Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 October 1887 — FOR HIS MOTHER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FOR HIS MOTHER.

A Chicago Banker Shot Down by His Step-Son While Coming from Church. -- ___ _____ Tragic Ending of What Has Been an Extremely Sensational Divorce Suit. LChicago special.] All the scandal that has set the town agog over the divorce salt of Kawson vs. Rawspn is again dragged to the front by the shooting, on Sunday, of the famous banker by his stepson, William Ralph Lee. Tbe people who sat in front and behind Mr. Stephen W. Rawson in the 'lhird Presbyterian Chnrch at the comer of Ogden and Ashland avenues arose with him at the pronunciation of the devout benediction, and with him stepped out into the sunshine of the front entrance. There their senses and breath were driven from them at the sight of a slip of a young man who quickly stepped behind the banker and opened fire upon him with a revolver. The first crack of the weapon was the banker’s warning, but the bullet caught him and he staggered to the curbing, followed by the youth, who never

paused an instant in his work with tho revolver, which he clutched with both his hands, tugging at the trigger. The second shot came at the curbing. Then Mr. Rawson staggered half-way to the car tracks along Ogden avenue and fell forward upon his elbows. The women had begun soreaming by this time, but before any odc could interfere the assassin stood within six feet of his prostrate victim and fired three more shots directly at his body. Then there was a pause, for the double-acting pistol was empty. One man rushed upon the murderous youngster from behind aud jostled him into the arms of another running from the opposite direction, and the weapon was knocked from his hand. Three or four hundred members of the church had seen one of its most prominent members shot down before their eyes in the most cold-blooded manner, and for the moment their excitement got the better of their piety. There were excited yells of “Hang him!” “Kill him!” but Officer Jack Hartnett was close at hand, and had the prisoner in charge in a second. The murdered man was lifted into a carriage and driven to his palatial home on Monroe street. A consultation of physician was held. After a critical examination of the wounded man it was decided to give up all attemnta to extract any of the five balls and to devote all efforts to removing the effects of the shock and building up the system. This was held to be the only

possible hope for the desperately wounded man’s recovery. Lee is a slim, nattily built youth, about five feet two inches in height, and between 16 and 17 years of age. His bearing was cool and collected to a surprising degree, taking into consid eration the tragic scene just concluded at the church doors. When Mrs. Rawson was informed of what her son had done she exclaimed: “I am glad of it; he got what he deserved." Stephen W. Rawson has been a well-known figure in banking and church circles for a great many years, is a prominent member of the Illinois Club, one of the “heavy” men of the Pres-

byterian Church, and stands high in the financial world. The case of Rawson vs. Rawson has been from its inception one of the spiciest that Chicago was ever treated to. Petitions, bills, cross-bills, and about all the other kinds of documents known to the legal profession were filed without number, and everything from In compatibility of temper to adultery was charged. It was March 1, 1886, that Stephen W. Rawson was married to Mrs. America Lncretia Smith, and so inharmonious was their married life that within six months from the date of the wedding the public was being regaled with accounts of their marital infelicity. As far as previous marriages were concerned they were very evenly mated, she being nis third wife and he her third husband. She was first married at the age of 15 years to William Slaymaker in New Orleans, but secured a divorco from him very shortly afterward on the ground of drunkenness. Her next venture was with Charles G. Lee, of Mississippi, and it terminated in the same way —i. e.: she secured a divorce because of his drunkenness. By blaym&ker she had a son, Ralph William Slaymaker, and by Lee a daughter, Maria Read Leo. After hoc divorce from Lee Mrs. Rawson went to Washington and secured a position in the Patent Office, where she worked for some time. In September, 1883, she came to Chicago and bought the house No. 1247 Michigan avenue, previously owned by Rawson ; ana there she resided until her marriage, when Mr. Rawson took her to his own home. No, 496 West Monroe street, Their separation occurred a little over three months after their weddings Mr. Rawson going to the Grand Pacific Hotel to live, and Mrs. Rawson remaining in the house. Of course, it is impossible to say just what the real causes of the separation were, further than that there

was a very startling incompatability of temper. The case has never come to trial, and all that the public knows is that there were numerous serious and damaging charges made by both sides. It may have been the fault of either or both; it is not likely now that the truth will ever be known.

William Ralph Lee Shooting Banker Rawson.

THOMPSON. GANZELL. SHINDLE. BROUTHERS. WHITE. ROWE. RICHARDSON.

BENNETT. TWITCHELL. BALDWIN. DUNLAP. HANLON. W. H. WATEINS. GETZIEN.

The Detroit Club.

WELCH. COMISKEY. ROBINSON. BUSHONG. BOYLE. KING.

O’NEILL. GLEASON. LATHAM. PRESIDENT VON DER AHE. FOUTZ. CARUTHERS.

The St. Louis Browns.