The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-11-10


some DETAILS OF THE LIFE OF REMARKABLE
DlAN.-Mr. Thomas w. McMahop, a member
Of the bar, and well-known citizen of Rich.
mond, died Sunday morning of enlargement
of the liver. Deceased was born in Dubiin,
Ireland, in 1884, studied for while at Ma
nooth College, and came to America in 1919.
He studied law at Bipghamton, N. T., and
afterwards became 4 deputy naval cfficer OF
the port Of New York. He was for some
time the friend and private secretary of Ben.
Wood, and frequently contributed to his pa
per, the New York Ne1cs, and to other Demo
cratic sheets. Mr.. McAlahon made the ac-
quaintance of Hon. Jefferson Davis in New
York, and became a warm admirer Of that
gentleman. When the war broke out he
heartily espouSed the cause of the South, left
New York and went to Montgomery, Ala,
and offered his services TO President Davis.
He was given position near the person of
the President, and came with him to Rich
mond when the Confederate seat of govern
ment was removed hlther.
During the war he enjoyed in bigh de-
gree the confidence and esteem OF the Con-
iederate authorities, and his pen was kept
busy writing in its defence. He furnished
articles to several newspapers, and wrote !,
number of political pamphlets, the most pre-
tentous and importanto of which was " Cause
and Contrast" This was widely read. 1t
was reviewed by the press North and South,
approvingly by the latter, disapproyipgly by
the former, and gave him a considerable repu-
tation.
After the Confederate Government passed
the CONSUMPTION acts, and when he bad pro-
badly left the official position which he had
occupied, he was saved from the army by
being detailed by the Secretary Of War to
write a history of the Confederacy. The
Examiner, then and always exceedingly
hostile to the Administration, made this
matter subject of severe ridicule, aud
thereby greatly offended Mr.. McMahop.
Meeting Mr.. Edward A. Pollard one day in
the Secession Club-Rooms, then popular
eating and drinking establishment on Main
street, Mr.. McMahon attacked Mr.. Pollard
and cut him with knife in the hand. Mr..
Pollard fred his pistol at him, but the ball
sped wide of its mark. Mr.. McMahOn pro-
badly collected some materials for his his'
tory, but the collapse Of the Confederacy
prevented him from proceeding with the
undertaking.
In the flash times after the evacuation Mr..
Mcmahon published price-crrrent sheet,
and derived from it an income which enabled
him to live in 4 style suitable to his tastes.
But as business settled into its natural chan
neIs this enterprise failed, and he began the
practice of law. In this profession he never
succeeded. The few cases he got brought
him little or no pay, and of late years lie was
constantly struggling with poverty, and his
life was bitter and hard one.
Mr.. Mcmahon was master of several Ian
guages, was good classica! scholar, had
read much, travelled a great deal, and been q
close observer of men and things. His
memory was wonderful before it became im-
plired and clouded by disregard Of the laws
of health. lie was very handsome when he
first came to Richmond, and dressed ard
bore himself like a gentleman of great dig
nifty. To the last he kept his dignity and his
sorrows, and much of his early history he
smotnered in his own breast. In conyersa-
tion he was very interesting, and his love for
music and the drama led him to talk much
upon those subjects. Though for the last
two or three years he lived in great poverty,
and keenly suffered the consequences of free
living, be never yielded to any temptation
pointing to the path Of dishonor, and he was
liked and trusted by all who knew him.
His funeral took place yesterday from st.
Peters Cathedral; the services were con.
Quoted by Father Handley, and large num-
ber of friends followed his body to the
Bishops cemetery where it was buried.