The Portland daily press., 1888-10-30
TAMMANY's LEADER.
How His wife Helped Him Into John
KelIy's Shoes.
IN. Y. Mail and Exnress |

*. Mail and Express.l
The local political situation in New York
city is of National Importance, and Richard
Croker is one OF the most important persons
in local politics as the head of Tammany Hall
and the successor OF John Kelly. There
fore Mr.. Croker Is one of the greatest fact.
ors In the Presidential contest. and much de-
penis upon his action as to which party will
win IN November. Should he be disposed TO
pc the least contrary the Democrats would
n oose mew iork. FOR man holding such a
Conspicuous position and who might control
tne future Of his party, little is known of
0roker outside of his political career, even
this city.
Yet his life is almost romantic. If man s
career can be made by any one Cookers was
made by his wife. She is lady of remark
ably strong character as well as of a lovely
disposition. She was a Miss Margaret
Frazier, a member OF a well-to-do Irish family
and it was after she had graduated with
honor at one OF the converts here that she
met Croker. Being girl of many excellent
traits Of character and refined tastes it was
matter OF wonder to his friends that she
should take fancy to a man of Croker's
stamp. AT this time he was the rudest of
ward politicians, and his ability as pugiliSt
made him successful in his calling. He con-
nned himself to ward that was populated
by the toughest element of the CITY, Politics
were different in those days from what they
are now, and every election meant bloodshed
Even among these rowdies Richard Croker
was terror as well as leader. He was in
capable of fear. and there were no better
r0ugh-and- fighters than he was; and
this was at a time, too. when John Marrssey
and other men of his stamp were prominent
political leaders. Croker was ALWAYS on the
side of John Kelly, and so faithful was he to
his chief that Kelly became very fond of him
Croker was the son of a wealthy Protes-
tant gentleman in the North of Ireland AS
SO many North Ireland Protestants are
Orangenien. possibly Croker thought if his
history became known he would be suspected
of being an Orangeman, and man Of that
stripe would be as much out of place in Tam
many Hall as Jay Gould would be among a
gang of Anarchists. Nor could he have
hoped to have been leader of his ward, con-
troiled by Irish Catholics. So Dick Croker
preferred to nave 1t supposed that he was an
ill-Dred lrishman instead of the son of a
gentleman, who had received every educa-
tlonal advantage. He was too wild to suit
his strict Presbyterian father, which re-
suited In his leaving home and coming to
this country. Like most boys of well-to-do
parents in Ireland he had a natural liking
for sport and had learned boxing from the
men employed on his fathers farm
As his career has shown, he was born
leader OF men. and, fighting qualities being
requisite in politician who had to begin at
the bottom Of the ladder, he soon became a
useful man to John Kelly. de was holding
some small office when he accidently became
acquainted with Miss Frazier. The shrewd
girl was not long in discovering that beneath
Dick Cookers rough exterior there was ex-
cellent stuff. Then she fell in love with him
When her parents learned where she had
placed her affections they were shocked. IL
seemed impossible to them that their
daugh 5er, whom they had so finely educated
could see anything in such an ili-bred man
as Croker was supposed to be. They would
not consent to the match, and Croker con-
hded the secret to John Kelly, who inter-
ceded for him with the young lady's parents.
Kelly was already man of great Importance
but still he had weary task to perform but
as the young lady was deeply in love, her
father finally relented Croker being a
Protestant was another great objection, but
after the marriage Miss Frazier converted
him her to faith. The marriage was private,
only few persons being present, and John
Kelly being best man.
Immediately Croker threw off his rough
disguise and then his wife's work of polish
ing up began. People who knew the Tam
many chieftain then and now say the change
has been wonderful, and it is hard to recog-
nze him as the same man. There never was
a more devoted husband and father Be-
sides he is man of much refinement. He
has taste for art, which he is cultivating
more and more as he grows better off, and
Tor busy politician he is we'll up in litera-
ture.