The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-11
BURIAL OF JOHN Y. MKANE.
HIS FACE VIEWED by 7HoUsANDs At
IRIS OLD HOMh.

AsSen,biaRe Remarkable for tho Numbers
and Varying Conditions OF Those VINO
Composed Allies of the Graves
end Boss Conspicuous in tho Company
That all who wished might take q last look
at the face OF John Y McKane the body layin
state from 10 O'Clock yesterday morning to
In the afternoon at the McKane house.
VOORHEES, avenue and Twonty-third street,
Sheepshead Bay. During that time there was
constant stream OF visitors up the high steps
OF the big wooden house.. Men. women ard
children Of oil stations in life passed before
the CONN. Many there were who came from
no other motive than curiosity to look upon
the man whose career of despotism hardly
equalled Ia American local politics, had been
90 harshly cut short when the prison doors
closed between him and the outer world. Many
others came who gased with wet eyes upon
the dead face. and passed on. shaken with grief.
No witness OF the line that passed the comm
could fail to sec that there lay man whose
lite was bound to many other lives by powerful
ties OF affection ana friendship.
1t was by far the largest funeral gathering
thar has ever been known in the old, outlying
section OF Brooklyn. More than 5000 persons
were In the line that passed on almost without
interruption. The body lay In the back parlor
among floral pieces that made OF that room
and tho two others opening from II bowers OF
bloom and fragrance. The visitors entered the
front door. turned to the right. passed through
the front parlor into the back parlor and went
out through a side door to the yard There
was no service ut the house. the funeral SER
vices having been held on the previous even
ing. IL was at first intended that they should
be held In the Methodist Church, but Mr.. Nc
Kanes wife and mother wore too much pros
trated to leave tho house. and were unable to
remain even through the family service.
To many OF McKane's old friends the face OF
the dead seemed unfamiliar. for the reason
that in the old days he always wore a chin
beard. but he shaved this of about a year be-
fore his death. or the old-timers who had
helped the leader to maintain his political
supremacy over Coney Island. the greater
number retired into private life after his fall
and a surprisingly largo number OF them saw
John Y. McKane yesterday for the fret time
since he was convicted. They stood about in
groups on tho sidewalk outside the house and
in low tones talked OF how changed their old
chief looked. Then came "reminiscences be-
ginning: Tho last time spoke with John Y
McKane." and 30 on through long accounts of
shrewd political tricks or acts OF personal
kindness.
Meantime. while they stood and gossipped
various organizations marched into the house |:
tho Gravesend volunteer fremen; the old
Gravesend police force a delegation OF hremen
from tho Thirty third Battalion many mem-
bers OF the present police force. and an almost
full roster Of the Hebrew Benevolent Associa-
ton. made up Of mon OF all political faiths
There was also the Sunday School OF the Meth
odist Church. Of which Mr.. McKane had been
superintendent.
All these organizations EXCEPT the Sunday
school. after finR past the CONN. formed In
the street and marched ahead OF the funeral
procession. which started an hour later than
was intended. on account OF the great number
OF those who came late to nay their last re-
spects to the dead. In the mourners' carriage
were the widow. who was half led. half carried
out. tho son. and Mr.. McKane's motherl
who though 30 years old. had walk ed
steadily and bravely to her pace. The
hearse was drawn by four black horses.
and on either side OF 1t marched the
bearers: Michael J. Dady. George Roderlck. 8.
STRIKER Williamson. Henry Osborne. Benjamin
Cohen. Conrad Steubenb ord. Alanson Tread
we'll and Augustus Friend. In front OF the
hearse were three carriages Allied with flowers.
Asthe procession set out, the bell Of the Sleeps
head Bay Methodist Episcopal Church toled
and was answered by the bell Of the Gravesend
Dutch Reformed Church. The procession
passed up Voorhees, avenue to the Sheepshead
Bay road. to the Neck road. to the Boulevard and
thence to Greenwood Cemetery At the bridge
over Coney Island Creek the marching organic
cations opened out and stood uncovered while
the hearss and mourners went by. The COM
initial services at the grave were brief. the Rev
Thomas Stevens OF tho Methodist Church and
the Rev. DR.. Van Buskirk OF tho Dutch Re-
formed Church officiating.
Among those who came to the McKane house
yesterday were ex-Judge H. V. Storms. Isaac
Rosenthal. Judge John Courtney. George
EnEeman. Police Captains Gallagher, Kenney
and Collins. stephen Condit. George Valentine.
Alderman Veten. Robert Sodgwick. Council
men William Doyle and William Keegan. AS
semblyman Juengst, Magistrate J. Lott Nos
trand. Assomblyman Frank Gallagher. ex-
Judge Kenneth F. Sutherland. ex-Polce Com
missioner Forester. Councilman Francisco.
James Murtha. John Caracas and Henry Stur-
devant, 1t was such a gathering of the old
political clique that used to run Coney Island
as hus not been soen since its power was de-
stroyed. and az will probably not again come
together.