Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-13
Mellow PLEADS SELF.DEFENSE
He Says Captain Dawson Knocked Him
Down Before He Fired.


He Says Captain Dawson Knocked Him
Down Before He Fired.
CHARLESTON, 8. c., March lS-Ths murder
of Captain Dawson was the most brutal and
atrocious ever committed in Charleston. The
popular indignation IL intense. All CLASSES in
the community are aghast, and would lynch
the murderer il they could get him out Of Jail
follows:
Capt. Dawson left the Nesos and Courier Office
at $50 O'Clock. Some time ago it had been
brought to his attention that one Of his domes-
conduct, being employed in an educational and
fiduciary capacity, he was responsible, was con-
Quoting herself in q manner that demanded
his attention. As viii appear elsewhere, Capt
Dawson had the best Of reasons for calling upon
DR.. Mellow, which he did about twenty minutes
son, on reaching the Office Of Dr. Mellow,
alighted from the street car and entered. He
| never came out alive. The whole truth of the
history Of what really occurred in that Office
will lie buried in the grave Of Capt Dawson.
The revelations only partially made last night
indicate that the death of Capt. Dawson was
not only encompassed in a brutally murderous
manner, but that a futile effort was made to
bury the body of the victim.
THE AssAssIN's STATEMENT.
DR.. Mellow, Capt. Dawson's murderer, was
called upon last night in Jail and asked to ex-
plain the circumstances Of the tragedy. He at
first declined to make any statement, but
eventually said: Here it is in q nut she'll
Capt. Dawson entered my office, used abusive
language and knocked me down with his cane.
got up and he was about to strike me again
when shot him." DR.. Mellow then went on
to say that Capt. Dawson was not
killed instantly, that he remained alive for half
to three-quarters of an hour, during which
time, he, DIR. Mellow, remained In the room
with the man, whose life was fast ebbing away.
making up his mind what to do. But there is
the strongest proof that DR.. Mellow remained
In the room at least an hour after the death Of
Capt. Dawson planning how he might dispose
OF the body. At a distance of few feet from
the back door of the Office, at the end of a
passageway, is a half-door open into recess
under stairway.
THE EFFORT TO BURY THE BODY.
As was to be expected from the coroner and
his jury, thorough examination of the
premises was made. Lieutenant Fordham
made startling discovery while this exami-
nation was in progress. On the half door
above referred to there were noticed some
spots of fresh blood. This was of course an
incentive to further inquiry, and the exami-
nation was extended to all parts Of the closet.
Drops OF blood we're found on the floor up to q
space where the flooring terminated and the
earth OF the foundation was exposed. Here
another horrible and startling revelation was
made. The mould was noticed to be freshly
ony quantity Ss IF bricks s snd otSs ss
material which could not be penetrated by the
spade or whatever instrument was used in the
attempt to dig grave. Such certainly is the
conviction of all those who saw the upturned
earth and the blood spots on the floor and
the door. This closet door was found
nailed us last last night, although it had evil
IDENTITY formerly been laid up against the OPEN
ing into the closet This is, therefore, almost
certain that the assassin endeavored during his
long occupancy Of the room with the murdered
man, to dig his grave and thus forever bury all
proof Of his crime with his victim. Certain it
is, however, that DR.. Mellow, after finding his
efforts futile, on account of the obstruction
noted, determined to set up
THE PLEA OF sELF-DEFENsE,
and went out and delivered himself to Private
Cor don. 1t was stated that before being taken
to the central station he was permitted to visit
one or two lawyers. DR.. Mellow said that he
was standing up when he fired the fatal shot
and Capt. Dawson was about to strike
him a second time with his cane. Three
things are, therefore, quite remarkable-one,
that Captain Dawson could have been shot in
the spot where the bullet entered; second that
If Mellow was knocked down, he can exhibit
no marks of violence, and thirdly, if it were
self-defense, why the tell-tale grave beneath
the stairs.
Dr. Mellow reached the central station at
6:51 pm. and surrendered to Lieut.. Hedt. He
was Immediately transferred to the county
jail. Coroner Deveraux was promptly notified
and went up and viewed the body, on which a
post norton examination was held by DIR. Mid
dleton Michel. Coroner Deveraux immedi-
ately impaneled jury, Of which Mr.. Geo. w.
Williams is foreman, and which, having viewed
the body, adjourned until tomorrow morning.
MEOW BADLY FRIGHTENED.
Dr. Mellow, when seen last night in Jail, bore
all the evidences of man affrighted by the
consciousness of crime without an excuse.
He was ashen pale, trembled visibly. and the
perspiration was thick upon his forehead and
face. Among other things, he desired it said
that he had killed Captain Dawson in self de-
Tense.
Captain Golden, the chief Of police, said to
reporter for the Netrs and Courier last night
that the first information that he had received
of the murder of Captain Dawson was about
$50 p. m. Being asked if he knew anything
that might account for the murder, Captain
be correct to publish in advance of the inquest
what he knew about the matter, but finally
made the following statement:
WHAT LED UP TO THE CRIME.
''On Friday Of last week" said he, captain
Dawson asked me to come to his office, saying
that he desired to ask my advice aud assist
ance. 1 went to see him and he then told
me that he had a French or Swiss
maid servant and that he had
heard that she had been detected
in disreputable company. He asked me to de-
tail a man to shadow her and find out if the re-
ports were true or false saying that he did not
desire servant about his household who was
not honest and upright. accordingly detailed
Sergt. Dunn. who under my instructions went
out yesterday (Monday) morning. Sergeant
Dunn reported in writing that the maid had
taken an uptown car at Rutledge street, and
that he had followed her; that DIR. Mellow had
also boarded the car and had ridden
with her to the upper terminus;
that the two had got out of the car there
and had strolled around the unfrequented
streets in the northwestern section of the city.
All the details we're submitted by me to Cap
tain Dawson this morning. also told him thath he
must be careful, that McDow's reputation was
not of the best, and that it would be- perhaps,
as well to take no notice of him. This is all
know OF the case. This afternoon about
o'clock or q little after, while I was riding the
rounds, policeman on duty in the west end
OF the city told me that somebody had heard
THE REPORT OF A PISTOL SHOT
in Rutledge street, near Bull street. It oc-
Cured to me that perhaps something was
wrong, and rode around rang the bell of DIR.
McDow's residence and asked il anything
was the matter. was told that there was
nothing the matter, and then went
off. Thinking that there was some
thing wrong, I rode down to the Office Of the
Nstcs and Courier to see Capt. Dawson. Then