The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30
Second of Mcmahon Brothers q
Raving Maniac.
More Sensational Disclosures
Are Promised.
JAMES is IN PRISON.
Appears to Regard Life Sentence
as a Joke.
Asks Warden COdding How He
Likes His Job.

Kansas City. Mo, Oct. 3O.-Further
sensational information duplicating,
perhaps persons close to James Nc
Mahon, the confessed triple murderer
sentenced yesterday to life imprison-
ment in the Kansas City penitentiary
was secured from Mcmahon last night
by Sheriff Al Becker, just before the
doors of the prison closed behind him.
THE information 1 got from Jim
last night is the most sensational
yet" said Sheriff Becker today. cit
duplicates at least two additional per-
sons in the crime
While the sheriff's office is today in
vestigating the new story, Patrick Nc
Mahon is being held in Kansas City,
Kan. Patrick was kept in the Kan
sas City, Mo-, police station last night.
Early today, under the strain of the
last week, he broke down and became
violent declaring everyone was a de-
tective attempting to confuse him. On
the way back to Wyandotte county
Kansas, Patrick made several at
tempts to escape from the sheriff's
motor car and fought desperately
Several physicians who examined the
prisoner today said he was suffering
from temporary insanity.
james Mcmahon Sentenced.
Mcmahon, after a conference in the
Wyandotte county Jail, waived his
right to jury trial. and pleaded
guilty to the murder of Alonza r. Van
Royen, his brother-in-law. and Mrs
Margaret Van Royen and Miss Rosa
Mcmahon, his sisters. in the court of
about 4:30 o'clock yesterday after
noon. He was sentenced by Judge
Hugh j. Smith to the state peniten-
tiary for life, and was taken there on
Kansas City-Western electric car,
that left Seventh street and State ave-
nue., in Kansas City, Kan. at Sis
o'clock, by Sheriff Albert Becker and
Joseph Brady. under sheriff.
Consulted His Family.
Mcmahon entered his plea of guilty
after he had consulted with members
of his family and his attorney. When
the idea was first presented to him
yesterday afternoon by Newton
Wylder, his attorney, he objected,
Saying he thought he had a chance to
go to a state insane asylum. After
an hours conference. however, he
consented, and Joseph Taggart county
attorney, was sent for. Arrangements
were made to take him to the North
city court. Mr.. Taggart deeming it
made in that court. the other
arraignments were held in the Jail.
James was taken to the North City
court, a block from the county Jail, by
Sheriff Becker, Deputy Sheriff Charles
Lukens and Harry T. thinner, former
chief oe police OF Kansas City, Kan.
His Hat Blew OFF.
He was dressed as he was on the
uSy of his arrest. and his face wore
worried woe-begone look. AS the
party crossed Minnesota avenue a:
Seventh street. the black SLOUGH hat
which James wore was blown from his
head by the wind and became wet and
muddy from contact with the wet pave
ment. He was handcuffed and could
not reach down for it.
1T is hardly fit mt - Re said.
as it was handed to him by one of the
party. You carry it for me. will your
The bare-headeG man. his arms
drawn close together by the handouts
attracted about fifty persons to the
North city court room. After an ex-
animation by the county attorney of
the records of the arraignment by
Judge Brooks Thursday, when James
waived a preliminary hearing he asked
James if he understood the idea OF
preliminary hearing. and he answered
yes. The prisoner was then taken &c
the court of common pleas, where d
jury was just coming in from hear
ing a damage suit.
James was told to sit down. until
the verdict Of that jury was heard. In
a few minutes Judge Smith announced
that he was ready to hear Mr.. Tag
CART, and the county attorney stated
to him that James was ready TO plead
guilty and waive jury trial. The coun-
ty attorney then read the arraignmenr
Van Royen.
Answers Questions Readily.
James listened attentively during the
reading of this, and at the close Judge
Smith asked the defendants attorne,
if he had anything to say. Mr.. Wyldel
stated that he believed the man ire
sponsible in some respects, but that HI
did not believe he was so wholly ire
sponsible that a jury would send hin
to an insane asylum.
Mr.. TaCQart then addressed Ions
list of questions to the prisoner in re
gard to his life and his doings durin.
the last few years. All of these wer
responded to in a bright intelligent man
ner.
At the close of the questioning Judg
Smith sentenced him to the penitentier
for life for killing his brother-in-laW
and then the two other charges of muir
dering his sisters were read to him an
he plead guilty to both and was sen
fenced to prison for life on both counts
The prisoner. all during the trial pal
close attention to everything. but mad
his answers in a very low voice.
Appears Light Hearted at Prison.
Leavenw orth. Kan. Oct. 3o-Jame
Mcmahon was brought to the stat
penitent1ary at Lansing last night t
serve 297 years, nlnety-nine years &c
the murder of each of his three rels
tiveS.
Mcmahon was brought to the per
itentiary by Albert Becker, sheriff {
Wysndotte county, and Joseph BraC
ley, deputy sheriff.
Mcmahon arrived az the prison tc
late to eat at the prisoners mess ar
a meal was hastily cooked for hir
After he had eaten a hearty supper l
was photographed with a placard bea
ing his number, 1865. pinned to his CO
lar.
While Mcmahon was waiting to I
photographed he showed dispositio
10 become friendly with Warden J. !
Codding, quertioning him about prise
Efe He asked the warden in a joculi
hammer how he liked his job" al
as he piled this question a smile light
mn his expressionless features. NJ
Mahon's overalls were exchanged Fl
a prison uniform and he was lock-
in a cell He will be put to work
lie tailor shOn or the tinkers' sho