The San Francisco call., 1910-07-22
IRA {. RAWN
Died On EVE
OF EXPOSURE
Great Railway Scandal About to
Break When Fatal Shot
Was Fired
Police Adopt Suicide Theory
and Drop Criminal In
veStigatiOn

CHICAGO. July 21.-Desth came to
Ira G. Rawn, president Of the Monon
railroad. supposedly from bullet fired
by himself, but certainly on the eve OF
possible exposure as a central figure
OF what is declared may be one of
the greatest railway scandals Of the
country. Counsel for the Illinois Cen
trail railroad, when confronted today
with d verbatim copy of questions and
answers at a recent investigation OF
the company's affairs, admitted that
the foundation had been carefully laid
with intent to show Rawn as pri-
rnarily responsible for years of crooked
car contracts. His answers, however,
had been steadfast denials of the
charges.
POLICE DROP INVESTIGATION
The Chicago police have dropped the
fnvesti cation into the death, and Her
man SchuettIer, acting chief OF police,
today said that he was satisfied that
Rs1-n Rad committed suicide Schuett-
Ter announced his decision after long
conference with the detectives who had
investigated the Winnetka tragedy.
They declared all the details pointed to
suicide
Despite the withdrawal of the Chi
cago police. the private detectives en-
pIoyeI by the Rawn family continued
their investigation and steadfastly de-
clare that Rawn was killed by "a bur-
glar.
The suicide theory is believed to have
been strengthened by the results of an
investigation by Coroner Hoffman. The
bullet hole in Rawn's night garment
had been carefully examined, and It's
appesrance leads to the suicide belief
The hole is surrounded by bloodstains
in which there are what are believed
to be powder marks.
No ARRESTS MADE
While the detectives announced yes
tarday that they expected to make an
important arrest today, no one was
taken into custody.
Ny men have told me that as far
as they could learn only one shot was
heard by the Rawn neighbors," said
Chief Schuettler. They also told me
that the muzzle of the revolver was
covered with blood. and that the f1esh
near the wound had been burned
which would indicate that the shot was
fred only a few inches from the body
We have found nothing that would in
dicats murder"
Rawn's funeral will be held tomorrow
afternoon.
THEORY OF ACCIDENT
A new theory as to the means by
which Rawn was shot TO death was
suggested late today from the office OF
the private detective agency engaged
by the Rawn relatives to investigate
the death.
The opinion was expressed that Mr.
Rawn met his death as the result OF
an accident and that in fact but one
shot had been fired and that from the
revolver held by Mr.. Rawn.
at is likely that Mr.. Rawn heard
some noise in his home and. revolver ir
hand. descended the stairs in search
of an intruder" said an officer of the
detective agency When near the
bottom Of the stairway, L believe ht
stumbled and the revolver was dis
charged.
This would account for the fact thai
only one shot was heard by neighbour
and that there was no trace of rob
Der in the house. Mr.. Rawn's relatives
knowing he descended in search of {
burglar. and then finding him dead
likely assumed he had been shot by
burglar when the death more probabl,
was caused by the accidental discharg'
OF his own revolver"