New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-15
DAWSON FOUND GUILTY.
HE Is CONVICTED OF ARDUCTING LOTTIE
SIMPSON. WHO is THIRTEEN
YEARS OLD.

Nicholas Dawson was tried in the County Court
yesterday before Judge Asphalt and jury on a
charge OF abducting thirteen-year-od Lottie Simp-
son. Of No AT Thrd-ave. The jury, after con-
eutation Of less than hour. brought In a verdict
Of guilty. with strong recommendation for mercy.
Dawson IL an ex-member OF the Fire Department
and was discharged when the present charge was
IT ade against him. He became acquainted with the
girl at the engine-house, and, according TO his
story she fell In love with him. The charge In the
Indictment is that on Saturday night, June q last.
Dawson took the girl to the Arlington Hotel be-
tween midnight and ! o'clock. He left her in the
restaurant while he registered as J. n. Dawson
and wife. The clerk assigned him 10 a room, but
when Re saw the girl he objected. saying:
81 thought you sai6 your wife with your
Dawson replied that he had made a mistake, and
that the girl wa. HE niece. He said he wanted
place for her TO- sleep during the OF the night
but the clerk turned him out OF the hotel. re-
marking that he ought TO be arrested. He was
followed by a citizen. and he crossing the
Bridge with the child the citizen made COM
plant to a policeman that he was attempting TO
abduct the girl Dawson was arrested and taken TO
the Bridge polio. station but the citizen refused
give his name there TO make complaint. and
the couple discharged. They went TO New
York and according TO the testimony given yester-
day, they walked the streets for the rest or the
night The day. Sunday, Dawson took the
girl to his mothers house. at Thirteenth-st. and
Second-ave New-York. but his mother refused 10
receive him He afraid 10 take the child to the
house OF her own mother. because Mrs. Simpson
had threatened to get him into trouble II he did
not let her daughter alone. so he took her TO Ham
iton Ferry and there left her. He did not see her
again until after he was arrested
Lottie was taken back 10 her mother and told her
story Mrs Simpson related the case at the office
Of the Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty 10
Children and the arrest and indictment of Daw-
son followed
On the witness stand yesterday the defendant de-
MED that any improper relations ever existed be-
tween himself and the girl He said that she had
become infatuated with him and wanted 10 be with
him all the time. She asked him 20 rent a FUR
nished room for her, and told him that unless he
allowed her TO remain with him she would inJure
herself He admitted that he hsc taken her TO
tonev Island and tina. they had walked the streets
ogether but he said IL because she insisted on
meeting him. A., .o.. .,a .d,,,,od
,hat her lie had not all that II ought 10 have
49, hafore she met the defendant When she said
tbat her mother who sat in the rear or the court
rnorn shr,eked and tainted. She was carried out.
tut The incident did not seem TO AFFECT the chiid In
~ leas, She saw one In the audience Whom
she Knew and srnile| pleasantly
lawson IL married man. and his VIE was
called 10 the stand. leading her two-year-od child
yTben the little saw Its father IL lett the
,nn,ber's hand and ran to him. remaining until he
f.s-a