The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-20
4. ]. RHOADS PASSES AWAY.
Had BEEN PROMINENT HERE
FOR FORTY YEARS.
After q Lifetime Spent in Manipu-
lating Politics, He Dies
Poor Man.


In the death of Andrew Jackson
Rhoads, which occurred at bis home IN
this city yesterday, Sacramento parted
with one whose personality had pesn
manifest in local political affairs for
forty years or more. 1t was chiefly as
politician that Frank Rhoads-as ne
was Familiarity known-gained prom
lnence.
S For many years past Mr.. Rhoads had
been sufferer from rheumatism, ana
latterly its attacks became more ire
Quent and severe, and several times ms
life was thought to be in danger. But
being a man of great will power ne al
ways succeeded in wearing out the only
enemy that had ever been able to gam
an advantage over him, and during the
past year-up to a few weeks agO-hlS
health was fairly good and he had been
able to attend to his duties as Keeper
of State Archives, a position connected
with the Secretary of States office. But
last month, following a severe attack
Of rheumatism, kidney trouble set in.
resulting in uremia or blood poisoning,
and nature had to Succumb.
Mr. Rhoads was a native of Philadel-
phia and came to California in 1880,
being then 20 years of age. He first
went to the Nevada County mining sec
ton, but shortly afterward removed to
this city and engaged in the business
of draying. which was quite lucrative
occupation in those days Like many
other young men who came to Califor-
mia in the early days, he developed a
taste wi n &c ad fsCnOrt n life
abandoned the draying business and be-
came a man of leisure.
He was very active in volunteer fire.
mems circles and became Foreman of
Confidence Engine Company. Street
battles were of frequent occurrence be-
tween the members of the rival fire
companies, and no man who was afraid
to get in and mix things with the en-
envy could long remain on the roll of
active membership. Young Rhoads soon
became a leader among even the more
belligerent of the firemen and up to
the time that old age and disease came
upon him there never was a man any
where near his size or weight who had
been able to take his measure" while
he has been known to defeat men so
big that he could scarcely reach their
faces with his hands.
In the stormy days when such men
as Billy Mulligan, John Morrisey, Jim
huffman, Jim Dennison, Daily brothers
Buck" Harrigan and Bill Hunt were
prominent characters in Sacramento,
there. was not one of them who did
not acknowledge Frank Rhoads as his
equal-socially, politically, pugilistical-
ly or otherwise.
This class of men of course readily
drifted into politics, and though all of
those mentioned were long since gath
cred to- their fathers, Frank Rhoads
continued in politics, and for the last
thirty years was a leader. Occasionally
some rival boss or combination of bosses
would secure a temporary advantage
over him, but the next campaign would
generally find him again on top.
There have been scores of exciting
incidents in the political history of
Sacramento in which Frank Rhoads
was the chief figure, but most of these
are within the knowledge of people of
to-day. The leaders in State politics
all recognized his power in the local
field, and no important deal was ever
attempted Gin Republican circles) with
out first consulting Frank Rhoads. 1t
was in county or municipal campaigns,
however, that he figured most conspie-
uously, and it was interesting to see
the Little Napoleon as he was often
called, rise in his place in a nominal
ing convention and announce First
Ward, nineteen votes for John Smith"
While in most other wards the voters
usually held caucuses for the selection
of delegates, those of the First and
Second were rarely put to that incon-
venience. On the night preceding a
primary election the newspaper report
er would call on Mr.. Rhoads and the
latter would take a paper from his
pocket and quietly remark: These are
the delegates selected for the First and
Second Wards. No, there will be no
opposition ticket in these wards"
Frank Rhoads was a practical poll
tician-one of the men who made poll
ties the study and business of his life,
but unlike many men whose methods
were no cleaner than his he never
blundered-never exposed his hand
SO to speak. He knew whom to trust,
and the man must indeed be a bold one
who would dare betray him. Very
few ever attempted it.
While the ways of the practical pol
$tician are open to criticism and some
times condemnation, and while Frank
Rhoads was often severely criticized
and even fercely condemned because
of the methods employed by him, it
was rarely that any disappointed place
seeker was heard to say that Rhoads
had deceived him. If he could not
champion a friends cause he would
tell him so, ever thought he could not
explain to him how or why he had en-
listed in someone else's fight. In
short, everyone generally knew where
Rhoads stood on any proposition, and
it made no difference to him what 9TH
ers thought of the motives that infiu
enced him.
And Frank Rhoads was true as steel
to the men who lned-up for him and
fought the battles of the ballots as he
directed. He always took care of his
friends, and in the evening of his life,