Evening star., 1905-05-14
CROKER'S TRAGIC END
Due to the Effects of Narcotic
Poisoning.
COMMENTS ON THECASE
LITTLE TO INDICATE DRUGGINa
AND ROBBERY.
Father Decided Not to Come to
America-Statement of Victims
Reputed Fiancee.

verdict in the case of Herbert V. Croker Of
New York, who was found dead in an
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe train near
Newton. Kan. is that ''he came to his |
death while between Kansas City, Mo. and
Newton, Kan, from the effects of narcotic !
poison taken into his system at Kansas |
City before boarding said train, by means |
and manner unknown to this jury
Chief of Police Hayes of Kansas City |
says that Croker's death was due to over |
indulgence in whisky and opium. Chief |
Hayes says there is little to indicate that |
Croker was robbed. and none to show that !
he was drugged unless he drUGged himself J
The body of Croker is at Newton, await |
ing the arrival of his brother, Richard |
Croker of New York, who is expected to
reach Newton Sunday night. The under
taker who embaimed the body says Croker
appeared to have been in fine physical con-
dtion.
The two Chinese who conducted the
opium resort in which Croker smoked and
the negro porter, Charles Wilson, who took
Croker to the resort, in JAIL but they
are not charged with any offense in con-
nectOn with Croker's death. The Chinese
will be prosecuted for keeping opium re-
sort, and Wilson's testimony will be used
against them.
Something Besides Opium.
In the building in which All Lee has
rooms the Twin City Club a negro organi-
zation, also has quarters. f. w. Payne a
negro, the manager of the club said that
Croker had accosted him as Croker passed
down the stairs from the Chinaman's
rooms. Croker having mistaken Payne for
Wilson, the porter.
LAS soon as | looked at him" said Payne
today, Il saw that the man had something
besides opium in him. He had control
of the muscles of his neck. His head wob-
bled and his color was ghastly. His eyes
were CLASSY and his lips We're quivering.'
A. j. RAIDER. conductor of the train on
which Croker died, returned to Kansas City
today. RAIDER repeated the story already
told by himself and other members of the
train crew regarding Croker's arrival at the
train in company with a negro, his drop
ping into deep sleep and the fact that at
tempts to arouse Croker showed him to be
dead.
There was no smell of whisky said
RAIDER 'and l am convinced from his ap-
pearance that he had been drugged Croker
did not make move after being placed in
the seat at Kansas City until | found him
dead seven hours later"
Father Will Not Leave Europe.
DUBLIN, May 13.-Richard Croker does
not intend to go to the United States for
the funeral of his son Herbert
Mr.. Croker said that he had no reason to
suspect foul play, as Uerbert's heart had
been affected for five years. Herbert was
making the trip west for his health, Mr..
Croker said. and he was convinced that his
had died a natural death.
I.,-I -
has deeply affected MIR. Croker
Zach Mulhall's Statement
ST. LOUIS. May 13.-Col Zach Mulhall
the live stock man who had given letter
of introduction to Herbert V. Croker to
take with him to ranch 'lJ1" Bliss Okla.
said today that young Croker came west
at tie request of Mrs. Croker, his mothe.'
vino hoped tnat visit on the ranch would
benefit his health. Mrs. Croker had con-
suited with Col. Muhall before the young
man started from New York, and Mulhall
had given him a letter of Introduction. 1t
was planned that young Croker was to
have horses to ride and light employment to
occupy his time. Col Mulhall sad that
Croker was of excellent habits and did not
drink or smoke.
Suspect Drugging and Robbery.
NEWTON, Kan, May -. The authori-
ties are convinced that Herbert Croker was
uluEStu ana robbed AT haHScS tlty. i ne
clothing he wore evidently was not his own,
being of cheap material and badly soiled.
The hat he wore had on 1t initials other
than his own, and bore the trademark of {,
Minneapolis. Mimi. firm. His own cloth
ing evidently had been stolen and other
garments given him. Physicians say that
from the symptoms Croker might have
died from opium poisoning, though they
are not sure that this was the drug used.
They agree. however. with the coroner that
the man had been drugged and that this
caused his death.
Eiance of the Victim.
NEW YORK. May 13.-Miss Toinette
Horton of Horton. n. Y. from whom let
ter is awaiting Herbert Croker at No 'lOl'
ranch. Oklahoma, said today that she was
engaged to young Croker, and that they
had planned TO be married in Oklahoma in
two weeks. AS soon the young man
could make arrangements for the marriage
after arriving at the ranch Miss Horton
said that she and her mother had planned
to go there. Miss Horton added that she
did not believe that Mrs Croker, the
young mans mother, approved of the en-
gagement, but she did not think Mr.. Croker
, had started for Oklahoma as part of the
plan to prevent the marriage.
MR. MORTON'S RETTREMENT