(This obituary ran in The
Bridgeport Post of Bridgeport, Connecticut on June 24, 1911,
and refers to one of the stars of the New York Metropolitans' first season of
1883, outfielder John O'Rourke.
It was sent to me by a relative of his, Paul Conan, Jr., and is a wonderful
representation of a sadly defunct style.
All grammatical variations are believed to be sic.)
ONCE
FAMOUS BALL PLAYER DIED SUDDENLY
-----
Brother
of Secretary O'Rourke Passed Away in Prime of Life While at Business.
-----
TRAINMAN
OF BAY STATE FLYER QUARTER CENTURY
-----
Great
Friend of Late Col. Stevenson and Once Active Politically—Sincerely Mourned.
To
the many friends of John W. O'Rourke,
brother of Attorney James H. O'Rourke, the announcement of his sudden death in
Boston yesterday will come as a severe shock. It was only a few days ago that
he was in this city and conversed with many of his friends. He then looked, as
he had looked for years, the picture of rugged health.
It
appears that he was attending to his usual duties when death came upon him. He
had suffered somewhat from indigestion, but it was not thought to be serious.
It is believed that he had heart trouble without really knowing it, and death
came without warning.
Mr.
O'Rourke had been baggage-master on the famous Bay State express, the first of
the five hour flyers that were put on between Boston and New York by the New
Haven road, ever since it was started.
Stricken on Train.
He
was in his car, about to start for New York at 10:03 in the Boston station when
he was stricken down. He had just put the last trunk on board when he felt
faint, sat down in a chair and a moment after expired.
There
were three men in the car with him at the time and they went to his assistance.
A Dr. Wright who happened to be near the station, was called in, but Mr.
O'Rourke was beyond earthly aid.
Word
was received by his brother, Attorney O'Rourke, in this city shortly after one
o'clock, and he immediately started for Boston. He returned this morning with
the body, arriving here at four o'clock. The funeral will take place tomorrow
afternoon from the home of Mr. O'Rourke, 274 Pembroke street,
at 3:30, and from St. Mary's church at four. Interment will be in the family
plot in St. Michael's cemetery.
Close Friendship.
The
death came as a great shock to the brother. All their lives they have been
absolutely united. They had a strong bond of sympathy in the sports, for both
were great exponents of the country's national game, and both attained high
fame on the major league diamonds of the great cities of the country. Secretary
O'Rourke frequently went to the station to wave his hand to his brother as the
first train went by and John in turn was ever on the watch to greet him and
perhaps throw out a bundle of papers for future reading on topics in which they
were both interested.
No
friendship could be closer, hence the severity of the parting. Secretary
O'Rourke will have the sincerest sympathy of his host of friends, not only in
this city, but throughout the country where the name of O'Rourke has been a
household word among the millions of followers of the great national game.
Sixty Years Old.
John
O'Rourke was the older brother of James. He was born in this city a little more
than sixty years ago. His father was active in the upbuilding
of the eastern part of the city and acquired large landed interests in the East
End which he left to his children.
John
was always a splendid specimen of muscular strength. Tall and well
proportioned, and remarkably agile for a man who carried close to 200 pounds
when in fine athletic trim.
Like
so many of the youngsters of the times he took a great interest in baseball and
politics. At the National game he joined the famous Pembrokes,
one of Bridgeport's clever amateur teams in the early seventies.
Later
John joined the T. B. F. U. S. club or the T. B.'s, as it was more familiarly
known, and soon became noted for his magnificent hitting, his wonderful
throwing and his ability to get around the bases. The old timers will recall
how they longed for a drive to go into his territory just to see him throw. He
also played with the Bridgeport club that was directed by the late Mr. Parmely.
Played in 24 Inning Game.
His
first real professional engagement was with the Manchester club, and it was
while a member of that club that he took part in the wonderful 24 innings 0 to
0 game against Harvard college in 1878. His hard
hitting attracted the attention of the Boston club and he was signed to take
the place of his brother James, who had gone to Providence in 1879 to help win
the flag for that city. He distinguished himself at the bat and stood second to
Jim White among the leading stickers of the day.
Went With Bostons.
In
1880 James returned to the Boston club. The reserve rule had just been put in
force, each club to hold five men. One of the stipulations made by James when
he went back to Boston was that he and John should be released from
reservations. This was agreed to.
At
the end of 1880 James went to Buffalo to manage that club and John was assigned
to play with the Metropolitans,
then the only team in the New York district. He was a great success there, as
in other cities, and he played through the season. But in the following year he
was injured doing one of his famous head first slides for the plate, and he
decided to give up the game for railroading. Indeed, he had been on the
railroad for two years, the company giving him a summer vacation to allow him
to play. But his injury decided him to stick to the rails for good.
It
was the late Colonel William H. Stevenson, who secured for John the splendid
position in the employ of the New Haven road that he has held without a break
for more than a quarter of a century.
There
was a strong bond of political sympathy between John and Colonel Stevenson. Mr.
O'Rourke was active in old Sixth ward Democratic circles and was as skillful in
directing party affairs as in work on the diamond or employment on the
railroad. He it was who secured for Colonel Stevenson the delegation of the
Sixth ward, which made it possible for the colonel to receive the Democratic
nomination for mayor in 1879. But party factions were displeased and Colonel
Stevenson was defeated.
It
was shortly after that Colonel Stevenson, then connected with the old
Housatonic road, took Mr. O'Rourke and other Bridgeporters
into the service of that company and when the road was absorbed by the New
Haven, Colonel Stevenson found nice places with that great corporation for his
friends.
On First Fast Train.
When
the New Haven road instituted its five hour service the famous Bay State Flyer
was its first train. It leaves Boston around ten o'clock and the return train
starts from New York at the same hour. The west bound train pascses
through here about 1:50, The East bound about 11:10. Mr. O'Rourke was made baggagemaster on this train from the start, one of the best
positions in the fast train service.
For
more than twenty-five years he has passed up and down through three states
every day. Time and again they have offered to make him conductor, and once he
was tendered an important position in the new Boston station, but he preferred
to remain as a trainman and do his daily runs on the fastest train on the line.
His service was highly appreciated by the railroad officials and he was
referred to as a model for faithfulness.
Mr.
O'Rourke never married. He is survived by his brother, James H. O'Rourke, and
his sister, Mrs. Grant, widow of the late William E. Grant, with whom Mr.
O'Rourke was active politically in his younger years.
Owned Much Property.
Mr.
O'Rourke was a man of considerable means. He is a large owner of real estate in
this city and has other property investments, including stock in the railroad
that he so long and faithfully served. He was a man of sterling integrity, a
type of citizen that is a credit to any community.
In a
fraternal way he was connected with the Elks, being a member of the Bridgeport
lodge, and was one of the leading members of the great order of Brotherhood of
Trainmen. In the counsels of this organizations his advice was always sought
and his views always commended the greatest respect. He will be deeply mourned
by the brotherhood.
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