The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-11
Questions Regarding the Alleged De-
faIcatfon Unanswered by the At
torney Of the Dead Lawyer.
YELLOW JOURNALS SCORED
STATEMENT PREPARED BY PENNELL
SOME TIME BEFORE HIS DEATH.
Burdick Blamed for Marital Troubles
and Alleged tn Have Been Killed
by q Woman.

BUFFALO, April 10.-The inquest into the
deaths Of Arthur r. Pennell and Mrs. PEN
nell before Justice Murphy to-day did not
throw any light on the Burdick murder
mystery and did not show whether Pennell
and his wife committed suicide or were
killed by accident on March 10. when their
automobile plunged into Gehre's quarry.
The inquest began at o'clock and was
ended by the reading of Justice Murphys
verdict.
Thomas Penney, who has acted as attor-
ney for the Pennell family since Arthur
Penneiis death. declared that so far as he
was aware nothing in the papers left by
'PenEell would throw any light upon the
murder OF Edwin L. Burdick. When ques-
toned regarding the alleged defalcations
by Pennell Mr.. Penney declined to answer.
j. Frederick Pennell, brother of the dead
lawyer, and administrator OF his estate,
who has possession of most of the papers.
was out of the city and Mr.. Penney in
formed the court that he did not know
where he was or when he would return to
Buffalo
Evidence that would show defalcation
would simply be cumulative" said Justice
Murphy. after the evidence was all in. mo
stronger motive could be proved than has
already been brought out here In the Bur-
dick inquest. But proving a motive does
not establish suicide. The court is prepared
60 announce it's findings" Judge Murphy
than delivered his verdict as follows:
IT ind and certify that Arthur r. Pennell
came to his death on the 10th day of March.
1903. as result of injuries received while
riding in an automobile, the said automo-
bile plunging from an embankment into
THAT / cannot determine from the vi
dence submitted whether such plunge was
accidental designed.
That Carrie Lamb Penneli came to her
death as q result OF the said plunge Of
the automobile into the quarry.
PENNELL'S STATEMENT.
W. c. Ompbelius. PennelPs stenographer.
produced g. typewritten copy of the first
draft Of a statement prepared for publica-
tion by Pennell before his death. The
statement In full follows:
To the Public-Now that the flood of
sensationalism and yellow journalism has
lessened. and that public excitement has
died down 70 a calmer consideration OF the
facts and events leading up TO terrible
tragedy which has recently taken place in
this city, wish. in behalf OF myself, but.
especially, more in behalf OF others whose
sufferiugs are even greater than mine, to
make this statement:
Owing to the fact that my name was
so unfortunately at THIS llfne COnneCleQ with
the pending divorce proceedings 1t was forced
snto great publicity In connection with
the tragedy itself. So far as any possible
connection with that crime was concerned,
] satisfied, / think. the district attorney
and HIS assistants thoroughly that l had
nothing to do with IL, and since that time
neither has my house myself been
under suspicion or surveillance.
After being out for short time In the
early part of that evening, / spent the
rest OF IL at home, as was shown by the
evidence 0f wife and the servant girl
tn our house. / think 1 was soon acquitted
both by the public and the authorities with
any connection with the crime.
"It now becomes incumbent upon me to
make some statement relative to my con-
nection with the divorce proceedings. In
this statement I wish to say as little as
possible about the dead. But IL 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
brought by the plaintiff in that proceeding
against the defendant and myself. The
and counter charges had been made. and i'm
q short lime the case would have, been
quietly tried before a referee and settled.
THE relations existing between the plain
tiff and the defendant had been strained for
some time. Twice he had unjustIy attempt
ed to make her leave her home. My wife
and myself had tai-en her side in the con-
troversy that arose between them and
she had consulted me for legal advice and
protection During this time the man him.
whom he desired to marry. For that pur-
pose IL was necessary TO be free from his
wife. He discovered the fact that his wife
knew of these relations by gaining access
TO the safe deposit vault where she kept
her papers. through forgery and written
order over her blank signature, and pur-
Joining the keys from her..
BURDICKS DEATH UNFORTUNATE.
Being thus apprised OF the evidence
against him. he determined to anticipate
bar acffo h,,
IN order that he might have the appear
ance OF being the injured party. and out
OF vindictiveness and the desire to injure
me as much as possible. he made me a de-
fendant In the action. His allegations were
properly denied. and the issues would have
been squarely met. when his death oc-
Cured at the hands OF some unknown
woman whom he had invited TO his house
at midnight. Nothing more unfortunate
could have occurred for everybody in
yolved. as the entire matter necessa rilv he
came public. and IL the truth could have
appeared the harm would not have been so
great. but truth and yellow Journalism are
at opposite poles. and consequently a mass
OF lies, Action and imagination was pub-
lished which had no possible basis In fact
but for the sake of those most Concerned
some OF these Misrepresentation must be
taken up and met.
..First I'm reference 10 the office which
was alleged 10 have maintained in EIIicott
square. That ONCE was leased and fur
nished by me under an arrangement with
another man. whose name cannot be given
20 enable him TO do a collection business
Shortly after that arrangement he received
an offer OF a salaried position in another
city which he desired to accept / ar
ranged, therefore, 20 release him, and no
business was ever done In the office. nor
was 10 ever used as meeting place I'm any
manner so falsely and unjuetly Indicated.
Second. In reference 10 the alleged state
meats of New York detective agency
whose Dz In business seems 10 have been
% give th.tr clients secrets 10 the public. /