New-York tribune., 1901-12-14
ARTHUR j. HE4NEF DEAD.
A FAMILIAR FIGURE IN BROOKLYN. WITH Po-
LITIcAL AND A WAR RECORD. PASSES AWAY.

A FAMILIAR FIGURE IN BROOKLYN. WITH A PO-
LITICAL AND A WAR RECORD. PASSES AWAY.
Arthur J. Heaney, politician and pawnbroker,
who for many years had been well known figure
in Brooklyn, died early yesterday at his home. No
40 Amity-st., after a short attack of pneumonia
He had been sick only four days. The Alderman,
he popularity known, for he served four
years alderman from the Sixth Ward. was born
ffty-eight years ago in County Down, Ireland,
and had an interesting career. His mother. then
his only living relative in Ireland, died before he
six years old. and he sent alone to this
city with tag tied around his neck bearing these
words: Arthur Heaney. To his sister Kate. in
New-York" His sister cared for him for several
months. and then had him placed in the Roman
Catholic Orphan Asylum of New-York
When eleven years old he released from the
asylum. and apprentced to a pawnbroker named
Cavanagh. who was to give him his board and
clothes The training he received a the hands of
his first employer stood him in good stead. for it
in this business that he accumulated com
Portable fortune.
When the Civil War broke out he enlisted with
Company K. of the seth Regiment. He in the
battle Of the Wilderness and the taking of Ream's
Station General Longstreet retook the station. and
with it three thousand of General Hancocks
troops including Mr. Heaney. With the other
prisoners he was in Libby Prison where they suf-
fered deprivation and hardship for fourteen months
Heaney burrowed a hole in the ground, where he
lived. excepting when driven out by the rain. His
daily ration consisted of piece OF corn bread and
a slice Of bacon. Later he removed to Sauls-
bury. where he received somewhat better treat
After the war Mr.. Heaney entered the pawnbrok-
ing business of Henry b Polhemus in lower Full
ton-st.. Brooklyn. In nve years he had saved
enough money TO start in business for himself at
No. PA AtIantic-ave. In the same year, 1870. he
married Miss Kate DrisCOn, a woman OF his own
country. Soon after he entered politics, and be-
the Democratic leader of the Sixth Ward
elected years later. When he retired from office
he placed his badge of office in his shop window
with the inscription: A retired politician will sell
this badge S5000 just one-third of what 1t cost
him, and will give all OF his political experience
with the badge II Is said that he had contributed
than $4,000 to the Democratic cause IN
Brooklyn.
societies and prominent in Catholic char
Mr.. Heaney for aid never failed TO receive a new
suit of clothes and generous sum OF money When
William Friel the pawnbroker, died several months
ago Mr. Heaney neglected his own business TO
care for his friends store which had suffered for
want of attention.
Mr. Heaney's first wife died about ten years ago
after which he took deeper interest in politics.
He was passiona tely fond OF horseraclng, and
was a familiar figure all the local tracks. In
the last years OF his life he spent an estimated
avera ge Of 10000 year Three years ago ne mar
ried Miss Frances Condor, the daughter OF Thomas
Condor Of Brooklyn He left a fortune OF half a
million which will go 10 his young wife and two
surviving children by his first wife-Manlie, aged
twenty-th hree and Arthur J.. jr.. aged sixteen.
The funeral will be held on Monday. The burial
will be in the Catholic Cemetery. Flatbush.