The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-23

much discussed wandering tramp COM
mitted the crime, for that person. ac-
cording to a score Of witnesses, was
well beyond the Leavenworth county
line at that hour.
Nearly a score of relatives Of the
victims were assembled inside and out
side the dark embalming room and
many more persons. prompted solely by
curiosity, had come. The inquest was
! begun at about 10 o'clock. 1t ended
Taggart requested the coroner to con-
tinue the proceedings for two weeks.
One blood relative of Alonzo Van
Royen was there. a sister, Mrs. Joseph
Seikel who had come with her husband
and four children to attend the funeral.
DR.. Fairbanks. who helped the cor
oner in the autopsy on the three
bodies. was the first witness called.
He described the nature OF the
wounds and explained that there were
powder marks -discernable on the bod
les of the two women and on their
clothing. He said that the wounds
on Rose Mcmahon were, SO close to-
gether that they could be covered by
one hand.
Sheriff Al Becker, the next witness,
said that he had been notified of the
murder about $50 o'clock, and with
his undersheriff, Joseph Brady, went
Immediately to the scene.
1--WE went to the Mcmahon house
first said the sheriff. and there
met the two brothers. From there
we started out with lanterns and were
Joined by a party of about twenty far
mers. We went to the Van Royen
house and from there started a
search of the neighborhood. At that
time we were under the impression
that Van Royen had done the killing
and was in hiding.
Body Is Found.
"Our first trace of Van Royen was
obtained when we found his team and
wagon. The horses were tied to a
and within few minutes someone
shouted out that he had found the
body. It was lying in a ravine, across
the creek, and was covered with
leaves"
Had the leaves fallen on the body
or was it your opinion that they were
placed there ?"
ct looked as though some one had
placed the leaves over the body. There
was more than a peck of them and
cred"
who did you first talk to about
the killing?"
ITO Patrick Mcmahon"
WAS that at the house?"
Yes, SIR
What was said? ?"
Nothing much. The mother of the
boys said that If we didn't find the
team and the man it looked bad"
when the body of Van Royen was
found Gid he have his coat on?"
mo. sir, the coat was lying near the
body"
What did you do with that coat?''
IT gave it to Patrick Mcmahon and
told him to take it to his home''
Where is that coat now?"
IT have 1t in my possession The
coat was taken away from the Nc
Mahon house. I found it at the Van
Royen home
Brothers in Kansas City.
James and Patrick Mcmahon arrived
during the examination of Sheriff Beck
e. and when the sheriff had concluded
his statement James Mcmahon was
called to the stand He said that he
was a brother Of Mrs. Margaret Van
Royen and Rose Mcmahon and had
lived at home all his life.
'Were you home last Wednesday ?"
asked hir Taggart.
st got home about noon.'
Were you in Kansas City Wednes-
day morning."
Yes, sir
What did you do in Kansas City ?'
In the Commerce building, remained
there little while and then came back
to Kansas City. Kan
What did you do in Kansas City ?'
ST made some purchases; bought a
pair of shoes and a few things and
started home"
What time did you start homer
About quarter to II