The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-12
A OF oLD TOM.
Tho Keeper or . Famous Restaurant Dies or
Heart Disease.

Thomas j. Holahan, for many years tho pro.
prictor Of tho chophouse known as Old Toms
at Thames and Temple streets, died yesterday
morning of heart disease In his rooms above the
dingy little restaurant, "Old Toms was q
landmark. The original building, which occu-
pied tho alto of the present chophouso, was
built about 1900, and had an interesting his.
tory. AT that time In the City Hotel, which
was on Broadway near the chophouse, was
Tom Holahan, who was the boots Of the
h~ostelry. He was tho father Of the man who
died yesterday. Holahan eventually became a
politician, sndson the ~oventful night in the fall
Of 1885. when Tammany Hall was TO decide
the question OF confirming the nomination Of
Gideon Lee for Congress, Tom played an impor-
| tant part. He was one Of the band who slipped
| upstairs and put out the lights to forestall
"slamm, Bang g. Co." In 1889 he bought the
chophouse at 2 Thames street. In his time many
celebrated. mon frequentcd the place, Judge
WHICH, Mdtiha' sst8 ii hangs bang , over The s'' ohsph Q ssn a ifh . aiai
weather beaten and dingy. Two likenesses arc
P witS e nun Sn t as b sisnii in S Ss hand SnS slSs a is so aSlaha ~
Cen. Jackson above him. On the other side IL
H9lshe!n sitting IL IL stats to ere, receive f. ,a his friends:
about 1860 her sop, Thomas J. Helshsp, became
torn down and the present five,story brick
OF the chophouse In. recent years William
iRishteSd for pylSate eiTeuiation. These are ssIec.
lit is only in the first floor of this building
that the public is especially interested, and on
this floor there are only two rooms. One of
these Is devoted to the excellent entertainment
which the house affords ana the other to tho
preparation of such succulent viands as no
clubhouse or private kitchen can produce, and
whose toothsomeness not even tho skill .f u
Delmonico can surpass.
entering the door the visitor finds him.
self in an irregularly shaped room with dark
wainsSoated walls. relieved here and there By
laden with delicately notified steaks and chops,
shining kidneys, gllistening fish. a bursting eau
lihower or two besides other uncooked arti-
Giles. the mere sight OF which whets ones appe.
lite to u degree.
"From rows Of hooks hang shiny old pewters
there be any one not familiar with tho little yes.
sci. let him proceed forthwith to Toms and
call for a toby Of alo with his steak.
about to see to the welfare of his guests, is old
ancc and well, allied pouch are a walking, asdver-
tisement OF the excellence of his goods"
John Fiske. the historian; James G.. Blaine,
William NJ. Evarts, William Cullen BRYANT,
and John A; Andrew were patrons of the place,
and always had some good word to saw for 'Old
Tom" Holahan was a mcmber of the Eolun-
teer Fire Department. having been attached to
WASHINGTON Engine Company 20. IT Is said of
above Fourteenth street, SO great was his an
tipathy to tho new part Of the city, ANYTHING
he he" mended 4 oi% chairs hail " over and over sHs again aiin'i and
kept the same dinRy old pictures on the wallis,
the same tobies and pewter mugs behinu the
bar. and the same shiny black tables in the lit
tie room. Every morning he went down to the
Battery to sit for an hour in the fresh air. Two
weeks ago: when he was nearly 80 years old.
He leaves four daughters. two of whom are
married. He was worth moro than $3.50 O00.