The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-03-05

her death.
 Pruette opened the inquest by segregating all witnesses, explain ing that he regarded the case oi sufficient importance to make sure that no witness heard the testi- mony of the others. Estate Lawyers There The estate of the late E. M Statler, who became a millionaire by building chain of hotels across the Unted States, sent three law yers to represent the dead girls interests. They are William Marcy Jr, and Edwin F. Jaeckle, Buffalo N. r., and J. M. Broughton of Ral- eigh, N. c.
 The coroner's jury of six men all from Pinehurst, was at a large table at one end of the hall that accommodates only 125' persons Acting Coroner Hugh Kelly pre-. sided.
 Questioning of witnesses was de- layed by the tardiness of H. Brad ley Davidson, member of promi- nent Washington, D. c. family, who married Elva Statler two months ago.
 It was 20 minutes after the in- quest was scheduled to start tha: Davidson, dressed in a gray tweed suit, came into the hall. He is Q bronzed, athletic man, Al years old.
 Not Naming Slayer
 Solicitor Rowland Pruette an- nounced he was not prepared to say who murdered Mrs Davidson, or why.
 "I have a card up my sleeve which am not going to play until we'll along in the inquest" he said Pruette and other investigating authorities had all but convinced themselves that the 23-year-oild girl, an heiress of the Statler hotel fortune, and bride of two months, did not take her own life. They also said they had eliminated the possibility of her having met an accidental death. Mrs Davidson had not at any time acted like a person contemplating suicide, al- though she was known as moody with periods of gayety followed by periods of melancholy. The night before she died, she appeared sad, witnesses said.
 Pruette learned from Edwin Reincke, local contractor, that just 10 days before she was found dead, obstensibly of carbon monox- ide poisoning in her garage, h e had discussed building d home here.
 The coroner's jury of six men was reconvened in the little white community house. The jurors must determine how Mrs. Davidson met death. They may return one of three verdicts, accidental death; suicide; or murder. either by a specified person or persons or by "a person or persons unknown" Scientific Witnesses Scientific witnesses. particularly | research workers of Duke univer- sity, were prepared to give import. ant testimony so far kept secret Duke University Medical Schoo has had the girls vital organs since Sunday. First investigations revealed carbon monoxide gas ir the lungs in sMficient quantity tc have caused death. They refused tc answer the specific question ii carbon monoxide gas was the sole cause of death. They alone know the results of the analysis of the stomach and other vital organs. Bradley Davidson. Al. member of a prominent Washington. D. C.. Maryland family, who married the adopted daughter of the Statler hotel fortune Jan. g., will be in- vited to testify today, but he can decline if he chooses.
 Body On Running Board Mrs. Davidson's body was found sprawled aero 8 the running board of a car in the garage ot her leased home here last Wednes- day. The discovery was made at a. m. by Emanuel Birch, gr c butler. At 8. m. that morning Mrs. Davidson, her husband. and two house guests returned from an all night party at Country clut that ended in Q spaghetti dinner for IS in a roadhouse.
 Davidson reported that he re. tired to his own room, his wife tc hers. Sometime later she changed from an evening dress to the white sweater, woolen skirt, and heavy walking shoes she wore when the body was found. She wore nc stockings and no underclothing Pruette did not believe 1t was g costume a person executing a self termination plot by means of ar automobile exhaust would have chosen.
 '"This investigation would no have progressed as far as it has il we were not convinced that there was strong suspicion of foul pla, here," Pruette said.
 Reasons For Doubting Suicide The solicitor said there were many reasons for doubting suicide One was that the evening before her death. Mrs. Davidson bid $3l for a painting at the Plnehurs Country club charity party. A wo man contemplating suicide woult not be interested in paintings. h' said.
 Birch and Pearl Watson. maid probably will be today's first wit nesses. Curtis Campaigne, Q Montclair, N. J., who was a David son house guest. may be called after they have told their stories
 Davidson has extensive real es tate interests in washington. Mrs Davidson was we'll known in Bos ton and Buffalo society. The bull of her inheritance returns to thu Statler estate, but her will was sait to establish a $500.000 trust funs and $6.60o annuity for her hus band.