The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-27
Took a Leading Part in the
Early History of the
Municipality.
WAS ONCE MAYOR OF, THE
CITY
Golden Gate Park Created Through
His Efforts and Streetcar
Fares Reduced.

Postmaster Frank McCoppln died yes
terday morning at the Mount Zion Hospi-
tai, corner of Sutter and Hyde streets,
from the effects of surg ical operation
for cancer of the stomach and intestines
performed last Sunday morning
For some hours after the operation the
patient seemed to be resting easy. but on
Tuesday afternoon he began to sink. Mr..
McCoppih had been in poor health for
nine months past but went to the hospi-
tai only last week.
As soon as the news of the Postmasters
death had been received at the Postoffice
the Postmaster-General at Washington
was notified by Assistant Postmaster r.
E. Doyle The bondsmen of the deceased
Postmaster met at noon, but adjourned
until o'clock in the afternoon. They
then appointed Assistant Postmaster
Doyle to act as Postmaster until McCop-
pins successor shall have been appointed
| by President Mckinley. This action was
decided upon by W. F. Goad, G. F. Fargo
and Matthew Nunan, who, with Lloyd
| Tevis and c. N. FELTON,, both of whom are
IL, U
deceased official.
1t is believed that President Mckinley
will soon appoint successor to McCop-
pin, whose term would not have expired
until a year from next July. 1t is un-
likely that the appointee of the bonds
men will hold Office until the expiration
of his predecessors term.
Among the candidates FOR the position
who had made ppication-supposing
that the office would not become vacant
before July, 1S98-are B. F. Mckinley, an
uncle of the President; Daniel T.
Cole and others. 1t is understood that
Congressman Loud has the position at
his disposal, although he refuses to say
| whether he has or not
| McCoppin received the appointment OF
| Postmaster of San Francisco from Presi-
dent Cleveland on the Goth of June, 1894
Frank McCoppin was born in Longford,
Ireland, July 4, 1884, and came with his
parents to Morgan County, Illinois, in
1858. In 1858 he came to California and
was one of the moving spirits in the con-
struction of the Market street Railway, of
which he was superintendent. 1t was un-
der his guidance that the sandhills were
cut through to the Mission. He was
elected Supervisor of the Eleventh Ward
in 1860 and served so satisfactorily that he
held the position for seven years, during
which period he served as chairman of
various important committees.
In 1867 he was made Mayor and during
his term of office many public improve
| ments were made, most important among
them being the creation OF Golden Gate
Park. From 1875 TO 1873 he served as
State Senator and in such capacity he in
troduced and successfully promulgated
some important legislation. including the
one-twelfth act, which put a check upon
the powers of Boards OF Supervisors, and
the act creating the Board of Police Com
m1ssioners.
One OF the most beneficent OF his pub
lie acts was in starting the movemenl re-
ducing streetcar fares in San Francisco to
the uniform rate of five cents. Before
the reduction four tickets were sold for
quarter and single fare was ten cents.
Mr.. McCoppin's next service was in the
capacity OF president of the Board Of
Harbor Com missioner3. After that he
engaged in sugar raising in the Hawaiian
Islands. Subsequently he returned to
California Sc ttling on ranch in San Luis
com missioner to the Melbourne Exposi-
ton.
1t was Frank McCoppin who, after
careful study of the scale pest that in
tested the fruit trees of California, in
trod uced into this State the Australian
lady-bug which exterminated the pest and
saved the orchards from threatened ruin.
NJ. McCoppin was possessed of great
phv sical strength, and was man of COM
manding presence. His was indeed a
.fault!ess physique" an expression of
which he himself was the author, and with
which his opponents sought at times to
annoy him. His bright eyes and healthy
complexion were but placed in relief by
his silver hair and closely cropped white
beard.
He was, perhaps, one OF the most pro-
gressIve and energetic men who have ever
had an influence upon the affairs of the
State or municipality.
Arrangements have not yet been COM
pleted for the funeral, which will probably
not be held for several days vet. dele
CATION OF letter-carriers was sent to watch
over the body as soon as news of the Post
m aster's death had been received. The
flags OF various public buildings we're
| lowered to half-mast-over the Postoffice,
the City Hall and the Chief Wharfnger's 8
Office, the deceased at one time having
been member of the Board of Harbor
Commissioners.