Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-10-29
ADMITS MURDER OF
2 WOMEN AND MAN

KANSAS CITY, Oct 27.-Murder of his
sisters Miss Rose Mcmahon and Mrs.
Alonzo Van Royen, and his brother-in-
law, Alonzo Van Royen, on farm near
Kansas City Kans.. last Tuesday, was
confessed yesterday by James Mcmahon.
A long-standing family quarrel caused
the tragedy. McMahon killed Van Royen
in a wood and later went to the Van
Royen home and shot his sisters.
Fearing mob violence by throng gath
cred about the county Jail after the con-
fession, the authorities rushed thes muir
derer and his brother, Patrick Mcmahon,
and Patrick Lamb. farm hand, who are
held as witnesses In the case, to the Kan
sas state penitentiary at Lansing tonight
in automobiles.
James Mcmahon took sole responsibility
for the crime. In his verbal confession
he especially exonerated his brother,
whom he feared the officers would charge
with completely in the crime.
McMahon's inability to keep his secret
caused his arrest He told friend today
where he had hidden the revolver with
which he did the killing and several arti-
cles he took from the Van Royen home.
The sheriff went to the designated place
and found the articles.
Sheriff Becker then decided to arrest
James McMahon. AS he was preparing
to go after the man, Mcmahon walked in
to his office and announced he was ready
to help work on the case, as he had been
doing each day since the tragedy.
Becker Immediately arrested him, and
without telling of the evidence he had
took Mcmahon to his home, where he ar
rested Patrick Mcmahon and Lamb.
Prosecutor Taggart and Sheriff Becker
''sweated' James Mcmahon for two
I'll, IN
fessed all.
Yes, killed my two sisters and broth
er-in-law, and was crazy when 1 did it, )"
he shouted, rising out of his chair and
pacing the room. "It took me three
months to plan and execute the crime
Day by day the picture of their bodies
lying before me grew and at last. two
weeks ago, I saw 1t all.
MY plan was perfect. My hatred would
be avenged. 1 bought a revolver in Kan
sas City, Mo.
Going home, carefully waited until
knew my intended victims would be in the
right positions for me to kill them and
get away. Tuesday Rose went to visit at
Van Royen's, and Lon went to the woods
ITO make sure he was not at home,
went to the house and learned where he
was. 1 found him.and shot him in the
head. He FELL and 1 fired six shots into
his back. l always hated him. 1 drag
ged his body across the creek. and then
prepared to finish the deed.
For an hour 1 wandered about, plan
ming. Then I walked into the house and
found my sisters.
MY first shot probably killed Mrs. Van
Royen. as she sat on a chair. She scream
ed and fell. Rose started up to speak to
me and 1 shot her down.
with the two women virtually dead,
was free to take my time fired two
more shots into the body of Mrs. Van
Royen and five more into Roses body
did not hurry away. I was not unduly
excited. 1t was the elimination of my
thought for months.
II searched the house and found some
rings and other valuables I took all Of
them and my revolver and hid them in a
corn shuck.
Later 1t dawned on me that had COM
mitted crime. I tried to keep it secret.
But, hour by hour, something told me
that I must tell all. Tonight I'll sleep in
peace"
Mcmahon Refuses Breakfast
LANSING, Kan. Oct Pills haggard
face showing plainly the result of a
sleepless night, James Mcmahon, the
confessed murderer of his two sisters and
his brother-in-law, smiled a weary mo,
thank YOU" when breakfast was brought
to his cell this morning
I'D rather not" he said
IN