JUDGE DALE MCGAHEY

September 20, 1880 To May 21, 1944


Only known picture of Judge Dale McGahey







Judge Dale McGahey was found dead on the sidewalk in front of 2338 SW 2nd Avenue in Portland Oregon on May 21, 1944. An ax that figured prominently in another murder case the previous August was held as evidence in the death of Judge. The ax theory was later abandoned. The coroner was of the opinion that a blunt object caused the death of Judge. Three persons were detained and questioned regarding the death. They all testified that Judge died as a result of injuries suffered in a fall downstairs. The coroner did not agree with this explanation of the cause of death. The possible murder remains unsolved.



Hillboro Argus , Hillsboro , Oregon
May 25 , 1944

Death Quiz Held For Local Man

Belief that Jud D. Mcgahey, 63, of Hillsboro, who was found dead on the sidewalk late Sunday, might have met his death accidentally was expressed by Portland police following an autopsy Tuesday. A small cut on the back of the mans head first let police to suspect that he had met with foul play.
Several broken ribs, a fracture at the base of the skull and a brain hemorrage were given as the cause of death. These could have resulted from a fall downstairs, police said.
McGahey had been working for Rudy Shearer northeast of Hillsboro, according to his brother Ed McGahey of Hillsboro. He was paid Saturday night and went to Portland early Sunday morning.
He was born at Gaston , September 20, 1880, and lived in Washington county all his life. Survivors include two brothers Ed of Hillsboro and Authur in California. Funeral arrangments will be made by Donelson & Sewell.



The Oregonian , Portland , Oregon
May 25 , 1944

Stroke, Followed by Fall, Fatal to Hillsboro Man

Belief that J.D.McGahey, 60, Hillsboro, died as a result of a skull fracture suffered in a fall down steps in front of 2338 S.W. 2nd avenue was expressed Wednesday by the coroners office upon recieving the autopsy report from DR. Joseph Beeman, Oregon state crime laboratory.
Dr. Beemans report disclosed that McGahey suffered a one inch basal skull fracture and brain hemorrage, caused by and upward blow, and that this could have occurred in a fall.

Autopsy Reveals Stroke

McGahey body was discovered at 5:30 PM Sunday lying on the sidewalk in front of that address. The autposy also showed, according to DR. Beeman, that the victim had suffered a stroke between 24 and 48 hours prior to his death and at the time suffered two rib fractures and an arm bruise
The report stated the stroke could have caused loss of equilibrium, resulting in a fall while going down stairs fron the apartment of Sarah Grace Carr, 2238 S.W. 2nd avenue, where he with two othet men had been drinking during the afternoon.
Alcoholic content of his blood, according to the report, was 0.23, which is listed as "drunk" on the report. He had entered the apartment at 2 PM Sunday and left shortly after 5 PM, police were informed.
Mrs. Carr and Charles Clark, 67, same address still were held by police Wednesday, John Finherty, Park Hotel, third guest, was released Tuesday.







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