The age-herald., 1901-01-16
Alderman from the Ninth Ward
 is Dead
A REMARKABLE CHARACTER
Born of Irish Parents in England, He Became a Great Force in Birm- ingham Local PoIitcs-His
 Great Love of Charity.

Alderman Sylvester Daly, one of the representatives of the Ninth ward the Birmingham City Council died at his home in this city yesterday afternoon, after a prolonged illness from a complication of liver disorders He was about 45 years old and is survived by his wife and two daugh- terS and son, the children being very young. For ten years Syl Daly has been one of the best known and most familiar figures in Birmingham. He was born of Irish parents in the Middlesborugh iron district of England and was brought up a pudder. In early manhood he immigrated to America, and about thirteen years ago came to Birmingham, where he secured employment in the present Birmingham rolling mill. He was a man of great frame and gigantic strength, and in boxing, wrestling and general athletic skill he won the reputation of being the best man in the Birmingham district.
 Like most men of his race, Syl Daily early took a keen interest in politics, and soon became the acknowledged leader of the rolling mill men, several hundred in number, and in so far he was individu- ally concerned in politics he was master of the Ninth ward, and so remained until his death.
 For ten years Syl Daily has been the strongest individual force in the local poli- tics of Birmingham, and nearly all men who have sought elective office from time to time have sought to enlist his sympa- thies and support He was conscious of his power but nobody ever accused him of abusing it. The fact that his followers trusted him implicitly was fair proof that he did not abuse that trust.
 MT. Daly was in bed helpless on the day of the city Democratic primary election, December 31, when his colleague, Alder man Harrington, was defeated for renomi- nation.
 Here am I, down and helpless, and there's Johnny Harrington lettin' 'em run all over him!'' he is quoted as having said resentfully.
 ,Syl Daily hadn't been long resident in Birmingham before he engaged in the sa- loon business, and he kept at it, with vary ing success, the remainder of his life.
 He was roughly kind and kindly rough and always true to his friends was big stout, kindhearted Syl Daly. He was fierce in his words of attachment and fierce in his speeches of resentment. He had no soft words, but many a thunderous word of his sprung from a heart of deep and fervent kindness. No man ever entered his door in want and went out wanting longer. In his giant frame, with it's fiery semblance there abided the spirit of genuine charity.
 That man was never weary in relieving human distress, of giving when there was need to give. Men of ten times his worldly possessions give to charity not tenth of what Syl Daily gave. Cant let poor divl starve,' he would say, and there would be tears in the voice of one whose eyes were unaccustomed to signs of any emotion.
 The good priest gave Syl Daly cheap silver watch to raffle for little money flor the hospital, Syl-for the hospital" 'Yes, father-sure, sure-best we can-can't do any more" The giant with the child's tender heart put up his own little daughter in the contest that followed, and other chill dren were entered in parental prde "Old Syl's" little girl Mop, and the good priest received one hundred and seventy eight dollars for the hospital fund for and in consideration of an eight dollar watch.
 Throughout Syl Daly's long illness that watch, of which he was proud as if it had been a golden crown, ticked, ticked, ticked through the long and silent watches whilst death made its slow pace to still the faith ful heart.
 And yesterday, when the low of the summers day come in heart of winter made for the sundown land, that poor little watch, Syl Daly's treasure licked nthe speeding moments by, and when death came ito the couch of pain, there was that watch ticking, ticking, ticking.