Describes visiting the scene of the Burdell murder to do a sketch of Mrs. Cunningham for the Sunday Courier. Transcription: Inquest in operation in the rear-parlor, Coroner sitting at the further end of a large table which was surrounded by reporters (among whom I recognized acquaintances) and a crowd of lookers on. Little [Frederick] Edge in spectacles, high boots and a great state of glory accosted me. Nothing effected this time, nor yet on a 6 P. M. visit, when I was introduced to the coroner. On the following morning tried again, and after waiting two hours and a half was successful. Firs
Describes visiting the scene of the Burdell murder to do a sketch of Mrs. Cunningham for the Sunday Courier. Transcription: Inquest in operation in the rear-parlor, Coroner sitting at the further end of a large table which was surrounded by reporters (among whom I recognized acquaintances) and a crowd of lookers on. Little [Frederick] Edge in spectacles, high boots and a great state of glory accosted me. Nothing effected this time, nor yet on a 6 P. M. visit, when I was introduced to the coroner. On the following morning tried again, and after waiting two hours and a half was successful. First, however, I was taken upstairs to the scene of the murder ? a back room, over the parlor. The horror of the [word crossed out] deed was strongly impressed on one, on witnessing its evidences ? a great blood-stain on the carpet, dots and splashes in the walls, wainscot and doors. (The murdered man [Harvey Burdell] ? an individual of loose life and despicable character ? had upwards of fifteen stabs upon his boy, one penetrating the heart, another dividing the jugular. There had been a preliminary attempt to strangle him.) My expectation had been obtaining a daguerreotype of the woman [Emma Augusta Cunningham], but that not being forthcoming, I had to go up in company with the deputy-Coroner and take a look at her. A policeman guarded the door, where she, her daughters (who are also implicated) and sons (two boys of 9 and 10) are confined, on the third floor. They have two rooms, through the larger of which we passed, the girls ? two of them rather tall Title: Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries: Volume 8, page 150, February 3-7, 1857 . 7 February 1857. Gunn, Thomas Butler, 1826-1903
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