The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-16
STILL A DARK SECRET.
Officials Visit the Scene of the Tragedy
and Make Thorough Investiga-
tion-Davisons Connection
With the Case.

in the trial to quite an advantage. and
II is really thought that he was i'll
strumental in convicting O'Neil.
Detective Hammond, in conversation
with Spy man, said: Davis is an
unfortunate fellow. but don't think he
is a fellow who would connect him
mean to say that he would not stoop
to do such mean decd. He will be
valuable perhaps to rs as a witness"
But another state detective told
Spy man early this afternoon that Da-
Wis would be closely questioned, and
they thought that he might be able
to throw some light upon the case. The
detectives would not commit them
selves, but said that wood alcohol
poisoning was not by any means an
unreasonable solution, and they saw
no reason why they should think it
was given to the family Intentionally
The state detectives visited the Frye
factory in the afternoon, and it was
said that they asked Mr. Eyre if he
had any wood alcohol in his shop. Mr..
Frye, it is said claimed that he was
not aware that there was any wood
alcohol about his premises. but the Of
ficers are satisfied that wood alcohol is
in the factory.
Detectives Berley and Hammond
worked hard all day. Many persons
were seen by the detectives whom 1t
was thought might be able to shed some
light. Mary Quigg, girl whom it
was said had been intimate with Olive
Underwood, was interviewed by Chief
Pope in the morning. The girl is sup
posed to have told all she knew about
the Underwood family previous to the
time that they moved from the east
pit fs al soft I,ak
she was unable to throw any light upon
their dotngs between Saturday night
and Monday night. Every one who
was in a position to know anything
about the family has been located and
interviewed by the officers.
An autopsy was held at the city hail,
between and o'clock this afternoon.
Medical Examiner Hott performed the
autopsy, assisted by DR.. Cutler Drs.
McCarty, Deyan and Richardson were
present, The bodies of Edward Under
wood the father. John clifford. olives
two-year-old child, and Frances I'm
derWood were operated upon by the
physicians. The stOmachs were re-
moved from the three bodies and DR..
Hoitt would not say that ne and his
assistants had opened them for super
icial examinations. The autopsy was
performed with the physicians present
acting as witnesses. The much-desired
portions of the body win be sent to-
morrow to Prof. Wood of Harvard
College. The medical examiner has fin
ished his labors and viii make his re-
port at once and send it to District
Attorney Weir.
Judge J. w. Mcdonald of the NUM-
cipal court started tie preliminary ex-
animation of the witnesses at hand in
the police station, at 2 O'Clock tnis ar
ternoon. 1t is not known just who
were examined, but IL is supposed that
the three survivors of the tragedy con-
fined in the police station were the
only ones who gave their testimony
this afternoon Judge Mcdonald. in
an interview with a Spy man late this
evening said that he would not give
any particulars Of the proceedings for
publication, He also said that he would
continue the examination as quickly
as possible and that he could not state
just when the coroners inquest would
be held Judge Mcdonald was no more
reticent regarding the proceedings than
were Dr.. Hoitt Chief Pope and all
others who have had any connection
with the case. Judge McDonalds ex-
animation was not concluded until
7 O'clock.
Medical Examiner Hoitt said at $50
O'Clock tonight. to the Spy man. IL can
not say anything regarding the case. 1
cannot give anything out for pubica-
ton until the proper time comes"
City Marshal Pope was also nom
communicative. He referred all ques-
tons to DR.. Hoitt. Mrs Underwood,
Guy and Robert McMullens are stiH
confined in the rear Of the police office.
Mrs Underwood has been III all day,
but is not considered dangerously 50.
The three were attended by Or Der
win, city physician. Guy. the l2-year-
old boy, was also a sufferer McMul-
lens is supposed to be almost well to-
night and is simply being held pend
ing the investigation.
What the autopsy revealed Is a mat
ter Of considerable conjecture. Prof
Wood VIII examine the parts sent to
him at once. but IL viii be at least "A
week before the result is made known
to the district attorney. Those who
are in a position to know say that in
their opinion the matter viii simmer
down to accidental poisoning The city
police have not made any great head
way 1t Is thought toward a solution, bnt
Il rs believed they also put considerable
faith I'm the wood alcohol theory
Emil Humbert. teacher Of the
French language and n man well known
In Marlboro. up 10 Saturday last oc-
'upied apartments adjoining those
where the tragedy occurred Saturday
afternoon Humbert called at a local ex-
press office and s1id that he wished 70
nave team move his goods from tbs
mouse to the depot. as he was going n
AXE up his residence in Brockton. The
Express agent called at the house at
The appointed hour, and Knocked re-
)eatedly, but received no answer HUM
BERT could not be found by the express
nan.
When the police went to the Undeps
wood nat Monday night, the doors Of