Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-04-11

JACOB SHARP Sharp, his ever faith
full wife, was at his side, and his two daugh-
ters and son-in-law stood by helpless to
aid the dying man. Dr. LOOMS arrived at
$50 p. NJ, and simply announced that
Mr.: Sharp was dead Mrs Sharp was led
from the room overwhelmed with grief
The daughters bore the final scene more
calmly. Mr.. Sharp had been sinking all
day. He did not regain consciousness, and
had not recognized even his wife since late
Monday night The funeral arrangements
will be announced to-day.
Mr. Sharp's last day was one of alternate
Inconsistencies and delirium, and was in
that respect repetition OF the dry before.
In fact, since last Friday his condition
much OF the time had been one of these
two He frequently muttered that he could
not get justice done him. Again, he would
be weakly jubilant and would cry: They
wanted to yet me in the Tombs, but they
didn't No, they didn't"
[Sharp was born in Montgomery County, N.
Y, IN july 1917 His family was poor, and be-
fore he reached his majority Shnrp came to
this city to make his fortune. He began busi-
ness in small way as timber contractor anu
made money. His first successful venture In
street railroading, which has been his busi-
ness ever since, was tho construction OF the
East River & Dry Dock line. The Christopher
q Tenth Street, the Blocker Street, the Twen-
ty-third Street and the Broadway & Seventh
Avenue line followed. 1t was away back in
the f1ftes that Sharp first contem.
plated the grabbing OF Broadway. Again
and again he secured his franchise from
Legislature or aldermen, which invarla-
bly, was vetoed by Governor or mayor. The
franchise granted in 1852 by the Board OF Alder
men known as the "Forty Thieves" was the
most famous of these. Governors Cornell and
Cleveland vetoed later franchises. In 1884 bill
was adopted and signed by the Governor. This
transferred the struggle from Albany to New
York City, and Sharp approached the notori-
Gus "boodle" Board OF Aldermen of 1884. In
May of that year eight members of the board
met and agreed, for a heavy consideration. to
grant the franchise and to find thir-
teen others to override the mayors We
to-. This was done and on June 10,
1885, Jacob Sharp rode down Broad
way to the Battery on his first car. A lease Of
the new line for 800 years to the Seventh Ave-
nue. railroad followed shortly. Then there was
an invest CATION by legislative COM
mittee, with results which are recent
and familiar. Inspector Byrnes took a
hand and wrested from eX-Aderman
Jaehne confession that landed that worthy
and some of b. associates in Sing Sing and led
to the indictment of Sharp. The latter was
arrested in October. 1886. His trial began in
April following and lasted nearly five weeks,
most OF which time Sharp spent in Ludlow
Street Jail. Sharp found guilty of
bribe-givlng and sentenced to four
years imprisonment and to pay a
fine OF $1,000. Efforts were made to bail
the convict out pend ng motion for a new
trial, and Governor Hill ordered special ses'
aion Of the General Term. The decision Of this
tribunal was adverse to Sharp, but his attor.
| neys secured an appear and on Novemher 10 a,
last wear the Court Of Appeals granted a new
after several DELAYS
count Of Sharp's condition, had been set for
April II.