A ROMANTIC CAREER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4548, 25 May 1889, Page 3

A ROMANTIC CAREER.

> The murder is reported |from Charleston, South Carolina, of Captain F. W. Dawson, editor of the News and Courier, tho leading newspaper of the State. It appears that Mr Dawson went to the house of a young physician named M'Dow, to remonstrate with hitu for unbecoming conduct towards a maidservant m his (Captain Dawson's) family. M'Dow resented his words, and shot him after an angry dispute. The crime was not discovered till three hours after, when M'Dow confessed his guilt. Captain Dawson's career was a very romantio one. Born m London m 1840, and educated there, he wrote several comedies, which were acted on the London stage. He became greatly interested m tho American War of Secession, and, running the blockade Boon after the war began, enlisted m the Southern navy. After serving a short timo he resigned and enlisted m the Southern army as a private. He showed distinguished bravery m many battles, and was severely wounded, but remained with the army till the close of the war, having been promoted to tho rank of captain. Ho was three times wounded, and at the time of his death carried four bullets m his body — two received m battle, ons during a riot m Charleston, and the bullet which killed him. He bought an interest m the Charleston News m- 1867, and, subsequently, with Mr Kiordin, became coproprietor. His successful efforts to repress duelling m South Carolina so impressed Pope Leo XIII that m 1883 he croated him Knieht of tho Order of St Gregory the Great. His murder took place on the Feast of St Gregory. The law against carrying concealed weapons m South Carolina was passed mainly through his efforts, and bo bad not carried a pistol about him for 20 years. He was twice married and leaves two children.