The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-11-26
Calls Late Giants Head Great
Man and Very Able Base
ball President
INTERESTED IN GAME
By FORMER DETROITER
Dan O'Leary First Got Brush
to Go Into the
Sport

: Despite the fact that John I. Brush
president OF the New York Giants
who died this morning, was once q
bitter enemy OF the American league
President Frank j. Navin, OF the
Tigers. has only the kindest words
OF praise Tor the former New York
chief.
While never was fortunate
enough to meet MIR. Brush person.
ally, know that he had the reputa.
zion among baseball men OF being a
sreat man in personality and very
able baseball leader" said Mr.. Navin
on being informed OF Brush's death.
lie was very shrewd business
man, He made a success In the cloth
ing business before he ventured into
baseball In the sport he combined
MS knowledge of business with a
clear head for baseball and took the
New York club at time when IL
had been In bad by man who had
iinown finance but not baseball and
made q success OF It,
He was q man who was bitter
enemy when he was against you. He
was fighting the American league
when II first came into existence and
nc fought II bitterly, but later he be-
come reconciled to IL.
when his team won the National
league pennant and Boston the Ameri-
can league flag In 1904 he refused to
let HIS club play the Boston team
although the Pittsburgh team had
played them the year befoie.
The loss OF President Brush will
lie felt all over the baseball world.
Although In poor health for some time
,ast he has always been q factor IN
- ~ ksss ~ SH
John +. Brush was first drawn in
TO organized baseball by former
Detroiter. Dan O'Leary This was
when Brush was a clothing merchant
|at indianapolis. O'Leary, VINO since
has resided in Chicago, got Brush in
|terested In baseball and induced him
Ito take stock in the Indianapolis CLUB
when il was member Of the Nation
|al league. s..
Following his part ownership in the
indians, Mr.. Brush bought the Cincin-
|nati club. Then during the wartime
with the American league he sold
|cincy to Herman and others and
bought New York. For time he alone
|was aghting the American leaguers
and he retained his
|nmify for them as long as any OF the
|old leaguers.
II Is understood that Harry Hemp
|tead. OF Indianapolis, is to succeed
Brush Hempstead was recently
lected vice-president OF the club 10
|ucceed Joe O'Brien.
The news OF the death OF John L.
Brush, head of the New York Ma
|ionals came as distinct shock to
lis hundreds OF friends here.
A fortnight ago he was reported
living. but he seemed TO have
hange for the better and, although
Known to be. desperately i'll when he
LEFT New York, Sunday night, 1t was
Expected his malady would yield TO
treatment and the saluhrious air Oh
Southern California.
While i'll for years ills Delleved
hat the compelling cause OF death
has an automobile accident that the
magnate was In, on Sept III,
last. AT that time an automobile, IN
|yhich he was riding. collided with
big auto-truck and was thrown against
|he side and overturned. Brush had
| NO ribs broken and was badly shak-
Ia up. Since then he has been in
Ierious condition and has been out
BIZ his house only occasionally.
John Tomlinson Brush was born In
Clinton county, New York, OF Scotch
irish ancestry. Orphaned when four
ears old he was brought up by his
|tep.uncle working OH a farm until IL
ears old. He worked as a boy IN
|ountry store in Clintonsville. N. y,
I nd afterward went TO Utica, where
e was given a partnership In the
lothing firm OF owen. Pixley 4 Co.
.ater he opened clothing stores In
Troy and Lockport and still later In
Indianapolis
While In the latter city he became
PRESIDENT OF the National Exhibition
ompany, and finally chief owner OF
| he New York National Leagle Base
! all club. Brush was a tnirty-third de-l
4 rrcm.er OF many clubs
here and In Indianapolis, and was
49, Miss Elsie Lombard In