New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-20
MIR BEGGs WAS WEALTHY AND ERRATIo.
A SKETCH OF THE TRENTON SUICIDE 8 LIFErA
WELL. KNOWN MECHANICAL ENGINEER

a
wFLLKNowN MECHANICAL ENGINEER
The suicide of Mr.. Beggs was great surprise 10
his business partner and many friends in this city,
where his reputation mechanical engineer maze
him widely known He associated with George
N Robinson under the firm name of James Beggs d.
Co. and had been doing extensive business In
boilers and engines and machniss' supplies for more
than ten years. His firm the agent in this city
of the Erie Iron Works. of Ere Penn, the largest es-
tablishment Of its kind fin this country. Mr. Beggs
was fortysix years old and born in Paterson.
His father, James Beggs, came 10 America from Scot
land saa-asts5fnsned machine shop In PATERSON
For while the elder Beggs was foreman in the Old
Camden and Amboy locomotive Works, and his son
learned the machnists trade under him. After the
death of his father young Beggs worked in a shop
at Red Hook Point and subsequently became master
mechanic OF the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
Railroad shops at Scranton. From there he returned
10 Paterson and worked in Todd & Raferty's machine
shop. Then he became foreman in Crane Brothers
elevator works I'm Chicago, having supervision OF
nearly 900 workmen. Being OF thrifty disposition
Mr. Beggs saved enough money from his salary TO
come to this city and start in business for him
SELF taking a partner and opening place in Cort'
landtst. His partner dying he associated himself
with Mr.. Robinson and moved to No. o Dey-st.
Mr. Beggs was an enthusiastic Grand Army man,
and his charity to poor members OF that organization
was proverbial When the war broke out he en-
listed in Paterson company Which belonged 10 the
Cd Regiment of Keany's Brigade. Mr.. Beggs be
longed also to the Masonic fraternity and was a
Past Commander Of Knights Templar. He leaves a
wife and daughter. His wife was Miss Doughty,
daughter OF his old foreman in Todd d Raferty's
shops His daughter married Charles D. Cooke, OF
the Cooke Locomotive Works in Paterson, where also
Mr.. Beggs worked machinst. Mr. Beggs
left property valued at 100000.
Mr. Beggs last at his office in Dey-st. Tues
day. He seemed in his usual good spirits. At 10
O'Clock yesterday morning a telegram from Trenton
announced his suicide. Mr. Robinson took the first
train for Trenton on hearing the At the Office
it was stated that Mr.. Beggs must have been insane
when he shot himself The fact that he had been
acting and talking in highty and irrational manner
for some time past had been noticed by all his friends
and confirms the belief in his insanity. He could
not talk on one subject five minutes" said Of his
friends but jumped about from topic TO another
continually. 1t not due TO OverwCtk, for he
had not concerned himself about his business for
five years"
From other sources It was learned that Mr.. Beggs
had been drinking freely Of late. His home for many
years was in Paterson. About five years ago he
moved TO this city, thence went 10 Brooklyn and
six months ago returned 20 Paterson. His wife and
daughter have been staying lately at Manhattan
Beach.