had been committed. and whether OF
rot there is reasonable ground to charge
some certain person with the same
AT the time OF the murder Burdick
vas living with his three little girls.
whose ages range from ten to fifteen
years, together with their grandmother.
his mother-in-law- His wife. the child
ren's mother had not been home since
the early days Of December. fer rea-
sons which appear later. and spent the
night Of the murder in Atlantic City.
Bottle Disappears.
'Burdick went home TO dinner that
aight as usual He had with him bot
tie Of cocktails, which has never been
seen since It does not appear from
the evidence that anything unusual oc-
Cured at the house in the early part OF
the evening.
Mrs. HUI The grandmother. FetireG
with the children as usual. One of the
maids was out thae night. and. returning
about &. O'Clock, saw Mr.. Burdick open
the dossleading from the front hall He
stepped back and partly closed the door,
while the maid went on upstairs to bed.
few minutes later she heard some one
shaking the furnace i was Bnrdick's
custom 20 look after the furnace.
Last Seen of BuIdick
The other maid had retired as usual
That was the last seen Of Burdick alive
by anyone who has been sworn at this
izquest, according to their testimo1-.
THE two maids. VINO slept on the
kaird floor vent downstairs Is usual in
<Ae morning. The one first down called