Grace McMahon aka Stella Hayes. Aged 39 (b. approx. 1891)
Independent-Record, Helena, MT, 11 Oct 1930:
Malta Gambler is Held for Murder of Girl in Resort
Malta, Oct. 10--James Smee, former carnival worker, faced a first degree murder charge for a fatal beating administered to Stella Hayes McMahon, 39, in her north side resort here early today.
The woman known here as Cecil Hays, was found dead on a floor in the place. Her face and upper part of her body bore many bruises, inflicted, officers believe, by boot heels.
Smee was asleep in the resort when Sheriff Ray Campbell arrived. Smee said he beat the woman because she would not return $40 he accused her of stealing.
Hazel Mason, who was in the place when the attack started, declared Smee had come to Malta from Saco and had been drinking. She said he left the house and returned to demand $40. The Mason woman said he struck her, too, but she ran from the house and called the sheriff.
Physicians who performed an autopsy attributed death to a hemorrhage of the nose and a gash in the woman's face.
Stella McMahon had lived here about eight months, coming here from Havre after having resided in Great Falls, where she has a son.
Smee drifted into Philips county about four years ago with a carnival company. He has been in Saco most of the time since. Officers said he is a known gambler.
---
The Missoulian (MT), 5 Dec 1930:
Smee is Sentenced
Malta, Dec. 4--Thirty years in prison was the penalty imposed today on James Smee, found guilty yesterday of the murder of Stella McMahon here Oct. 10. Evidence was produced by the state to show the woman was kicked and beaten to death.
Independent-Record, Helena, MT, 11 Oct 1930:
Malta Gambler is Held for Murder of Girl in Resort
Malta, Oct. 10--James Smee, former carnival worker, faced a first degree murder charge for a fatal beating administered to Stella Hayes McMahon, 39, in her north side resort here early today.
The woman known here as Cecil Hays, was found dead on a floor in the place. Her face and upper part of her body bore many bruises, inflicted, officers believe, by boot heels.
Smee was asleep in the resort when Sheriff Ray Campbell arrived. Smee said he beat the woman because she would not return $40 he accused her of stealing.
Hazel Mason, who was in the place when the attack started, declared Smee had come to Malta from Saco and had been drinking. She said he left the house and returned to demand $40. The Mason woman said he struck her, too, but she ran from the house and called the sheriff.
Physicians who performed an autopsy attributed death to a hemorrhage of the nose and a gash in the woman's face.
Stella McMahon had lived here about eight months, coming here from Havre after having resided in Great Falls, where she has a son.
Smee drifted into Philips county about four years ago with a carnival company. He has been in Saco most of the time since. Officers said he is a known gambler.
---
The Missoulian (MT), 5 Dec 1930:
Smee is Sentenced
Malta, Dec. 4--Thirty years in prison was the penalty imposed today on James Smee, found guilty yesterday of the murder of Stella McMahon here Oct. 10. Evidence was produced by the state to show the woman was kicked and beaten to death.
Grace McMahon aka Stella Hayes. Aged 39 (b. approx. 1891)
Independent-Record, Helena, MT, 11 Oct 1930:
Malta Gambler is Held for Murder of Girl in Resort
Malta, Oct. 10--James Smee, former carnival worker, faced a first degree murder charge for a fatal beating administered to Stella Hayes McMahon, 39, in her north side resort here early today.
The woman known here as Cecil Hays, was found dead on a floor in the place. Her face and upper part of her body bore many bruises, inflicted, officers believe, by boot heels.
Smee was asleep in the resort when Sheriff Ray Campbell arrived. Smee said he beat the woman because she would not return $40 he accused her of stealing.
Hazel Mason, who was in the place when the attack started, declared Smee had come to Malta from Saco and had been drinking. She said he left the house and returned to demand $40. The Mason woman said he struck her, too, but she ran from the house and called the sheriff.
Physicians who performed an autopsy attributed death to a hemorrhage of the nose and a gash in the woman's face.
Stella McMahon had lived here about eight months, coming here from Havre after having resided in Great Falls, where she has a son.
Smee drifted into Philips county about four years ago with a carnival company. He has been in Saco most of the time since. Officers said he is a known gambler.
---
The Missoulian (MT), 5 Dec 1930:
Smee is Sentenced
Malta, Dec. 4--Thirty years in prison was the penalty imposed today on James Smee, found guilty yesterday of the murder of Stella McMahon here Oct. 10. Evidence was produced by the state to show the woman was kicked and beaten to death.
Independent-Record, Helena, MT, 11 Oct 1930:
Malta Gambler is Held for Murder of Girl in Resort
Malta, Oct. 10--James Smee, former carnival worker, faced a first degree murder charge for a fatal beating administered to Stella Hayes McMahon, 39, in her north side resort here early today.
The woman known here as Cecil Hays, was found dead on a floor in the place. Her face and upper part of her body bore many bruises, inflicted, officers believe, by boot heels.
Smee was asleep in the resort when Sheriff Ray Campbell arrived. Smee said he beat the woman because she would not return $40 he accused her of stealing.
Hazel Mason, who was in the place when the attack started, declared Smee had come to Malta from Saco and had been drinking. She said he left the house and returned to demand $40. The Mason woman said he struck her, too, but she ran from the house and called the sheriff.
Physicians who performed an autopsy attributed death to a hemorrhage of the nose and a gash in the woman's face.
Stella McMahon had lived here about eight months, coming here from Havre after having resided in Great Falls, where she has a son.
Smee drifted into Philips county about four years ago with a carnival company. He has been in Saco most of the time since. Officers said he is a known gambler.
---
The Missoulian (MT), 5 Dec 1930:
Smee is Sentenced
Malta, Dec. 4--Thirty years in prison was the penalty imposed today on James Smee, found guilty yesterday of the murder of Stella McMahon here Oct. 10. Evidence was produced by the state to show the woman was kicked and beaten to death.
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