The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-26
CROKER IN ENGLAND.
His Home mt Letcombc, His Stables,
and Kennels.

| and Kennels.
| NEW YORK, Nov. 25.-Richard Croker
in England is generally considered by
Englishmen as a man of large wealth.
They see him with his stable of horses,
with puppies worth $1,000 apiece, and with
hundred and one other things that evil
dence vast amount of pin money. Few
ask any questions as to how he obtained
his wealth. Some wag once started the
story that Mr.. Croker had q gold mine
in Central Park, which was operated by a
trust company called Talnmany Hall, Of
which he was the head and chief stock
holder. The way tn, story received cred
ence showed only too well how perfectly
it appeared to explain Mr.. Cookers ex
penditure5.
In recent article in the English pc
riodical BLACK and White the home life
of Richard Croker is graphically portrayed
at the old Moat House. which he owns. at
Jetcombe near Vantage, Berkshire. The
place is made beautiful by the most artis-
tic gardening, and has all the quiet and
quaintness of medieval manor AS sug-
gested by its name, the house is surround
ed by a moat, which still further increases
its seclusiOn. Its rooms are large and
airy and furnished in conservative but
costly style. There is billiard room,
where the politician often invites pro-
fessional players to jousts Of skill.
In his drawing room there is an cleo
trical piano bought at n large price, in
which Mr. Croker ofteh finds relief from
sleeplessness. He has a switchboard by
his bed. and should he On retiring be IN
able to sleep he need only stretch out an
arm to the switchboard and turn on the
electricity.
But it is his stables and his kennels in
which he takes the most delight. Mr..
Croker's purchases of horses have become
the talk of the little village and will
doubtless form large bulk OF tie .rsdi-
tionary lore of the place in the centuries
to come. Mr.. Croker has the reputation
of buying whatever he wants. regardless
"a p1i5e. il ne buys, for example. a horse
that does not suit him, he sells it i'm
mediateiy at whatever price it will bring
When Mr.. Croker brought his horses
to Letcombe." continues the writer In
BLACK and White" "he put them in
charge of an English trainer, but the re-
suits were not satisfactory. SO he sent
over to America for Wishard. an Ameri-
can trainer of repute. and transferred to
him the care of the horses. All Vantage
remembers how Wishard and Duke (who
has since dissolved Partnership, together
with little Johnny Reiff and number of
colored men. arrived at The Bear (the old
fashioned hotel of the town. preparatory
to settling down in the district Then all
at once all arrangements were altered
and 1T was decided that all of Mr. Gro
ker's horses should start for Newmarket
Rumor says that this, was because the
English trainers did not like to have Mr.
croker use their exercising ground when
he employed an American trainer"
The kennels of the rich Tammany chief
are looked upon by the simple country
folk with still greater awe and curiosity |
They cannot understand how a man can |
pay $4,000 for ad og, as Mr.. Croker did for |
Rodney Stone the famous French bulldog. |
They have heard. however. that this |
strange American commands boundless |
revenues. and SO after a few head shak- |
ings they become willing to believe every
story CONCERNING his extravagances. Be-
sides Rodney Stone. Mr.. Croker owns an
other equally remarkable French bulldog,
Bromley Crib, together with three bull
dogs having no French blood in their
veins, several li;ters of puppies. five huge
st. Bernard dogs. and several prize cats.
In returning to America the last time
NJ. Croker engaged first cabin passage
or both Rodney Stone and Bromley Crib
story is told how a fellow passenger
N hearing that Rodney Stone was among
he first-class passengers. Immediately
vent to the purser and said.
Beg pardon. my name is Rodney, a re-
ative of George Bridges Rodney-Ad-
niral Rodney. you know-Baron Rodney,
# Rodney Stoke, Somersetshre. you
now. Now, my mother was a Stone. and
o | thought that perhaps this Rodney
tone is some other relation OF mine and
he Baron's.''
WAS your mother French" asked the
urser.
NO. no, English; every fibre of her
,ngiish. sir.
Then" said the purser. 81 am much
fraid that Rodney Stone is no relative of
Ours. Rodney Stone. my dear sir, is
'rcnch builpup.''