The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-03-15
A GREAT SOUTHERN LOSS.
The Tragic Death Of Editor
Dawson, Of Charleston,
THE SENSATION OF THE HOUR,
Ex-Governor Chamberlain, His Old
Political Enemy Regards tho
Murder as an Addiction to the
COuntTy-.CoroUcFs Inquest,

NEw YORK, March l4.-Ex.GovernOr
Daniel II, Chamberlain, OF South Caro-
lima, knew Captain F. W, Dawson, editor
oithe Charleston Nelps and Courier, very
intimately, and yesterday he expressed
great regret at his DEATH
Captain Dawson's death was not only
startling but tragic to the last degree,
He lost his life through the very inHu-
ences and practices which he more than
any one man had labored to suppress in
the South.
Captain Dawson was the strongest
personal and political force speaking
through the Nslrs and Courier in Mr.,
Chamberlain's judgment, in the whole
South, excepting, possibly Henry Wat
terson,
Governor Chamberlain continued;
"Capt. Dawson's influence was invar-
iably in the direction OF political reform
and q high tone in public affairs. The
power OF the Neius aud Courier in Charles
ton and in South Carolina was some
thing almost without precedent, and II at
times Capt Dawson welded this power
too arbitrarily, 1t was an inhrmity from
which no man in his position could be
expected to be exempt. His death, 1t
seems to me, leaves a greater vacancy and
removes n more influential factor from
tho better politics OF the South than
would tho death OF any other man whom
/ know OF in that section, He and /
stood at tho very opposite poles
in politics. During my admins
tration as Governor he was my ar
dent aud most powerful supporter
and when in 1876, he transferred his
support to Governor Hampton and won
the victory OF that year he did his best
to make the victory OF that year result
in peace and honor and good govern.
ment for South Carolina, His editorial
pen was one OF the most accomplished |
have ever known. Writing with ex.
treme rapidity, invariable vigor and with
tremendous effect In the community in
which his paper circulated principally,
he was also q man OF many personal at-
fractions, OF easy manners, socially in
clined and Identifying himself ardently
with all the interests OF tho city and
State in which he had carved out from
poor, unfriended English lad, his posi-.
ton OF unsurpassed influence and use
fulness."
THE INQUEST.
A lato dispatch from Charleston says;
The inquest in Captain Dawson's case
was begun and concluded this morning,
Solicitor Jervey, Of this judicial circuit,
assisting ut the examination. Four wit
nesses were examined. G. w. Harper
(colored), hackman, testified that he was
on the opposite side OF the street when
Dawson entered McDow's office; that
after tho shooting he heard the words:
+'You said you would take my life, now
l have taken yours"
testified and denied all knowledge Of the
killing. He heard the shot in the doc.
tors office and was ordered by DR.. Nc.
Dow's wife TO investigate the cause, but
sworo he did not 60.
Emma Drayton, the cook, also denied
any knowledge Of tue affair except as to
hearing the pistol shot. She denied
great deal OF Moses Johnson's testimony,
also the testimony Of Policeman Gordon
and hack driver Harper.
A woman named Jane Mitchell was
arrested on suspicion Of being the pea.
nut and cake vender seen at McDow's
office window. She denied having been
there. She was not identified by
Harper.
Tho testimony practically developed
nothing new, DR.. Mellow having de-
clined TO make a statement before the
jury.
The verdict was as follows:
"That tho deceased, Captain I, w.
Dawson, came to MS death from gun
shot wound inflicted by gun in tho
hands OF DR.. 7. d. Mellow, and that
Moses johnson (colored) was an acces.
sorry before the fact"