The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1889-03-21
EDITOR DAWSON DEAD,
FULL PARTICULARS OF HIS MUIR
DER LAST WEEK.

DER LAST WEEK.
Killed While Defending the Honor o!
a Young Swiss Maid Who Was EN-
ployed In His Family.-The Funeral
Last week THE SENTINEL publish,
ed the brief announcement that Capt
Frank w. Dawson, editor of the Char
lesion Ncaos and Courier, had been
shot dead Tuesday evening" March
18th, by DIR. T. D. Mellow. Capt
Dawson war one of the foremost men
in the South and the following partic-
ulars (not obtainable in time for our
last issue) will be read with mingled
regret and indignation.
THE KILLING.
Capt. Dawson left the Neacs and
Courier Office at $50 o'clock. Some
time ago it had been brought to his
attention that one of his domestics, a
stranger in America, and for whose
conduct, being employed in an educa-
tional land fiduciary capacity, he was
responsible, was conducting herself in
manner that demanded his immedi-
ate attention. AS will appear else
where, Captain Dawson had the best
of reasons for calling upon DIR. Nc
Dow, which he did at probably about
twenty minutes to four o'clock Tues
day afternoon. Captain Dawson, on
reaching the Office of Mr.. Mellow,
alighted from the street-car and en-
tered. He never returned alive. The
whole truth of the history of what
really occurred in that office and in
the few fateful moments of the tragedy
will be buried in the grave of Capt.
Dawson.
The revelations only partially made
last night indicate the death of Capt.
Dawson was not only compassed in a
brutally murderous manner, but that
a futile effort had been made to
bury the body of the victim as secret
forever. DR.: Mellow, Captain Daw-
sons slayer, was called upon last night
i'll Jail and asked to explain the cir
cumstances OF the tragedy. He at
first declined to make any statement,
but eventually said: "Here it is in a
nutshell: Capt. Dawson entered my
Office, used abusive language and
knocked me down with his cane. 1
got up and he was about to strike me
again, when shot him."
DIR. McDow then went on to say
that Capt. Dawson was not killed in
stantly; that he remained alive for
half to three quarters of an hour, dur
ing which time he CDR. McDow) re-
manned in the room with the man
whose lite was fast ebbing away, max
ing up his mind what to do. But
there is the strongest and most con-
vincing proof that DR.. Mellow re-
mained in the room at least an hour
after the death of Capt. Dawson, plan
ming how he might dispose of the
body. At distance of a few feet
from the back door of the Office, at the
end Of a passageway, is half-door
open into a recess under the stairway
which leads to the second story. AS
was natural and to be expected from
the coroner and his jury, a thorough
examination of the premises was made
with view of the fullest investiga-
tion.
DIR. Mellow reached the central
station at 5.51 P. NJ. and surrended to
Lieut.. Heidi. He was Immediately
transferred to the county Jail. The
indignation of the citizens of Charles
ton was so great that he would un-
doubtedly have been lynched if the
people could have gotten hold of
him.
Capt. Dawson was a Catholic, and
priest lived within two minutes walk
of DIR. McDow's residence, and yet
the murderer summoned no assistance.
When the body was discovered there
was found light walking cane on the
floor near it. The victims right
hand was covered by glove, and in
his fingers was the other glove. He
was totally unafmed.
THE DECEASED EDITOR.
Capt. Frank w. Dawson was born
in London, England, in 1910. He
was educated at various schools in
London, was a remarkably studious
and intelligent lad, and exhibited
great tondness for literature. After
completing his studies he devoted con-
siderable attention to literary work,
none of which ever saw the light ex-
cept four or five comedies which were
played on the Londen boards with en-
couraging success. For several years
prior to 1860 young Dawson paid
particular attention to the industrial
and social conditions of the United
States and became deeply interested in
the causes which led to the secession
movement.
Captain Dawson came over to the
South from England in the early part
of the war in the Confederate war shiE
Nashville, commanded by Captain
Pegram. His determination was t.
enlist in the Confederate service anc
render all the aid he could to people
for whose chivalry and courage he hac
imbibed great admiration. For s
time he served as an officer in tn,
Confederate navy, and was then trans
ferred to the ordinance department o
General Longstreet's division. Latel
on the post Of ordinance officer under
General Fitzhugh Lee having becom,
vacant, he was prompted to it, anl
there remained until the surrender a
Appomattox. he was gallant ant
faithful officer, popular with all hi
comrades, and especially with hi
commander, Gen. Lee, for whom b,
had great love, and was never happie
than in this company. Finely educat
ed, well hammered, jovial in spirit