The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-03
HONORING A MURDERER.
Flowers and Congratulations Heaped Upon Dr..
Mellow, the Slayer of Captain Dawson.

CHARLESTON. s. c., July 2-Dr. Mellow
is the hero of the hour. His parlors are
crowded with people offering him congrat-
presented to him. A great many people are
visiting him with congratulations who a
week ago expressed the utmost reprehen-
sion. The result of the Mellow case, be-
yond any manner of doubt, has root in the
me-honOred prejudice in South Carolina
against hanging a white man. There Is
added to the situation multitude of ene-
mics Of Captain Dawson in politics. But
the congratulations of Mellow are only one
part of the community's sentiment. There
is another side to it. 1t would be nothing
surprising if within a week or two Mellow
should meet his end. Captain Dawson's
friends were legion. Among them are num-
bered members of the best families in South
Carolina. The precedent of nOn-punish-
ment has been confirmed by the verdict in
the case, and many man abont town has
left his home of an evening of late with
special precautions" in his hip pockets.
There was murmur of prophesy In the
air all day Saturday and Sunday that Nc
Dow would be taken from his home and
Iynched. Thus far he has only been feted,
but" said man last night, "Dr. Mellow
had better walk chalk line from now out.
His precious head isin danger" Yesterday
Mellow went to church. and in the after
noon took long walk after the procession
of carriages had ceased rolling to his door.
His father was with him. There was firm
ness and elasticity in the Doctors gait.
Just as he passed the courthouse, where
another man is now being tried for muir
they passed he smiled and bowed, and the
occupants of the Victoria waved their
handkerchiefs at him. 1t is the general
sentiment of the community that the
French maid has had virtual vindicatiOn.
Her appearance upon tie witness-stand
made her host Of friends. The lawyers
paid tribute TO her as witness, and every
one has made comment on her good looks.
The slurs upon her have ceased.
There can be heard at every turn of the
street impressions of disgust at the way in
which Captain DawSOn's slayer has been SET
at large. There are poorly concealed hints
of duplicity in the choice of the jury. tits not
uncommon to hear men saying they are going
to move into some other commonwealth
The Charleston Sun, a newspaper for which
Captain Dawson had no marked friendship
nevertheless says editorially to-day: THE
verdict returned Saturday by the jury in
the Mellow case was shock to the people
of this city, both those who were well-in.
clined toward the accused and those who
were not. The suddenness with which the
Jury reached their verdict of acqulttal
strikingly illustrates the proverbial un.
certainty attributed to them.n
Mellow has said some foolish things
since his acquittal among them this
"When read some of the reports in the
papers felt like taking a shotgun and
going around among the newspaper Off
ces." He has threatened to wreak ven
gence upon Rev. DR.. w. q. Thompson, the
Presbyterian preacher who. after the muir.
der, spoke his mind about the killing, and
who intends to preach upon the verdict
next Sunday. DIR. Tn hompson was mem
Der of John Marmaduke's cavaliers in Mis-
souri,. and they call him about Charleston
1.-The fighting preacher" He says very lit
tie. but W hen told that Mellow had threat
ened to punish him, he simply said, ''Wouls
like TO have him try it,"