The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-03-14
D4WSON'S CAREER.
The Interesting Story of the Life OF the
Murdered Man,
N.t1 Y,rk T,rib,,ns AIdrrh IA

New York Tribuas, March 10.
Captain F, W, Dawson was native o.
England, but he passed the greater parI
OF his life in the Southern States, Early
in the war Commodore Robert B, Peg
ram, of the Confederate navy, was in
English waters in command OF the Nash
vile. To him came an intelligent and
well hammered young Englishman, with
the request that he DO given passage to
the Southern States, as he wished to
Join the Confederate army, Commodore
Pegram refused, saying that he could
not think OF taking a minor among stran,
gers to run the risks ol war, He would
not consent, even II the boy consented
the consent ot his guardian. w, l.,
Yancey was then In London, and young
Dawson, for he was the youth who want
ed TO cast his fortunes with the Conied.
eraCy, sought him out, and so worked
ed upon his feelings that he wrote an
earnest request to the Commodore to
give the boy passage, The Commodore
still refused. About this time the Queen
ordered the Nashville aud the Tuscarora
TO leave English waters. Commodore
Pegram did not obey the order, but
went to London to arrange for his stay,
While he was away some hands were
shipped on the Nashville, and among
them the Commodore afterward found
young Dawson. Later circumstances
led him to appoint Dawson as Captains
clerk, and his appointment was confirm
ed by the Confederate Secretary OF the
Navy when the Nashville reported on
her return. Soon after her return Pc
gram was placed in command OF tho
James River squadron, and he took with
him Dawson TO whom he had become
greatly attached. The James River fleet
was for long time inactive, to Daw-
sons regret, for he had come to fight,
One night splash was heard alongside
his ship, and soon q man was seen swim
ming toward the Federals. There was a
general discharge Of guns at him, but 1t
was not known whether he was hit. AT
roll.call in the morning young Dawson
was missing. A few days after 1t was
learned that he had swan far enough
toward the Federals to escape the Com.
modores sentinels, aud had then reach.
ed Captain W. r. Pegran's battery,
This battery was in u few days In the
thickest OF the fight, and II Is Captain
Pegram's testimony that be never wit
messed such cool bravery in his life as
was displayed by young Dawson, He
was wounded, and the Con modore had
him taken to Richmond. While he was
there an order was issued for the exami'
nation Of men for. the Ordinance Depart
ment. The Commodore furnished Daw-
son with books, and two or three times
a week he went to Richmond and ex.
amined his young friend. he progressed
rapidly, and he stood first In the official
examination. Though not entirely re-
covered from his wound, he reported at
once for duty, and before the war had
closed he had advanced 10 the first posi-.
ton In lis branch OF the service.
After the war Captain Dawson joined
the ranks OF tho Southern Journalists,
and II is as an editor that hc is best
known in the North. For many years
he had been editor OF the Charleston
News and Courier, and In that position he
all the Democratic measures
for obtaining control Of the Government
OF South Carolina. No native OF the
State was more ardent or more active In
the work OF giving control OF the State TO
the Democratic minority, and his journal,
the most powerful in the State, put
courage into many Democrats who could
not at first see their way TO approving
the high.handed outrages which at last
gave their party supreme control. Out
side OF politics, Captain Dawson was ac-
tive In promoting tho material welfare
Of the State, and when Charleston and
other South Carolina cities were visited
by ruinous earthquakes he took a prom.
inent part in raising funds in the North.
1t was after leaving the Confederate
army Captain Dawson became employed
as a reporter on the Richmond Dispatch.
After several years spent in Richmond,
he, with B. W. Mordan, purchased the
Charleston NttrS. Mr.. Dawson subse-
Quently succeeding Mr.. Riordan as sole
owner. He was a leading and prominent
citizen OF the State, and was well known
as the member for South Carolina OF the
Democratic National Committee.