The morning news., 1889-03-17
CAPT.DAWSONSSADFATE
THE MURDER STILL sHROUDED IN
ITS CLOUD OF MYSTERY.

Death Must Have Been instantaneous
II the Doctors Diagnosis of the
Wound is Correct-More Light on
the Movements of the Woman in the
Case.
CHARLESTON S. c., March 16.--A cloud
seems to be gradually surrounding the cir
cumstances attending the murder Of Capt.
Dawson. No new developments have trans
pired to-day. but the mystery seems to get
denser everv day. What transpired Ia the
office in which the murder was done is
known only to the murderer In an inter-
view with reporter, he replied, in answer
to a question why he did not give an alarm
Immediately after shooting his victim, that
the man was not dead but had lived from
half to three-quarters Of au hour aft"r he
shot him, and that during that time be had
tried to resuscitate him.
CONFLICT WITH SCIENCE.
1t has been stated in these dispatches that
the post mortem examination was colflned
simply to probing for the ball. The physi-
clan, DIR. Michel, in his report 10 the J-ryof
inquest says that tho ball entered the right
sdo Of the add mon, telow the floating
ri 3, penetrated the abdominal cavity, etc,
aud opened the vena cava, causing death
almost Immediately The body was not
opened by DIR. Michel. The statement Of
the physician, therefore, is in direct c71tra-
diction Of McDow's statement that his
victim had lived from a half to three
quarters of an hour. All the physicians
agree that IL the vena cava had been o q cd
the man must have died Immediately.
THE MAID STILL AT THE HOUSE.
The Swiss maid who seems to have baen
the immediate cause OF the tragedy, is still
at Capt. Dawson's house She has not
spoken. The story sent out that sire was
seen to go into an assignation hOus with
Mellow is not believed. This CORE 'ond-
ent is in position to say that while il is
true that the girl was with
McDow on NJ nday and on the day
Of the murder, the two entered but
ono house. q negro shanty IN Newman
street, an unfrequented thoroughfare in the
extreme north western section Of the city,
and that they remained there but TOW
minutes This is the report of the police
sergeant who had been employed by Capt.
Dawson to shadow the girl.
STORY OF THE NEGRO
The occupant Of the house, a colored
man, is reported as saying that his wife
told HIM t1nt Mellow came to
the house on Monday morning. He vas ac-
companied by woman. He requested the
use of "A room for a few moments, saying
that he had some business TO transact with
the lady. The colored woman, hoW ever,
| told him that she had no rooms TO spare,
and McD1w aud tho girl went out. The
| negro sold his wife told him that the pair
| had not remained on the promises but a few
| moments. This appears to correspond with
| the report of Police Sergeant Dunn.
M'Dow's HoUsEKEEPER
Miss Smith, the alleged hou ekeeper, who
| Is supposed to have had "an affair." with
Mellow, il at lib rty on $500 bail, and as
| far as is known is still at the Waverly house
with Mrs. mellow and her father, Mr.
Ahrens. The authorities have taken no
| further steps, so far as is known. IL is re-
ported that McDow's counsel will apply for
bail, but this is doubtful, as in tho present
| state Of the public mind the release of the
| prisoner would endanger his life The Jail
| is absolutely impregnable, and the prisoners
there are safe from mob violence. Col.
James NJ. Morgan, ex-consul general to
| Australia, who is brother of Mrs Dawson,
| is here.
MANY RUMoRs AFLoAT
Many rumors were circulated yesterday;
| among them one to the effect that johnston,
| the coachman of the murderer, aud who
| has been indicted with Mellow as accessory
| before the fact In the murder, had made n
| confession. This, however, proved to be
| unuue. luls correspondent chlleu aJ the
| jail last night aud received from the jailer
| the assurance that Johnston had seen
no one during the day. Johnston is con-
| fined in cell Ia another part Of the build
ing from that in whic TIE principal is con
| fined, and nobody is admitted to him, The
father Of the slayer has arrived in the city,
| and had an interview with his SON. The
counsel for the risoner, it is said, will
move for change Of venue, which will
| take place In June next.
A'Dow on CAPT. DAwsoN's PREMISES
| II is now learned that mellow was ac-
tually seen on the premises of his victim
| twice on the day OF the murder the in
ference being that he was seeking an inter
view with the Swiss maid, who seems TO
have been the cause Of tho murder. The
evidence that has been brought out thus far
is Of a most meager description. When the
body Of the murdered man was conveyed TO
his home it was in his shirt alone. The
coat vest and overcoat were found ia tho
Office Of the slayer, and have been locked
up there ever since. The police are in
charge Of the premises, and tn, effects
have been turned over 10 the coroner, who
will keep them until the trial is over