The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-11
FARMER RICHARD CROKER.
The Temmany Chieftain's Home at
Richflsld Springs.
FROM The Nst0 York Time

FROM the Netc York Times.
R1CHFIELD SPRINGS, N. Y, Jan. This
village has no personal acquaintance with
| the famous Tammany chieftain and the
good people Of this community can scarcely
reconcile themselves TO the idea that he is
one and the same with their unRssuming and
liberal neighbor, Richard Croker, the stock
farmer. Tho newspapers get up here occa-
sionallY aud tell about the man who carries
the government around in his pocket and
makes or unmekes governors, United States
senator's and all the other officers from the
President down to third assistant boot
black at Castle Garden, but no man in this
country says, or apparently cares, less about
politics than Richard Croker when he is
here at bis firm.
About year ago Mr. Croker bought the
old Mather stock farm and two or three ad-
joining pieces of land, and turned it all into
a 400-acre farm. Then he began a series of
improvements that have furnished labor for
a score of men most of the time since, but
he never inquired how any of these men
voted. Why should hes Well, he shouldn't,
but it might be interesting to note that the
Tiger" didn't attempt TO swallow the COM
munity.
There was quite a pretentious house on
the original purchase, but MIR. Croker
promptly turned this over to his foreman
and selected for his own residence an unas-
suming 2-story cottage that crawled out
from under a hilf ON the added land He
soon turned this into an inviting summer
home. where comfort is everything and
show nothing. A broad veranda was run
around three sides. concrete dam was
built somewhere back in the hills,
and water carried through the
houses and barns; rooms were ar
ranged for individual taste, a half mile or
so of plank sidewalk was built toward the
village, fresh paint was brushed over every
thin9and Mr. Croker and his summer home
and winter shrine. Additions were put on
the large barns, box stalls Of polished WOOD
were built for the blooded trotters, palo
alto training nursery was constructed for
the colts that were Threatened with
speed" 100000 worth OF horse flesh was
shipped up and Mr.. Croker had his stock
farm.
The place is about mile west of the vii.
lage, on q road that is noted for snowbanks
that on the slightest provocation bury the
fences. dwarf the telegraph poles, and,
taking complete possession OF the highway,
turn the bucolic travellers into the nelghbor-
ing pastures to make temporary roads as
best they can. A stranger passing would
give the place second glance, a curious
man would ask who owned 1t, and Chi
cago man might ask what 1t was worth.
The trim, WelI-kept, thrifty appearance, as
| we'll as tue euOrInOus OaTubs WOuIu Gauss
| this, but nobody would pick 1t out as a
''show place" Much less would anybody
| be likely to think it a cage where hungry
Tigers met to divide the spoils OF the day.
Occasionally as the aforementioned bu-
col travellers go by, thrashing their arms
about their coonskin coats in futile effort to
keep warm and find the road at the same
| time, they i'll see q little knot of city men
! managing somehow to 10 warm and COM
| hIo n haauar n af9 and eilk hats
sauntering between the barns and the house,
and will vaguely wonder "who is up here
now to look over Mr. Crokers stock"
/ But these hal1-frozen farmers in their fur
coats wouldn't give second glance IL they
knew that every man in the crowd was
! governor of one of the states The summer
! business has destroyed most Of the curiosity
| to see notablss that marks country commu-
mites. The only man any of them ever
| stirred out OF his tracks 10 look at was
| JONES G. Blaine when he came up here to
his sons wedding, and then they fell all over
| each other in their mad desire to have
| good look at him. Most of these mon
| wouldn't confess establishment il Mr.. Croker
we're to show them the architects plans Of
the New York city hall and tell them it was
| a new pig stye he intended to build. One
could not spend money enough TO estonish
| them or to make them ackn 9wledge that
they we're in any way the gamers by the
| Improvement in property. The only thing
that surprises them is that wealthy men who
"can fix things up 80 nice" should not be
wiling to pay them 20 cents dozen for
! eggs when the market price is II cents, or
| to put on 9 cents a pound more than the
price Of butter. Mr.. Croker and other New
! Workers. are spending a reat deal OF money
in improving property In and around this
village nut il they ever expect to gain any
admiration or gratitude the local bene-
! fciaries they are mistaken.
In the summer season Mr.. Croker brings
no mis- family and makes that his regular
home. Then his boys ride, drive and romp
ALI over the country, apparently 20 their
thorough delight. Mrs. Croker is one of the
social leaders as well as an earnest worker
for the local churches and charities. At
this time of year Mr.. Croker makes flying
visits, usually accompanied by some OF the
hovs. who take 20 tue snowbank with as
keen a relish as they give the summer roads.
a few days ago Mr.. Croker, the three
boys. and Judge OBrien we're up 20 have
holiday and incidentally 70 see II she wilkes
was enjoying his oats. when a local news
naper man thought it would DO good Item
10 learn how Mr.. Croker stood on the seha-
torial question. lie learned that u was
ane sleiehing, that the boys Thought tue
country Ia the winter great tun, tnat every