Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-09-30

Ietnen looked anxlousIy AZ nim, Ms IL IN.
deavoripg to read the verdict. Then IL
tedious counting and Trefethen was or
dered To stand up When requested 10
hold up his right hand, he did so with =
brave effort. The clerk falte red a mo.
ment before demanding the verdict. When
1t came, IL was ia clear, steady voice
''Not guiltyr'
After the verdict there was a crash OF
stamping feet, clapping hands aud loud
cheers, which WAS brought to a stop In a
full second. When the silence came again,
Trefethen lay upon the railing, covering
his face with his hands and sobbing, but,
even as the presiding judge issued n re-
buke 10 the too demonstrative spectators,
wild cheer from outside drowned his
words.
The mob who had failed to get entrance
had been acquainted with the verdict, aud
young disciples Of Mercury sped down
every street shouting out the news.
When the formal discharge was issued
by the clerk, ex Governor Long stepped to
the cage and grasped Tretethen's hand.
When the cage was unlocked, and as he
stepped out olSe again free, men and
women pressed up and shook ashland
heartily. A most affecting incident was
Trefethen's greeting Of his mother and
other relatives. The Jail officials, whose
strong regard he has won, were given an
opportunity to bid him goodby. and he
rode away in a carriage with his mother,
speeded with hearty cheer from the
crowd.
How Trefethen Feels.
EVERETT. Mass, Sept. 30-The happiest
l.. ID. a
Trefethen, and the happiest woman. no
doubt, WAS his mother, who has been his
unfailing friend all through his trouble.
His little store on Nichols street was more
like "A throne room, where friends came to
rejoice over his acquittal. When re-
porter called Trefethen was the center oil n
throng, who simultaneously proffered con-
grqtulations, asked questions and other
wise embarrassed the happy man.
A most significant matter was the com
ing of many who knew Trefethen only by
his connection with this celebrated case,
but IL would be safe to wager that there
WAS more genuine unbottled good feeling
in that little emporiuu, on Nichols street
than anywhere else in the same space, no
matter where.
Trefethen's spirits were at the topmost
joyously. He found cause for mirth in
everything said. lie discussed the evidence
IN his Case, argued against the possibility
of his guilt and quietly asserted his limo
cence.
He said: "My actions have all been
msconstrued and surrounded with sus-
picion. Some of those who testified
against me know In their hearts they were
not doing right"
"How do you feel on the outcome of
your trial."
Il must say that have felt very conf
dent of being acquitted. feared very
much that Pillsbury's argument might
TO prejudicing, but I felt as an innocent
man must, and, having been told that my
jury was made up Of capable men, had
not much fear.
y II was prepared to go upon the stand In
my own defense. In fact. my instructions
were to holt myself in readiness to testify.
and had expected to he called Wednes-
day or Thursday morning. But the evil
dence in my favor was so strong that it
was deemed not necessary. And then,
had gone on, the trial would have been
prolonged.
"There are several things which would
have made me glad to go on the stand.
did not fear Plilsbury. don't know
whether l could have borne the strain.
and think l could have endured IL. I
am innocent, and my story could not
have hurt me. / have been anxious to
have only the most reputable witnesses
in my behalf. / told my counsel that I
did not want anyone to testify for me
who was not reliable and honest. My
counsel have worked hard for me. !
realize that; not for money, because I am
a poor man. don't think that Mr.. Long
would have taken my case II he had not
Thought me ipnOcentn