New-York tribune., 1902-01-23
CROWDS SEE HIM START.
DIR. COSBY SAYS THE CHIEF Is \
SICK MAN. SUFFERING FROM
STOMACH TROUBLE

Richard Croker the old boss" of Tammany
Hall. sailed away the American liner Phila-
delphia yesterday forenoon at 10 o'clock. bound
for his English home. he said he would at
the dinner given in his honor the night before
at the Democratic Club The last announce
ment of his departure prior to the one he made
on Tuesday night that he would not go
until February q. score or more of Tammany
hangers-on, with bills for services in the late
mayoralty campaign, thinking that Mr. Croker
would not start until February 6. were exceed
lngly angry yesterday morning when they read
that the old leader was about to give them the
slip. Mr.. Croker deftly dumped all these clamor-
Gus gentlemen on the lion hearted Nixon to look
after, along with about n thousand other trouble
some things. When the claimants tried TO get
at the departing ex-chief yesterday they were
waved aside, and Mr.. Croker's friends suggested
rear and quiet seat
A large crowd of prominent Tammany men
saw Mr.. Croker off and cheered him to the echo
as the ship was leaving her pier Mr. Croker re-
sponded by waving his handkerchief and then
apparently overcome with emotion. rested his
head on his son Herbert's shoulder. For half
an hour before he sailed he was kept busv saw
ing goodby to the crowd that gathered around
MIN. The salutations were varied ..C,oodb,,
chief said one; Good luck TO you" said an
other, and Croker gave them a handsbaka and
pleasant smile
Lewis Nixon was at Croker's side until a few
moments before the steamship sailed. John F.
carroll was not hand: nor was Tim"
sullivan. Nagle Iantry or lot Of other
boss ' 'ii1 'iN
Il expect to be back in about eight months"
saIu Mr; croker. and when I return I shall be
one OF the followers in the ranks. shall never
enter politics actively again" He reiterated
lHdI Lewis NlXOn'S place he Of Tor
many Hall was permanent
MI Croker arrived at the Fulton-st pier at go
u 0cloch IN carriage, accompanied by his son
Heroert who went 10 England with him and
ms sons Frank II. and Richard The party went
Immediately TO staterooms Nos and q on the
promenade deck, which Mr. Croker and his son
VIII occupy on their voyage. The rooms were
banked with flowers which consisted mostly of
large baskets of roses. Croker expressed delight
al the floral display. and. tearing off one of the
MOVERS, put II In his buttOnhole After his trunks
and bags had been arranged In his room Mr
Sroher appeared on the promenade deck, where
he met the reporters.
"Tammany is an institution that will never
Ole. he said in reply TO questions. mo matter
who is the leader. shall always be an Ameri-
can and follower in future"
Some one In the crowd the pier here shout
ed i hope you win the Derby. Chief" and Cro-
ker smiled at the prospect. He then walked 70
the other side Of the ship and entered into con-
Versatlon with Mr.. Nixon. Although there were
at times attempts to cause some merriment a
general air OF gloom hung the whole Tam
many party. The only person in the crowd
whose face was bright was Mr. Croker's niece
Miss Frances Jenkins, who as she kissed him
goodby said, Now, don't get seasCk, uncle"
and Croker said he wouldn't
One of the last remarks that Mr.. Croker made
as his friends were saying Eoodby to him was:
You ask whether il is certain that I coming
back tell you l am going to be buried in
New York
Mr. Croker's physician. DR. ]. B. Cosby, was
among those at the pier. The doctor after the
steamship had gore said that Mr.. Croker al
though not In immediate danger. a sick
man. Nobody will realize what a great
man Croker is until he is dead" continued the
doctor. He has been Ill for nearly three years
with stomach trouble but l think that these
ocean voyages will do him a world of good
Chief Croker. who is Richard Croker's nephew
arrived at the steamship about ten minutes be-
fore she sailed, and was greeted affectiOnately
by his uncle. When the last bugle blew. at 9;Il
o'clock the Tammanyites filed off the ship and
gathered the end of the pier The steamship
started on her schedule time of 10 o'clock, and
Mr. Croker with his Herbert stationed HIM
self at the rear end of the promenade deck His
followers cheered and Cheered again. and Mr..
Croker was visibly affected. After waving his
handkerchief until the steamship had almost
reached mdstream. he suddenly dropped his
hand and rested his head on his sons shoulder.
Then the twO-father and son-turned their
backs to the shore and walked 10 the other side
Of tba OnfO Of sight