New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-13
HERBERT Y. CROKER DEAD
FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED.
In StHpOr When Placed ON Train IN
Kansas City by Negro.

Kansas City. Mo- May 12-Herbert Y. Croker
son Of Richard Croker Of New-York. was
found dead on a southbound Atchison Topeka
and Santa Fe Railway train between Kansas
CITY and Newton, Kan. to-day He had died
during the night, evidently from the effects OF
some drug administered at Kansas City. where
ne took the train last night for Bliss. Okla
The first news of the death OF Young Crok.r
was received in Kansas City this afternoon.
when the local police were requested to hunt for
negro who is said to have placed Croker on
the train at Kansas CITY
according to a telephone message from New
ton, Croker was found dead in car seat lust
before the train reached Newton to-day The
BODY was taken from the train at Newton His
identity did not become known until message
was received from Richard S. Croker. at New
York several hours later. asking the authorities
10 hold the body, and stating that he would
leave the East Immediately for Newton
The first clew to Crokers identity was letter
found In the dead mans pocket This letter was
addressed by Zach MulhaIL, formerly Of Okla
homa, who gave a Wild West show in New
York City recently. TO Joseph ShiIler. manager
of the famous "1O1" ranch at Bliss. Okla
Inquiry by telephone ELECTED the Information
that Croker was not known at the Bliss ranch
Evidently he was on the way to the ranch for
outing.
York City the Coroner took charge OF the body
and empanelled jury. An inquest was begun
this evening
According to stories Of passengers and tho
conductor on the ttain upon which Croker died.
the young NewYorlker was placed on the train
at Kansas City by negro shortly after 10
O'Clock last night. Croker appeared to be under
the influence of some drug. The negro was seen
to hand him sum of money and a railroad
ticket just before the train started. when he
jumped off and disappeared. When the conduc-
tor came around to collect Croker's fare the
latter was asleep and the conductor did not dis
turb the passenger. Croker was left to himself
all night until nearly O'Clock this morning
when the conductor made another attempt TO
collect the fare. He unable TO arouse Gro
ker, and upon examination found that the young
man was dead.
The coroner at Newton was informed by tele-
graph of the fact. and when the train reached
that city the body was removed to an under
taking establishment 1t was several hours later
before Croke-'s identity was suspected.
As far can be learned Croker arrived In
Kansas City early Thursday and spent the
afternoon at the Elm Ridge racetrack. He is
known TO have been in the company OF several
patrons OF the racetrack before he boarded the
train for the South.
Passengers on the train took particular notice
when young Croker was assisted into chair
car at the Union Station in Kansas City by a
young negro. because the white man help
less If from liquor or drugs. The negro as
sisted Croker into a seat and then gave him 4
purse containing railroad ticket and SO.
counting the money out TO Croker. The passen-
gers heard Croker say: Now I want you to
send me the rest Of it," The negro asked Croker
to write his address. but Croker refused. and
finally the negro wrote as Croker dictated. The
Immediately after the tain started Croker fell
into a deep sleep snoring loudly. Later he
grew quieteT. As the train neared Newton the
conductor, who wished 70 take up CTOkers
ticket. shOOk him TO arouse him and found him
dead. There are no marks of violence the
young mans body and the police do not believe
that he died from heart trouble, as he OF
fine physical development.
Besides the letter from IA ch MulhaIl in intro
ducing Croker TO Joe Miller. of the 1O1 Ranch,
CrokerS papers contained n letter of introduce
tiOn from J. d. Carroll, of New-YOrk, TO Miller:
a letter signed Carter from New York, and an
affectionate letter from West
22d-st, New-YOrk- The two latter letters were
not made public.
The entire detective force of Kansas City is
working the case, endeayOrtng to trace
CrOkers movements. and especially 20 find the
negro who put him on the train Croker did not
register at any hotel IN Kansas City. and at tho
raCetraCk his expenditures and manners were
not such as 10 attract attention TOD sloan tho
jockey, who formerly rode for Richard Croker,
and was we'll acquainted with Herberts brother.
was at the track all the afternoon mingltng
freely with the horsemen and bettOrs. and he did
not even hear that Croker was in town II ap-
pears that Croker did not make his identity
known IN Kansas City.
later dispatch said that the negro who put
young Croker on the train last night was Charles
WOOdsOn, porter at the Coates Hotel Wood
son SAYS that Croker had been drinking when
he arrived at the hotel about O'Clock last
night. After checking small valise at the
hotel. Croker, the negro says asked wnere there
was hop Joint" After repeated requests
WoodsOn says that he agreed 10 accompany
Croker to such a resort Then they went to-
gether TO a Chinese resort in 6th-st.. between
V'vandOtte and Delaware SITS, where they re-
mafned an hour. WOOdsOn says that he then
took Croker directly to the train at the Union
Station. Croker's yalise Is still at the check
stand at the hotel Croker did not register at
the hotel and il IS not believed that he went to
anv other hotel during his brief stay in Kansas
city Woodson tells straight story. and the
police do not think that he was guilty or rob-
hing Croker or otherwise abusing his confidence