New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-05
JOHN Y. M'KANE DYING.
DOCTORS THINK he WILL NOT LIVE
MORE THAN A DAY LONGER.
THE ON TINE CAR or GRAvEsEND SUFFERING
FROM BRIGHT's DlSEAsE-A SKETCH OB
HIS CAREER.


FROM BRIGHT's DIsEAsE-A SKETCH OF
HIS CAREER
John Y McKane the old time political boss
Of Gravcsond. IS IN a dying condition at hts
home in Sheepshead Bay. For several years
before he was sent to Sing Sing Mr.. Mckane
had been suffering from Brights disease. lie
was at one time one If the most powerful pol.t-
cal factors in this end OF the State, and WAS
instrumental in 1854 in defeating James &.
blaine FOR the Presidency. Four years later ne
supported General Harrison and the Republican
ticket He took about four hundred Of ms fol-
lowers 10 WASHINGTON and paradod them
through Pennsylvania-ave.
In 1893 ne came 10 grief through the political
crime which finally landed him IN sing sing In
that year the political campaign was extremely
exciting in Kings County The Republicans ana
reformers supported 'harles a. Schiercn for
Mayor while tho Democrats. including Mckane
and his friends. supported David A. Body
William J. Gavnor. now Justice Of the Supreme
Court went 70 Gravesend 10 take charge or inc
citizens interests in the canvass The repre-
sentatives Of Mr. Gaynor were assaulted by Nc
Kanc's followers on the night before election
and the former got an Injunction from Justice
Barnard IN Poughkeepsie. restraining Mckane
from interfering with the watchers at the polls
When the order was served on McKane al
his dead line" 200 feet from the polls, on
Election Day he tore it up and said: "Injunc-
tons don't go here" and the phrase became
famous all oyer the United states
McKane was tried for contempt Of court in re-
fusing 10 obey an order Of the Court permitting
an inspection Of the registration books of the
election districts Of GRAY send. and was also in
dicted by the Grand Jury on eleven counts for
administration II the affairs OF Gravesend.
He was found guilty and sentenced by Justice
Bartlett Of the Supreme Court to six years in
Sing Sing He entered the prison on March |.
1874 and through good behavior was released
on April 80. 1895
Since then he has been engaged IN carpenter
contract work in Coney Island and Sheepshead
Bay. As he did not receive pardon from the
Governor before the expiration Of his term he
lost his citizenship. and therefore his vote lie
had not taken an active part In politics but
many Of his old supporters rallied around him
and were willing to help him aions in rebuilding
his fortunes
John y McKane vas born On August 10. 1S41.
IN County Antrim Ireland Of Scotch and Irish
parentage. lie was fifteen months old when his
parents brought him 10 Gravcsend. He attended
a private school there. and when sixteen years
oiG became an apprentice 10 carpenter N flht-
bush. He started in business for himself IN 1865
in which year he was elected constable. He
Vas elected a Commissioner II Common Lands
H. 1851. and became Supervisor 10 1888 He
then .eft The Democratic party. and in 1887 be
came president pro TEN. Of the County Board OF
super, sors He held the Office Of Commissioner
ard president II the town Health Police and
Ha.-r .5arfs f Gravesend, well as the Of
c,e = chief u Police
Af'-r an election in 1887 the Democratic Gen
ara. Committee expelled from membership Nc
Kane and Cornelius Furgueson. who was then
Sul~-rvi sor Of New-Utrecht In 1881 Mckane
opposed the county State and all local cand-
dates on the Democratic ticket. Hugh Nc
Laughnn. Democratic leader If KINGS County.
then realized that McKane would be a valuable
ally and he instructed his leutenants TO rein
state him IN the Democratic General Commit
tee and president pro TEN. Of the Board OF
Supervisors.
McKane was one Of the most prominent build
ers and contractors OF COney Island and Sleeps
head Bay, and erected nearly twO-t thirds Of the
houses in those places. He was for nearly
twenty-five years superintendent Of the Meth
oist Episcopal Church Sunday school IN Sleeps
head Bay. Before he sent TO prison he was
a leading member Of Franklin Lodge If odd FEEL
lows and all OF the social organizations If his
neighborhood. In 1860 h. married Fannie
Nostrand of Gravesond. Mr.. Mckane has a
blind son. whose pathetic interest in tho mis-
deeds and misfortunes Of his father has ap-
peaed TO the sympathy and sentiment Of all "
the friends II the former political boss Of
Gravesend
Dr J. A. McCorkle. Of No. 1l9 Clinton-st..
Brooklyn and Or John F. o. HILL the McKane
family physician after a consultation last night
AZ 10 o'clock said the patient probably would
not live moro than twcnty-four hours