The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-29
Latter Said That He Would Stay
With Brother.
OFFERED HIS LIBERTY
Farmers Appeared to Be in a
Vengeful Mood.
Believed That Murderer Will
Take Own Life.

lynching by a vigilance committee re-
ported to be forming, Sheriff Becker
late last night removed James Nc
Mahon, the confessed slayer of his two
sisters and brother in-law from the
county jail in Kansas City, Kan, to the
city Jail on the Missouri side. Patrick
Mcmahon accompanied his brother and
remained at police headquarters in Kan
sas City. Mo-. all night.
Patrick was told he might have his
liberty, but he said he preferred to re-
main under police protection for a while.
Later James was transferred to the
county Jail here. but the marshal de-
clned to receive him and the prisoner
was again returned to the city jail.
Sheriff Becker's precaution followed
closely on the heels of the return of the
Two McMahons yesterday from the KAN
sas state penitentiary at Lansing. Fear
|4ng trouble, Becker had sent deputies
cut among the farmer neighbors of the
brothers in Wyandotte county, in which
county Kansas City. Kan, is situated.
About midnight the deputies began
telephoning in that the farmers were in
an ugly mood. Then the sheriff hurried
his men over to Missouri. AT the same
time the deputies spread the news that
the McMahons had been taken from the
Kansas Jail and the farmers went home
for the night.
Fear of Suicide.
| The actions of James Mcmahon led
officers at the Wyandotte county Jail
in Kansas City. Kan, yesterday to fear
that he would attempt to take his own
life. and a guard was placed over him.
More than once since he made his con-
fession he told those about him that he
desired to die. Yesterday afternoon he
called Sheriff Becker to his cell.
May see a priest?" he asked the
When told his wish would be granted.
| Mcmahon asked that the Rev. Father
B. s. Kelly. former priest of the Church
| of the Blessed Sacrament in Chelsea
Place, be sent for. 1t was Father Kelly
! who spoke at the funeral services over
But Father Kelly could not be reached.
He is now vicar general of the cathe-
| dral at Leavenworth, sent there a few
weeks ago by Bishop Lillis.
Then call Father McInerneysH Nc
| Mahon told the sheriff.
! Father McInerney. priest of s..
Peters and chancellor of the diocese.
had gone to Leaven worth to attend the
| funeral this morning Of Father Mohai.,
| the Hx~chaneehors who died at st. Mar
gaEst s9hos pitaf "wednesday night.
| Z SsWeswilI put it off till tomorrow the
/ sheriff told Mcmahon finally.
| Mcmahon appeared to be disappoint-
| cd Els relatives say at different times
ne has talked of suicide, but has made
| no attempt to end his own life
The officers believe that James Nc
Mahon knows more of the murders
than he has told. The letters and
papers found in the Mcmahon house
and the letters of Mrs Van Royen
4 this morning. Information was fur
nfshed Joseph Taggart. the prose-
cutor, yesterday that two young
women saw James Mcmahon driving
to town on the Reidy road about 4
O'Clock on the day of the murder.
/ w. W. Cook. the Kansas City Kan,
\ chfefs of police and Under Sheriff
Joseph Brady wanted to put Jim Nc
Mahon in the Jail for safe keeping
last night. Without having given the
jackson county authorities notice,
they drove the motor car to the door
of the Jail at II O'Clock last night.
Jim entered the Jail munehing a sand
wieh. The Kansas City. Kan. officers
introduced themselves to Joseph Nc
| CURE. Joseph F. Strauss and L. S.
Tudor deputies, and explained that
/ they wanted to let Jim stay in the
| Jail over night. The deputy marshals
refused to take the prisoner after
telephoning to James P. Gilwee. chief
deputy marshal, as there were no
commitment papers for him.
| During the conversation Jim walked
turiconcernedly about the office. maxi
/ ing one trip to the water cooler for a
| drink. When Mr.. Brady asked him
| If he wanted to be mobbed. Jim
| answered with careless mo" The
| murderer was then taken to the hold
over to police headquarters.
| Back In Kansas.
| During the morning Sheriff Becker
again took James Mcmahon back to the
Wyandotte county Jail and placed him
under heavy guard. The transfer was
made so quietly that but few persons
were aware of the move.
| Patrick, content to stay on the Mis-
souri, side. said: "Tll Just remain here
till everything Is safe.''
There were no indications this morn
ing of a mob gathering and no trouble
was feared today Ample precaution
against possible violence tonight will be
/ taken.
| FAIRS FOR INDIANS.
~