The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-11-12
A TRAGEDY AT COLUMBUS
T. c. DAWSON SHOT AND KILLED
BY HIS WIFES BROTHERS.

The Shooting Done in the Presence of
$4,000 People at the Exposition
Grounds Dawson Had Deserted His
Wife His Slayers Arrested-The Par
ties From Alabama.
COLUMBUS. Ga, Nov. ia terrible
sensational tragedy occurred to-day on the
race track at the Chattahoochee Valley En-
position. now in progress in this city. which
has created intense excitement. owing In
the prominence of all the parties involved.
Among the attractions Of the day was a
gentleman's trotting race, in which several
well known gentlemen entered. Among
them was T. c. Dawson OF Glenn
vile, Ala There were probably
1900 people on the grounds, aud
the grand stand was packed with ladies and
children. Immediately after the close of
the race Mr.. Dawson drove into the open
space in the rear Of the judges stand di-
rectly opposite the grand stand and got out
Of his sulky.
DAWSON UNDER FIRE.
In few seconds the crowd was startled
by the report OF pistol and the sight of
MIR. Dawson running, pursued by three
men, who were firing at him. Mr.. Dawson
was seen trying Go get his pistol from his
pocket as he ran, and az soon as he secured
the weapon he turned on his pursuers
and returned their fire Some thirteen
shots in all were fired. Mr.. r.IDawson fell and
expired In O few minutes The attack was
so sudden and in such a public place that
many imagined IL was a sham fight on the
wild west order, and this alone prevented q
panic. As soon as It was known that ID
was a real tragedy. the grand stand was de.
serted by the crowd of ladies.
THE MURDERERs ARRESTED.
Police were quickly on the ground aud
arrested the three men, WHO were Dick
Howard and Robert Howard, brothers. and
their brother-in-law, James Bickerstaff.
There were four balls in Mr. Dawson. two
OF which Inflicted fatal wounds. The shoot
ing had its origin in family trouble. Mr..
Dawson had married and deserted Miss
Howard, sister OF the two men named.
The parties all have strong friends.
The prisoners have secured eminent conn
sci. refuse TO talk further than to claim that
they were Justified and ask suspension OF
public opinion.
Mr.. Dawson was son of Hon. w. G.
Dawson, prominent aud wealthy citi-
zen OF Alabama, now residing Mt
Entaula. The Towards belong to one
Of tho Oldest and most respectable families
in Georgia. The body OF Mr.. Dawson was
examined by the coroner's jury Tonight
and the Inquest postponed until O'Clock
tomorrow.
pAwsoEs coURTsHIP.
According to the story Of friends Daw-
son, who was very bright and winsome
man, began few years ago to visit Miss
Ruth Howard, a girl quito young and TO-
tally ignorant Of the ways OF the world.
After Dawson had courted her for several
months, and it is believed by some that he
had mad improper relations with her. and
the news was finally made known to
her brothers and brother-in law, who shot
Dawson to-day, it is said, that the girls re-
latives forced Dawson to marry her. After
several months had elapsed and after tho
birth Of one child, Dawson sued for a
divorce and got 1t, on the ground that his
wife bad been untrue to him. The Howards
and Biggerstaifs notified Dawson after
ward that he would be killed
on sight, and not to come
to Columbus during the exposition. Dawson
was very daring character and paid httla
attention to these threats and came to tbs
exposition with some Of his fine trotting
horses, and had just won a race when he was
shot. The divorced wife has been in
the insane asylum for several
months past. having been crazed BY
grief. Dawson was a man Of hne appear.
ance and worth some money. The Howard
and BiQgerstaffs are families of high stand.
ing in Columbus and public sentiment
seems to be In their favor. All the parties
implicated have been arrested. They saw
they would kill him again If tho matter had
to be gone through with again. Dawson's
remains will be carried to Glennville 10 the
morning.