The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-10-27
CONFESSED To
KILLING THREE
Two Sisters and Husband of
One, Victims of Mans
Hatred

Kansas Clty, MO-, OCt. Zf.-Jame6
Mcmahon confessed last night that he
murdered his sisters, Miss Rose Nc
Mahon and Mrs. Alonzo Van Royen,
and the latter's husband, on a farm
near Kansas City, Kan, last Tues
day. 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 a throng
gathered about the county Jail after
the confession, the authorities rushed
the murderer and his brother. Patrick
McMahOn, and Patrick Lamb, farm
hand, who are held as witnesses in
the case, to the Kansas state peniten-
tiary at Lansing last night in auto
mobiles. The cries of the mob were
heard within the jail and the prison.
ers begged piteously to be taken to a
place of safety. They were slipped
quietly out of jail before the crowd
was aware OF their departure. AZ
McMahon took: sole responsibility
for the crime. In his verbal con-
fession he especially exonerated his
brother as he feared the officers would
charge him with completely in the
crime. County Attorney Taggart said
last night a charge might be placed
against Patrick Mcmahon also.
McMahon's inability to keep his
secret caused his arrest. He told q
friend yesterday where he had hid
den the revolver 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 pre-
pairing to go after the man, Mcmahon
walked into his Office and announced
he was ready to help work on the
case as he has 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 collapsed
and confessed all.
"Yes, killed my two sisters and
brother-in-law, and ] 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 be-
fore me grew and at last two weeks
ago l saw it all. My plan was per-
feet. My hatred would be avenged.
bought a. revolver in Kansas City,
Mo. Going nome l carefully waited
until 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 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. l found him and shot
him in the head. He fell and fired
six shots into his back. l always
hated him. dragged his body across
the creek and then prepared to finish
the deed.
For an hour wandered about
planning. 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 screamed and fell. Rose started
up to speak to me and I shot ler
down.
with the two women virtually
dead was free to take my time. 1
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 only thoughts
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 shock.
Later 1t dawned on me that I had
committed crime. tried to keep
It secret. But hour by hour some-
thing told me that l must tell all.
Tonight I will sleep in peace"
Mcmahon said his brother Patrick
and he had not been on good terms
for several years and. this alone
would prove his brother innocent of
any completely.