The Detroit times., 1909-02-15
MURDER MYSTERY
IS CLEARED BY AN
IONA CONVICT
coNFgsSEs HIS BROTHER, cHAs.
DAWSON, SLEW HORACE S. DA
Wis. PROMINENT CITIZEN OF
kALAmAzoo-sEE SUSPECTS

hAl>A vi ALOO, MICH, rco. ih.- ny
the complete confession OF convict
in lonia prison. a brother aud confed
crate of the alleged murderer, the
mystery surrounding the sensaticna'
murder OF Horace S. Davis, one Of
Kalamazoo's leading citizens and
well known throughout the state as a
prominent Mason. mas been solved b.
the Evening Press after remaining In
the dark for nearly two years. The
murder occurred on Nov. Is, 1907.
Charles Dawson, professional crook
and burglar, is the man charged with
the crime. Joseph w. Waliruff. aliae
Joe Crocker, who has served time for
both burglary and forgery. IL the othe
man wanted Wallruff. 1t is alleged
stood guard outside the Davis home
while Dawson entered to commit the
robbery which resulted in the murder
IF Mr.. Davis.
After months of persistent work and
untiring efforts by eX-Sheriff Charles
Shean. the latter assisted by Sheriff
Campbell. every possible clue was fol
lowed until what proved 10 be sue
cessful one led 10 the door OF the
Michigan reformatory at Ionia. where
George Dawson, a younger brother ot
lhe alleged murderer. was serving a
sentence for forgery.
Confesses Crime.
From several tips received the OF.
fcers were confident Dawson knew
about the crime. After
four hours in the sweatbox. in which
the man tied himself up in, mass o.
contradictions. he broke down and
The substance OF the con
fession Is as follows:
George Dawson, Joseph W Wall
ruff and Charles Dawson. while in
Grand Rapids. Nov. "a. 1907, decided
ON a series Of burg'aries In kalama-
200. Being short Of cash 10 get out
OF town young Dawson went to a
small town north of Grand Rapids and
cashed a couple OF forged checks. But
arrested. convicted and sent to Ionia.
Wallruff and Charles Dawson. learr-
ing of the younger Dawson's trouble.
jumped a freight and landed In kala-
mazoo the night Of Nov 20 about II
i clock. They hung around the Grand
Rapids e. Indiana railroad yards until
3 O'Clock the following morning and
then started out to locate suitable
house for their operations. They were
about TO enter the f. c. Dayton home
IN South Burdick-st when light sud
lenly appeared in one OF the Windows
and the attempt was given up Their
Dawson entered the Davis home,
'valruff standing guard outside. In
passing through the sitting room Daw-
son stumbled over chair This
awakened Davis. who demanded TO
know who was there. Davis turned Oh
he light and saw Dawson standint
behind a curtain. In an instant Dav-
son sprang on Davis and a terrible
struggle in the dark began Frantic
Il his inability TO escape. Dawson
drew revolver and shot Davis
through the heart killing him In
Escape on Bicycles.
Dawson. who had lost both hat AM
mask in the struggle. passed out
through the front door and joined
Nallruff. both men escaping on bicy
lies. They went To Grand Rapids OF,
, Grand Rapids & Indiana freight al
o'clock the following morning and
-emained there several weeks until
he excitement died down. Dawson
hen went to lonia TO see his brother
and made complete confession or
his part in the crime, getting prom
Sc from George Dawson To Keep
ailent. Then he disappeared and ha"
not been seen since II was learned
after months OF search that Dawson'S 8
wife lived in Ctikla. Cal. and for
months the place waE watched night
and day. but Dawson did not appear.
Several times postofice orders hav"
beer received by the woman. sup
posedly from Dawson but ALWAYS
under an alias and from different
Parts ~ the country No trace has
ever been secured OF Wallruff.
The confession has caused the great
Est excitement as the Davis murder
had long been put down ar ono or the
btate's unsolved mysteries.
Beyond the fact that he was muir
lered and no clue was found. nothing
nas been known as to the details ~
The crime until now.
A reward OF 81 600 has long been
standing for solution Of the mys-
fery.