—
Caused by Drowning, Says Durell.
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No Evidence of Foul Play Found.
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Did Shame Drive Her to Suicide?
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Inquest Will Answer This Query.
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May Have Been Chloroformed and Thrown Into River.
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Trefethen Held to Await Examination.
—
Fiancee Says He Can Account for All His Time.
—
Murder or suicide?
—
The question, so far as the death of Tena Davis is concerned, is still unanswered.
The autopsy, from which so much was hoped, has failed to be decisive, and shows only that the girl was alive when she entered the water.
It does not show, nor can any medical skills show, whether or not the girl was insensible, or whether or not she jumped or was thrown overboard.
There is nothing in the autopsy to show that she might not have been chloroformed insensible and then thrown overboard.
It simply shows that there were no marks of external violence, and that death came by drowning.
The police end of the case is therefore entirely unaffected so far as the suspicious circumstances surrounding the girl's death are concerned, and justice will take its course until these circumstances shall be explained.
Trefethen and Smith will not be discharged, simply because the autopsy failed to show conclusively that the girl was murdered.
Since it showed that she might have been murdered, they will have to show that they had no hand in her death.
The police will push the case, for they are by no means satisfied that the girl's death was of her own will.
They will look up evidence and prepare their case for trial just as they would have done if the autopsy had shown conclusively that the girl was murdered.
The medical examiner will make his formal report to Judge Pettengill and the District Attorney tonight, and upon the action of those officials will depend the future of the case.
The judge may order an inquest if he sees fit.
If, upon that inquest, he finds reasonable suspicions of foul play, he will hold the prisoners and the law will take its course.
If he finds that the girl committed suicide, the discharge of the prisoners must follow.
To sum up, then, the case stands precisely where it did last night, except that it is shown by the autopsy that the girl was drowned and was not the victim of a criminal operation.
The mystery surrounding Tena Davis’ death is not yet solved.
—
TREFETHEN IN COURT.
—
Committed Without Bail – Brother-in-Law Smith Held in $10,000.
James A. Trefethen was arraigned before Judge Pettingell in the Malden Police Court, this morning, charged with causing the death of Tena Davis of Everett, by weapons and means to the government yet unknown.
He pleaded “not guilty” and was held without bail to await examination, Jan. 22.
William H. Smith, charged with being accessory before and after the fact, was held in $10,000 bail until the same date.
At the adjournment of the court both were removed to the county jail at East Cambridge.
—
“KEPT COMPANY” WITH HER.
—
Miss Rose Lindsay Says Trefethen Can Account for All His Time.
Miss Rose E. Lindsay, the fiance of James A. Trefethen, is unshaken in her confidence of his innocence.
The lady lives with her mother at 830 Dorchester av. For 17 years Mrs. Lindsay has maintained a small variety store at this place and has a flourishing trade.
Mrs. Lindsay was away this morning, but the daughter was found busy with customers. She is of slender build, and about 28 years old.
“Do you know James A. Trefethen, who is under arrest for murder?” she was asked.
“Yes, we know him somewhat. My mother has known his father for 11 years. She became acquainted with him through his father and we have known the son for seven years. He has called here a good many times to sell goods.”
“Then you knew him simply as seller and purchaser; only in business?”
“Yes, that is all.”
“Then, of course, you did not know much about his private affairs?”
“(word missing), I should say I ought to when he Has been keeping company with me (word missing) along. I know all about him.”
“Did you know he was paying (word missing) to Tena Davis?”
“How could he be paying attention (word missing) when he is engaged to me? We have (word missing) engaged for three years, and I have (word missing) all about the Davis girl.”
“He has done a good deal for that fam(word missing)
He helped them start in business, and (word missing) been continually a benefactor to them.
“I know all about that money affair. (word missing) Trefethen said he wanted to borrow (word missing) money, and Mrs. Davis offered it to (word missing)
She said she had rather he had it than (word missing) one else at that interest.”
“Did he ever borrow any money of (word missing)
“No, we had none to lend. But I (word missing) he never was very intimate with (word missing) Davis any more than when he helped (word missing) mother. I have confidence that he is (word missing)…cent.” “Of course you and he have talked about her disappearance?”
“Yes, but he knew nothing of it. (word missing) knew nothing about her.”
“Did he never have any theory as to why she had disappeared or how? He must have said something to stifle your doubts as to his guilt.”
“He never had to satisfy my doubts. But he did say something about it. He believed that someone who was interested had assisted her to get away or something.”
“Whom did he think was interested?”
“He never knew. He only thought someone was.”
“You never thought or had any idea that Mr. Trefethen’s intimacy went beyond (word missing) platonic regard?”
“No, we never talked of it, only about (word missing) affair came out.”
Did you know that Miss Davis had (word missing) your fiance to assist her out of (word missing) culty?”
“Yes, I knew she did. He told (word missing) indignantly refused.”
“Do you know when he saw her (word missing) -vious to her disappearance?”
“Yes, I think he saw her on the (word missing) she went away.”
“Do you think you were told so?”
Yes, but what does he say about it? (word missing) ought to be asked, not me.”
“Do you know where he was on Dec. (word missing)
“Yes, I do.”
“Why doesn’t he tell?”
“Why, I don’t blame him. He (word missing) just right. He knows if he did it(word missing) bring us into it.”
“Yes, but you don’t want the man hanged just to save you discomfort by speaking, do you?”
“No, of course not. I will tell you all about it. On that day he had to deliver a bundle of Christmas goods at a store in the Highlands. He walked over to our house and got there about 5 o'clock.
“He left half an hour later, as he said he had to hurry over to Charlestown and deliver a bundle of Christmas goods, which was important. He took a horse car and arrived home about 7 o'clock. His mother told me this. Then he ate his supper, harnessed his horse and started for Charlestown to deliver the bundle. He met his brother-in-law on the corner of ferry st. and took him in.
“Smith had the toothache, got out and walked home. Mr. Trefethen then kept on and delivered his bundle to two girls who worked in the store.
“They know the exact time, and will testify when wanted. I don’t know who they are or where the store is located. Then he came home. His mother knows what time he left and when he returned, and she told me I shouldn’t worry about it, as he was innocent. I said I knew it.”
“You have been riding with Mr Trefethen?”
“Yes.”
“And have not blonde hair?”
“No, of course I haven’t. Mr. Trefethen saw this about the hair in the papers, and came over to tell me he knew nothing about it. I told him right off it was all right, as I could easily explain that. I said, it might be Lucy who had been riding and left some of her hair there. Lucy is his sister, and she has blonde hair. I thought it a perfectly natural explanation.”
“Was he in the habit of taking his sister out to ride?”
“No, but her husband could have, couldn’t he? Mr. Smith used to use Trefethen’s carriage.”
“Did you lose a veil recently?”
“No, I don’t think I did, still I might have. I sometimes wore a black one with black spots, sometimes one with gold dots; most all kinds. Lately I have had a black one.”
“You never had a brown veil?”
“No, I did not.”
“How do you account for the one Trefethen had in his pocket.”
“That's nothing. He might have had his sister’s for all I know. I don’t care. I think I know all about him, and I think he is innocent. His sister said she knows he is innocent, but if she believed he did it she would not raise her hand to help him.”
—
TREFETHEN’S HISTORY
—
Successful Business Man Follo(word missing) His Father’s Steps.
James A.Trefethen is about 35 years (word missing)
He is the eldest son of Nathaniel Trefethen who for many years was in the dry goods business on Hanover st., Boston.
After his father’s death Trefethen continued the business, and made a new departure by building the store in Everett now occupied by Mrs. Davis. He has been a resident of Everett about 15 years. Last year he built the residence block, with store beneath, which he now occupies, on Nichols st.
In person he is slightly above medium height. He wears a light mustache. He has an intelligent and affable address.
—
BRIGHT AND BUSINESS-LIKE.
—
History of the Poor Girl Whose Body Was Found on Mystic Flats.
Tena Davis was born in Bethel, Me. 26 years ago, and was the youngest child of Dr. David Davis, a well-known physician of that town. She was educated in the public schools, receiving a course in the high school grade. Her father died about 10 years ago, leaving a widow and three children – Mrs. Bryant, Charles J. Davis and the drowned girl, Deltena J., or, as she was familiarly called, “Tena” Davis. The father left a snug property of some $10,000, and about $5000 of it came into the hands of Mrs. Davis and the younger daughter. A little less than five years ago they determined to come to Boston, believing that they could so invest their money as to make a living without impairing the principle. They had relatives in and around Boston, and finally they decided to open a variety store on Perkins st. in Charlestown.
The person of whom they purchased the store recommended James A. Trefethen as a dealer from whom to obtain supplies, and…