The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1908-02-27
Death of kr. HI. McMahon.
Cor. to The Commonwealth

were the words that were on every
| lip Saturday morning, February %
| 1903. Here and there were little
groups of our citizens talking about
| It, and often could you see tears
trickling down the cheeks of some
DOOR old darby who had received
kindness and help from his ever will
ing hands.
Mr.. Mcmahon was born in Drog-
heda, Ireland, 1883. His father,
Patrick Mcmahon, and his mother,
Mary Morris, descended from honor
ed Irish stock.
He landed in New York when 16
years old. Finding no work after
fruitless efforts, he happened along in
front Of a large wholesale dry goods
establishment and saw them roll
ing out large boxes Of goods for ship
ment, and without an invitation roll
ed up his sleeves and helped the men.
The manager called him in the Office,
asked him a few questions and as
signed him a place behind the coun-
ter to sell goods. He finally went
out on the road as travelling sales
man, and in this capacity met Mr..
! Ferrall in Halifax about 55 years
ago.
Mr.. Ferrall was impressed with
the young man and induced him to
cone to Halifax and enter his store.
Mr.. Ferrall was then doing one Of
the largest general mercantile bust
nesses it the county.
Mr. Mcmahon soon bought out
the business of Mr.. Ferrall and ran
it himself.
He afterward married Mrs. John
Tawmey, who was the daughter of
Mr.. Ferrall.
He was for a number Of years
Mayor Of Halifax. One of his New
York friends hearing of this, sent
his congratulations, and wanted to
know what remuneration he receiv-
ed from his high office. His reply
was, Nothing but curses and dis
satisfactions, no matter how | de-
eide"
Mr.. Mcmahon managed q govern
ment commissary during the war,
and having money Of his own and
handling government funds also, Of
course he was looked upon as & very
prominent man and was courted on
every side for smiles OF approval
and favors Of various kinds.
Before and during the war the
prominent slave owners who allowed
their negroes to come to Halifax
twice a year to market their little
side crops and spend their little say
ings during the year, would always
find Mr.. Mcmahon ready to buy what
they had and sell what he had. He
had a large camping ground for
them and other comforts and con-
veniences, and would instruct his
clerks to allow them to go into the
store in little companies, trade,
march out, and let others come, and
so on until all had sold what they
had and bought what they wanted.
A very humorous incident has
been told of him: When he was
clerking for Mr.. FeTrall, Mrs. Taw-
mey sent for some black alpaca sam
pies, which was then worn very ex-
tensively, and Mr.. Mcmahon cut off
two samples and marked them one
and two dollars. Of course the
higher priced piece was selected, the
buyer thinking it must be the better
quality, but really the two samples
came from the same bolt, he having
cut the piece half -in-two because Of
its size. Of course the matter was
corrected, but he had his joke.
There are many Incidents and ex-
periences in his lengthy and varied
life which would make inter esting
reading, but we can only mention
few OF them here.
He was known far and wide as a
generous, hospitable, and charitable
man. Few ever approached him for
help in emergencies who went away
empty handed.
He was attentive to business, loved
his family and friends; seldom went
out Of town; full Of thrift, energy,
and industry, his name was ever in
the mind Of the public. TIE large
gathering at his resting place Sun
day attested in marked degree the
respect and love the community had
for him.
He leaves widow and two sons,
Mr.. Ferrall Mcmahon, of Norfolk,
Va, and MIR. Joseph Mcmahon, who
has been in business with him for
years.