Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 4.djvu/358

 1888 he was nominated by the Republican State Convention for Railroad Commissioner but was defeated by a few votes for a candidate who was more acceptable to the railroad companies of the State. Mr. Mahin was one of the most fearless and uncompromising foes of saloons and in his warfare upon the liquor traffic had incurred the enmity of the liquor league. On the night of May 10, 1893, his residence was destroyed by dynamite placed under it by conspirators in the interest of the saloons of the city. Two other residences belonging to persons who had been active in trying to enforce the prohibitory law were destroyed. Threats had been repeatedly made against the men who were active in prosecuting the violators of the law and on the night of the destruction of the homes they were occupied by the families consisting of eighteen persons, mostly women and children. While the homes were wrecked, the inmates fortunately escaped the horrible fate intended for them. Arrests were made and one of the wretches, Matt Woods, was proved to have been the person who threw one of the bombs. He was sent to the penitentiary for ten years. He refused to divulge the names of the other conspirators and they escaped punishment. Mr. Mahin's loss was about $6,000 but it did not silence his war upon the saloon lawbreakers. DENNIS A. MAHONEY was born in Ross County, Ireland, January 20. 1821. When he was nine years old his parents came to America, locating in Philadelphia where the son was educated. In 1843 he came to Dubuque, Iowa, and for five years was engaged in teaching. He was a frequent contributor to the journals of Dubuque and studying law was admitted to the bar. He removed to Jackson County where, in 1848, he was elected to the General Assembly. After his term expired he became editor of the Dubuque Miners' Express. A few years later he was one of a firm which established the Dubuque Herald, of which he became editor. He took a deep interest in the public schools and was a member of the first board of education of Dubuque. In 1858 he was again a member of the General Assembly. He remained editor of the Herald until 1862 and ranked with the ablest political writers of the State. Mr. Mahoney was a radical opponent of the war for suppression of the Rebellion and his writings on that subject aroused a storm of indignation among Union men which threatened personal violence. On the night of the 14th of August, 1862, he was arrested by H. M. Hoxie, United States Marshal, and taken to Washington where he was incarcerated in the old Capital prison. While in prison he was nominated by the Democrats of the Third Iowa District for Representative in Congress, and although defeated by William B. Allison carried Dubuque County by a majority of 1,457. He was released without trial after about three months' imprisonment and returned to Dubuque but the Herald had been sold during his absence. The following year he was elected sheriff, holding the office four years. In 1869 he