The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-15
TILE DAWSON MURDER.
The Coroner's Jury Brings in Verdict Charg-
ing DR.. Mellow with the killing.

CHARLESTON. S. c., March 1.-THE in
quest in Captain Dawson's case was begun
and concluded this morning, Solicitor Jer-
vey, of this judicial circuit, assisting at
the examination, The proceedings. not
withstanding a drenching rain. attracted a
great crowd of spectators. Four witnesses
were examined. Policeman Gordon. to
whom DR.. Mellow, the prisoner, surren-
dered, testified to that fact, and related a
conversation with the prisoner en- route
to the station house. The only material
statement is that the prisoner admitted
killing Dawson.
G. w. Harper (colored), hackman, testi-
fled that he was on the opposite side of the
street when Dawson entered McDow's
office; that after the shooting he heard the
words, 'You said you would take my life;
now have taken yours" Harper testified
that coIOred woman, a vender of peanuts.
was peering through the window, and that
McDOw's cook, Emma DraytOn, came to the
gate and ordered her away.
Moses johnson, McDows coachman, testi-
fed and denied all knowledge of the kill
ing He heard the shot in the doctor s
office and was ordered by DIR. McDow's
wife to investigate the cause, but swore he
did not 60.
Emma Drayton. the cook, also denied
any knowledge of the affair." except as to
hearing the pistol shot. She denied great
deal of Moses JOhnsOn's testimony also the
testimony of policeman Gordon and hack
driver Harper.
A woman named Jane Mitchell was ar
rested on suspicion of being the peanut and
cake vender seen at McDOw's Office win
dow. She denied having been there. She
was not identified by Harper.
The testimony practically deyelOped
nothing new, DR.. Mellow having declined to
make statement before the jury. The
verdict was as follows: THAT the de-
ceased: Capt. F. w. Dawson, came to his
a gun in the hands of DR.. T. B. Mellow,
and Moses Johnson tcolored) was an Access
sorry before the fact"
NEW YORK, March 14-Ex-GovernorD Dan
iel H. Chamberlain, of South Carolina,
knew F. w. Dawson, editor of the Charles
yesterday he expressed great regret at his
death. Captain DawsOns DEATH" said
Governor Chamberlain, was not only
startling but tragic to the last degree. He
and practices which he, more than any
one man, had labored to suppress in the
South" Captain Dawson was the strongest
personal and political force, speaking
through the News and Courier, in Mr..
Chamberlain's Judgment, in the whole
SON. Governor Chamberlain continued:
Captain Dawson's influence was invaria-
bly,, in the direction of iberality, reform
and high tone in public affairs. The
ton and in, South Carolina was
dent, and If at times Captain
Dawson welded this power too arbitrarily
it was an intirmity from which no man In
his position could be expected to be exempt.
N ms lQavas n
vacancy and removes a more influential
factor from the better politics of the South
than would the death of any other man
whom l know in that section. He and
During my administration as Governor he
was my ardent and most powerful support
! er, and when, in 1876 he transferred his
support to Governor Hampton and won the
victory of that year, he did his best to make
| good government for South Carolina. His
editorial pen was one of the most
accomplished 1 have ever known. HI
wrote with extreme rapIditv, invariablt
&e nna IN which,
lated principally. He was also a man o.
many personal attractions, of easy manners
socially inclined, and identifying himself
ardently with all the interests of his city
unfriended English lad, a position of un
| surpassed influence and usefulness. If hi
death shall serve to heighten the detesta
ton for the characteristic homic1dal habit
| and for the cheap valuation put upon hu
man life in moments of excitement at tn,
South, one of Captain Dawson's chief in
| fuenceS will be perpetuated. Politically.
| do not see who is to fill his place. Thos
| who are familiar with the News aud Conriel
| WILL am sure, agree with me that very
| few, if any, newspapers in our whole coun
| try were conducted under the necessary
limitations which surrounded it with NOR
| skill and success than was this newspape
| bv Captain DawsOn.D