The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-04-01
ERECTED NEAR HOLY CROSS
Mother-in-Law and Son-in-Law
at Outs.
MR.. JOHN LENNON is OBsCURED
Mrs. Owen Mcmahon Is Prepared to
Protect Her Interests Against
All Corners.

Just across the road from Holy Cross
Cemetery is the pretty residence Of Mrs.
Mcmahon, the relict OF the late Owen
Mcmahon. who upon his death left large
estate, the major portion of which was
given to the widow.
Adjoining her premises there is now
being erected a bui ding to be used as a
hotel and barroom, by John Lennon, her
son-in-law.
This promises to be the beginning of one
of the most stubborn family feuds known
to the suburbs of San Francisco, as armed
men nightly watch the Mcmahon resi-
dence. for the purpose of forcibly prevent
ing any nocturnal depredations on the
property.
A board fence twenty feet high and
running the entire length OF the lot has
been erected by the widow, which cuts off
the view from the Lennon structure.
1t is to see that this wooden wall Is not
distur beu that Captain John Castle, the
well-known ex-depuiy sheriff, camps every
night in one of the big bay-windows of
the home.
Since the death of her daughter and the
remarrlage of LannOn the relations of
Mrs. Mcmahon and the son-in-law have
been somewhat strained.
He leased from her hotel bearing her
name, which was burned some time ago,
and the present building he is putting up
not far from that site.
There was tree in the front grounds of
the widows property which interfered
with the view from Lemons house. On
ST. Patrick's night it was sawed down by
some party or parties to the owner IN
known. On the same night an attempt
was made to cut down another large
shadetree which had been an ornament
for many years.
The depreciation so incensed the lady
that she took counsel of her friends with
the result that the huge fence was erected
across the spot where the um brageous
monarch formerly reared his head.
That fence will stay there" is the
avowal of the owner, until | get ready TO
take it down, and that will not be very
SOON"
In the meantime there Is an armed guard
to protect it at night. and sharp lookout
is kept by day.
fence is a serious impeachment to his pro-
posed business. AS it is on the property
of his mother-in-law he cannot lawfully
touch it. though il is feared that he may
demolish 1t by force of arms.
II such an attempt is made there will
surely be bloodshed, the defenders of the
fence declare.
1cStcIuhy ~ WAS UpoHly doScIlcu budV
there would be a clash between the fac
lions.
Captain Castle. who is an old-time friend
snd a former companion of the deceased
husband of the widow, is distinguished for
his pluck and nerve.
II would like to see the thing settled
without trouble" he said to relor Ter
yesterday, ''but am friend of this lady.
| am assisting her now without recon-
pense or the hope of reward, though she is
immensely wealthy. If her enemies tres
pass upon her rights it will be at their
peril. We make no threats, but we think
that the party who cut that tree down
would cut her head off. and will Try 10
see that the said party does nothing of the
kind unless he suffers for it,
The high fence has just been completed,
and is 10 plain view of passengers of the
electric and steam railways, and also from
the public road, where funeral professions
are constantly passing and repassing.
For this reason Mrs. Mcmahon is talk
ing OF letting 1t for advertising purposes
and main tanning 1t as nuisance to Len
non for an indefinite length of time.
As both sides nave plenty of money and
many friends, the war may last for many
.