The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-06-09
TYPICAL EXAMPLE
OF B.P.0.E. RELIEF
Young Man Who Suffered
Much in War Being
Aided.

NEW YORK, June Q. = When the
world war broke out Leo Charles Nc.
Mahon was a husky. outstanding, red.
FLOODED American of % years who had
lived for several years in states Dor
dering on Canada and had formed init
mate friendships with many young
Sdnaolans about his own age. With
some OF them he had been associated
IN hospital work in Cleveland, Ohio.
IN July 1915, after meditattnE for
Two months over the sinking of the
Iusltania, during which time he was
IN constant touch with his Canadian
pais' ne went across the border and
enlisted for the war with the Cana.
dian forces. His physique and mental.
lty were such that he was readily ac-
copied as first aide in the medical d.
vision OF the famous Princess Pats. /"
After A months spent at the various
tlghting fronts and in numerous hos
pitfalls in France, England and New
YORK, Leo Charles Mcmahon CROPPED
his way into the office of the Ma.
io1al Elks War Relief Commission in
New York one day last week to make
inquiry about vocational training. His
eyes were badly affected from being
gassed, he said, and after six months
total blindness his sight had been par
tally recovered, whereupon the
Temporary" pension OF $50 a month
he had been receiving from the Brit
ism government had been discontinued.
Having fought with the armies Of
the Allies, instead of with the United
States forces, he was entitled to Meth
er pension nor vocational traiing from
the government Of this country, under
the law passed by congress.
When McMahon entered the office
OF the Elks War Relief Commission he
wore the uniform OF a Canadian ser.
geantmajort he used stout cane fol
support as well as for feeling his way,
and 1t was at once apparent that he
could scarcely distinguish the person
he was talking with across the room.
But he had smile on his face.
Governor John K. Tener, chairman
OF the Elks War Relief Commission,
sat down by the side of Sergeant Nc
Mahon and asked him to tell his story.
1t was very brief He had been blind
ed by gas. he said. and had later part
~ recovered his sight but would not be
able to continue the medical work he
was engaged at when he enlisted. He
had an honorable discharge and wore
stripes showing three years service
at the front.
Sergeant Mcmahon was taken to the
office of the Federal Board for yoca-
tional Education, where 1t was decid-
ed that thorough examination OF his
eyes should be made. This examina-
ton was made by specialist whose
government.
The report. of the specialist was not
1 encouraging. Itswas then decided that
he should go TO Philadelphia for ex-
animation by one of the most noted
eye specialists Of the country. His
young wife, who is In delicate condi
ton, accompanied him to Philadcl-
phia. She sat in the room where the
examination was being made OF his
eyes but did not even suspect the grav-
ity of his condition until the special
list finally stood up and gave his ver-
dict: There was scarcely one chance
In a hundred that the sergeant's eye
sight could be saved.
The young wife swooned away. 1t
was several hours before she recover
ed. But with the recovery she real
lied more tina never that she must do
her part. Within twentyfour hours she
was even almost smiling with her hus-
band, over their future prospects.
Sergeant-Major Mcmahon is to be
placed In vocational training immedi-
ately by the Federal Board for Voca-
tional Education, at the expense OF
the Elks War Relief Commission. He
Is to eb given thorough course as a
masseur, and when he has finished
his training, will be started in bust
ness by the Federal Board and the
Benevolent and Protective Order OF
Elks. And steps are already being
taken by members OF the Elks lodges
OF New York and Brooklyn to see
that the sergeant-ma1or will not be
without business in his line when he
opens up for himself
After several days association with
Sergeant Mcmahon, Secretary Joheph
IT. Tanning, Of the Elks War Relief
Commission learned little by little, of
some other ailments acquired by him
during the war, in addition to losses
of eyesight.
Sergeant Mcmahon was in both bat
ties Of the Marne. At the second bat
tie of the Marne he wos wounded IN
the head by shrapnel and carries a
silver plate to close the covity that is
an inch acrass.
Shortly after returning to the front
his left knee was permanently disa-
bled by shrapnel. Four ribs were brok-
en- at some time while he was at the
front but he says he is trying to for
get about that, as mo bad effects re-
suited.
On August u last he was blinded by
gas in the ST Qhentin drive, and on
August 81 he WIS son board the hos
pital ship Viqtorta which was torpedo