The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-11

Buffalo. April 1.-THE inquest INTO the
death OF Arthur r. Pennell and Mrs
Pennell was brought TO a close yesterday
Justice Murphy announced his findings
Immediately. saying:
'I md that Arthur r. Pennell came to
his death on March 10. 1903. as result
of injuries received while riding in an
automobile. the said automobile
plunging from an embankment
into the Genres stone quarry. That /
cannot determine from the evidence sub
mitted whether such plunge was acci-
dental or designed
THAT Carrie Lamb Pennell came 20 her
death as a result Of the said plunge of
the automobile into the quarry"
Nothing was brought out during the In
quest that would tend TO clear up the
Burdick mystery
The absence OF ]. Fred Pennen from the
city preciuded the possibility OF placing
In evidence any papers left by the dead
man. as Mr.. Thomas Penney. attorney
for the Pennell family, stood upon his
professional privilege and declined to an
swer questions relating 10 them
BURDICK GUILTY.
Penneirs statement on the Burdiek muir
der. read at the inquest, was addressed TO
the public He stated that he had salts
fed the authorities that he had nothing
20 do with the crime; that there was no
truth In the charges brought against Mrs,
Buraick or himself; that Burdick had
been intimate with woman he intended
to marry, and II was not until he learned
Mrs Burdick was TO sue him for divorce
that he decided to forestall her.
A significant feature OF the evidence
was the statement that just prior 10
plunginG TO death Pennell rang his gong
70 warn pedestrians in the road OF his
approach. IL is argued from this that
had he intended TO plunge into the quar-
nv there would be no necessity for warn
ing those on the road.
The attorney for the insurance COM
pany attempted to show that just prior
to the fall into the quarry the auto was
on the side OF the road. but only succeed
ed IN bringing out more strongly the fact
that II was in the centre.
PENNELL's LAST STATEMENT.
Attorney Penney, Wallace Thayer, who
acted as confidential attorney for PEN
nell before his DEATH and w. c. Om-
phelius. formerly Pennells stenographer,
were examined last. Mr. omphehus pro-
duced a typewriter copy OF the first
draft OF statement prepared for pub
lication by Penneu before his death. The
statement IN fuu lG as rOllOWs.
To the public:
Now that the food of sensatlonalism
and yellow journalism has lessoned and
that public excitement has died down 10
a calmer consideration OF the facts and
events leading up to a terrible tragedy
which has recently taken place in this
city. wish, in behalf OF myself but es-
pecially more in behalf OF others whose
sufferings are even greater than mine, 10
make this statement.
Owing 20 the fact that my name was
40 unfortunately at this time connected
with the pending divorce proceedings it
was forced into great publicity i'm con-
nection with the tragedy itself So far
as any possible connection with that
crime was concerned. 1 satisfied, l think
the district attorney and his assistants
thoroughly that 1 had nothing to do with
IL, and since that time neither has my
house nor myself been under suspicion or
surveillance. After being out for a short
time In the early part OF that evening,
spent the rest OF IL AT home, as was
shown by the evidence OF my wife and
the servant girl in our house / think
was soon acquitted both by the public
and the authorities with any connection
with the crime.
RIGHTS OF THE LIVING.
II now becomes incumbent upon me 10
make some statement relative 10 my con-
nection with the divorce proceedings. In
this statement / wish to soy as little as
possible about the dead
But it must be remembered that those
who are living have their lives TO live and
the rights OF the living are greater than
the rights Of the dead
There was no truth I'm the charges
brought by the plaintiff in the proceed
ings against the defendant and myself
The charges were absolutely denied under
oath and counter charges had been made
and in a short time the case would have
been quietly tried before a referee and
settled. The relations existing between the
plaintiff and the defendent had been
strained For some time Twice he had un-
Justly attempted 20 make her leave her
home. Ny wife and myself had taken her
side In the controversy that arose be-
tween them and she had consulted me
for legal advice and protection.
During this time the man himself WAS
In Intimate relations with a woman whom
he desired To marry. For that purpose A
WAS necessary 20 be free from his wife
He discovered the fact that his wife
knew OF these relations By gaining accers e
10 the safe deposit vslut where she kent
her papers. through forgery and written
orders over her blank signature. and pur-
loining the keys from her. Being thus ap-
prised OF the evidence against him. nc
determined 20 anticipate her action by
bringing an action hirasef IN order that
he might have the appearance of being
the injured party, and out OF v'ndictive-
ness and desire 10 injure me as much as