The Detroit times., 1910-11-22
HONEST TOM bEGGs
STRICKEN DOWN
BY DEATH
Fighting to the End, Unique Old
Character, Once Prominent in
Democratic Politics in Fifth
Ward, Passes Away.
Was Bitter Foe of John Chris Jacobs,
Whom He Finally Succeeded in
ENDORSING.

Honest Tom Beggs died Tuesday
morning, fighting to the last.
His death was not unexpected, but
II Is none the less cause for feartfelt
regret. His was a 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 Eept 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 IS years ago. He
came to America when mere boy
and 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
lily knew him best. Beggs was rough
hammered man, but beneath the gruff
exterior, there was a genuine sym.
patty 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 OF the
good that he had done. II used to be
a habit of his TO help those In finan-
cial distress, but he always satisfied
himself that his benefciaries were per-
sons worthy OF his assistance.
Years ago. Tom Beggs was a strik-
ing figure In local politics, In which
l. tat intaraGf
I'D 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
scrupulous honesty that characterized
all his business dealings. IL was this
Characteristic that gained him the so
briuuet of Honest Tom" while he
was a member OF the common coun-
Gil.
Beggs was a shrewd business man
and during his lifetime accumulated
comfortable fortune. He embarked IN
the coal and wood business on the. al
vice OF Timothy Hurley, his ciosess
friend. d. 80
before the old Russell house gave
way to the Pontchartrain, Beggs was
a familiar figure In the lobby OF that
famous old hostelry. He was mehi-
her of what was known as the VIII
dow Sill club of the Russell house.
Here he and his friends engaged In
many a warm political debate ana
many we're the questions OF state that
were settled then and there.
He was a man OF regular habits.
ue was passionately fond OF children
and was never happier than when ne
had a bunch of them playing around
him.
paogs was a bachelor and has Few
living relatives. Most OF these are In
ireland He is supposed TO have
brother in Dublin, but that matter is
Hehad been i'll OF gastritis for some
time. Recently he had sought rehei
in Mt. Clemens. Those who watched
at his bedside say that he never did
admit defeat In the battle for his lie.
He was conscious to the very end and
up 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 a familiar figure around the CEN
trail police station, where he had been
a regular caller for number or
years. He used to come in Sunday