Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-05

BOS1 ON, MASS. Nov Ain connection
with the fifteen murderous assault cases.
which have occurred in Cambridge,
Brookline and Semerville within the last
few months rwo Of which resulted IA
tally. the State police to-day arrested Alan
G. Mason, of Boston. a well-known and
wealthy business man, member of the
piano manufacturing firm of Mason and
HIS Min. a club member and Harvard
graduate.
,he police suspect from evidence in
their hands. that Mr.. Mason has been in
volved in nearly all the cases referred to
as the circumstances of each have been
very similar.
MENTALLY DERANGED
Mr. Mason is middle-aged ma n, but
he has been a victim of mental disorder,
for which he was treated at the Mclean
asylum at Waverly. About year ago
he was permitted to leave the institu-
ton. Since that time, it is said. he has
been permitted to go and come al will,
and the fact that he had been frequently
seen about The localities in which the as
saults, occurred. led to suspicion against
him.
The peculiar assault cases which have
terrorized Cambridge and vicinity as we'll
as other suburban sections, began last
June. During the summer there were half
a dozen victims Of an unknown assailant,
each of whom was struck down and beat
en- with blunt instrument. Early IN DC
toher Miss Agnes McPheo was assaulted
in Somervlle and died from her injuries.
An iron wrench was found and fixed up is
the weapon used. During the same month
eight other cases followed. the last of
lac nj
Clara A Morton, a laundress at the Nc
Lean ASYLUM, was accosted on the
grounds of that institution and beaten
with a blunt instrument Miss Morton
died Sunday.
Mr., Mason was taken into custody at
his mothers home. on NeWberry street.
He made no objection and on the way
To police headquarters. 1t IS sald ne
admitted to the officers that he was
in Sonerville on the night on winch MISS
McPhee vas fatally injured.
SON OF ORGAN FIRM FOUNDER.
The prisoner is about SO pears of age.
and is the son of the founder
Of the firm of Mason & Hamlin
crgan and piano manufacturers. He
vas graduated from Inward in 1885,
and entered the firm, of which his father
was the head. Mental trouble developed
within few years Of his graduation, and
ne went to the Mclean Asylum for treat
ment. After a time he showed improve
ment and left the institution.
a second time it became necessary for
him to return, but soon improved and was
released 4 second time. In 1901, however,
symptoms more serious than any one of
the previous ones developed, and his
mother and brother found It unsafe to be
with him at their Newberry-street home,
He had threa tened both, and petition
was filed to have him taken away on the
ground of Insanity and Mason was sent
to Waverly for the third time.
The man himself protested against what
he termed an injustice, and said that he
was perfectly sane and would conduct
himself as well as possible while he was
there. He remained six months. Since
then he has been free and has been
stock-taker at the Mason and Hamlin
organ factory. at Cambridge.
Mason has a mother and three brothers.
Edward Palmer Mason, Henry Lowell
Mason and Daniel Gregory Mason. He
IS a cousin of John Mason, the we'll
known actor.
While in college Mason displayed I,
pronounced musical taste, and was presi-
dent of the Glee Club. He was also an
athlete of some note.
MASON'S MENTAL CONDITION.
Mason was detained at the station
house until nearly o'clock when he
was taken to Cambridge, where he will
remain under surveillance by insanity eX-
perts for a time.
Throughout the examination he abso-
lutey denied that he knew anything
about the assault cases. The police assert
that four or hve witnesses declare posi-
lively that they saw Mason in Waverly
Saturday night.
Mason's brother says Alan is in better
mental condition than he was some time
ago. but he realizes that Alan is an IN
sane man. One fact considered significant
by the police is that it has been the
habit of Alan Mason to take a car ride
almost every evening before going to
bed The ride was taken as usual Sunday
evening. but Mason declares he did not
go in the direction Of Waverly.