The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-07-28
MYSTERY IN The
DEATH OF RAWN
RUMORS ARE THAT RAILROAD
PRESIDENT COMMITTED
SUICIDE,
SOME CLAIM MURDER
Railroad President Said to Have Raen
Interested in Big ScandaI-FamiIy
Is Redcent

CHICAGO, ILL.-Special.- Failure
20 trace any fugitive from Winnetka
me North Shore suburb where Ira q,
1aWh, president OF the Monon Rail-
way was shot to death early yester-
Gay strengthened the belief OF the
police today that the railroad chisS
committed suicide.
WhIe Ralph G. Coburn. son-fn-lav
OF MI Rawn, today predicted an ar
resi- withln a few hours the police
Wo Di 10 strengthen the suicide the
Dry Rawn's connection with the Mi
nols Central graft scandal is said 70
nave furnished the motive. Members
oI Rawn's family declare that two
shots were nreG n the hallway of
the Wlnnetka home Neighbors heard
can BE found.
Mystery shrouded the case TODAY as
evidence in support of each of three
varying theories-that he was killed
by burglar; that a secret enemy was
me assassin, and that he killed him
self-was found. The suicide theorv
however, receives most credence. he
| cause OF the attitude Of the family in
refusing TO permit either the police
OF Winnetka or Chicago to take active
p part IN the investigation. Railway
men declare Rawn was largely respon-
slble for the 100000 graft scandal
IN the Illinois Central and was facing
probable criminal action
reared Graft Exposure.
Ihey considered it likely he would
Kill himself rather than face the ex-
posure Of the inside of the car repair
| deals, in the investigation of which
| ne testified twice within the last
week and a half.
| Friends and business associates say
| mat since the inquiry Rawn has aged
twenty years since il became known
| that he held between 500 and 1000
shares in the Blue Island Car and
| equipment Company. which in July
PAID back TO the railroad half a mil
hon dollars looted from it.
Rawn twice obtained postpone
| ments of the investigations. claiming
| that his wife was i'll and he had to
be nome with her. He evidenced an
unwillingness TO testify. principally, il
lisn alleged, because his testimony NOT
" would have injured himself, but
, dld have ruined the railroad rep
| y tions OF half a dozen men high IN
thS trust of the company.
There was no witness to the shoot
ing ana the one person who can bear
OUT even the slightest part OF the muir
DER idea is Mrs. Rawn. She says she
was awakened by sound and gave her
husband the summons which sent him
/ 10 his death.
One OF the many stories in circula-
uon was to the effect that Rawn re-
Gently had taken out $4,000 new in
suIance. Relatives, however, deny this
Three railroad presidents and others
pa bearers at the funeral Friday ar
| ternoon al $3.50 O'clock
Police Are Barred.
Despite the fact that Mr.. Coburn
stated he would offer a reward for the
murder OF Mr. Rawn. the family has
barred all OF the police authorities from
making an investigation.
More mystery was added to the trag-
edy when another detective agency.
represented by its superintendent and
us chlef aid, appeared in the suburban
dlsulct and began an inquiry. They
too, were repulsed by Rawn's relatives
ana told their services were not need
ed, nut their presence led to consider
able speculation as to who was respon-
slpIe Tor placing them on the case
kumors that Insurance companies In
terested had sent them there were de-
MED; then the report arose that thex.
mad been employed by railroad inter-
ests.
The inquest will be held next We'd
1tsdaY The autopsy last night b..
-croners Physician Reinardt disclosed
1o;htng more than what had been
learned earlier in the day