Robert McMahon

MCMAHON

Posted By: Constance, IAGenWeb Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/5/2018 at 14:47:58

The Argo,
West Union, Fayette Co., Iowa
Thursday, 09 Mar 1904
Page 1 column five

SAD END OF BRILLIANT MAN.
Robert McMahon Suicides and His Heartless Millionaire "Brothers" Send Fifteen Dollars.

Perhaps you remember him. He was here last summer selling books and
made many friends during his stay of seyeral weeks in and about West Union. He was of a genial, jolly disposition, made friends readily and what is more kept them. A full-blooded Irishman, as the name Robert McMahon would indicate, a fluent talker, well educated and designed by nature for a better walk in life. But whiskey got the better of him and he gave up his all to become the slave of the demon of drink. At
one time he was a millionaire; at others engaged on some of the best papers in the country as editorial writer. An hour's talk with McMahon proved that he was all that we have said of him and more.

Well, last week the poor devil committed suicide at Waterloo by taking
prussic acid. He has two brothers in New York State who are said to be millionaires. One of them absolutely refused to answer telegrams and the other, Benj. McMahon, of New York City, after several telegrams had passed between him and the Waterloo Chief of Police, finally answered:
"Any old hole good enough. Utterly unworthy of consideration. Am mailing $15 check to town clerk to recoup city. This must be final. No further communication on subject desired. If any letter left, please destroy. No kinsmanship acknowledged. Act accordingly."

The citizens of Waterloo made up a purse to give McMahon a decent burial and the $15 check was indignantly returned to the heartless brother in the east.

Surely the latter end of these heartless brothers shall he worse than the first and the pin-pricks of outraged conscieuces will yet get Jhem for their heartlessness. Any decent man would have given a mongrel dog better treatment.