Philip weekly review. [volume] (Philip, Stanley County, S.D.) 1907-1912, 1910-11-17

ever going to stand it, to hear the
terrible trial"
To another she wrote:
IL never slept at all last night. "
As sequel to the tragic death
of Thomas. Mrs. Thomas, his wi
dow, recently instituted a suit
against Mrs. Mcmahon by which
she seeks to recover damages in
the sum of $4,000 for the death
of her husband. Mrs. Thomas was
left in nearly destitute circum-
stances. with five small children to
support.
The suit was instituted for the
purpose of compelling Mrs. Nc
MahOn. who is a woman of con-
siderable means, to render all
assistance possible in the caring
for and education of the five child
rem, who have been left homeless
and fatherless.
Mrs. Mcmahon, at her trial, will
be defended by Harry p. Atwater,
of Sturgis, and A. X. Gardner, of
Huron, who are among the leading
attorneys of the state. Naturally
there is keen interest as to the
grounds upon which the defense
will be based. In some quarters
it is believed the defense will be
conducted on the ground that Mrs.
Mcmahon was suffering from an
attack of temporary insanity and
therefore was not responsible for
any connection she may have had
with the tragic death of Thomas.
In other quarters it is thought self
defense will be urged in behalf of
| the accused woman.
Immediately after her arrest on
the charge of killing Thomas, Mrs.
| McMahon claimed that she acted
in self-defense, SO it is likely this
will be the grounds upon which
her defense will be based at her
trial.
| AN OLD TROUBLE
The trouble leading up to the
tragedy was of several months
standing. Attorney Thomas had
his office with Mrs. McMahon's
husband during his lifetime, and
there had been more or less trou-
BILE between Thomas and the &C.
cused woman over the Office build.
ing following the death of Nc.
Mahon, who for thirty years had
been resident of Sturgis and
Meade county.
1t is claimed that as the result OF
the trouble Thomas had threatened
Mrs. McMahon's life a number OF
times. She went to his office about
eight O'Clock on the morning OF
July 30 last and the quarrel was
renewed. At a certain stage in the
proceedings, Thomas is alleged tt
nave reached for his pistol, but he
never succeeded in getting it out
Mrs. Mcmahon Immediately drew
ner own weapon from the folds OF
her dress and fred, the bullet pierc
ing Thomas's head. He died with
in a few moments.
| Mrs. Mcmahon was armed with
a 32-calibre Colts automatic revol
YER. The bullet entered Thomas
head over the right eye, penetrat
ing the brain.
There were two eye-witnesses t.
the tragedy, both of whom testified
at the coroner's inquest, and wht
will offer their testimony during
the trial of Mrs. Mcmahon. On,
of these was William Curper, wht
testified before the coroner's jury
that Mrs. Thomas went intt
Thomas office and said:
81 want you to vacate this Office.
According to the testimony o
Curper she then drew her revolve
and fired. When she entered tn
Office, Curper testified, Thoma
was standing with his back to thu
, door talking to Curper. He turn
ed and smiled but made no answer
When shot he fell and died almos
, instantly, according to the testi
mony of Curper.
The other eyewitness was w
, H. Anderson. After carefully in
vestigating the tragedy. ;. the .coro
ner'ssjury returned 4 verdict t.
the effect that Thomas came to hi
death from gunshot wound in