The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-09-09
McKANE DEAD
Prominent COney Island Char.
acter Passes IL up to the
Grim Re ner.

New York, Sept. S,-Coney Island is i'm
mourning today John Y. McKane. for
years Its absolute ruler, died at his home
az Sheenshead Bay last evening. He had
been Ill some months, his heart stomach
and kidneys being diseased. and he knew
Tor some time past that death was not FAR
sunday evening he was out talking to
friend when he was stricken with
paralysis. He was uncons dous tin the
end McKane was one OF the most re-
markable and picturesque characters
In local politics that New York has
produced. He became power I'm the
Coney Island district and carried its
vote in his vest pocket, casting It as he
saw M. SO strong was he that he.was
dubbed the Gear Of Coney Island" re
met his Waterloo in 1898. when he became
known throughout the land by his daring
defiance Of the supreme court Surround
ed by hundreds OF his followers he stood
bbefore the Gravesend county house
whore ballots were being cast and had
the election go his way despite iniunc-
tions and watchers sent down from
Brooklyn by the Republican organization
there.
"Injunctions don go here" said Nc
Kane. and his followers thereupon beat
the watchers who had tried TO serve and
then put them I'm the Coney Island Jail.
Ten indictments were found against Nc
Kane as a result OF this days work. and
Efter a hard fought trial he was con-
victed and sentenced o six years in Sing
Sing prison. He served the full term In
prison, his release coming in April, 1899.
Since that time he has been living quietly
at his old home
So poor, old, wicked kind hearted, pious
INSCRIPTIONS John McKane IS dead.
Rest his soul
/ I wonder II he put the light out in the
window before he died.
For six years there's been light I'm the
window for John McI<ane.
The day he went to Sins Sing prison
his wife lit a little lamp he had given her
on her wedding day.
ON put II I'm the window, John" she
said
you'll be pardoned out soon-ant
youlI maby not have time TO send word
and It's dark down this street at night
and John-when you get lonesome ano
down-just tD4nk OF the lamp, dear-tht
lamp you gave me on our wedding day
10 make our little parlor look pretty FOL
the party II W II be burning John. Ever,
night It viii be burning to light you hom'
dear"
And John McKane kissed the gray
haired wife OF HIS youth and promised
her that he would not forget the light
IN the window that waited for him-and
then ne went TO prison.
] saw him IN Sing Sing prison Just be-
fore his term expired,
When he went 10 prison he was great
powerful fiorld man, with the sinews OF
an OK and the light Of an indomitable couI
age In his eyes.
When i saw him, In his cell, he was
broken down, old convict. with every day
of his prison life scared into his face In
lines that nothing but dIath would ever
remove.
You're the first person except the war
den here that's ever seen me in these
stripes" he said. Il told my sons that
ia kin myself Il one OF them ever came
and saw me in prison. I meant IT,
IL would have done It."
"My wife?
my wife's sick. She's very sick. l
guess she's never been well since I've
been away. You see she amt used 70
trouble, and it Games hard.M My sons write