The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-18
HOW HERBERT CROKER DIED.
NO OPIUM OR DISSIPATION, SAYS
BROTHER AFTER INQUIRY.
Body Brought HOme-Ffuneral This Morn.
Ing at Church OF IT. Isnatius Loyola
Young Mans last Day-Heart
Disease and Fatigue Caused Death,


Young Mans last Day-Heart
Disease and Fatigue Caused Death
Richard Croker, Jr, rea ched New York
yesterday morning with the body OF his
brother, Herbert, who was found dead
on train at Newton, Kan, last Friday
morning. Shortly after he arrived, he
received telegram from Charles j. Egan
Of Kansas City, giving the details of
private investigation he made Of Herbert
Croker's death. These facts Mr.. Croker
embodied in this statement, issued last
night:
in view Of the many contradictory state
ments, mostly all of sensational character,
1 feel it my duty, In justice to my family
and particularly to my brothers memory,
to make public the true facts Of his unfortu-
nate death
AT my request, Mr.. Charles j. Egan.
sergeant-at-arms OF the Common Council
at Kansas City. made an independent and
rigid investigation OF the movements Of
Herbert, and it is gratifying to me to be
able to lay before the public the result Of
Mr.. Egan 'sinquiry. According to his report,
Herbert was at the Elm Ridge raoetrack
last Thursday afternoon about 8 o'clock
and met there Frank Kelly. chief trainer
for Edward Corrigan's racing stables. To
Kelly, Herbert, who had met him in En- GLAND, ,
complained Of being i'll. He looked sick.
Herbert told Kelly that he WAS stopping at
the Coates House, and invited Kelly to have
supper with him, after which he intended
departing for Oklahoma.
Kelly declined the invitation, but mac
an appointment to meet Herbert at Cronm' 8
cafe at Fourth street and Broadway at 7:30,
and from there to go with him to the Union
Station Kelly did not keep the appoint
ment, as he was unexpectedly called out Of
town by telegram from his employer.
Herbert went to the cafe, accompanied by
Wilson, the negro porter, who acted as his
guide from the Coates House. Her
bert made no request to 60 to any other
place, and the statement that he visited
any resort OF a questionable character ia
absolutely false. This Wilson declared with
emphasis, and adds that until they arrived
at the train they entered but two buildings
--Cronin's place and place in the Chinese
district Of interest to sightseers, identical
in character with the teahouses of our own
Chinatown section. Wilson says that they
were not there more than ten minutes.
together with other strangers who went in
and out. Neither Herbert nor any one else
smoked opium.
What may have caused that impression
is the fact that Herbert grew very much
worse, and Wilson had to call a cab to take
him to the depot. and possibly the adj
ditiona circumstance that Herbert was
unable to leave the cab without assistan ce
on account of the increasing violence of
his malady. Wilson wishes it clearly UNDER
stood that Herbert was not under the in
fuence OF liquor OF any drug. but was a
very sick boy. He declares that many OF
the statements alleged by some newspapers
TO have been made by him were absolutely
inaccurate.
Wilson, OF course, did not know how
sick Herbert was, not knowing that he
had heart trouble. or he would not have
put him aboard the train. He did. how
ever, he says call the attention of the train
men to Herbert, saying that he was not
we'll and that they should look after him.
Mr. Egan concludes his report to me rs
follows:
az am satisfied after most searchin &
in sestigation that the foregoing are the
true facts in the case All Of Wilson 8
statements have been confirmed by re-
liable persons. l also talked with DR..
Lester County Coroner and Il physician
Of the highest standing in Kansas City,
and he informs me that the death Was a
natural one and. il fastened at ull, it WAS
simply by the fatigue of the long journey.
The funeral, which will he private. will
be held this forenoon from the Church
|.f In, n
Eighty-fourth street, ct II O'Clock. The
Rev. Father Neil \. Mex innon will officiate.
Mrs Croker was 50 ill last night that it
was thought doubtful whether she would
be able to attend her sons funeral or not.