Evening star., 1926-07-16
PUBLISHER is SLAIN
IN OHIO AFTER WAR
0NGAMBLER GANGS
Don R. MelIett, Brother of D.
C. Man, Shot to Death
Entering Yard.
HAD FEARED FOR LIFE;
WAS GIVEN POLICE GUARD
Slayers Escape in Automobile,
Leaving No Trace-Federal
Inquiry Forecast.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
CANTON, Ohio, July 16.-Don r.
Mellett, SO, publisher of the Canton
Daily News, an unrelenting crusader
against vice in Canton, was shot to
death early today at the door of his
garage. Police are going on the
theory that Mellett was killed by
hired assassins Of the underworld in.
terests, whom he SO vigorously op-
posed Through the columns of the
Daily News. The paper is owned by
former Gov. James NJ. Cox, Dayton.
BY his own admission Mellett and
the News were responsible for send.
ing two Canton men to the Ohio peni-
tentiary and played a big part in the
famous Curtis cases here.
Wife With Him at Time.
Mellett and his wife had returned
shortly after midnight from an eve-
ming spent with guests. He was clos.
Ing the garage doors when q volley
of half dozen or more bullets roared
from the darkness.
Mellett was dead when his wife
reached his side. He feared for his
life. and city policeman had guard
ed his home for several nights. He
was not on duty last night, however.
Neighbors reported having seen q
touring car bearing a Pennsylvania
license in the vicinity of the Mellett
home several times yesterday. Sew
eral anonymous threats had been re-
ceived by telephone by members Of
the family.
Several days ago the publisher told
friends he was convinced a plot ex-
listed to take his life.
Mellett, one Of seven children, all in
the newspaper business. came here
from Akron where he formerly was
employed on the Akron Press.
A brother. John. who writes maga-
zine articles under the name of
the Indiana Traction Association, and
another brother. Jess. formerly was
mayor Of Anderson, Ind.
Was Father Of Four.
His widow and four children sur
Vive.
Had the bullet which pierced Mel
let's brain been an inch higher, it
would have missed the publisher, who
recently celebrated his 36th birthday.
Several days ago Mellett told friends
he was convinced a plot had been laid
for his assassination.
He amplified that declaration by
mentioning he. had been told several
out Of town persons were on his
trail" To one of his business ac-
quaintances Mellett this week said
he did not want to be pictured as
sQueamish, but that he was aware of
sinister motives. "I have more than
a premonition." he said to his con-
f1dant. "It comes in form Of
warning that is almost direct"
Judge Hubert Pontius said he
would personally offer reward of
$1,000 for the arrest and conviction OF
the slayers.
Attacked Alleged Vice.
gMellett, in editorials and news
stories at intervals over a period of
eight months, had attacked alleged
/, gambling and vice conditions In the
city and police are investigating the
possibility of gunmen having been
imported to halt his activities.
The Canton News some time ago
was made defendant in a libel action
for 5000 brought bS Chief Of Police
S. A. Lengel. The action was filed
after Lengel was suspended by Mayor
S. M. Swarts on charges OF lax law
enforcement. Lengel was exonerated
by the Civil Service Commission and
reinstated. following a two-week trial.
BROTHERS IN CAPITAL.