Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-27
VIM. McMAHON'S THROAT CUT.
KILLED IN A DRUNKEN RRAWL.
A Foolish Wrangle Between Two Prin.
ters Ends In a Frightful Tragedy.

ters Ends In a Frightful Tragedy.
OF 9TH street and Pennsylvania avenue, between
Two printers named VIM. Mcmahon and George
Hough. Mcmahon was terribly cut with knife by
Hough, one cash extending almost from ear to ear,
and the other extending from the right ear across
the chest. HOugh and Mcmahon, with two CON-
panions, James B. Nelson and j. w. Campbell, met
early in the evening at Tip Hoy's restaurant. on
llth street, south Of the avenue, and while in there
HOugh and Mcmahon engaged in wrestling bout,
| In which Mcmahon wccsted Hough. The men after
leaving the restaurant, it appears, took drinks in
other places, and Hough showed much bad feeling
on account of the result Of the wrestling bout. AT
the southeast cor. OF 9TH ST and Louisiana avenue
nOugn ana Mcmahon got into a wrangle, and
Hough, according to the statements of Nelson,
made pass with his hand towards McMahonS
mead, and then ran down Louisiana avenue towards
9th street Nelson saw Mcmahon stagger, and
went up to him TO ask what was the matter with
nun. nm MCMAHON said, 81 am done for this time,
ana supported him to the city post Office, where
the wounded man fell to the ground. Nelson ap-
piled for assistance at the city post Office, and then
ran to police headquarters where he reported the
facts Meanwhile Dr. Toner was summoned, and
did what could be done to make Mcmahon comfort
aDie until the arrival OF the police ambulance,
hospital
HoUGH ARRESTED.
1t appears that Hough, after cutting Mcmahon,
and Pennsylvania avenue, where he washed his
hands. He then came out, and was standing on the
corner when he was arrested by Officers Bast,
sven lie aRa TO
uncommunicative, and, apparently, much un-
der the influence OF liquor He denied all knowl-
In cell he fell asleep. two baded pOcket-knife
having one blade about three inches long and very
sharp, was taken from him by the police. 1t was
with this weapon, it is supposed, that the fatal
wounds were inflicted A woman, who gave her
name as Pearl Hough, was also put under arrest
had been talking with Mcmahon She was in Sup
peeS restaurant, near the post Office when the af
fray occurred. 1t appears, however from the state
mentS Of the others, that she had no connection
with the case.
NELSON'S STATEMENT.
Nelson was detained by the police as witness.
He made statement at police headquarters in the
presence OF his counsel MI John a. Clarke, fol-
lows:
"We met-that is, the man now lying In front OF
the city post office with his throat cut, his name is
Mcmahon, and lat Tip HOy's restaurant on the
west side OF 18th street, below the avenue This
was between three and four O'Clock this evening.
The man who did the cutting QIough) met us at
Tip HOys, and remarked to Mcmahon, Il can down
YOU and Mcmahon retorted, You can't down me-
Whereupon they wreStled and Mcmahon threw the
aSsailant down upon the floor. We all left Tip
Hoys, 'Shad' Campbell, Bill Mcmahon, the man
9:15 O'Clock tonight We walked down Pennsylya
Mia avenue and turned into Louisiana avenue near
the post Office, and the man who did the cutting
said TO Mcmahon, Il will do you now,' and simulta-
neOuSly made a Swipe with his hand toward Nc
MahOns head, and Immediately ran down Louisiana
avenue toward 9th street, the southwest corner.'
DEATH OF M'MAHON.
Mcmahon became conscious after being taken to
the hospital and when asked If he had cut him
self shook his head. He sank again in Stupor,
suffering from exhaustion, caused by loss of blood,
and died about 4:50 o'clock this morning. Arrange
mentS were made this morning for holding an in
quest at two O'Clock this afternoon.
THE 'swIPER" AND HIS VICTIM.
Mcmahon, the victim OF the tragedy, came origi-
nally from Buffalo, where his mother resides About
two weeks ago he to this city from Scranton,
ing room Of the Post. His companions state that
he was quiet and inorensive, though addicted to
drink.
Hough. who is charged with the murder, is ma
tive OF Alexandria,, and has the reputation
Of being qaarrelsome and dangerous man
five years ago after cutting a man named
Harman. He went south. and subsequently
went to New York. where he worked at his trade.
Recently he has been working in this city. He dis
tngushed himself some time ago. 1t is charged, by
shooting at a coored man in Alexandria for refuS-
Ing to drink with him.
MAcMAHoN's BODY
was brought to the seventh precinct station from
Providence hospital about ten O'Clock. It was en-
cased in plain coffin. The body was placed in
the lodgers' room.
WHAT noUGH SAYS.
Hough was taken to Police headquarters this
morning and photographed for the rogues gallery.
A STAR reporter saw him in his cell this morning
at the station house. He was lying on his iron
bunk as II asleep but jumped up when the reporter
called his nrrre.
81 do not care to make any statement" he said
to the reporter. "My attorney, Mr.. Darlington,
has advised me not TO say anything"
"It is stated that you said you knew nothing
about the cutting?n said the reporter
IL know nothing about 1t. All know is that
left him standing at the corner, and that did not
do the cutting"
s'Is is true that you had words with MacMahon?n
"We had wrestie in Tip Eoy's, and he threw
me. There were no angry words, except Tip
Hoy's; who told him that he would put him out If
he did not behave himself"
"You had been drinking pretty deeplyo"
ayes; had been drinking yesterday afternoon.
who was arrested" continued the prisoner. 1--WE
have no relatives, except two nepheWs OF mine in
Baltimore. came from Alexandria, where my
not desperado," continued Hough, referring to
statements made about him. "When man is in
tr2nne b the ,e neWspaPers all give him bad
thirly-two years old, OF medium height, and
rather stout build He has dark hair and nous
been working for Gibson Brothers for three years
Hough bears himself very cooly. When arrested
the police found bioodstains on his cuffs and col
lar
THE WOMAN, PEARL HoUGH.
Pearl Hough, the woman who was detained by
the police in connection with the case, stated to
STAR reporter that she knew hone OF the parties
and nothing about the affair." She supposed at
first that 1t was another Mcmahon that was killed
and she made a remark that she had been talking
with McMahon and that led to her arrest
TIE WITNESS, NELSON.
Nelson, who was taken witness last night,
was kept at the police station until the inquest
this afternoon He declined to talk to-day, saying
he had been advised not He said he had unfortu-
nately been mixed up in the affair by force OF cir
cumStanceS. The statement which he made at
police headquarters last night, he Said was about
correct. He appeared to be considerably affected
by his situation and by the sudden and enforced
abstinence from stimulantS after his diSspatek
MEMBERS OF THE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION
were at the station this morning. arranging to take
charge OF the remains Some friends Of Hough's
were there and declared 1t not at all settled who
did the cutting The party were all intoxicated
and no one was sure that HOugh was guilty OF the
cutting. j. w. Campbell, who was one OF the
printers with Hough and McMahOn, was summoned
as witness to-day. He said to STAR reporter
that he knew nothing OF the cutting, as he left the
party before Mcmahon was cut
ABAD MAN ONLY WHEN DRINKING.
At Gibson Bros Printing establishment, q STAR
reporter was informed that Hough was an unus-
ually steady workman and bore good reputation.
He was especially liked account of his pleasant
disposition. He left the Office yesterday at five
O'Clock, perfectly SOBER having first got ten dol
lar bill changed His bad traits showed themselves
only when he had been drinking.
AN INCIDENT OF THE TRAGEDY.
About half past o'clock postal clerk arrived
in the city post office, and Mr. Samuel Norris, of
the registry division, told him OF the murder While