The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-14
DAWSoN's MURDER.
The Assassin Tried to Bury the Body
to Hide His Guilt.

to Hide His Guilt.
CuARLnroN, S. c., March l3.-The
murder of Capt Dawson was the most
brutal and atrocious ever committed in
Charleston. The popular indignation is
intense, and all classes in the community
stand aghast at the assassination and
would lynch the murderer II they could
get him out OF Jail The circumstances
attending the murder are now given as
follows
Capt. Dawson left the NcW aud Courier
office ut $3.50 o'clock. Some time ago il
had been brought 10 his attention that one
OF his domcslics, stranger in America,
and one for whose conduct, being EN-.
ployed in an educational capacity, he was
responsible, was conducting herself in a
manner that demanded his immediate at
tention. As will appear elseN here, Can't.
Dawson had the best reasons for calling
upon Dr. Mellow, which he did at prob
ably about twenty minutes 10 o'clock
yesterday afternoon. Capt Dawson on
reaching the Office OF DIR. Mellow. alighted
from the street car and entered. lie never
returned alive. The whole truth OF the
history Of what really occurred In that Of
flee aud In the few iateful moments OF the
lragody will bo buried in the grave OF
Capt Dawson.
Tho revelations only partially mado last
night indicate that the death OF Capt Daw-
son was not only compassed In brutally
murdorous manner, but that futile effort
had been made to bury the body OF tho
victim as secret forever. DIR. Mellow,
Capt. Dnwson's assassin and murderer,
was called upon last night In Jail and asked
TO explain the circumstances OF the trag-
cdy. llo ut first declined 10 make any
statement, but eventually said:
Here II II In nutshell: Capt Dawson
entered my office used abusive language
and knocked me down with hscanc. ! got
up and he was about 10 strike mo again,
when shot him." DIR. Mellow then went
on 10 say that Capt. Dawson was not killed
Instantly; that ne remained alive lor half
10 thrre-quartors oiJ,n hour, during which
time lac iMcDOw) remained Ia the room
! with the = n whose lin Was fast cbhinl
| away, making up his mind what TO do
But thorc IL the strongest and most con
| yincing proof that Dr. Mellow remained
| In the room at least an hour after
| the death Of Capt. Dawson, plan
ming how ho might dispose Of the
body. AZ distance of few feet
from the hack door OF the Office at the end
Of n passaguway, was a half door open lead
ing into n recess under the stairway which
leads io the second story. A WIS natural
and 10 bo expected from the Coroner aud
his Jury, q thorough examination OF tho
premises WIS made with view NJ the full.
est investigation. IL IL the belief that
Lieut. Forlham made n startling discovery
while this examination was In progress.
On the half door above referred 20, there
wcro noticed some spots Of fresh blood.
This was, Of course, an incentive 10 further
inquiry, and the examination wits extended
to all parts Of the closet. Drops of blood
were found on the floor mp To space
where tho flooring terminated aud the
earth Of the foundation WIS exposed.
Here another horrible aud startling row
olation was made Tho mould wis noticed
10 be frcshly turned up aud to adcplh which
was only limited 10y u quantity Of bricks
and other impassable material 10 the
spade, or whatever instrument was used
ia the attempt 10 dig grave. Such Ger.
tninly IN the conviction Oi oil those who
snw the upturncd earth aud blood spots
on the floor aud the door. This closet
door was found nailed up last night, al
though u had evidently formerly been laid
up against the opening into the closet IL
is therefore almost absolutely certain
that the assassin cndcayorcd during his
long occupancy of the room with the
murdered man 10 dig his grave aud thus
forever bury all proof OF his crime with his
victim. Certain it u, however that Mr.
Mellow, after iinding his efforts futile. ON
account ol the soil just noted, determined
10 set up the plea OF scli.dciense and went
out aud delivered himself to Private Cor
don. II was stated that before being taken
to the Central station he was permitted 10
viiit one or two lawyers.
Dr. Mellow said that he WIS standing
u W,un ho fired the fatal shot, aud Capt.
Dawson was about 10 strike him a second
time with his cane. Three things are
therefore remarkable: One, that Capt
Dawson could have been shot In the spot
where the bullet entered; second, that II
Dr. Mellow had been knocked down he
exhibited no marks Of implied violence,
aud thirdly, II IL were self defense, why
the tcll.lnlc grave beneath the slair7
d. Mellow reached tho Central Station
at O. 10 O'Clock pm, aud surrendered TO
Lieut. llcidL
All the iags in tho city are at halfmasi
and telcgflms ol sympathy are pouring la
from all plfw Of the country. The funeral
will be- held at the Pro-Calhedul nj 4
O'Clock this afternoon. All civic aud s0-
cial bodies with which Capt. Dawson was
connected will attend. Bishop Nouhfop
will conduct the funeral scryiceg.