Imperial Valley press., 1925-08-07
Attribute Murder
TO Ene1ny;Discdrd
Burglary Theory

Olltt OF dieNicO HGf totdN TN
de&voring to pick up some clue that
will reveal the identity of the mys
ttriGuS assassin who shot Lawrence
CIawson. salesman for the Singer
Sewing Machine Company. at his
home on Fourth street in Calexico
last night shortly after 8 o o'clock.
The bullets struck Clawson. one
passing through the lower part of
the stomach and the other inflicting
II Slight flesh wound in the left
side just below the heart. 1t was
the first wound which caused Claw
sDn : death ut the FL Centre hospi-
tai at / clock this morning.
Ciawson had been visiting with
George Brandt, neighboF across
the street. The men, according to
Brandt had noticed an automobile
pass through the. block several
times and mentioned that fact.
though they d:I not give it any
particular significance.
Shots Ring Out
Shortly afterward CIawson return
cd to his home and Brandt heard
sounds of a scuffle. He hurried to-
ward the Clawson home, but before
he reached it two shots rang out.
Being unarmet Brandt $ advance
toward the house was halted. How
even he watched and saw a man run
toward the rear of the house and
disappear through Il hole i'll the
fence about ID feet from the house.
Brandt. accompanied by several
ncighbors. found Clawson laying be-
side the fence, with the blood gush
He was still breathing and appar
emily was scmi-conscious.
The injured man was brought to
the FL Centre hospital and Was inn
n'tdiatelv operated on He seemed
to rally about midnight and there
was hope that he might she'd some
light on the identity of his assail-
ant. However, except for making
the statement that a burglar had
shot him. he made no comment on
the affair. ~
Sinks Gradually
Shortly before ) clock the
morning he began to weaken and his
strength gradually diminished until
death came. His wife. who has
been spending the summer with
two children in San Diego was no.
tliied Immediately and arrived in
the valley this morning. She was
unablc to give any explanation of
the shooting, stating that as far as
she knew her husband had no enem-
les who might wish to take his life.
The theory at first accepted. that
Ciawson and surprised the Burglar
at work in his house, is not held by
Chief HaFdw; *, of the Caleixco
police department, who believes that
the shooting WAS done by some one
who had grudge. real or fancied,
against Clawson and WAS waiting
for him in ambush when the latter
returned from his visit with Brandt.
No Signs of Robbing
According to the chief there were
no signs of Il robbery ON the prem
Uses. \ screen on window ut the
sue bl Iuc HbuSc W dS turn olL anu
it was believed that the assassin
might have been Il burglar, who
sought entry to the house in this
manner. Later, when the burglary
theory was discarded, it was thought
that the screen might have been
broken as Clawson and his murder
er Scuffled inside the house.
Cawson had been in the employ
of the Singer company for about 10
years. and was held in high esteem
by his employers. His work in
selling sewing machines was confin-
cd largely to the Mexican side of
the line as he spoke Spanish fluent
lv he had II large circle of Mexican
acqua intancoS.
Thought Man Was Mexican
Brandt was able to give some
what hazv description ON the man
whom he SAW run to the rear of the
house and expressed the opinion that
he was Mexican. Chief llardwiek
stated this morning that he ~ IN
clned to the same opinion and ~
cooperation with the police officials
of McXicali I'm investigation of the
Mcxjcans on both sides Of the line
is being made.
An inquest ON Claws0n : death
will be held tomorrow morning at
10 c clock.