It was in the capacity of wholesale dealer and retail customer that Trefethen and Miss Davis became acquainted. Trefethen early began to show an appreciation of the bright, business-like ways of Miss Davis, and became a frequent caller.
In 1891 they moved to Everett, buying a store of Trefethen. Considerable money had to be spent in enlarging this place, and Mrs. Davis claims that there was sharp dealing on the part of Trefethen who recommended the contractor who did the work.
She has a claim of $400 against him now, and has a keeper in his store to secure her claim.
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ONLY LEFT FOOT SEEN
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Body Found in Channel of Creek Which Flows With the River.
Thomas Leahey, drawtender at the Wellington bridge, was seen this morning by a Globe reporter, and gave further details of the finding of the body of Tena Davis.
“The body was found,” said Mr. Leahey, “just at the mouth of a little creek that makes into the marsh not far from the easterly side of the bridge at the Wellington end.
“There is a little channel to the creek perhaps two or three feet wide, and it was in this channel that the body lay with the feet pointing toward the shore and the head toward the river.
“It was covered so completely with mud that only the left foot could be seen, and that only at low water.
“This Mr. Fuller, who first noticed the foot sticking up, was walking along the bridge when it happened to catch his eye.
“He came to the house and told me that there was a rubber or a shoe sticking up from the mud and that there might be something under it.
“My son and I got out the boat and pushed up the little channel I spoke about and found the body.”
Mr. Leahey could not say whether or not the body was weighted. He saw no signs of weights.
“I know, though, that the body wouldn’t float,” he said.
As to whether the body was placed where it was found or had drifted their Mr. Leahey could not say. He would not express an opinion either as to where the body might have drifted from.
“Tides and currents here are very uncertain things,” He said.
“Why couldn’t you and the Everett officers find the body where you were looking for it as well as Mr. Fuller?” was asked.
“Well,” said Mr. Leahey, “You see we weren’t looking so close to the shore on that side.
“We were on the water, most of the time, and the foot couldn’t be seen from the water.”
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MOTHER BOWED WITH GRIEF.
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Chief Emerton Informs Mrs. Davis of Finding of Tena’s Body.
EVERETT, Mass. Jan. 11. -- This morning Chief Emerton paid a visit to Mrs. M.F. Davis, the mother of the murdered Tena Davis, at her residence, and after obtaining a statement of all that she knew in regard to the sad affair and a reiteration of her previous statement of the facts told her by Tena on the day she left home, informed her in as gentle manner as possible of the finding of the body of her daughter.
She took the matter much more calmly than was expected. Although bowed with grief, Mrs. Davis was able to make her statements clearly. It was feared that the shock of the information might produce serious results, as she is an aged lady and has for many years been troubled with heart disease.
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AUTOPSY IN DETAIL.
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No Criminal Operation Had Been Performed Upon the Girl.
The autopsy was held this morning at Nichols’ undertaking rooms and was performed by Medical Examiner Durell assisted by Dr. Swan. Medical Examiner Frank Harris of Boston was present with other physicians.
Though the medical examiner has not yet made up his report, he told at the close of the autopsy substantially what his finding would be.
“There is no doubt but that the girl was drowned. That is, that she was alive when she entered the water.
“Whether or not she was insensible nothing can determine.”
The autopsy further showed that the girl would have become a mother in about four months.
It showed also that no operation had been attempted for a premature removal of the child.
The body was well nourished and the organs healthy.
The bowels and kidneys were preserved by the medical examiner and will be sent to Prof. Wood of Harvard for examination and analysis.
Poison may be found in them, but no one thinks such a thing possible.
The analysis will be made however in order that the autopsy may be complete.
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Her Brother Takes Charge of Body.
Charles Davis, this morning, took charge of Tena’s remains, and will have them placed in a receiving tomb until funeral arrangements can be completed. Then they will be taken to Bethel, Me., her native town, where the funeral services will be held and the body interred.
