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

II the recent tragedy at Charleston has
produced in different parts OF the Sta.e
number Of surmises, rumors aud queSuou''
,ome the results of malice, ssme OF ldleness
and others Of ignorance, which can be most
effectually answered by plain statement
Of facts. These facts are not reveia'iohs
they are known to oil who have been In
position to learn Of them or who nave en-
auired. They are given here without re-
Quest or authority from anybody and only /
because their publication is justified by the
circumstances.
There is no mystery, nothing hid or 10 oe
hid in the matter to- the minute OF CaPsam
Daw sons entrance into DR.. McDow ONCE.
The young woman who was the cause OF
tbo murder was found in Switzerland, We.
believe, three or four years ago by iauy
members Of Captain Dawson's family. Sne
was living with her parents and was, ana IL,
OF good character and posi'lon. Ihele 10
no evidence to indicate that even recently |
she has been guilty of anything worse than
imprudeuce. Her services were engaged
because she spoke French well and had the
other qualifications for governess. CaP-
tain Dawson was . master OF that Language
and had been at much pains to nave II useu
in his family fuently and in its best forms
The young woman is rather a hne LOOKING
person, but not especially noticeable In any
respect and her relations with the family
were those usual 10 her position. she was
nm inmate of Captain Dawson's household
and without friends, kin or protectors IN
this country. He was responsible for her
safety. and her association with his family
g.ve him n double reason for protecting
her from associations and preventing her
from conduct likely 10 injure her character.
She met DR.. Mellow, whose residence was
around tho corner from Captain Dawson s
portion Of tho city but in broad daylight
and pnder the eyes Of any who chose to
see. 1t was natural that the facts should
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 mana married man notorious for de-
bauchery.
There was no concealmcnt or mystery.
The simplest and most direct methods were
used. The Chief Of Police was informed
of what Captain Dawson had heard and re-
quested to give his help in learning tho
truth. When he had investigated and re-
lo.ted the next-and surely the most natu.
ral-step was to apply the remedy by the
endeavor to break off connection which
threatened the character and life of the
woman.
Captain Dawson's habits of life were
usually as regular as clock work. lie had
his time for reaching his office, for leaving
it for dinner, for returning and for going
home and they were varied only by specia
pressure of work Probably FIVE days il
tho week he rode down town in the same
car and rode home to dinner in the sam'
--Iuuuu srrung Oh tne peuestnI or pnIaf o
st. Michaers Church waiting for the last
car from the battery 10 Rutledgc Avenue
lie called at DR.. McDow's office in tn,
course of his daily routine, having started
to his home for dinner at his usual hou,
and walking only few steps out of his
way to make the visit.
All the circumstances and surrounding.
forbid the idea that he went there for any
purpose other than to request that the at
tentions to his governess should cease and
to warn against their continuance. lie had
been warned by the Chief Of Police tha
Mellow was n dangerous man. Yet he
went unarmcd, and nnprcpared for combat
Of any kind, wearing his glove, as was hi.
habit, carrying the same light walking stick
he always carried. 1t is to be remembered
too, that Captain Dawson was an e,oaucn,
and consistent upholder of the law rs the
proper remedy for all grievances. In the
lnst seventeen years Of life in which
SfEs shn 8ssfnnSa4i aSa rssun BE- ha9
ing ms Conduct by the requirements of law
with an army Of friends around with
scores OF men ready to follow him anywhere
AT MS Ilghtest request, it is inconceivable
nat he would have gone alone and uparmcd
10 seek a personal difficulty with n Danger
gus man IN that mans own house He was
brave man and an impulsivo one, but he
hau mad q day to consider this mattor and
70 prepare himself for any emergency likely
10 result 1rem the interview he intended to
nave. All the circumstances indicate thot
ol ni, IA
him ten minutes and that when he steppci
IRON the street car he thought he would be
"1 his nome after that sligh. delay. They
es'aollsh, we think, TO 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
mlndfal his responsibilities and having
proper care for the well being Of his family
IL Is well to remember that Captain Daw-
son was powerful man physically, light on
ms Ice. ana clever with his hands, man
VINO lew years ago had fancy for spar.
ring and who proved himself with the gloves
formidable opponent for the best and
strongest boxers. If he had made a pre
meditated assault on Mellow or had been
provoked to assault him he would have lcf
HIS park too plainly for doubt; if those now
eriul nervous hands of his had taken n grin |
81 collar or throat their hold would NOT |
nave been readily relaxed or easily shaken
off. '"""'"
we 90 not seek to strengthen the public
sentiment against the man we believe to no
Il'seFaoie, vcnomous assassin. lie Is en-
,.'ieu ,, TO iair trial by unprejudiccd minds.
p"' we ce!leve we have the right 20 express
he belief, and to review the circumstances.
supporting II, that Captain Dawson's con-
dnct throughout was that of manly. honest
clean man; that he did only what he had
, he right to dc and what his duly REQUIRED
II IN to do; that his action was open and fair
as daylight ant that there is net ono f,c,
IN all the record Of n life lived under closer
a"d mercer scrutiny than most men UNDERGO
~ ~ u" OH me circumstances of this affair,
.n III beginning TO end, on which to base a
snsp'cion to the contrary .-GresnpHy, Nm
n HowLISG IFARCE-Cipcjnnet; n |