The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-12-14
THOS. J. NAviN is SUDDENLY
CUT OFF BY DEATH
Continued From Page One.)

his room and retired. Suddenly he
collapsed and sank rapidly into II
state OF coma. Mr.. Collins fastened
10 the residence Of nI. William \.
Evans, No. 2079 Woodward-ave., bu.
Mr. Navin expired before the latter's
arrival. His wife and his son, Thomas
j. Navin, Jr., were at the bedside
when death came.
IL Is thought that the apoplexy was
induced by excessive smoking. His
father. IL is said, also died quite in
expectedly.
The sensational attempt OF certain
newspapers TO connect Mr. Navins
death with the goyernor-elects de-
termination 10 change the Jackson
| prison board, Is deplorably ill-timed
and unjust to Mr.. Osborn, who was a
/ sincere friend and admirer OF Mr.
Nayin, and who assured him that the
enforced retirement OF the entire board
did not partake OF the nature of an at
tack on him at all. but was In fulfill
ment OF a general policy OF houseclean-
| ing. for which the people OF the state
| had declared The governor-elect
! agreed 10 give his friend full credit
for his efficient record on the board at
| the time the change was made. Tom
Navin was not the type OF man TO be
crushed by what he considered an un-
| fair deal. 1t was more like him TO fight
| back Those who knew the man ply
| sically and temperamentally do not
have to be assured that the causa-
ton of death was physical and not
political.
Thomas j. Navin was 81 years Of
age. He was born in Adrian, Mich,
and lived there until his removal TO
Detroit In 1891. AT 10 he entered the
employ OF an Adrian druggist, but
soon left this 10 become a locomotive
fireman. This did not appeal to him
either and he took up the study OF
law He organized a company known
as the DIR. J. n. p. Only" Co, TO
put lung protectors on the market,
and is said TO have made a fortune.
He also put through a number of sue.
cessful deals in the Chicago stock
market. At % he became mayor Of
Adrian, being widely known as the
boy mayor" After coming to De
troit, he entered into law partner
ship with his brother-in-law, Col.
Patrick J. Sheahan. and had since
been engaged in the practice of his
profession here.
II was during D. NJ. Ferry's cam
palgn for governor, in 1900, that Mr..
Navin first became identified with
local politics to any extent. He dis
played such ability as an organizer
in this campaign that he was elected
chairman OF the Republican city com
mittee, an office he held for several
years. His influence gradually ex.
tended to state politics and he was a
prominent figure in all state conven.
tons. He was credited with being
practically the Republican boss in
Wayne county. He was In absolute
control OF the last Wayne county Re-
publican convention, as he had been
at previous gatherings OF the sort.
Mr.. Navin, however, did not attempt
to use his power for his own advance.
ment. He was content TO remain a
member OF the Jackson prison board,
a position to which he was appointed
by Gov Bliss In 1903 He was a mem.
Der of the Republican state central
committee from Wayne county.
The secret OF Mr.. Navin's success
as a politician was his keen knowl- |
edge OF men and an excellent men, |
DRY. He knew the most effective /
workers in every precinct OF the city |
and in each of the county districts |
and could call them by their first !
names When he wanted TO accom-
plish a certain result he could usu-
ally pick the men who would turn the
trick for him
In the opinion OF many OF his firm
est friends, Mr.. Navin was deserving
OF "A great deal OF credit for the way
he mad fought his way TO the front
against obstacles. He was a big |
hearted fellow. and had been a bene- /
factor to- many struggling young |
man. No one, outside OF his immedi |
ate family, will miss him more than
Michael r. Bourke, formerly a partner
I'm the firm OF Navin. Sheahan a
Bourke. who is now studying for the
priesthood in 81. Paul. MINI. Navin
had been as "A father to Mr.. Bourke.
He looked forward to the time when
he could atreur rfTe tattrrAs- first mHss
Though he never paraded the fact.
Mr. Navin gave freely Of his private
funds 10 help people In distress The
world may never know how many