The Detroit times., 1910-11-23
n0NEsT TOM bEGGS
STRICKEN DOWN
BY DEATH
Fighting to the End, Unique Old
Cheractex. Once Prominent in
Democratic Politics in Fifth
Ward, Passes Away.
Was Bitter Foe of John Chris Jacobs
Whom He Finally Succeeded in
Unhorsing.


morning, fighting TO the last.
His death was not unexpected. but
Il is none the less cause for fcartfelt
regret. His was most unique char
acter and he occupied a most unique
niche in Detroit's political life.
To the Fifth warders he was best
known, having spent the greater part
of an active career within the bound
aries OF that bailiwick.
Tom Beggs Kept great deal to him
self. Even his most intimate friends,
persons with whom he lived. can tell
little of his life. He was born In Dub
lin. Ireland, about 90 years ago. He
came to America when mere boy
aud made HIS home in Detroit
Most Of his life he has lived at the
home OF Timothy Hurley. Detroit coal
dealer. Perhaps OF all Detroiters, Mr..
/ Hurley and the members OF his fam
I lily knew him best. Beggs was a rough
hammered man, but beneath the grun
exterior, there was genuine SYM
pathy for all less fortunate than him
self.
His charities were few, but they
were worthy ones. And none but inti-
mate friends would ever know or the
! good that he had done. 1t used to be
/ habit of his to help those in finan.
cial distress, but he always satisfied
himself that his beneficiaries were per-
sons worthy of his assistance.
Years ago, Tom Beggs was strik-
ing figure In local politics, In which
he maintained a strong interest even
up to his last illness. He was
stanch Democrat and in spite OF his
weakened physical condition, he In
sisted upon being taken to the polls
last election day.
In the day when John Chris Jacobs
was known as king Of the Fifth ward,
Tom Beggs took up the fight against
him and after weeks of strenuous
campaigning. succeeded in ousting ia
cobs from the council and installing
himself.
In politics. he exercised the same
ecrupulous honesty that characterized
all his business dealings. 1t was THIS
characteristic that gained him the so
briouet of Honest Tom while he
was a member of the common coun-
ell.
Reggs was a shrewd business man
and during his lifetime accumulated a
comfortable fortune. He embarked In
the coat and wood business on the ad-
vice of Timothy Hurley, his closest
friend.
before the old Russo house gave
wav to the Pontchartrnia. Beggs was
a familiar figure In the lobby oi that
famous old hostelry. He was mem-
her OF what was known a the VIM
dow Sill club OF the Russell house.
Here he and his friends eIAaged IN
many a warm political debate ana
many were the questions OF state tnat
were settled then and there.
He was q man OF regular habits.
He was passionately fond OF chndfeh
ana was never happier than %hen ne
had n bnnca of them playing around
him.
Beers was a bachelor and has few
living relatives. Most of these are IN
ireland. He is supposed TO nave
broth ar in Dublin, but that matter is
in dis s)u.e.
He bad been iii OF gastritis for some
time. Recently he had sought relief
IN Mt Clemens. Those who watched
At his bedside say that he never did
admit defeat in the battle for his life.
He was conscious TO tho very end and
M to the day before his death, he In
sisted that he was going TO get bet
ter.
Friends asked him IL there was any
thing they could do TO help him In
his business, but he always answered
that he would take care OF all his In
terests In person.
or late years he had boarded at the
home OF Miss Mary McGraw, No. 362
Congress-st. east, where he died. He
was familiar figure around the CEN
trail police station, where he had been
q regular caller for a number of
years. He used TO come IN Sunday
afternoons to visit Lieut.. OF Detec-
tives Thomas Lally, who had been q
friend for 80 years.
The funeral will be held from Miss
McGraw's home. but the arrange
ments have not yet been completed.