The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-10
ROBBED THE CROKER BOYS.
4 CONFIDENCE MN STEALS FROM
THEM AND Is CAUG M.

He InEratiated Himself with College studsnts
In THROWN UniversitS-The Croker Hove
Suspected Him. aud with some Compnn.
tons Held Him Until n Policeman ,nm..
PROVIDENCE, II. l., Nov. 9.-lIarold L. Ora.
ham reached Providence about three weeks ago,
and since then he has proved himself to | O a
very slick confidence man and sneak thief.
Graham made his initial bow to the Providence
public at Brown University. where he intro
duced himself TO the steward, A. q. Delaney.
Ho said he was a graduate of Kings College.
Nova Scotia, and that he contemplated entering
business hare as an insurance solicitor. lie de.
sired TO know what rooms Mr.. Delaney had on
his list, and said that Miss Dexter, who keeps q
boarding house on Waterman street, had sug.
gested that he should SEQ Mr.. Delaney. He had
made arrangements to take his meals at Miss
Dexter's house, but she had no spare room for
him.
Steward Delaney keeps q list OF rooms outside
OF the college for students, and among the
available ones was one in tho Pease House, .
college dormttory on Benevolent street. Mr..
Delaney let him have the room, with the agree.
ment that he should pay rent for 1t at the end Of
each month. Graham soon became acquainted
with Richard Croker and Frank ii. Croker, sons
OF Richard Croker of New York. He began at
once to cultivate their acquaintance. Matters
proceeded swimmingly. but with the beginning
OF the acquaintance with Graham the Croker
boys began to miss things from their room, and
they decided to keep an eye on their new friend.
Meantime Graham had been extending hin
acquaintance and had visited the Providence
County Court House. where he introduced him
self to Sheriff Hunter c. White as the son of
Judge Graham of New York, and he solicited for
himself and for the Croker boys. who he said
were his best friends. an introduction to Warden
Frank Vail. Mr.. White gave the letter, and in
it he requested that he show the boys through
the state institution. including the jail. During
this interview Graham learned that Mr.. White
had a son at Brown University and at once went
TO make his acquaintance.
The Croker boys. meantime, had not been idle.
They secured sufficient proof to charge Graham
that he was at the theatre they sent word to
him that a friend from New York had come on
to see him Immediately at his room: Presently
ready for him. They told him what they had
learned and openly charged him with the theft.
Graham at fl rst maintained his innocence, but
finally broke down and confessed that he was
the thief.
Young White was in the room at tho time,
and the plan OF the three boys was to chastise
Graham. and after ducking him under tne col
lege pump to turn him loose and give him two
hours to get out Of town. The entrance of about
thirty, other collcgians, among them several
who had recently missed things from their
the punishment, and Graham was held unit. tho
arrival Of u policeman, into whose charge he
was given.
Some of the stolen articles were found in Gra-
hams room. At the time OF his arrest he was
attired In a suit Of stolen underclothes. During
his brief stay here he tried to get credit on every
possible OCCASION. He has been to stable keep
ers and other places. and a few days ago at
tempted to get a suit of clothes at a downtown
store, giving as Il reference the name of Mr.. De-
laney. Graham said i. was all n mistake and "a
practical. Joke. and merely n part OF initiation
work. This afternoon Graham was arraigncd
in the District Court. He pleaded guilty "a
three charges, and on one was sentenced 10 pay
u fine OF $40 and costs. on the second $40 and
costs, and on the third to serve ten days in Jail.