Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-05-20
Former Political Boss and
Baseball Magnate Victim
Of Pneumonia.
DEMISE SLOWS
LONG ILLNESS
Coz S1n Carver 40 Nswsboy and
LasNt Became saioonksspsr and Lo-
cal Poiitieian-Power Extended %
Borders Of state Swing Ohio to Sup
port Taft For prcsidsnt-prssids
Of World Film Corporation.

Cincinnati, Ou May ~, - George =.
Cox. politician and theatrical magnate.
died at his home here carly today.
Mr.. Cox was stricken with paralys,s
Feb. 90, from which he never recov-
cred, altho death is said to have been
from pneumonia, which developed In
the last few days. ;s5
George Barnsdale Cox was one Of the
most widely known professional poli-
ticians in Ohio. baseball magnate, ns
banker and part owner OF one Of the
largest Theatrical syndicates In the
country. Born in Cincinnati. April -,
1858. he began his career as news
hoy, and later became saloonkeeper
at Dead Mans Corner" as the los
cality at Carlisle and Central avenues.
Cincinnati, was known because Of the
numerous murders In the netghbor-
hood. Cincinnati was wide open" In
those days and unbridled saloons and
gambling nourished. Cox, however.
kept his place orderly and established
a reputation for physical courage that
he maintained thruout his career.
He immediately became leader In
local politics and soon spread his in-
tiuence until he virtually controlled
the republican machine In Hamilton
county, obtained a powerful hold on
state politics and welded an influence
in national campaigns.
In 1884 during the Blalne-(1evelAnd
campaign. Coxs circle Of infiuence
widened. At that time the repuhateene
declared for protective tariff ana the
idea appealed to Cincinnati ~ i Fan1Iag
manufacturing city. cox va aM&ko
to the possibilities, formed the xaz
nous Blaine club ana asked ~ ~
allowed to direct the conGreestenAl
campaign. In this political nShf ~:
won. Hamilton county E1ving Bl1ins =,
substantial plurality. D Z Z
Swings Ohio For Taft.
Cox's work In connection with the
candidacy Of William Howard Taft fNri
the presidency. occasioned surprise}
among political observers. When the
former president was secretary OF war,
he. delivered an address in Akron, O.
supporting Myron T. Herrick for gov
ernor of Ohio. In this address he took
occasion to say that II he voted that
year he would cast'a straight repubIi-
can state ticket, but would not support
the Cincinnati city ticket placed on
the ballot by the republican organiza-
ton. This was construed as direct
slap at the Cox organization. but con-
trary to expectations, Hamilton county
was solid for Taft when he was
candidate for president a short time
later and 1t was known that Cox used
his influence in swinging the state for
Taft. R%3
Cox as young man was an enthus-
istic baseball fan. He organized and
was a member of the "Osceolas," dur
ing the strenuous days Of baseball
when fights were frequent. The motto
of the club was win, Tie or Fight"
and Cox is said always to have been
where the trouble was the thickest.
Later he was associated with August
Hermann in the ownership of the
Cincinnati Nationals The ill-fortunes
Of that club palIed on Cox. however.
and when he became tired of support
ing a tail ehder" he sold his stock.
Mr.. Cox was president of the World
Film Corporation, one OF the largest
picture producing and distributing
concerns; chairman of the board Of
directors of the Shubert theatrical In
terests, vice president of the Marcus
Loew amusement enterprises. and was
Interested in the Keith vaudeville cir
cults. He was president OF the Gin
cinnati Trust Company and held stock
in various realty companies which
have constructed theaters in New York
City. ..sa.s.- III IsiisH