Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1909-11-03
ADMITS KILLING HIS SISTERS.
SSaSs He Aisu Killed His Brother-in-
Law--Deliberately Planned.

Kansas City, Oct. 29.-Murder of
his sisters, Miss Rose Mcmahon and
Mrs. Alonzo Van Royen, on farm
near Kansas City, Kans., last Tues
day, was confessed Wednesday by
James McNIahon.
A long-standing family quarrel
caused the tragedy. Mcmahon kill
ed Van Royen in wood, and later
went to the Van Royen home and
shot his sisters.
Fearing mob violence by throng
gathered about the county Jail after
the confession, the authorities rush
ed the murderer and mis- brother, Pat
Mcmahon, and Patrick Lamb, farm
hand, who are held as witnesses in
$she case, to the Kansas State peni-
entiary at Lansing in automobiles.
Assumes Responsibility.
James Mcmahon took sole respon-
sibility for the crime. In his verbal
confession he especially eXonerated
his brother, whom he feared the Off
GERS would charge with completely
in the crime.
McMahon's inability to keep his
secret caused his arrest He told a
friend where he had hidden the re-
volver with which he did the killing
and several articles he took from the
Van Royen home. The sheriff went
to the designated place and found
the articles.
Sheriff Becker then decided to ar
rest James Mcmahon. AS he was
preparing to go after the man, Nc
Mahon walked into 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 arrested Patrick Mcmahon
and Lamb.
Prosecutor Taggart and Sheriff
Becker "sweated" James Mcmahon
for two hours. Then McMahon col
lapsed and confessed all.
4 Yes, killed my two sisters and
Norother-in-laW, nd l was crazy
> when did it," he shouted rising out
of his chair and pacing the room.
1T 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,
! saw it ALL
Had Perfect Plan.
my plan was perfect. My hatred
VolVer in Kansas City, Mo.
Going home, / carefully waited
until l knew my intended victims
would be in the right positions for
me TO kill them and get away. Tues
day Rose went to visit at Van Roy
ems, and Lon went to the woods.
TO make sure he was not at
home, went to the house and learn
ed where he was. ! found him, and
shot him in the head. He fell, and
| fired six shots into his back. / al
ways hated him. l dragged his body
across the creek. and-then prepared
to finish the deed
For an hour ! wandered about,
planning. Then / walked into the
honse ana found my sisters.
My first shot probably killed Mrs
Van Royen, as she sat on a chair.
She screamed and fell. Rose started
up to speak to me and | shot her
down.
with the two women virtually
dead, l 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. was not unduly excited. 1t
was the elimination Of my thoughts
for months.
Il searched the house and found
some rings and other valuables. |
took all of them and my revolver and
hid them in corn shuck.
Later it dawned on me that had
committed a crime. | tried to keep
1t secret. But, hour by hour, some
thing told me that | must tell all.
Tonight I'll sleep in peace"