The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-07-23
NORD[RED mn
Railroad President Killed
BY Burglar.
HINT Az ANOTHER CAUSE
Ira @. Rawn, Head of Monon Route,
Shot Through the Heart APP
parently by Robber in
Chicago Home.

Chicago. July q. - Ira @. Rawn,
president of the Chicago. indianapolis
Louisville railroad Uhe Monon
route), was murdered in his home at
Winnetka, a suburb OF this city.
The police authorities are searching
for a wounded man as the suspected
murderer
While none In Mr.. Rawn's home saw
the shooting, 1t is believed that Mr..
Rawn shot his assallant, as the police
discovered a trail of blood. This was
about 100 feet in length, a short dis
lance east of the house.
Two shots were heard by Mr.
Rawn's family, and his revolver was
found with one discharged cartridge
in It. Only one bullet was found. II
Is believed that It is the one that went
through Mr.. Rawn's body just below
the heart.
While 1t Is generally believed by the
police that the intruder entered the
wrong home to commit burglary
twenty private detectives working on
the case for Mr. Rawn's family, inti
mate that there may have been an
other motive.
The private detectives declare that
the work OF the man who broke into
the house was not that Of an expert
burglar. A screen door through which
he entered had been forced open by
breaking of the latch. The detectives
assert that burglar could easily have
cut away the screen without making
the noise which must have been
caused by the breaking Of the latches
and which is thought to have awaken
ed Mr. Rawn.
Chicago hospitals and physicians
have been asked to notify the police
promptly should they be visited by
any person suffering from a bullet
wound.
Witness In Big Fraud Case.
Mr.. Rawn recently was a prominent
witness in the Chicago & Western In
diana railroad cases in which alleged
real estate frauds aggregating $500
600 we're charged against former Off
clals of the road The case against
one Of the men is still pending.
Mr.. Wayman, the states attorney,
said that he was satisfied that Mr..
Rawn's testimony in the Chicago &
Western Indiana fraud proceedings
had nothing to do with the murder.
Mr.. Wayman said he had looked over
the testimony and that he thought 1t
contained nothing by which Mr.. Rawn
could have incurred the enmity OF any
one.
The murder OF Mr.. Rawn is the eli
max OF a reign Of crime that has driY
en- the residents Of the North Shore
suburb almost to a frenzy
The man who shot Mr. Rawn had
forced open the basement door and
was heard prowllng about the first
floor by Mr.. Rawn, who went down
stairs with a revolver to investigate
Members of the family heard him say
What do you want here?' and two
shots we're fired Immediately after
ward.
When they hurried to the first fiooi
Mr.. Rawn was lying at the foot OF the
stair--slth a bullet through Is heart
The murderer escaH%9S
The shooting of Mr.. RaWn y @SS s.s~as
scrbed by Ralph G. Coburn, son-in
law Of the victim.
"Mr. Rawn was awakened by sounds
on the first floor Of the house" he
said. He insisted upon going down tc
ascertain the cause, although Mrs
Rawn tried to persuade him not to
do so.
"He descended the stairs and had
barely reached the landing when
everyone in the house was awakened
by the noise of two shots fred in quick
succession. ! rushed out, as did the
others. We found Mr.. Rawn lying In
his night clothes Blood was trickline
from his breast
He struggled, turned over, tried to
speak and could not. We sent in hur
ried callc for a doctor. Mr. Rawn died
within five or six minutes after the
shot had been fired He did not regain
consciousness.
1--WE Immediately summoned the po
lice, and 1t was they who found the
mark on the door which established
the fact that the crime had been com
mitted by burglar"
A half hour after the murder had
been committed detectives were hired
by relatives Of the dead man.
1--WE will offer a reward, said MT
Coburn, land spare no expense to cap
ture the assassin"