Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-07-21
Police Declare Positively
That Case is One of
Suicide.
FAMILY STILL SILENT
Hire Private Detectives, but
Refuse to Give Public Of
fiCerS Information.

Chicago, July 21.-"Ira G.. Rawn
committed suicide and the Chicago
police will drop the investigation and
search for the supposed murderer"
said Acting Chief of Police Schuet-
tier today.
Only One Shot Fired.
my men have told me that as far
as they could learn only one shot was
heard by Rawn's neighbors," said
Schuettler. They also told me that
the muzzle of the revolver was covered
with blood and the flesh near the
wound had been burned, which would
indicate the shot was fired only few
inches from the body. We found moth
ing that would indicate murder"
Family shH silent.
Private detectives have nothing new
on the murder theory, according to
Ralph G. Coburn. son-in-law of the
dead man. we have heard nothing
new and there is nothing further to
be said.' said Coburn.
Rawn's funeral has been set for to-
morrow afternoon.
Private sIeutbs Keep Jobs.
Schuettler announced his decision
after a long conference with detectives
who had investigated the tragedy All
details point to suicide, according 10
the detectives. Notwithstanding this,
private detectives employed by the
Rawn family continued their investiga-
ton and steadfastly declared Rawn
was killed by a burglar. The bullet
hole in Rawn's night garment was
carefully examined and the police de-
clare its appearance leads 10 the sui
eide belief.
Remains to Prove Powder Marks.
The hole is surrounded by blood
stains in which there are particles
thought to be powder marks. II they
prove to be powder marks there will
be little doubt Rawn killed himself.
While private detectives announced
yesterday they expected TO make an
important arrest today no one has so
far been taken into custody.
Support Suicide Theory.
AS a basis for the suicide theory, the
police advance the following reasons:
They point to the fact that Rawn
was the operating vice president of the
the fraudulent car repair contracts
were put through. and was recently
drawn into the Illinois Central graft
investigation as chief witness.
They say the action of Rawn's rela.
tives in refusing aid Of the Chicago de-
tective department to search for the
alleged intruder is suspicious.
They declare there exists a lack oil
convincing evidence that an intruder
had been in the Rawn residence.
Hit BY own Bullet.
Both Mrs. Rawn and Coburn say two
shots were fired. A minute search in
front of the hall and adjoining rooms,
however, show but one bullet, the po-
lice say, and that was fired from
Rawn's revolver and which apparently
had passed through Mr.. Rawn's body
just below the heart
Coroner Peter Hoffman took per-
sonal charge of the investigation. He
refused to say whether he thought
the case one of murder or suicide.
Sends Detectives Away.
Employees of two detective agencies
appeared late yesterday at the resi-
dence A brief alteration followed,
until members of the household or
dered one set OF men rom the grounds.
The son-in-low. Coburn, instructed the
set remaining TO keep all persons away
from the premises and give no infor-
nation to any inquirers. The set or
dered away are believed to be en-
ployed by insurance companies in
which Rawn Is said to have a 100000
policy, or by the railroad interests.