The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-03-29

portion Of the city but in broad dayhgut
and under the eyes of any who chose 10
see 1t Was natural that the facts shouia
reach Captain Dawson and that he should
immediately act, first to learn If what he
had heard was true and next to deal with
the MAN. married man notorious for de-
bauchery.
There was no concealment or mystery.
The simplest and most direct methods were
used. The Chief Of Police was informed J
of what Captain Dawson had heard and re-
ouested to give his help in learning the
truth. When he had Investigated and re-
,o.ted the next-and surely the most natu-
rol-s,ep was to apply the remedy by the
eudeavor to break off connection when
threatened the character and life Of the
woman.
Captain Dawson's habits Of life were
usually as regular as clock work. He had
his time for reaching his office, for leaving
it for dinner, for returning and for going
home and they were varied only by special
pressure of work. Probably FIVE days in
the week he rode down town In the same
cor and rode home 70 dinner in the same
--Iuuuu sIrrIng On rne peursrnr OF q pIIIar or
st. Michaers Church waiting for the last
car from ihe battery 10 Rutledge Avenue.
lie called ut DR.. McDow's office in the
course of his daily routine, having started
to his homo for dinner at his usual hour
and walking only few steps out of his
way TO make the visit.
All the circumstances and surroundings
forbid the idea that he went there for any
purpose other than to request that the at
tenlions to his governess should cease and
to warn against their continuance. lie mad
been warned by the Chief of Police that
Mellow was q dangerous man. Yet he
went unarmcd, and unprcpared for combat
Of any kind, wearing his glove, as was his
hak!:, carrying the same light Walking stick
he always carried. 1t is to be remembered,
too, that Captain Dawson was an eloquent
and consistent upholder of the law rs tho
proper remedy for all grievances. In the
las. seventeen years Of q life in which
RsSssPa TsE' sssfaSSaas SSa hs hsd
ing his conduct by the requirements Of law
with an army Of friends around, with
scores Of men ready to follow him anywhere
at bis lghtest request, it is inconceivable
fAat he would have gone alone and uparmed
Gls man in that mans own house. He was
brave man and an impulsive one, but he
Had had day to consider this matter and
to prepare himself for any emergency likely
to result frem the interview he intended to
have. All the circumstances indicate that
he did not suppose the affair would detain
him ten minutes and that when he stepped
from the street car he thought he would be
at bis home after that slight delay. They
establish, we think, 10 tho satisfaction of
any impartial mind that his action through
cut was faulttess and prudent and such as
would be taken by any quiet gentleman
mindful Of his responsibilities and having
proper care for the we'll being Of his family.
1t is well to remember that Captain Daw-
son was powerful man physically, light on
~ tsst end clever xi!l.-hi his kands-a man
who few years ago had n fancy for spar
ring and who proved himself with the gloves
formidable opponent for the best and
strongest boxers. If he had made pre-
meditated assault on Mellow or had been
provoked to assault him he would have left
his mark too plainly for doubt if those pow.
erful nervous hands of his had taken grip
Of collar or throat their hold would not
have been readily relaxed or easily shaken
off.
We do not seek to strengthen the public
sentiment against the man we believe to DO
miserable, venomous assassin. He IS en-.
titled TO fair trial by unprejudiced minds.
But we believe we have the right to exp press
The belief, and to review the circumstances
supporting it, that Captain Dawson's con-
duct throughout was that of a manly, honest
clean man; that he did only what he had
ihc right to do and what his duty REQUIRED
him to do; that his action was open and fair
as daylight ant that there is not one fact
In oil the record Of a life lived under closer
aud fiercer scrutiny than most men undergo
or in oil the circumstances of this affair,
firm beginning to end, on which to base q
suspicion to the contrary - Greenpilie News.