New-York tribune., 1905-02-02
Mr.. CROKER RETURNS.
NET By FRIENDS ON TUG
His Visit to the Body of His Son
arrangements for Funeral.


Richard Croker aged broken with grief ana
,stioent even TO his most intimate friends ar
,ved In this country yesterday on the Kaiser
Wilhelm der Crosse, to attend the funeral of
-. son, Frank II. Croker. who was killed while
s,eeding his automobile the sands at Ormond
more than week ago. The closest and most
intimate associates OF Mr.. Croker were unpre-
nsred for the striking change in his appear
.nce which he showed yesterday. His hair is
almost white. Formerly vigorous and aggres-
sive he is silent and retiring He walks
with cane and speaks in a subdued voice. He
Manifested every desire to shun publicity and
smoke TO those who came to him only In a
o,jet and matter OF fact way.
In order 10 facilitate the arrival of Mr. Croker
and to screen him as far as possible from pub
l,c notice or any questions. the tug Robert Pal
-,er Tas chartered by a party of friends and
vent down the bay TO meet the vessel. On the
voyage here. 1t was learned, Mr.. Croker seldom
left his room. He took turn around the deck
early in the morning, smoking cigar. but after
that he was not seen again in the course Of the
nav. He occupied deck suite with his niece
sgiss Bowman. On the tug TO meet Mr.. Croker
were John Fox. president of the Democratic
club; Andrew Freedman. General Howard Car
-or and Richard S. Croker his son. The
courtesy Of the port was extended to him, and
q snecal revenue officer went on the tug TO see
hat his baggage was passed as quickly as pos
sible.
When the tug alongside the giant
sel Mr.. Croker was not deck. The party at
once boarded the boat, and Richard S. Croker
went TO his fathers stateroom. They were
there alone for some time. Later Mr.. Croker
apueared on deck and shook hands with his
friends.
Thomas F. Smith, secretary of Tammany
Hal: John Hettrick, secretary to August Bel
rnont, and F. NJ. Mccain, a nephew of Mr..
Croker, went down on the revenue cutter and
,oined Mr. Croker at Quarantine. After brief
talk on the deck Mr.. Croker, accompanied by
wr Fox, Mr.. Freedman and the other members
of the two parties that had gone down the bay,
left the vessel and went on the tug and started
for Kew-York. All of Mr.. Croker's baggage was
taken on the tug.
As soon as the boat reached the city Mr..
Croker went directly his city home. where he
consulted with the family about arrangements
for the funeral
After leaving. the family home at No East
74th-st Mr.. Croker, accompanied by Andrew
Freedman and Mr.. Mccain, his nephew. was
driven TO st. Leo's, where the body of his son
was taken on its arrival from Ormond week
ego yesterday. He entered the church by way
Of the rectory, the door Of which opens in 2sth-
81 About the door at the time a curious
crowd waiting TO see the former Tamnany
chieftain. It was kept il check by half dozen
detectives and a detail os uniformed policemen
from the West 36tb st. station.
Mr.. Croker, after a brief chat with Father
Ducey. went at once TO the chapel. where lay
me bosy or his son. There he remained some
time alone After being in the chapel and the
reetury for almost two hours Mr.. Croker entered
lis carriage again and was driven uptown.
The body OF Frank H. Croker was taken
from the chapel of st. Leos Roman Catholic
Church shortly after 10 o'clock last night and
removed IN a hearse to the family home, at No.
East 74th-st. When the hearse had left the
church a large moving van driven up. and
into this were loaded the hundreds of floral
pieces sent by friends and relatives of the young
man. Among the floral offerings the one
sent by the father. II consisted of white roses
in q solid bank, interIaced and bordered by fern
leaves. The inscription reads: Beloved Son"
The funeral Of Frank Il. Croker will take place
tomorrow morning at 1870 O'Clock at the
Church Of st. Ignatius Loyola, Park-ave. and
s4th-st The burial will be in Calvary Gene
tery.
Resolutions Of sympathy for the family were
passed last evening by the Democratic. Club, of
which Frank H. Croker was a governor. Many
members Of the club will attend the funeral.