The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-06-26
A FRENCH MAIDS STORY.
How Mellow, the Murderer of Dawson, Tried
to Lead Her from the Path of Rectitude.

CHARLESTON, June 25.-The Mellow trial
was resumed this morning The court
room was well filled, and the popular inter-
est undated. j. III. Devereaux, Henry
Oliver and Mike Hogan were examined by
the State to establish McDow's attempt to
bury Captain Dawson's body after the
shooting. The evidence on this point was
overwhelming. The State thus far has es-
tablished beyond question the fact of the
killing, the fact that Mellow shot Dawson
in the back. and the fact that he tried to
bury the body.
The evidence of Marie Bardayron, Mrs.
Dawson's French maid, was the feature of
the trial to-day. She was brought here by
Mrs. Dawson, from Geneva, Switzerland,
two years ago, as governess for her chill
dren. She is twenty years old, and hand
some brunette, with dark hair and eyes, an
intelligent face and well-developed form.
She attracted the attention of every spec
tator in the courtroom. She understands
English, but speaks it imperfectly An
effort to have her testify through an inter-
prefer was objected to by McDow's coun-
sci, and she spoke in English. Her manner
was collected, and throughout the ordeal
she bore herself with an air of innocence.
rempts of judge Magrath, McDOw's coun-
sci, to elicit something that would weaken
her testimony. Her first meeting with Nc
Dow, she testified, was on the 1st of last
February. He met her ON the street and
asked her TO run away with him. She told
him that she would not do it,. She would
not leave Mrs. Dawson for anything. He met
her frequently on the street after that, and
prosecuted her with his attentions when
she was going to school with Captain Daw-
Qb ram n w ba wa rofr lry,ir, ~
home. He visited her several times
at Captain Dawson's house, when
Mrs. Dawson was In Washington and
Captain Dawson was at his work in the
flowers and poetry, and gave her a watch
to remember him by. He told her that he
had married a German woman for her
money; that his married life was unhappy,
and that he wanted her to run away with
him and marry him. Mellow told her he
could not get a divorce from his wife in
Charleston. but would take witnesses to
North Carolina, and after securing dl-
vorce would marry her. She gave Mellow
book bearing the title, "BetwiYt Love
knew about what its contents were. 1t
was, she said, story about married
woman In love with man. In her case
the situation was reversed, and was the
with woman. Mellow had taken
a. Photograph from her and had
kissed her two times" and "Only two
times" She knew that McDow's conduct
toward her was not proper. She had never
told any of Captain Dawson's family about
the affair. She did not love Mellow. She
felt for his misfortune, and she had feel
ing of kindness for him. She believed if
she had given herself TO him he would have
supported her. She believed it while he
was talking to her.
The womans story was told without ex-
element. She shrugged her shoulders. as
is usual with French women. when she did
not understand q question, but made q
good impression % by her conduct ON the
opened tomorrow, and perhaps Mellow
himself will take the stand. The argument
will probably not begin before Friday.