Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-07-21
Ten Words or Less en Cents
3 THEORIES IN
THE DEATH OF
IRA c. RAWh

Chicago, July 21.-In the investiga-
ton into the mysterious death of Ira
G. Rawn, president Of the Chicago,
Indianapolis and Louisville railroad
(the Monon route) there are three
separate theories advanced. The po-
lice believe that the railroad president
committed suicide. Relatives of the
dead millionaire resent this theory,
claiming that he had no reason to wish
to die and that all the evidence points
to murder. In this they are supported
by Mr.. Rawn's business associates. A
third theory Is that Mr.. Rawn was
assassinated by a secret enemy.
Rawn was shot and instantly killed
in his summer home at Winnetka, a
suburb of Chicago. Because of pow
der burns on his nightshirt and the
peculiar course of the bullet the police
believe he either killed himself or was
kill with the muzzle Of the revolver
pressed against his breast.
Rawn was found at the foot of the
main stairway of the house. He died
In the arms of his wife. His own
revolver, with one chamber disctarg-
ed, was found on the floor beside him.
The bullet Of 80 caliber, the same as
his own revolver, was found a few
inches away.
One theory is that he, was murdered
by a secret enemy who gained access
to the house to kill him.
Rawn was connected with the I'LL
nois Central graft cases and had testi-
fed In the case secretly a week age.
Half a block away from the house
bloodstains were found. Immediately
after the shooting. every. avenue. Of
egress from the suburb was guarded
and all trains placed under careful
scrutiny. e~z~ $40
Mrs. Rawn said that two minutes be-
fore the fatal shot rang through the
house Mr.. Rawn was awakened by an
unusual noise. Slipping on some4cloth-
ing he left his bedroom on the second
floor and started downstairs.
He had not reached the bottom step
when his assailant shot. Mrs. Rawn
heard the crack of a revolver and the
sound Of her husband as be fell down
the stairs. ,,~~ .a~, go A..
She rushed to his. assistance. :, When
the lights were brought Mr.. Rawn's
unconscious form was found lying In
a heap at the bottom of the stairs and
an open door showed how his murder
err made his escape.
Ralph G. Coburn, a son-in-law of Mr..
Rawn, gives the following details of
the shooting:
"Mr. Rawn was awakened by sounds
on the first floor of the house and in
sisted on going down to ascertain the
cause, although Mrs. Rawn tried to
persuade him not to do it. He had
barely reached the landing when every
one in the house was awakened by two
shots fred In quick succession.
Il rushed out, as. did the Others. We
found Mr.. Rawn dying"
In support of their theory that Mr..
Rawn committed suicide, detectives
say that for two weeks persons who
have met him have noticed that he
had aged, as with a great illness. In
vestigation of the conspiracy by which
the Illinois Central was mulcted out
Of hundreds of thousands of dollars
are now going on in court. Their ulti-
mate outcome would have been to
show that Mr.. Rawn while an official
of that road was responsible in some
way for the shortages.
On two successive days. of Last. week
be begged for and secured a postpone
ment of the investigation on the plea
that his wsfe was i'll. He was to .ap-
| pear again and be drilled next Tues
day.
Mr.. Rawn was operating vice presi-
dent of the Illinois Central at the time
the fraudulent car repair. contracts
were baing mt thro,ub