Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-16
CROKER ALWAYS A FIGHTER
AND USUALLY WINNER

Richard Cookers last public appear
ance as the boss of Tammany was at the
Democratic club on~Thursday night, when
he beamed upon his last mayor. Robert
A. Van Wyck, then being presented with
"vindication" fin the shape of resolu-
lions, superlative and alliterative, pre-
sumably emanating from the club, in real
ity from Richard Croker. who has of late
years had a staff of literary men for just
such occasions.
The first Croker house in America was
a very humble two-story structure, sur
rounded by high rock and a growth of
trees and rubbish. There were many other
squatters and it was neighborhood of
fighters. Richard fell in with the rough
and-tumble life and laid the foundation
for the physical prowess and nerve which
placed him at the head of Tammany Hall
years afterward.
OF early education Croker had about as
little as any self-made man can boast.
Three years were given to this duty-be-
tween the ages of twelve and fifteen-in
the public school in East Twenty-seventh
street. The real alma mater of the Tam
many leader was the streets Of New York.
and he became ADEPT, il, the ways of it's
tuition.
He was at the head. of the first class
in pugilism while in his teens and won a
series of prizehghts in early manhood. He
defeated 'Reddy'' Haskins in a formal
set-to i'm the cellar of house owned by
one McAnearney, and later he met and
vanquished Pat Kelly in, saloon at
Third avenue and Thirty-ffth street.
The most memorable fight. however, in
which Croker was a principal was fought
one Sunday morning in 1866 in Joness
Wood. "Dickie" Lynch, who faced him,
was a famous fighter, but Croker pound
ed him so that he was carried away from
the ring badly battered. Matt Green and
Denny I.eary also fell before the prowess
of Richard Croker
With his prowess and growing prestige,
he naturally drifted into politics, and soon
had little use for the machinist trade
which he had learned in the machine
shops Of the New York Central railroad.
AS a blacksmith he could swing a sledge
in each hand Mr. Croker is credited with
having been quick to grasp the intricacies
of machinery. and many say that a good
master mechanic was spoiled when he left
the forge and bench for the byways of
politics.
He became interested in the Fourth
Avenue Tunnel Gang, a power in politics
and physical force. Its members were
idle mechanics, unemployed hacl<men and
street roughs the terrors Of the Twenty
first ward. James O'Brien was in 1867 the
polittcal leader of the district. He had
been chosen alderman by large MAORI
ty. aud when Richard Croker decided that
he would be an alderman too IL was deem
ed necessary that Leader o Brien be con-
suited. This was done. and Mr.. Croker
was elected to the Office he coveted.
AS Coroner in 1878.
In 1879 Croker was elected coroner.
Showing his innexibility of purpose when
once his mind is made up this story is
stflI told about him as coroner:
A little Italian child had died in
charitable institution after brutal treat
ment by the acting superintendent ana
an inquest was held by Coroner Croker
Among the trustees Of the institution
were several of the mos. prominent citi-
zens of New York who were extremely
anxious for the exoneration OF the acting
superintendent whom Croker had placed
under arrest and who was present at the
i-quest as a prisoner.
Under the lax methods of the coroners
courts these citizens were very demonstra-
tive and so impressed the jury that the
latter. against the weight of evidence,
brought i'm verdict clearing the prisoner
from blame. Croker received the verdict
without comment and giving it to the
clerk said:
..The prisoner is committed to the
Tombs without bail.
Instantly there was a hubbub in the
room and the coroner was surrounded Dy
indignant philanthropists. to whom he
listened without reply. When ali were
through he turned his head and indicating
the prisoner by a nod said:
OFFICER, take him away
Croker Joined Tammany in the latter
part of the COS and his election as alder
man and coroner was under the auspices
of the organization. In 1876 he was re-
elected coroner. He early attracted the
attention of John Kelly. who saw in Gro
ker the forces which would make him a
leader of the hall. at times a very stormy
position. One of the early Offices Croker
held, that Of marshal for the collection OF
arrears of personal taxes, was gift from
the old boss. In 1888 Croker was made
fire commissioner by Mayor Edison.
Fell Heir to kelly's Mantle.
The mantle of John Kelly really fell
upon Richard Croker in 1856. Tammany
had lost prestige by the victory of Cleve-
land in 1854 against its vehement councils
the power of Kelly was broken and his