Clay County AlArchives News.....Dawson, John Murdered on the Clay-Randolph County line April 6, 1955
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Linda Ayres http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007674 March 27, 2023, 1:04 am

Anniston Star April 6, 1955
The scorched nude body of a 66-year-old Clay County man was found alongside a 
county road early Monday morning by a school bus driver, Clay County sheriff 
R.Y. Gilbert revealed today.
A special investigator for the office of the state toxicologist in Auburn said 
John C. Dawson had been dead for between six and eight hours when the body was 
discovered on the Foster's Bridge Road about eight miles northeast of Lineville. 
The cause of death has not been determined. Fire Scene Located Sheriff Gilbert 
said Dawson was wearing only his shoes when the bus driver Les Waldrop, found 
the body. A large portion of his body had been burned and traces of fire which 
apparently consumed his clothing were found a quarter of a mile from the scene. 
There were no other bruises found on the body. Coroner Randolph Allan said 
Special state Investigators are aiding Clay County Sheriff's officials in their 
investigation, of the case. Several men are being held on open charges for 
questioning in connection with the affair, but no charges have been pressed. 
Sheriff Gilbert said Mr. Dawson moved to the community from Cedartown, Ga., 
about three weeks ago and was employed in the blacksmith shop of Jim Latham. He 
had been living in the home of his employer until about a week ago when he moved 
into a small brick house near the Lathams home but had continued to take his 
meals with the Lathams, officials said. 
Sheriff Gilbert said Mr. Dawson was last seen near his home between 10 and 11 
o'clock by Riley Latham, brother, to Dawson's employer. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Latham 
became concerned over Mr. Dawson when he failed to appear for his meals Sunday 
and began to inquire of his whereabouts.... 

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