The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-18
GUARD FOR mitchell.
The Mayor Will BE Protected From
Attacks by Cranks.

New York. April 1S.-The arraign-
ment today on a charge Of assault
with intent to kill, OF Michael p. Ma
honey, to whose erring aim Mayor
John Pomery Mitchell owes his life,
marked the first move in the program
outlined by District Attorney Charles
s. whitman for the quick trial Of the
assassin. On Monday Mr.. Whitman
will present the case to the, grand jury
and an immediate Indictment is ex-
pected to be returned, making it pos
sible to bring Mahoney before a SUI
preme court justice for trial at an
early date.
Mahoney faces possible prison sen.
tence of 20 years but should he be ad-
judged insane he will be committed to
an asylum for the criminal insane.
Frank L. Polk, corporation counsel.
who was struck in the jaw by the
bullet intended for the mayor. spent
restless night and suffered much pain:
The bullet was removed last night and
the patient is expected to recover rap
idly. His physician announced today
that he would be able to leave the
hospital within two days and after
rest of two weeks be able to resume
his official duties.
An Embittercd Hobo.
District Attorney Whitman expressed
the opinion that Mahoney was of the
..embittered and sodden type Of hobo"
This statement forecasts the prooaD
action Of the district attorney that ne
would not oppose action to have the
prisoner adjudged insane. Mr.. WHIT
man said that while the best course
might be to have .MahOney confined IN
an asylum, the mayor and Mr.. POLK
must be consulted before a final de-
cision is reached. The attempted as
sassination by Mahoney. caused Police
Commissioner Arthur Woods today, TO
assign a secret service squad OF eight
men, under command of police cap
tain. to guard Mayor Mitchell.
Mr.. Mitchell, last night attended
dinner at the New York Press club
where he told the members OF that
organization that he had expected
some such happening as the act of Ma
honey, but that it docs seem unfair
that anyone else should have to take
the consequence of the hazard that
properly belongs to me-"
The mayor went on to say he did
not believe the attack on him was due
to concerted action or a group of agi-
tators. Mr.. Whitman also has said
he was reasonably satisfied that the
attack on the mayor was not the out
growth of a conspiracy.
To Police Captain Thomas Tunney,
the mayors would-be assassion told
the story of his life, a story that was
confirmed by entries in his diary. He
told Captain Tunney that he called at
the city hall to demonstrate with
Mayor Mitchell and had been ''insulted
there. II then decided to kill him." he
said. II went down to the city hal
Wednesday with the intenti~n of kill
ing him then but / cooled off. Today
(Friday) 1 went down there again with
the intention of finishing the job"
The prisoner then told of waiting
from 10 o'clock until the mayor started
to enter his automobile shortly after
o'clock, and how he stood barely five
feet from the object of his fanciet
hatred when he fired. He expressed
regret that he had attempted to tak'
Mayor Mitchers life and was particu
larly sorry that the bullet had hit Mr.
Polk
Mahoney was born on March II
1912. near Cork. Ireland. He came t.
this country about sixty years ago bu
could not recall the exact date. Hi
wanderings about the country began
he said, soon after he lost a suit 70
damages against a man who sold hin
a farm in Kentucky. Because he coul'
not or would not pay the costs of tn
suit the property was foreclosed an
sold for much less than its value. Thi
was in 1885.
Mahoney's Bond $4,000.
New York, April 1S-Michael p. Ma
honey, the gray haired crank, who at
tempted to assassinate Mayor Mitche
and in SO doing wounded Frank 1
Polk. corporation counsel. was ar
raigned in the Tombs police court to
day on a charge of assault with inten
to kill. He was held in $4,000 bail 70
the action of the grand jury.
When the amount Of the bail was an
npunced by Magistrate Simms. Ma
honey smiled broadly and said:
why not boost 1t a little? The NOR
the merrier."
Mr.. Polk was resting quietly at tn
New York hospital. today. Surgeon
expect he viii recover rapidly. il n
complications occur.
He spent comfortable night, an
seemed to be greatly refreshed toda,
Before his arrafgnnent Mahoney wa
taken to police headquarters. whez