The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-13

jury in the case of Herbert v Croker
brought in the following verdict at 1880
this morning:
we ind upon our oaths that said
Herbert v. Croker came to his death
on May II, 1905, on Santa F'e train No.
II while between Kansas City, Nc, and
Newton, Kan, from the effects of mar
cotic poisoning, taken into his system
at Kansas City, Mo, before boarding
said train, by means and manner un-
known to this jury"
Kansas City May 13.-Local inter
est in the mysterious death on train
between Kansas City and Newton
Kan, of Herbert Y. Croker, son OF
Richard Croker of New York city,
centered today around Charles VIII
SON, the Coates house negro porter,
who placed the young New Yorker on
the train for the south on Thursday
night.
Wilson, who is 80 years old, was ar
rested after midnight and held pend
ing investigation. To the police he
had told the story of meeting Croker
in the bar room of the Coates house,
where Wilson was employed; Of con-
Quoting Croker to an opium joint, and
of later taking him to the train
Although Wilson was frank in all
his admissions to the police, and told
a connected story that fit in closely
with all they had learned about the
to put him through a severe examipa-
ton today. Chief of Police John Hayes
said that he would examine Wilson at
10 o'clock.
IN the meantime a dozen detectives
continued to work on the case in an
endeavOr to gain any evidence that
would throw further light upon CrOk
er'S movements while in Kansas City.
At Newton, Kan, where the body of
Croker is being held, the cOroner's
jury which last night began an in
Quiry into the cause of his death, con-
tiEued its Investigation at o'clock
this morning. Last night the con
ductor.f brakeman and porter of the
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe train on
which Croker died had given their
testimony This story tailed prac-
tically with that already known. The
conductor, however, had testified that
there was no smell of liquor about
Croker, when he found him dead in
the chair car, and the coroner today
paid particular attention to this phase,
in an endeavOr to determine whether
or not Croker had died from poison, or
from the effects of being drugged.
Visit to Opium Joint.
Wilson told how he had met Croker
In the bar room of the Coates House,
one of the leading hostelries in the city,
where the negro was employed as por-
ter. Croker, Wilson said had asked
him at $50 Thursday evening: Where
he could have little fun" Wilson had
told him of an opium den in the north
end and offered to conduct him to the
place after O'Clock, when he would be
off duty a the hotel Croker had wait
ed until that time, and then had gone
with the negro to Con CrOnin's saloon
at Fourth street and Broadway. There
Wilson suggested that if Croker had
any money he had better give it to the
bartender for safe keeping before they
Started out. Croker gave the barten-
der SO saying it was all he had eX-
cept some change. and the bartender
placed the money in an envelope in the
safe From Cronins saloon the two
men went to Lees place above a saloon
in West Sixth street four blocks away.
There Lee had conducted Croker to a
couch, and Wilson had gone down
stairs to wait until Croker had had q
smoke.
Croker had requested Wilson to be
sure and wait for him Wilson had
played cards in the saloon below with
some negroes for about an hour when
Croker reeled into the room.
He was little unsteady" said Will
son. but he talked We'll. He told me
that he had to catch a train for Okla
homa and that we had better go. We
vert to Cronin's saloon and secured
the $50 left there with the bartender.
Croker bought a drink and coon said
he had but few minutes in which to
catch his train. We got into a hack
and were driven fest to the CepOt"
Wilson continuing, said that they had
reached the Union station only a few
minutes before time for the train to
start. After paying the carriage fare
Wilson said Croker had between S17 and
SIS left. Croker tried to get a Pullman
ticket. but was unable to do so. and the
two went into the chair car.
Croker gave me a dollar" said Will
son, and two checks calling for a rain
coat and a cane which he had checked
at the hotel The train started soon
and I jumped off"
Smoked Too Fast.
After the examination of Wilson
Chief Hayes gave it as his opinion that
Croker had died from the effect of
smoking the opium too fast. "Hel had
but short time before train time"
said Chief Hayes, and evidently in his
endeavOr to make the best of the time
took the drug too fast"
All Lee. the Chinarnan, was arrested
and brought TO Central station this
morning He was questioned closely
and told a story that bore out the state
ments made by Wilson regarding the
visit of the tWo men to his place. Lee
said that Croker had smoked five pills
of opium, but insisted that when he left
the place Croker although a little un-
steady. was capable Of taking care of
Both Wilson and Lee were placed in
cells.
Second Family Loss This Year.
New York May 13--NeWs of the
sudden death of Herbert Croker, son
of Richard Croker, was received in
this city from Newton, Kas., by his
eldest brother, Richard, jr., and his
mother at their home in seventy
fourth street. The Croker home was
plunged into deepest gloom.
Herbert Croker left this city few
days ago to take vacation on a
friends ranch in Oklahoma. 1t is said
to recuperate.