Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-03-04
TILE BuFFALO MURDER.


of Edwin l.. Burdick in his study. They
are as follows:
Burdick was lying on the couch in the
small room behind the hall when the at
tack which ended his life was made, and
NAV have been asleep. There was no
struggle worthy of the name OF struggle,
tho unfortunate man succumbing al
most Immediately to the first blow struck.
The assailant was woman.
The first of these assertions that
Burdick was lying on the couch when
murdered is based on the fact that
there was not even spot OF blood on
the floor of the room except Just beneath
the couch, and that had soaked through
from the couch. The fact IS evidence
enough to satisfy the police that Bur,
dick was attacked while lying down, and
almost literally defenseless.
That the attack came unawares Is be-
lieyed because there we're no evidences oil
a struggle in the room. 1t is probable
that the first blow was sufficient to daze
the unfortunate man and incapacitate
him for resistance.
That the assalant was not man the
criminal authorities believe, from some
things which they have disclosed and
some things which they decline 10 make
known. No one now doubts that a
woman was in the room with Burdick
that night. -,
sBut may not man have struck the
blows which ended Burdick's liieY was
asked of one authority.
.The direct evidence of the crime
was concealed by a woman" was the
reply. awe arc satisfied Of that fact.
And if it was a woman who piled the
cushions on Burdick's body 1t was
woman who killed him.
oThe woman who struck the fatal
blows had some things to do before she
left the room, and to do these things
she required light.
'But all who understand a woman :
nature. no matter what sort of woman
it might be, know that women cannot
bear horrible sights Women who car
commit murder cannot often bear The
sight of the person who has been killed.
'This woman's nervous system coult
not bear the appearance of corpse,
with the head horribly mutilated, lying
on the couch, even for the few minutes
which it was necessary for her to re-
main in the room.
at was no doubt necessary for thl;
woman to put on her wraps after thu
murder. While she made her prepara-
tions for going on the street, therefore,
she concealed the corpse of Burdlck by
covering it with cushions.
fThese, however, are not the only
reasons we have for believing woman
committed the crime. We have othe
evidence, but cannot disclose 1t now.
This theory is not conceded in by al
the officials. One of them said:
"Suppose a woman had an appoint
ment with Burdick at his house in tn
den on that Thursday night, and it
INV firm belief that she did. Suppose
further, that q husband, growing susplcl
GUS of his wife, had followed the woma
to the house, and had entered, closel
following the woman. The man the
was indignant, insanely mad, and com
mitted this crime"
In the investigation Of Mr.. Burdick'
personal affairs, which since the murde
has become an incident to the work
solving the mystery, it has deyelope
that the dead mans life was insured 10
a large amount. 1t is understood tn
full amount will reach $25, 900.
1t was learned yesterday that, notwtf
standing the domestic troubles an
divorce proceedings Of the Burdic
family. several large policies on the dea
mans life still remain payable TO h
wife. Alice Burdick. The largest pole
| is for So 900. 1t was taken out abol
10 wears ago. The policy was mad
payable to Mrs. Burdick and has nevt
since been changed.
iIIn view of the facts relating to the II
surance it is considered strange that NJ
Burdick, as has been alleged, shou
have changed his will, leaving his wi
without a cent while he did not think
necessary to change the clause makir
the large insurance payable to her !
authoritative statement regarding u
changing of the will can be obtained fro
Burdick's attorney.
: The lady who is said to have been
conversation with Mr.. Burdick over I
, telephone on the afternoon precedll
, his death, it has been learned, was MI
Seth T. Paine. 1t was Mrs. Paine W
visited the District Attorneys ON
Monday. Vest srday she admitted ca
inc up Mr.. Burdick and added; "lt "
in response to a telephone message irC
him the night before and related excl
siyely to social affairs. 1t had no relau
to any appointment with him at a
time"
The golf stick which was at first su
posed 10 have been the instrument WI
which the murder was committed is NJ
IS said not to have been such weapon
could have caused the wounds on \
Burdick's head. Furthermore, the stai
upoa il have been found to be rust.