The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-02
M'MAHON ESTATE A MYTH.
NO SUCH PERSON LEFT $I5 900. o
OR " SUM.
Renewed Efforts to Invcigle Pensnntry in Ire-
land Into Sending Money for Alleged Pros
ccedings Concerning n Fortune snid to
unHa uecn Len by william AIcAlnhon.

Renewed Efforts to InvcIgle Peasnntry In Ire
land Into Sending Money for Alleged Pro-
ccedings Concerning n Fortune Said to
Have Becn Left by william Mcmahon.
WASHINGTON, May IAN article headed
"Bcfooled Irish Heirs printed in THE Sun
on Feb. IS last, exposed certain statements con-
corning the mythical estate of one William Nc
Mahon. which were circulated in Cork, Ireland,
and its vicinity. These statements represented
that Mcmahon had died in Washington in 1892,
leaving an estate OF $15 ,OO0. 900, and without
making a will, only saying at his death that he
wished these millions to be divided among his
surviving relatives in Ireland. Many poor
people of the peasantry in County Cork and
others were the victims of these statements.
TIE Sun article clearly proved that no such per-
son US William Mcmahon had died in Washing
ton, and that there were no dollars left by him
for "heirs" in Ireland or elsewhere. The original
story represented that David c. Fitzgerald. a
lawyer Of Albany, was conducting proceedings
for n division of the estate. THE Sun article
showed that no such proceedings were in
progress in the Supreme Court or any court OF
the United States o. any court in Washington
or the District of Columbia.
From letters and newspapers just received in
Washington from ireland it appears that. not
withstanding this exposure, the story has been
revived and that efforts are making to inveigle
poor people in the south of Ireland and else
where into sending money to pay tho cost of
alleged legal proceedings concerning the estate.
Through n letter from a reputable man in Ire
land. and IA marked article in IA Cork newspaper.
March %. 1897, il is made TO appear that Fitz.
gerald characterizcs as "a damnable falschood"
the charges against him of bcfooling and OBJ
that he ibid so obtain large sums OF money for
which l rendered no adequate return or any
S SsctiSn II shs Snfs or a He IS fd in / foqf1 made in so 10
speak OF a commission for hearing in the
$l5,0oo,ooo case, with which he was not con-
ncctcd until it commenced operations in Wash
ington. whore. it sat al various intervals. tho
dates of which you thc newspaper have from
May until December, 1896
In rcfutation Of these statements here is what
James H.. Mckinney, Clerk OF the supreme
Court OF the United States, wrote to a Sun rep
.n "WAsHlNGroN. Il. c., Jan; 10, 1897.
date / Would i" say there erpi + no case SUSi bending in the
supreme Court of the United States which in
wolves the settlement of any Mcmahon e"sS.
court and do not find thereon the name of David
c. Fitzgerald. and thc.etore report that he is
Il am not acquainted with any one of tho
name of David c. Fitzgerald. Y9nGs, g..
CLERK Supreme Court United States"
One of the Treasury officials Of Washington
Columbia supreme Court, recently as to a state
mcnt IN the Cork Dailp Hcrdld. credited to
David S C Fi,1gerald, TO- the &c effect ot that ha on IS::
Court aor the District Of Columbia a motion was
made i'll "a case then pending, represented 10 be
in respect To an estate valued at $4,000 600,
left by one Mcmahon. q native of Ireland. and
said to have died in Washington city, District
of Columbia. The following is Clerk Young'0
reply:
"CLERk OFFICE, SUPREME COURT OF THE
"DISrRICT OF tOLrMBIA.
WAsIiISGrOS, April III. 1897.
the within communications: l
cannot lind that there is now, or was at the limo
s]pcciicd. any cause pending either on the Law
or Equity side of this Court in which the cS-
tate Of any one by the name Of McNlahon is in
controversy or settlement: nor do ] find tho
name of David {. Fitzgerald on the roll of attor-
nc!s admitted TO practice at the bar OF this
court.
"Respcctfully referred to J. Nota McGill,
Esq, Register of Wills. for further answer.
Clerk Supreme Court, District of Columbia"
Here follows the Endorsement Of Mr.. Mctiill:
Nv AsHINGrON, u. C., April -, 1891
"OFFICE or REGISTER OF WILLS.
a fun exposure Of this fraudulent scheme
was made in an issue OF lIlE NEW YORK Sun OF
the middle OF February, 1897.
-. NoTA MCGIIL. Register OF Wills
land, an cN,incmbcr Of Parliament, who has
Interested himself in putting n stop TO the do
lusiNC scheme in his province, writes 10 a friend
nj Washington rs follows:
~ seat YOU Fitzgcrald's latest dodge. I
should likc to have n point-blank denial by
officer Of court that this Mcmahon case was not
heard 2Sth december or any other tirnc.
" Fitzgerald now says you will observer no
got all his information from II man William
Otinrmanl. Rohcrbec, county Cork. We can
nOt lind any such man there
The Irish correspondent will got in the above
replies of thc supreme Court Clerk the point
blank denial he asks for.