New-York tribune., 1905-02-22
JACOB WORTH DEAD.
II VICTIM OF 4POPLEXY.
Former Kings Republican Leader
Vas Racing Horses at Hot Springs.

Vas Racing Horses at Hot Springs.
Jacob Worth. for many years the leader of
the Kings County Republican organization. died
yesterday in Hot Springs, Ark, from apoplexy.
His death was entirely unexpected by his fami-
~ and friends. as he had recently been in much
better health than for some time before.
The first news of his death was received in a
telegram from friend to his wife at her home.
No "a Lee-ave-. Brooklyn. The telegram read
Mr.. Worth died here to-day Please wire par
hculars in regard to the body.
He had written to his wife only day before
yesterday, telling her he was in excellent health
Mr.. Worth lived most of the winter at Rock
away Park, Rockaway Beach, where his nephew,
Captain Kreutzer, is the precinct commander
The last week in December he went to Hot
Springs for the races, taking with him a small
string Of horses
Mr Worth leaves an estate valued at $4,000
His wife, Mary. and two sons, ex-Magtstrate
Lewis r. Worth and Gustave Worth, survive
him. Gustave Worth has not yet been informed
Of his fathers death
The body will be brought here at once, hut
the date Of the funeral has not yet been deter
mined
I am much shocked at the news of Mr
Wortl's death" said Jacob Brenner. chairman
Of the Kings County Republican Executive
Committee, last night 81 Mr.. Worth not
so long age, and he looking better than
had seen him look for some time. have known
him for twenty-five years. and, 10 my D-ind. he
vas unique character IL politics, Very few
people unless they were intimately acquainted
with him. knew his strength Of character. His
rugged and sincere personality, and he
had the power Of swaying people which made
him commanding figure in any situation. He
was man who could be absolutely relied upon.
and he never failed to keep q promise
Ex-sherin William J. Buttling, who was, per-
haps. NIr. Worth's closest friend was at the
Elks Club when he heard Of Mr.. WortfRs death
He left there hastily. and had not reached his
home at a late hour last night. It is understood
that he was looking for members OF the Worth
family. TO learn more particulars.
Few men with the exception of Hugh Mclaughlin
have played SO prominent part in Brooklyn poll
ties as Jacob Worth, and for so long a time Like
Mclaughlin, he fought his way up. often by
willingness TO his fists, and by an equal atten-
ton TO detail and reputation for always keeping
his word his friends.
Born in old New-York in 1S3S Mr. Worth was
left orphan when only six years old. His mother
left him small estate and large mortgage in
the Bushwick section BY the time Jacob Worth
was fourteen years old he had earned enough BY
working in a ropewalk, the towpath and a
other odd jobs 10 support the other five children
Of the family and pay off the mortgage. BY that
time he was in growth He enlisted in the
navy, serving five years as apprentice aboard
the old frigate Potomac On his discharge he went
70 work a Iaborer in the navy yard in Hugh
McLaughin's gang. He then joined the Volunteer
Fire Department, in which practically every poll
tician Of his day received his political education
After the fashion Of the time he took his coat Off
and hustled for his friends so well that when
tWenty-four years old he elected, after brief
army experience, Assembl yman one of TIE old
districts which from Newtown Creek beyond
Fort Greene. That 1863, and from that time
--- Oh -lE+g.
in many ways resembling Hugh Mclaughlin, he
frank the other reticent. He rose
political influence more quickly. too. for Nc
Laughlin was well into middle age before he held
Office or became political power, while Worth
consulted district leader by Thurlow Weed be-
fore he was twenty-five.
NEVER ATTENDED SCHOOL
Mr. Worth never the inside of a schoohouse
as a pupil He learned read by picking let
ters on the biIIboards and by trying read the
addresses on the parcels given him deliver When
he first entered the Volunteer Fire Department
and was made an inspector Of elections he found
he did not know how write and unable TO
make out the returns. a fellow member made them
out for him, and he sat up al night until he
able to write out the returns himself
When the Civil War broke out. Mr.. Worth vol
lnteered enlistins as a private in the 18Th New
york When he was mustered out he vas cap
tain.
In those days OF strenuous local campaigns, Mr..
yortf's prowess as an all-round aghter aided him
materially. one night when he was returning from
work in tie navy yard he whipped gang Of young
fellows who set upon MIN. The odds
even and ne came out OF the fight somewhat the
worse for wear but triumphant Five years later,
when he ran for the Assembly those same young
fellows he had whipped helped TO in big &
t2entiblican majority from the Seventh Ward
that ward had formerly givea Democrats.
Jacob WOrth's prominence in politics began with
his first election 10 the Assembly. In ls64, when
Ilueolns second nomination was in doubt, he was
called in conference with the Republican leaders OF
The State 4 solid Lincoln delegation was sent
from this State. Ey successive re-elections Worth
ser,,ed six terms ia tie lower house. In 1873 he
engaged in a hard fight with Tom" Riley for the
sbrisva!tiy in which charges Of ballot box stuinng
and calls for a recount were made. Riley was de-
feat.d by afty-two votes. but held and got the
job.
That same year lie made one Of the three
Commissioners OF City Works In June. 1850. the
law went into effect replacing the three connlis-
sioners for each city department by single COM
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