Our family tree

News Paper Report. Deep regret was felt in Marton when the news was received yesterday that the body of Mr Frank Jefferson was found in the Wanganui river. The deceased had rely disposed of the lease of his well known property in UpperTutaenui; and been touring Australia and the Pacific Islands returning from the latter trip a few days prior to his death. On Sept. 23rd he went to Wanganui with the intention of attending the Wanganui races on the following day, and that was the last time that he was seen alive. When the body was discovered a gold watch was missing and a few pennies was all that was found in his pockets. The deceased was known to have had a considerable amount of money when he left Marton. The late Mr Frank Jefferson, the eldest son of the late Mr John Jefferson of Upper Tutaenui, was of splendid physique and was very popular in this district. A private interment will take place at Mt View cemetery tomorrow afternoon. iT WAS ALWAYS CONSIDERED THAT THER HAD BEEN FOUL PLAY IN CONNECTION WITH FRANK JEFFERSON'S DEATH. Inquest at Wanganui The Rangitikei Advocate .. 29/10/1914 Mr Frank Jefferson's death.........Apparently Insoluble Mystery The adjourned inquest touching the death of Frank Jefferson a well-to-do farmer of Marton, whose body was found in theWanganui River on th 15th inst. was held yesterday. Mr W Kerr, coroner, presided. Dectective Sergeant Siddells appeared on behalf of the police, and Mr Cohen watched proceedings on behalf of the relatives of the deceased. No explanation was adducted as to how Jefferson got into the river, and his movements shortly after noon on Sept 23rd, seem to be a complete mystery. It appears that he had with him at the time he was last seen a gold watch and chain, and plenty of spare cash. These were missing when the body was found. Dr Wall deposed that on the day that the body of the deceased was found he conducted a post mortem examination. He would say that the body had been in the water for three weeks. The body was not decomposed. Witness could not find any evidence of violence. The examination was an external one. Harry Crabbe, Labourer, of Upper Tutaenui, Marton gave evidence that he had known deceased for about 30 years. During July witness and the deceased went for a holiday trip to Sydney and Fiji together, the deceased paying all the expenses, witness acting as companion. They returned to Wellington in the middle of September. Both caught colds while at Fiji. On Sept 22.nd they left Wellington for Marton, arriving at Marton at 5p.m. They slept at Hannah's Hotel and on the morning of the 23rd the deceased got up from bed and while so doing so told witness he was going to Wanganui to see his racehorse. Witness saw him put on his gold watch and chain. Deceased told witness that he would return from Wanganui that night. Witness knew that the races were being held in the 24th and that the deceased intended seeing them. When withness saw the deceased on the morning of the 23rd, he looked fresh and well. Witness did not know how much money the deceased had with him at that time. He knew he drew 50 in Fiji by cable and in Wellington he borrowed 20 from Mr Hunt. Except for his cold witness appeared to be his usual state of good health. He was in his right mind also. To the coroner the witness last saw the deceased on the coach on his way to the railway station at 8:20 am on the 23rd. Alfred Jefferson Farmer of Upper Tutaenui, Marton, brother of the deceased, said that his brother was 44 years of age. He owned a large farm in the district. He had not seen deceased alive since he left on his holiday with Crabbe. Deceased was not addicted to drink. He was a hard working man. He had considerable means, and was worth a good many thousands of pounds. He was not in want of money or worried financially. Witness and deceased had always been best of friends and had always lived and worked together. Witness haeard of his brother's return and came into Wanganui to look for him. He made exhaustive enquiries but without success Witness had come to the conclusion that deceased had gone to Auckland. Deceased was a manm of leisure, and his abscence was not considered strange. Witness could in no way account for his getting into the river. He thought it reasonable to suppose that he got there on the 23rd. Robert Neumann, a retired farmer, living at Eastown, said on the morning of Sept. 23 rd he saw deceased on the train. They chatted for a time together. Deceased looked well, and showed no indication of having a cold. Witness left the train at Eastown and that was the last he saw of the deceased. Albert Signal, drover, gave evidence that shortly after noon on Sept. 23rd he saw deceased in Victoria Ave., near Chavannes' Hotel. Witness did not speak to him. He saw Mr Alfred Jefferson that night. William Henry Higgins, horse trainer, said he had charge of a racehorse owned by the deceased 1 _FA1 2 PLAC Frank was pushed off the bridge over the Wanganui river and drowned. 1 _FA2 2 PLAC . News Paper Report. Deep regret was felt in Marton when the news was received yesterday that the body of Mr Frank Jefferson was found in the Wanganui river. The deceased had rely disposed of the lease of his well known property in UpperTutaenui; and been touring Australia and the Pacific Islands returning from the latter trip a few days prior to his death. On Sept. 23rd he went to Wanganui with the intention of attending the Wanganui races on the following day, and that was the last time that he was seen alive. When the body was discovered a gold watch was missing and a few pennies was all that was found in his pockets. The deceased was known to have had a considerable amount of money when he left Marton. The late Mr Frank Jefferson, the eldest son of the late Mr John Jefferson of Upper Tutaenui, was of splendid physique and was very popular in this district. A private interment will take place at Mt View cemetery tomorrow afternoon. Inquest at Wanganui The Rangitikei Advocate .. 29/10/1914 The adjourned inquest touching the death of Frank Jefferson a well-to-do farmer of Marton, whose body was found in theWanganui River on th 15th inst. was held yesterday. Mr W Kerr, coroner, presided. Dectective Sergeant Siddells appeared on behalf of the police, and Mr Cohen watched proceedings on behalf of the relatives of the deceased. No explanation was adducted as to how Jefferson got into the river, and his movements shortly after noon on Sept 23rd, seem to be a complete mystery. It appears that he had with him at the time he was last seen a gold watch and chain, and plenty of spare cash. These were missing when the body was found. Dr Wall deposed that on the day that the body of the deceased was found he conducted a post mortem examination. He would say that the body had been in the water for three weeks. The body was not decomposed. Witness could not find any evidence of violence. The examination was an external one. Harry Crabbe, Labourer, of Upper Tutaenui, Marton gave evidence that he had known deceased for about 30 years. During July witness and the deceased went for a holiday trip to Sydney and Fiji together, the deceased paying all the expenses, witness acting as companion. They returned to Wellington in the middle of September. Both caught colds while at Fiji. On Sept 22.nd they left Wellington for Marton, arriving at Marton at 5p.m. They slept at Hannah's Hotel and on the morning of the 23rd the deceased got up from bed and while so doing so told witness he was going to Wanganui to see his racehorse. Witness saw him put on his gold watch and chain. Deceased told witness that he would return from Wanganui that night. Witness knew that the races were being held in the 24th and that the deceased intended seeing them. When withness saw the deceased on the morning of the 23rd, he looked fresh and well. Witness did not know how much money the deceased had with him at that time. He knew he drew 50 in Fiji by cable and in Wellington he borrowed 20 from Mr Hunt. Except for his cold witness appeared to be his usual state of good health. He was in his right mind also. To the coroner the witness last saw the deceased on the coach on his way to the railway station at 8:20 am on the 23rd. Alfred Jefferson Farmer of Upper Tutaenui, Marton, brother of the deceased, said that his brother was 44 years of age. He owned a large farm in the district. He had not seen deceased alive since he left on his holiday with Crabbe. Deceased was not addicted to drink. He was a hard working man. He had considerable means, and was worth a good many thousands of pounds. He was not in want of money or worried financially. Witness and deceased had always been best of friends and had always lived and worked together. Witness haeard of his brother's return and came into Wanganui to look for him. He made exhaustive enquiries but without success Witness had come to the conclusion that deceased had gone to Auckland. Deceased was a manm of leisure, and his abscence was not considered strange. Witness could in no way account for his getting into the river. He thought it reasonable to suppose that he got there on the 23rd. Robert Neumann, a retired farmer, living at Eastown, said on the morning of Sept. 23 rd he saw deceased on the train. They chatted for a time together. Deceased looked well, and showed no indication of having a cold. Witness left the train at Eastown and that was the last he saw of the deceased. Albert Signal, drover, gave evidence that shortly after noon on Sept. 23rd he saw deceased in Victoria Ave., near Chavannes' Hotel. Witness did not speak to him. He saw Mr Alfred Jefferson that night. William Henry Higgins, horse trainer, said he had charge of a racehorse owned by the deceased