Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-24
THE KILLING OF MCMAHON.
George Hough on Trial for Murder

OPENING PROCEEDINGS IN THE CRIMINAL COURT
TO-DAY.
In the Criminal Court, Judge Wylie, this morn
ing another homicide case was taken up-that of
Geerge Hough, indicted for the murder or WIN.
Mcmahon on the night OF September Goth last by
cutting him across the breast, near the corner OF
Th street and Louisiana avenue. The parties,
both printers. had been drinking and scuffle had
taken place between Hough and Mcmahon at Hoy S
saloon ON 11th street, below the Avenue and these
two men started down the Avenue. Ii is alleged
that near the corner named HOugh drew knife
and gave the fatal cut ana walked of. afterwards
being arrested at Milers restaurant corner of 9Th
street and Pennsylvania avenue. The prisoner,
age, is represented by MessrS W. A. Cook and Ed
mund Burke, tof Alexandria, Va-l District At
torney Worthington appeared for the government.
The defendant asked to withdraw the plea OF
not guilty to file motion to QuaSh, plea in
abatement and demurrer, but the court over
ruled the motion, saying the same questions can
be raised by motion in arrest OF Judgment EXcep-
uonS were noted.
A jury having been called In the box, the wit
nesses were called and two Of those on the de-
IenQantS llSC 1alted TO answer.
THE JURY.
While an aff1davit was being prepared one OF
these wttnesses-JameS OCOnner-arrived and the
work OF empanneling jury was proceeded with
and the following were selected: William B.
Cooper, G. T. Harbln, John +. Harding, Charles +.
Curtis, James Halland, John c. Hesse, w. ii. Dunn,
j. A. Wheatley, Michael Cunningham, John E. Hill
ton, W. G. Wheatley and Joseph E johnson.
Mr. Worthington opened the case to the jury,
Statlng what The government expected TO prove
THE TESTIMONY.
The first witness was DIR. James F. Hartigan. who
testified to making post mortem examination Of
Mcmahon on September 27th. Witness described
the wounds-a cut Of the left ear. extending across
the throat to the breast 6h inches long, and an
other from the right ear, extending Giagonally to
near the left nipple. The hemorrhage following
the wounds led TO blood clot In the heart, which
was the immediate cause of death.
DR.. ID. p. Hickling testified 10 assisting at the
autopsy, and that the juguar vein of The deceased
was cut on both sides.
Robert Hoy testified that he kept saloon at 314
18th street; knew Hough for about years. and the
deceased for about days before the homicide.
The latter came TO his house when he first came
to the city, September 18th: McIahon had been in
the house on the day OF the homicide from 10 In
the morning, and Hough caEie In about O'Clock.
When witness came down from supper they were
just about closing wrestie. Mcmahon asked II 1t
was square fall and Hough SAID 'yes." lie stop
ped them ard they took drink together and went
out Mcmahon came back, having been to the
barber Shop, and HOugh came in half an hour
afterwards about So oc.ock.) They commenced
to sing and called for more liquor, which he re
fused TO give them They went ous-that is Mel
son and tLoGgh, and Mcmahon remained behind
a man went to Mcmahon to persuade him to go
home. but he wouldn't. Hough came back with
others Campbell and another nartyl, and called
for drinks, when Mcmahon walked up a,d asked,
'where Is my drink, and witness refused To give
him a drink Mcmahon then went out, and Hough
street, bat afte: Hough left saw them on the cor
ner, and from there pass down the avenue. Camp
bell was very drunk and when witness saw him,
about IL O'clock. he Said he had been looking for 4
temperance society. Don't think when they left
that one was much drunser than the other.
CrOSs-eXaElined.-When witness came down from
supper Hough was on the floor and Mcmahon On
top. Mcmahon was quarrelSoIne. so much So that
witness told him he did not want him to come TO
his house.
Charles II. Sengstack testified that he knew both
parties; saw them at Hoys; had drink with them;
saw the wrestle, in which Mcmahon threw Houch.
and afterwards they had drink. Witness LETT In
fifteen or twenty minutes afterwards, the others
remaining apparently very friendly.
Louisa Flaith testified she lived It 309 10th street
northwest; kept beer saloon; that she knew
Hough. who mad room in her house till some
weeks before the homicide Several parties came
in the night of the horntcGe-Hough, Campbell
ard Nelson With another party. Nough treated
and left-the man who was killed going out next
They appeared friendly and We're quite drunk.
Herman ID. Swing testified that he knew Nc
the night OF the homicide on Pennsy avenue.
beTeen 9Th and 10th streets, In the street A man
was with him, but did not know who he was. Nc
pan1on was locked arms with McMahon.
Henry ". Hurley testified that he knew James
B. Nelson; saw him the night of the homicide on
Pennsylvania avenue, between 1th and Sth streets,
about two minutes past ten; Nelson was With TWO
other men. ana they staggered toward the curb;
did not know the men. and passing westward saw
another man following, as witness thought, III q
suspicious manner. He was man OF 100 pounds,
NlIl brown SufC OF clCLleS. GOtteu WIN Wlllte,
and thinks he had black E,ustacne.
CrosS-eyamined.-The man behind the tree box
seemed to be trying to keep out OF sight OF The
others. Hough was not the man he then saw;
ne is not large enough.
AFTER RECESS,
James B. Nelson, who was one OF the party with
Hough and Mcmahon. testified that he saw Hough
make two blows at Mcmahon and he ran up to the
latter who said: 'I'm done for this time" Witness
IOund that he was b!eeiing and went in the Post
Office and asked that they telephone for an ambu-
lance