Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-20
LITTLE JOE BIGGAR.
The Whimsical Hero Of the Irish Par
liamentary Party.

Mr.. Bggar, who died yesterday, was the son
OF JOS. Biggar Of Train6eld house, Belfast
and was educated at the Belfast academy.
thrifty bacon curer by occupation, and about
sixty-two years Of age, he has been a conspIcu-
Gus figure in Irish politics for the past fifteen
years, and is entitled to immortality by having
been the first wielder Of that powerful weapon,
obstruction" which has so effectually changed
the face of British politics. Previous to 1874,
when he was first elected to the house Of CON-
mons. he was widely known as an advanced
radical. Az Ulster man by birth and speaking
with something Of a Scotch accent. he was a
member of the Presbyterian persuasion until
1877, when he turned right about and became a
Roman Catholic and became involved in a
standing quarrel with his father in conse-
quence. Although thorn in the side of the
government and Of private members with a
lite with the house of commons than otherwise.
RICHARD III OF THE home RULE PARTY.
There was a certain amount of geniality and
native humor, which, added to his whimsical
aspect and his inimitable brogue. tended to
progresses people in his favor. To add to his
amusing Qualities he soon contrived to catch
the parliamentary manner to n wonderful ex-
tent and was very fond of administering little
lncoherent lectures to the house with his arms
to Ioftlness and breadth of view which might
pass among the Cavan people for statesmanship.
Biggar was not a highly educated nor an especi-
ally brilliant man, but he had sound common
sense. In the house of commons he was always
ready to get upon his legs at a moments notice
and talk upon any subject until his leader
ordered him to sit down. He was slightly de-
formed, his spine having been injured when a
boy. His opponents called him the Richard
Ill OF the home rule party. MIR. Biggar was a
wealthy man and rigid teetOtalier. "Biggar
has Il voice like corn crake," said Z. 2. O'Con-
nor once, but he IL one Of the bravest and
truest mon In parliament"
HIS PARIS ROMANCE.
In the carly part OF 1888 he was suod by q
certain Miss Fannie Hyiand for damages for
breach of promise of marriage. Miss Hyland,
the plaintiff, kept boarding house in Paris, or
rather she took in 'genteel boarders," her
guests being mostly gentlemen from foreign
parts whose circumstances forced them to make
d temporary residence abroad. MIR. Biggar
was introduced to Fanny by Patrick Egan, who
Tor some time had been enjoying her hospital
lty and basking i'll the sunshine of her favor.
The facts cited OH the trial showed that the ell
thusiastlc Biggar kept company with the musi-
cal Fanny for some time and gave her various
presents, including several pairs of stockings
When MIR. Biggar left Paris, however, he ceased
his attentions to the fair boarding house keeper
and talked no more to her of music, love or
presents. Patrick Eagan also went from under
her hospitable roof, leaving her lonely and dis
consulate. She failed to win her recreant lover
back to her side hence the suit for breach of
promise OF marriage, which was quickly termi-
mated IN her favor. MIR. Biggar was mucted in
S2,OO0 damages and subjected to infinite ridi-
Guile, but he bore up under both infections with
his characteristic fOrtitude
The Parnell party propose to give a great
public funeral IN dublin to Mr.. Biggar and
are In communication with his family OH the
subject