The San Francisco call., 1906-08-08
Double Tragedy in the
Office of Female Dentist
in the City of Oakland
MURDERESS FALLS
AT VICTIMS FEET
jealousy Believed to Have
Prompted Bloody Deed
Of a Handsome Mahon

~ AKLAND. Aug. SEATED at
telephone in the Office of Mrs.
DR.. Luella Cool Walker, a
dentist at Thirteenth and
Washington streets, tonight, James
T. Mahon, about 2S years old, manager
Of the Ideal Yeast and Baking Com
psny. was shot and instantly killed by
Mrs. Lola Reed. a pretty brunette
about 26 years of age. who then turned
the revolver with which she had taken
the life of Mahon against herself, sent
q bullet through her head and fell
dead at the feet Of her victim. The
police have been unable to discover any
cause for the desperate act of the
woman and knew nothing of her except
that it was said she came TO this city
about a week ago from Camp Meeker.
where her sister, Mrs. Forest Mitchell,
now resides.
shortly before the double tragedy
was enacted Mahon and Mrs. Reed
CALLED at the Office of Mrs. Walker. who
was in company with Mrs. Josephine
Galloway. After chatting with the
dentist and her companion Mahon
asked permission TO use the telephone.
and. accompanied by Mrs. Reed. went
into the dining-room Of the suite oc-
cupied by Dr. Walker. Scarcely a mo-
ment elapsed before Mrs. Galloway and
Dr.. Walker were startled by two pistol
shots fred in rapid succession. At first
both thought that the sound had come
from outside the building, but before
they had time 10 move a wreath Of
powder smoke whirled from the next
room.
Realizing that a tragedy had taken
PLACE in the adjoining room. Dr.. Walker
and her companion did not enter the
apartment where the shooting had
taken place but hurried at once to the
police station, a block away. and gave
the alarm. Chief of Police Wilson and
Detective George Kyle went at once to
the Office, but when they reached the
room in which the shooting had taken
place both Mahon and Mrs. Reed were
past all aid.
Several letters addressed to James T.
the dead man, but only one Of these
was at all significant This was ad-
dressed 10 James T. Mahon, general
delivery, Oakland, and was dated Sun
day, July 29. The letter reads:
Dear Jack-You hurt me last night
more than you perhaps thoughe. and
cared more than I like to admit. even
teresting news for you If you will meet
me Wednesday. Phone TO me, please.
where and when will suit your conve-
nience. If you call me up from Berke-
ley and tell me what time you leave
there I will meet you on the car at
Forty-fourth street. Yours fondly,
MAY E c.
1890 Telegraph avenue. Phone
O50so."
The letter was written by Mrs May
E. Chambers, who resides at that ad-
dress with Mrs. Maude E. Cleghorn
Mrs. Chambers admitted authorship of
the letter, but declared she had known
Mahon only a month. having met him
at a friends house. It is suspected
that jealousy may have prompted the
shooting in view Of the endearing tone
of the note.
Mrs. Reed is the daughter of John
Avalon, a Fresno rancher OF some
prominence. She is sister of Mrs
Forrest Mitchell, whose husband is be-
lieved TO be in the United States r ores
try Commission. Another sister is Mrs
Los Angeles. A brother-in-law is sec
retary to Congressman Needham.