Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-01-22
rae OEaTa or CAPITALS SCaA
MCMAHON


shock to his many warm friends. On all
sides were heard expressions Of genuine
regret, and the sudden removal Of SO useful
and valuable citizen was universally de-
plored.
Captain McMahon was born in the county
of Clare, Ireland. in March, 1915, and emf
grated with his parents to America when
quite young and settled at Meuershe, New
Brunswick, where he and his sister, Mrs.
Edward Grant, who now resides with her
husband In Iowa, were left orphans. When
about twenty years of age he and several
Others were engaged to come to Savannah
to work In large shoe factory. The other
parties returned North In the following
summer, but young Mcmahon determined
to remain, and shortly afterwards began bust
ness on his own account. His sterling quail
ties, which In after years made him so con-
spicuous in our community, were discovered
by the late Captain Willberger, then pro-
prletor of the City Hotel, at that time
the principal hostelry of the city, who en-
gagged him as clerk, which position he occu-
pied until his employer opened the Pulas-
XII House, and then he succeeded to the
proprietorship of the City Hotel. In his
new sphere he became very popular.
When hostilities between Mexico and
this country were declared he was
doing large business. Being sR
officer in the Irish Jasper Greens,
the company which had volunteered
and been selected to fill SaTan-
nah's quota of the Georgia Regiment,
he turned his business over to his manager,
and went with the corps, and was at once
advanced to its Captaincy by the promo
ton of Captain q. r Jackson (now General
jackson, of this city, to the Colonelcy on
the organization Of the Georgia Regiment at
Columbus.
An incident in his history at this period
may be mentioned as showing the courage
aud the character of the man. When the
Georgia troops reached the Brazos they re-
ceiyed Instructions to proceed up the Rio
Grande to Camp Belknsp, opposite Bonita,
where they remained two weeks. Among the
troops there assembled were the Third I'LL
nois Regiment, under command of Col. Ba-
ker, which was regarded as one of the finest
regiments from the Northwest. In conse-
quence OF the limited facilities
for transportation to Camsrgo,
where the troops were subse-
quently ordered, 1t was necessary to move
only few companies at time.
Three companies Of the Georgia
Regiment, including the Jasper Greens
and the Kennesaw Rangers, were thus
left behind for few days under the COM
mand of Major Redd. In the afternoon, In
early July, the troops received orders to
proceed to Camargo, and the GeOr-
gia troops were marched to the
river bank for the purpose of taking the
steamer. While waiting, a friendly
sparring contest occurred between a
member of the Jasper Greens and
the Kennesaw Rangers, which
occasioned considerable excitement,
and the friends of the contestants cheered
them on Justify. Colonel Baker, of the
Illinois regiment, who was aware that
Colonel jackson had gore to Camargo, and
who was returning TO camp with detach-
ment of his men from the funeral of q
brother officer, heard the noise, and imagining
| that there was trouble among the soldiers,
marched down to the point from whence
the disorder proceeded. Before his arrival,
| however, Captain Mcmahon had already
| interfered, stopped the sparring, which
was becoming rather earnest, and
forming his company, marched them
on board the steamer, and
proceeded to the hurricane deck. He had
his men drawn up in line and was repri
handing them for their boisterous conduct,
when Colonel Baker, who had been
pointed to the hurricane deck
to ascertain the cause of the disturbance
| hurried his men on board the steamer and
rushed up the stairway to the deck. Capt
Mcmahon, who was addressing his men al
| the time, had his back turned to the stair
Wag, and the first intimation he had OF
Col. Bakers presence was peremptory de-
mand, Surrender your sword"
Capt. Mcmahon, not recognizing the off
| Ger, turned upon him ard replied: "I'll cross
swords with you, but never surrender. u
fierce combat ensued and Col. Baker was
being worsted, when one of his men seized
! him around the waist and drawing him back
| eaid, Colonel he's too much for you" and
another yelled, "Charge bayonets." The
I'linoisans at once rushed forward, Captain
Mcmahon was knocked down, bayoneted
through the mouth, and pinioned to the
deck. Some Of the Jaspers pereeiving this
| cried out, "BoYs, he's killed our Captain, y
and then rushed upon the Illinoisans, kill
! log some, severely wounding others and
| throwing them overheard.
The disturbance was coon over. Captain
| Mcmahon was reported dangerously hurt,
and Colonel Baker fatally wounded. Both,
| however, recovered. Colonel Jackson, on
hearing Of the affair, placed Captain
| Mcmahon and his company under arrest
| should be no future Misunderstanding
A court martial was ordered by
General Taylor, and resulted in the
thorough exoneration of Captain Nc
Mahon from all blame In the unfortunate
affair. The deceased, whose system was
severely shocked by the wound and whose
health began to fail, obtained leave of alb.
sence, returned to Savannah and resigned
his commission as Captain of the Greens.
He resumed his management of the City
Hotel, but subsequently sod out his inter
est and removed to Locust Grove, Talia-
ferro county, the home Of the estimahle
! wife, Miss Harry, whom he married
In 1910. About 1850 he returned
to this city and formed eopartnership
with Mr.. James Doyle, under the name
of McMahon 81 Doyle, for carrying on a
wholesale grocery. At the commencement
Of the war between the States he was
engaged In profitable business, but
with the spirit that actuated all
OF our people he entered the service as q
Lieutenant of the Pulaski Guard, and on
the ex piration of the first term of enlist
ment of that corps he became Captain of
the Washington Volunteers, one of the com
panies OF the First Regiment of Georgia
| Volunteers.
He was with this command in Fort Fu-
laski while it was beleaguered by the Fed
eral forces, and in the battle which led to
| its surrender. With it's garrison he was
sent to a Northern prison, Johnson's
Island.
After his exchange he returned to
! Georgia, locating at MilledgeVille, where he
engaged in business until the close
OF the late war; loCO lOuuu MIN
again in his old home, engaged In the pro-
! duce trade, In which he was very successful.
! Owing to failing health, in 1859 he sold out
and visited Europe. In 1870, IN coniunc-
| ton with Mr.. Eugene Kelly, of New York
and others, he organized the Southern
| Bank OF the State of Georgia, and became
| its Vice President and manager, his sound
| Judgment and the confidence of his
/ fellow citizens In his ability and
integrity giving the institution at once a
reputation which continued to increase In
| confidence up to the day of his death. So
closely was he identified with the bank that
it was better known by the name of "Mc.
Mahon's Bank" than by its corporate name,
Captain Mcmahon OF three different
occasions was elected Captain of the JaepeI
| Greens, each time bringing the company uE
to q high standard of efficiency, and be
never lost his interest in the welfare Of the
old corps.
In December, 1889, he was elected mem
Der of the Hibernian Society; on the 18th
/ March, 1859, chosen Treasurer. In 1899 he
was elected Vice President, and retained the
position until 1869. On the 18th March
1873, he was elected President of the so
ciety, and re elected every year since, occu
pying that position at the time of his death
He was Chairman of the committee under
whose auspices the Cathedral of Oul
Lady of Perpetual Help was built,
and rendered efficient aid 10 that pro
ject. as q member Of the Board
of Education he was noted for his deep
interest in the cause OF public education
and his zeal to advance 1t in every way
In this sphere of usefulness he will be
greatly missed.
He never aspired to political hopors, but