The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1917-05-08
DIAMOND jim BRADY
Is TAKEN BY DEATH
END OF FAMOUS NEW YORKER
COMES SUDDENLY. STARTED
AS BAGGAGE "SMASHER."

NEW YORK, N. Y.-James B.
("Diamond Jim'') Brady, best known
to the "Great White Way because of
his bejeweled appearance and fond
ness for theatrical first nights, is
dead. He expired at the Hotel Shell
burne, Atlantic City, following an ill
ness that began last October.
Angina pectoris was the direct
cause of his death, although for
long period he had suffered from
stomach trouble. In 1912, after hav-
ing new stomach installed, as he
put it, in Johns Hopkins hospital,
Baltimore, he made the institution a
present of 100000, subsequently
adding to this sum.
Mr.. Brady's end came suddenly.
He was stricken with heart attack
in his apartment while preparing to
take his daily chair ride on the board
walk, and died in five minutes.
OhreW0 wan IN business,
More or less the butt of para
graphers and stage jokes for many
years because of his highly illustrat-
ed style of dress, the general public
knew Brady only as man who plas-
tered himself with diamonds and
spent much of his time in the front
row in the orchestra.
Only small percentage of those
who read these tales of his Broadway
appearances knew that he was one of
the shrewdest business men in the
country, the controlling factor in the
Standard Steel Car company, director
in dozen big corporations and
banks, the possessor of a fortune es-
timated at about $5,000,0O0. He
never touched intoxicants or tobacco.
Started as Baggage Smasher."
He started in as a youngster
smashing baggage" at the Grand
Central station. From this he drifted
into the Western Unions messenger
service, became an operator, and
of big Wall street firm.
He saved his money and took his
first big chance when he backed an
invention for saving iron. This ven
ture proved successful. From that
his rise in the business world was
rapid. For long time he was con-
nected with the American Steel Car
company, but few years back or
ganiZed the Standard Steel company,
which practically owns the town of
Butler, Pa, most of the $4,000 in
habitants being employed at the
works.
Mr.. Brady began gathering jewels
about twenty-five years ago. His col
lection, which it is reported has been
left the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
is now valued at about 100000. It
consists of thirty sets of fifteen pieces
each, five of the sets-pearl, ruby,
diamond, emerald and cat's-eye-be-
ing valued at 100000 each.
Called Gems His "Pets."
Mr.. Brady called his gems, 'my
pets" He was in the habit of CITING
costly gifts to his friends. His most
recent purchase was a diamond stud
ed American flag, valued at $500.
Mr.. Brady had not been known to
miss ''irst night" in years. He had
a standing order for seats at every
box office. 1t is said that he knew
personally more actors, actresses and
managers than any other person out
side the theatrical profession. Mr.. !
Brady lived at West Eighty-sixth
street, fine brownstone residence,
which has been the scene of many
lavish entertainments. One floor was
given over completely to his ward
robe. He had 200 suits of clothes.
Mr.. Brady never married. He has a
brother, Daniel NJ, living in this
city, and sister in East Jeffrey, New
Hampshire.