Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1889-03-14
A DIABOLICAL MURDER
A Highly Respected Citizen Shot by
a Profigate Doctor.
CAPT. DAWSON THE VICTIM
Charleston, S. c.. Startled by the Cold
Hooded Murder Of Its Leading Editor
Great Excitement Prevails and
Lynching IL Threatened.

CHARLESTON. s. c., March 13.-Capt.
F. w. Dawson of The News and Cour-
rier, was found dead in the Office of DIR.
F. B. Mellow at 6 o'clock last evening.
At that hour DIR. Mellow walked in the
police station and gave himself up with
the statement that Capt. Dawson was
lying dead in his Office. Mellow vouch-
safed no explanation. 1t has been
learned that Capt. Dawson recently be-
tame suspicious that a young girl m
ing improper relations with men. Last
week he called upon the chief of police
and asked that detectives be detailed
to shadow the girl for a few days, and
let him know what, if anything, he dis
covered. Capt. Dawson stated that il
she were being h%onorably courted, he
would have no objection to make, but
that if she were not strictly moral, he
did not want his children to be in her
care. On Monday morning a detective
saw the girl get on a Rutlage ave
me car. After proceeding a few blocks
she was joined by DR.. Mellow. The de-
~tective followed the pair and
kept track of them and their
stopping places for several hours, and
submitted a report in writing to the
chief of police, who in turn commune
Gated its details to Capt. Dawson. Capt.
Dawson left his office at $3.50 o'clock in
| the afternoon and was found dead at
$3.50 p. m. in DR.. McDow's office, not a
hundred yards from his w residence.
His face was badly beaten and a bullet
was lodged in his heart. In the alb
sence of any positive knowledge it is
supposed that he went to DIR. McDow's
office and demonstrated with him about
| the nurse girl, and they became en-
| gagged in a quarrel which resulted in the
| shooting. Mellow then left his office
| and wandered about until $50, when he
| appeared at the police station. DR.. Nc
Dow is a married man and the father of
several children.
All the evidence shows that the muir
der was most diabolic. Dawson was
shot while sitting down. There is evil
dence that Mellow tried to bury the
' corpse, but suspicion having been
aroused in the meantime he finally,
three hours after the murder, surren-
| victim. it is said, Mellow left him lying
on the floor, locked the door, and went
to a corner grocery, where he spent
| some time.
The city is in mourning over the death
/. Of Capt. Da wson, and great excitement
| prevails. The body has been removed
to the late residence of the deceased. A
%coronor's jury has viewed it. There are
| threats of l%ynching tine murderer, who
was hurried to the Jail as soon as the
crime became known. The Jail is a
very strong one, and could hardly be
taken by a mob. The city council was
in session, but adjourned Immediately
on learning of the tragedy.
Capt. Dawson was a native of En-
| gland. He served in the Confederate
army during the war, and was after.
ward connected with the Richmond
Wing as a reporter. After leaving
Richmond he became associated with
B. w. Riordan in the ownership and
management of The Charleston News
and subsequently he became sole owner
of that journal. He represented the
state of South Carolina on the Demo
cratic national committee and was
otherwise prominent IN public affairs
He achieved some distinction a few
years ago by his refusal to accept {
challenge to fight a duel with one of the
most prominent citizens of the state
Capt. Dawson boldly announced his OPP
position to dueling. For this he re
ceived substantial endorsement from
pope. He was held in the highest re
spect by all classes of citizens and hi
killing is looked on as a deliberate muir
der.
DIR. Mellow is said to be the only
doctor in the city nof q member of tn,
state medical society. He has the repu
tation of a rake: has been Swallowed by
the police several times before, and is
regular hsbitue of the houses Of prosti
tuition.