The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-15
DAWSON'S TRAGICDEATH
MRS GArEwooD TELLS OF RUTH
TOWARDS FALL

MRS GATEWOOD TELLS VI nOAH
TOWARDS FALL
Bsckerstaf Takes the Stand and Tells
the Story of the Shooting in His own
Dafanse-Howard Follows Him In the
WITNESS Cnair-Arguments to Begin
Mo day.
COLUMBUS, GA, Nov. H-This morning
Mrs. c. C. Gatewood took the stand ana
proceeded to give testimony as to the alleged
seduction of Miss Ruth Howard by Daw-
son. The state objected, and the court
ruled that the merits Of the case could not
be entered into, but that the fact that such
a charge had been made could be brought
out in order to show the feeling between
the parties The Alabama statute defining
seduction was offered as evidence and the
state objected. The court overruled the
objection.
BIcKERsTAFF's STATEMENT.
Bickerstaff took the stand and made
short statement He came TO Columbus on
business on the morning Of the killing and
got TO the grounds about the time the bal
loon went un. He was with Robert and
Richard Howard, but was separated from
them by the crowd. He saw Dawson at the
races ard was surprised, knowing the feel
ing between the two families. He saw
Dawson drive up and salute the judges,
and was as much surprised as any
one when the shooting began. Dawson ran
and circled during the firing. "He came
directly toward me and fired, but whether
he shot at me or not cannot say. hesi-
tated, but Dawson kept coming. and drew
my pistol and fired. Dawson staggered and
fell at my second shot. / did not know at
the time that he was shot or cut" Becker
staff then referred briefly to his character
and standing in Russell county, and asked
the jury as honest men to make their YER
dict
HowARD's STORY.
Howard began by saying he would give
plain statement of the sad affair from be-
ginning to end. He gave a brief sketch Of
his life and struggles to support widowed
mother and eight single sisters. No blot or
stain had been on the name of that happy
and loving family. In March, 1889, he
learned that his sister Ruth was in q preca-
rious condition The shock came upon him
like cloudburst. He then gave a history
of the affair in detail from beginning to
end, occupying an hour in doing so.
THE MARRIAGE AND ABANDONMENT.
He told about going to Glennville to see
Dawson TO get him to marry his sister
which he consented to do, and did do. He
also told about the birth Of their child and
the subsequent abandonment by Dawson,
and the placing Of his sister In an insane
asylum. Up to the time Of her abandon
ment, he said, he thought Dawson had
acted as manly, part as any
man could have done under
the circumstances. Dawson said he had an
saying he was not the father Of the child
and would never live with her again.
Howard spoke feelingly of bis efforts to
avoid bloodshed and protect the honor Of
his family.
NOTE OF WARNING.
He heard of reports slandering bis sisters
and his family, and he sent Dawson word
that he would not GROSS his path and hoped
that he Dawsonl would never cross his. He
had heard that Dawson would be there and
would drive in the race. He did not intend
to run from him. He went
to see the exposition and got
out in the open space where Dawson could
see him. He had heard that Dawson
had threatened his life and believed his life
was In danger.
SAW DAWSON AS HE CAME.
He saw Dawson come under the railing
and from the motion of his hand as he came
by the rear end OF carriage he thought
he was trying to draw pistol. II told
brother to look out, and saw him strike
Dawson" Three or four shots were fired
but he did not fire them. He thought his
brother had been shot and drew his
pistol, and then fired every barrel.
He saw Dawson fire toward Bicker-
staff. who was facing him. Bickerstaff shot
and Dawson fell with his head toward the
stables. He asked for another pistol and
some one handed him one.
In concluding his statement at 1855
o'clock, Howard said: Gentlemen of the
jury, / ask for simple justice, nothing
moren
Robert Howard took the stand and read
his statement, which was practically the
same as that made on the former trial.
The court took recess until Monday.
when the arguments will begin.