The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-06
JOHN Y. M'KANE
AT DEATHS DOOR
Unconscious and Paralyzed at His
Corey Island Home.
HIS WIFE'S SAD DISCOVERY.
lie Had Been Suffering Slightly for
Years from Heart AMI Kid
ncy Troubles, Now
Become Acute.
HIS WIFE'S SAD DISCOVERY.

John Y. McKane for so many years. and
until his fan abou, six years ago. the po-
Htical boss Of Coney Island is dying at
his home there. His condition was some
what better at a late hour last night, but
the physicians DO not expect him to re-
cover.
Beside his bedside al day yesterday were
his mother. his wife Mrs. Fannie McKane;
his daughter, Fannie, his two sons
George. who is blind and Ira-and his two
brothers, James and Theodore. with their
wives.
This was Mr.. McKanes first serious ILL
ness. although FOR several years there
had been indications Of complications Of
heart and kidney trouble. To was ON Au-
gust 10Th last his hfty-eighth birthday
that acute symptoms first appeared. lie
was al one of the local hotels when he
was overcome by vertigo For several
days Mr. McKane remained indoors.
About week ago he reaQpcared at Coney
Island. and attended TO his business as
usual Sunday night he sat on the stoop
OF Cohen's Hotel and LETT for home at his
customary hour. o'clock.
Mrs. McKaue called her husband al half
past G O'Clock yesterday morning When
he failed to respond 20 the first call she
shook him gently, and discovered that he
was unconscious. Dr. H.l and Or. Me
COrkle attended him. but be never spoke
during the day. once he seemed 20 re-
cognizc Mrs. McKane, end Miss Fannie.
then he ,opsed into a comatose state. His
whole body appeared to be paralyzed.
ROSE QUICKLY IN POLITICS.
John Young McKane. formerly the poll
tical boss Of Grayesend and COney ISL
and, was born in county Antrim, Ireland,
on August 10. lS4l. His parents came to
this country when he was a lad and set
tied in the village OF Grsvesend Bay. Nc
Kane attended the village school. and was
later apprenticed 10 n carpenter In Grave
send. lie was soon graduated from the
bench and established a carpentry busi-
ness Of his own. I'm which he prospered.
Almost all The large hotels at Coney ISL
and and two-thirds OF the smaher build
ings were built under Mckanes supervi-
sion.
Seeing n chance for advancement in
politics. AloKane accepted when a young
man the office OF village constable. Later
be was appointed Commissioner OF Com
mon Lands then was made supervisor and
town Of Gravesend. He had been a
Democrat in politics. but in 1857 he quar-
relied with the party and the General
Committee expelled him from the organi-
zation. He was then president Of the
Police. Health and Water Boards. Chief
Of Police and president Of the Board OF
Supervisors Of Kings county and presi-
dent of the town Of Gravesend.
He was reputed TO be worth a million
dollars. lie was prominent member Of
the sheepshead Bay Methodist church and
superintendent Of its Sunday school.
END OF HIS POLITICAL POWER.
He made his peace with the Democratic
party in 1891. and was then at the zenith
OF his power But he became too bold.
and when william ]. Gaynor was a can
dida;e for Supreme Court judge and de-
clarcd that he intended 10 devote particu-
lar attention TO the vote az Coney Island
controlled BY McKane Gaynor sounded
the death-knell Of the power Of the boss Of
Coney Island. Judge Gaynor determined
to have the registry lists at Gravosend
Sheepshead Bay and Coney Island inspect
ed and copied for his inspection. This led
10 n conflict Of authority which resulted
in the indictment Of McKane for wilfully
instructing the inspectors 10 violate the
law Al lt+u9ih- 10 'Ai''' f~"'''-f '''''
registry lists for inspection. He was
tried. convicted and sentenced 10 six years
in Sing Sing prison and entered the jail
TO serve his time on March 30. 1894 lnilu-
ence Of an kinds was brought 10 bear on
the Governor to obtain the pardon Of Nc
Kane. but If failed. and he served his
time less the Communication he had earned
as n model prisoner.
NIcKane was liberated On April 20 1893.
and returned TO Coney Island. but he
never resumed the reins OF power. owing
principally 20 the fact that he was unable
to obtain a restoration Of his citizenship.
His friends brought Influence 10 bear upon
Governor Roosevelt 10 this end. but with
ont result. He had lived quietly. devoting
his time 10 his building business.-New
York Herald.