The age-herald., 1901-05-06
NEGRO CONFESSES MURDER OF EDWARDS
John Dawson Tells Sheriff of
 Shooting the Deputy
HE IS NOW SAFE IN JAIL
VIII Be Given Trial at an Early Date-Trouble Was Feared By the Sheriff at
 First.

Selma, May Special. )-Restlng se- curely behind the bars of the Mobile county jail Is John Dawson, Jr whose murderous shot, according to his own statement, laid cold in death Joseph L. Edwards, deputy sheriff of Dallas county.
 On Wednesday evening a negro board ed the southbound train at Catherine, hay ing purchaed as ticket to Mobile. Ills actions were such as to arouse suspicion In the mind of Conductor Tom Byrne, and when the train reached Thomasville he wired Sheriff Blackwell for a descrlp- tion of the negro John Dawson. It was the conductors purpose to satisfy him self about the negro and have him ar rested when the train reached Mobile.
 While the train was at Thomasville, where supper Is served, the operator that had sent the message walked through the car and looked closely at the negro. This and other circumstances was suf- ficient for the negro to smell mouse and when the train pulled out of Thomas vile only a hat was found on the seat where the negro had sat. Conductor Byrne was then convinced that the negro was John Dawson and so informed the Dallas county officers.
 Thursday the sheriff sent MT. Fulford into that county and all that day and Friday morning the officers were close on the heels of the much wanted negro, whose dastardly deed had caused the death of brave officer and had led up to the killing of three of his own race.
 Friday afternoon Sheriff Blackwell re- ceived telegram saying that the negro had been run out of the swamp near Full ton, but had escaped. A little while later came another telegram. this one from w. w. Clay, section foreman of the South ern at Thomasville. which stated that he had the negro in the ealaboose at Thom- asville The sheriff boarded the Southern train which left at APO p. m. and arriv- ing at Thomasville, while the passengers were eating supper, went to the little wooden calaboose and, getting Dawson in time, boarded the same train and carried his prisoner to Mobile.
 On the train, Dawson told the sheriff that he had killed MT. Edwards He did not seem to consider that he had done anything wrong. saying that a man had come to his house in the dark of night and after firing twice through his door was attempting to come in the house, when he stuck his gun through the door and fired.
 Confesses to Section Man.
 
 was no one in the house with him except his wife and three children. He describ- ed his route since the killing. saying he came on toward town as far as the Tip ton place and then cut across the country to where he took the train at Catherine, crossing the river near Sheriff Black wells place. He never came into the city, according to his statement
 Dawson went up to MT. Clay, the sec tion foreman, who was working about a mile from Thomasville. and told him he was in trouble and wanted to ask him what he ought to do. He told who he was and said he had killed a man. The section foreman advised him to give him self up and taking him in custody, car ried him to Thomasville,
 During the afternoon and about dark it became noised about that the negro Dawson had been caught It was known that the sheriff had gone for him and that Mallory & Mallory had received a tele- gram from Dawson asking that he be met at the depot
 There was talk of trouble and some un- easiness felt. for the sheriff had received assurances from number of reliable citizens that if the negro was once in his possession that they would aid him in protecting him against any violence. There was considerable talk and even a visit paid to one high in authority as to whether a special grand jury could be empaneled to give a speedy trial to the negro if he was brought here. The law In the matter was made clear by the off, cer sought and 1t is not known whether those who were taking a leading part In the movement were satisfied or not In the meantime about 10:3o o'clock came a message from Sheriff Blackwell at Mount Vernon, about thirty miles out from Mo- bile, saying he was enroute to the Gulf City with the prisoner and that settled the whole matter
 The sheriff is generally commended for his discretion, though it is not thought any movement looking toward violence would have amounted to a great deal with the sentiment opposed to such step ex- isting, especially after the deplorable killing of the three negroes the night before. rsl1
 The police department, when 1t was thought the negro was to. be brought here. had been notified by the attorneys of the negro that they would be expected to aid in protecting him at Tall hazards and there Is hardly any question but that had he been lodged In the Dallas County Jail he would never have been taken therefrom except by process of law.
 Enthusiasm In YucataF.
 Merida, Yucatan May 5-There fs great