Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-11-04
Alan G. Mason, Wealthy Club
man and Manufacturer
Charged with Murder
MANY MYSTERIOUS AssAuLTs
Arrest of Wealthy Bostonian Who Il
Suspected of Two Murders and Many
Assaults on DefenceIess Women DUR
ing Last Few Months-Helisved ia
Be Mentally Unbalanced.

Boston. Nov. 4.-In connection with
the fifteen murderous and assault cases
which have occurred in Cambridge,
Brookline and Somerville the last few
months. two of which have resulted fa-
tally, the police today arrested Alan q.
Mason, of Boston, a well-known and
wealthy business man, member Of tina
piano manufacturing firm of Mason &
Hamlin, a prominent club member and
Harvard graduate. The police suspect.
from the evidence in their hands, that
Mason has been involved in nearly all
the cases referred to. as the circum.
stances have been very similar. MasoI
is middle-aged man, but he has beer
the victim Of mental trouble, for which
he was treated at an asylum at Wav-
erly. About a year ago he was per-
mitted to leave the institution.
Since that time, it is said, he has been
permitted to go and come at will and
the fact that he has been frequently
seen about the localities in which the
assaults occurred led to the suspicion
against him. The peculiar assault cases.
which have terrorized Cambridge and
vicinity, as well as other suburban sev-
tions, began last June. During the
summer there were half dozen VIC
tins of an unknown assailant, each OF
which was struck down and beaten with
a blunt instrument. Early in October
Miss Agnes McPhee was assaulted In
Somerville and died from her injuries.
An iron wrench was found and liked
11pon as the weapon used. During the
same months eight other cases followed,
the last of which occurred last Saturday
night, when Clara A. Morton, laundress
at the insane asylum, was accosted on
the grounds and beaten with blunt IN
strument. Miss Morton died on Sunday.
Mason was taken into custody at his
mothers home. He made no obJec-
tions and on the way to police head
quarters. it is said. Mason admitted to
the officers that he was in SomerVile
On the night on which Miss McPhee was
fatally Injured.
From the first 1t has been apparent
that these deeds were the work OF no
ordinary criminal, and the police ara
satisfied that they have within reecn
the guilty party-a man who mas every
thing to live for, but seemed to nno
higher pleasure In murderous attacks
on unprotected women.
When told by reporter OF the PROD
ability of his arrest, the suspected
man said:
ut is about time the community
stopped meddling with my affairs. It Asa
true I have been out in Waverly. #
know friends out there and go tt Il
see them, but have not been there FOL Z
a week.
81 ride bicycle and do take frequent
trips thru Somerville. There is nt
man more interested in this series oi
assaults than I, and I have thought
often that the police ought to use theil
brains, if they have any, in finding thu
culprit.
81 can account for my movements
every hour and every day for the last
few weeks know have been sent s.
away. but it was simply for melan.
cholia If my description resemblet
that of the man they wrant-well, that
is good. What will they do next 2"
Following is list of assaults COM.
nitted hereabouts, many If not all Of
which the police charge against tht
Aug. 8, Jeanette Marshall was as.
saulted on Center street Brookltne
and her skull fractured
July 81, Ella Murphy was attacked OF
Craigie street. Cambridge, and sustain.
ed severe scalp wounds.
July 27, at Chestnut avenue and
Magazine street, Cambridge, Siegviedc
Gustavson escaped from an assailant
but sustained scalp wounds.
June II, Kate O'Connell, at Walker
and Cambridge streets, Cambridge; she
got away with a badly CIT scalp.
Oct. 10, Susan ONeil was knocked
lown on Washington street, Somervflle,
out her cries brought help and the as
sailant fled.
Oct 10, in Coolidge avenue, Water
own, Jane Lade1l was Knocked down
by man, who was frightened away.
Oct. %, Bertha F. Smith, telegraph
operator. was assaulted in st. Boto1ph
street, Boston, at 1890 a. M, while re-
urning from work, but her screams
frightened the man who attacked her.
Oct. "a man ''hugsed'' Miss Lulu
yixer on the steps of her home in Game
,ridge, but ran when she screamed.
Oct. %, Mrs. Walter n. Whitney was
.ssauIted in Sycamore street, Somer-
lille by an unknown man, who fled
when help came.
Mason has a mother and three
rothers and is cousin Of John Mason
he we'll known actor. While in college
Jason displayed pronounced must
al taste and was president of the
;lee Club. He was also an athlete OF
ONE note.