The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-09-19
OLIVER Is DEAD; MANY SORRY
FUNERAL THCRSDAI AT ST.
ANN'S ~ TWELFTH STREET.
He Was Born at ~ Henry street and
Lived Last at ~ Third Avenue -
Never Made. Anything Out Of Politics.
says FOiey--N5 500 Policy Retainer.


Lived Last At ~ Third Avenue -
Never Made Anything Out Of Politics.
says FOiey-N5 500 Policy Retainer
Assemblyman James Oliver died yes
| terday In st. Vincent's Hospital. whittier
he was taken from his home at ~ Third
avenue q week ago to-day suffering
from complication OF diseases. The
doctors knew that there was no cha nee
for him. For six months he had been
failing, although he managed to attend
the Sessions Of the Legislature and to
walk about the East Side. where he was
born and where he spent all Of his life.
His only brother and only surviving
relative. Francis " s. Oliver Of 1882
Perry avenue. The Bronx. was with him
when he died. Years ago the Assembly
mans wife died, 30 many years ago
that comparatively few people knew
that he had been married. There were
no children. Francis V. 3. Oliver said
last night that the Assemblyman was
81 years old last August. two years
younger than himself. Most people
J thought that James Oliver was further
along in years. The legislative biog-
raphies Of issl.s5 said he was born in
1s40. In later years he never corrobo-
rated that. even when it was suggested
that he must have gone into politics
before he was Of age, back in the early COS.
The funeral will he held Thursday
morning In st. AIMS Church in East
Twelfth street. The Tammany clubs will
send delegations. particularly the East
Side organizations.
Ex-Sherif Foley. leader Of the Second
Assembly district. knew Paradise Jimmy
Oliver better perhaps than anybody
except Big Tim Sullivan. II was in the
district that Foley now rules that Oliver
was horn. at 81 Henry street. Sixty
five or seventy yeass ago the Seventh
ward was solidly Irish. Nowadays its
population IL largely Jews. Italians and
Greeks. Who're Jimmy Oliver was born
stands now . tenement house occupied
ty Jews and Greeks and kosher butcher
shop has the ground floor
There's no doubt said Tom Foley
last night. that Jimmy Oliver was known
BY sight to moro people in New York
than anybody I can think OF offhand.
Below Fourteenth street every chick and
child knew him. l think he liked that
better than being Assemblyman. Jimmy
had great way with him. He wo uld 60
alo6k the street in his long black coat and
silk hat and would throw up his hand
| with a salute like q Major Generals
when he saw an acquaintance or some
body he thought IL was his duty to speak
to. He never missed greeting a police
man night or day. and always had the
same speech. How dye do. officer?'
Jimmy was very strong for children;
used TO carry things in his pockets for
| them. I have seen him going along the
Bowery with a trail OF kids after him.
He was a pretty good politician
especially good when he was fighting the
organization. ! knew him first thirty
years az when he was living in my
district. But he didn't have the oppor-
tunities down here. so he moved up to
Join the Sullivans. l have heard II said
that he got his start as a rough and
tumble fighter. That isn't 80. Jimmy
was never much OF fist fighter. He was
2 good lively talker. made speeches with
fireworks in EN-. speeches that pleased
the crowds. His father kept bakery on
Cherry Hill fifty years ago.
He never made much money and !
don't believe he saved any. Jimmy was
liberal and liked to live pretty well. He
got q 81. 500 retainer for several years
from the policy people. have heard. and
he did fairly we'll otherwise in his law
of politics"