New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-04
OBITUARY.
JOHN KELLY.

Smiling John" Kelly Is dead. TIE o.
ment will cause profound sorrow to a host Of per-
sons who knew him. Cordial. kind and ever ready
with a helping hand he known TO prominent
turfmen. politicians. capitalists. brokers and men
OF affairs all over the country. He got his name
of Smiling John" from the fact that ne was To-
variaby in good humor and had cheering smile
for all whom he met. He had a great multitude OF
friends. and good word for every one OF them. He
was never known to speak Ill Of any one. and when
trouble arose he often called In as peacemaker.
He the close personal friend OF Rtchart
Croker and was considered power in racing
and In politics, and successful operator In
Wall Street.
Mr. Kelly 6ed shortly before o'clock yesterday
morning at his home No ~ West seventy-ffth-sr.
He broke down IN health some time ago. and went
TO various places In search Of relief. He seemed 10
get better for a time, but about 2 month ago Mo
condition took turn for the worse and ne Knew
Re could not live long. Despite this. bis COCA
humor never failed him. and I'D To the last re was
cheerful and thoughtful Of those around him. He
attended by Dr. Delaae'd ard DR. Rice. JIG
had children. His wife survives him
For years the kindly face Of Mr.. Kelly was IA
rniar to those who frequeuted the racetrack. who
had Wall Street interests who dined AT Del
monlcos old place. at Twenty eixthst. and Fltth-
After the Twenty-sixth-st. restaurant was
closed he spent much time at the Democratic Club
horn In this city about ffty-fve years ago on the
West Side and attended the parochial schools there
Among the playmates NJ his boyhood were ex-
Mayor Hugh j. Grant and Thomas Byrnes. ex-Su-
pernteadent OF Police. Mr.. Grant and Mr.. ByrneS
were Intimate and loyal friends 10 him all his
life When young man ne became active In poll
tics and his influence among the voters IN MS
part Of tho city grew stronger constantly Richard
Croker had strong confidence In his Judgment anu
few men were nearer 10 the Temmany leauer tndh
John Kelly. But Mr. Kellys nature was excepilon-
ally modest and unobtrusive. and ne never tooh 30
conspicuous a place in the Democratic party OF tns
city and State az his ability and influence %ouIu
have justified his taking. When Hugh >, Iran, Gramt
Mayor he asked Mr. Kelly to accept an itnp3T
had many opportunities TO MI offices OF dlsuncuon
TO which large salaries were attached, Dut ne ple
ferred TO remain in private hte re .t VIZ ~ Sber-
more than once to accept the nomination 1or ohel-
John Kelly had travelled extensively ne ma a
crossed the Atlantic repeatedly. and had journeye1
around the world. One Of his experiences "nlc1
he was fond Of recalling visit wnlch ne pau
20 Count Tolstoi in Russia several years ago. he
had such letters of Introduction 10 Tostol tnat ne
received with warm welcome, ana ms iii.
thoroughly enjoyed By Mr.. Kelly. The range OF
Mr. Key's friendship extended from powerful cap.
italists in Wall Street from the heads OF VAST
corporations from the foremost Democratic states
successful urfnen 70 the humblest citizens IN the
various walks OF life. Mr. Kely's engrossng pas
sion was 10 be OF service his friends 10 aid those
who needed help. TO benefit the untortunate, o
were ont Of employment to tighten trouble and 10
dHuse good feeling. His henefactions were ihnu-
merable - IT. -.
church services will he held n the Church OF the
Messed Sacrament at West Seventy frst-st and
the Boulevard, at 1890 a. m