The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-05-13
ANOTHER son OF
CROKER is DEAD.
Herbert Y. Croker Was Drugged
in Kansas City, Mo.
DIED ON A TOPEKA TRAIN
Went From Race Track 10 Hop Islnt'
With Negro, Who Put Hin on
tho Trala
DIED ON A TOPEKA TRAIN


former New York political leader, was
found dead on a south abound Atchison.
Topeka and Santa Fe railroad train be-
tween Kansas City and Newton. Ks. yes
ferday.
He had died during the night. evidently
from the effects of some drug admins
tered at Kansas City. where he took the
train last night for Bliss. Okla.
The first news OF the death Of young
Croker was received I'm Kansas City yes
terday afternoon, when the local police
were requested TO hunt for a negro who
Is said 10 have placed Croker on the
train at Kansas City.
According TO a telephone message from
Newton. Croker was found dead in a car
seat Just before the train reached Newton
yesterday. The body was taken from the
train at Newton His identity did not
become known until message was re-
ceived from Richard Croker, Jr.. al New
York. several hours later. asking the au-
thorities 10 hold the remains and stat
ing that he would leave the east imme-
diately for Newton.
The first clue TO Croker's identity was
a letter found in the dead mans pocket.
This letter was addressed TO Fash Null
hall. formerly OF Oklahoma, who is now
holding a wild west show in New York
city. to Joseph shiller. manager OF the
famous "1O1" ranch at Bliss. Okla.
Inquiry by telephone elected the infor-
lmation that Croker was not known at
the Bliss ranch Evidently he was on TIE
way to the ranch for an outing.
FOUND DEAD BY CONDUCTOR.
When the conductor came around TO
collect Croker's fare the latter was asleep,
and the conductor did not disturb the
m sssenger Croker was left to himself
all night until nearly o'clock in the
morning. when the conductor made an
other attempt 10 collect the fare He was
unable 10 arouse Croker. and upon exam
nation found that the young man was
dead
The coroner at Newton was telegraphed
OF the fact. and when the train reached
that city the body was removed TO an
undertaking establishment.
AS far as can be learned Croker ar
rived In Kansas City early on Thursday
and spent the afternoon at the Elm Ridge
race track. He is known 10 have been
In the company OF several patrons OF the
track before he boarded the train for the
south.
Passengers on the train noticed when
young Croker was assisted into chair
car by the negro he seemed helpless.
TO OPIUM DEN.
The negro who put young Croker on
the train last night was Charles Wood
son. a porter at the Coates hotel. Wood
son says that Croker had been drinking
when he arrived al the hotel at o'clock
last night After checking a small valise
at the hotel Croker. tho negro says, asked
where there was HOP joint"
After repeated requests woodson says
that he agreed 10 accompany Croker 20
such a resort. Then they went together
20 a Chinese resort in Sixth street be-
tween Wyandotte and Delaware streets,
where they remained an hour -
4. Woodson says that he then took Croker
directly TO the train at the Union sta
ton Crokers valise Is still at the check
stand at the hotel. Croker did not register
at the hotel. and IL is not believed that
he went 10 any other hotel during his
brief stay in Kansas City.
Woodson tells a straight story and the
police do not think that he was guilty OF
robbing Croker or otherwise abusing his
confidence.
MRS. CROKER FRUSTRATED.
New York, May 1s-The first news OF
the death of Herbert ID. Croker came
this morning I'm a telegram which was
telephoned 10 Richard Croker. Jr., at
the family home. 5 East Seventy-fourth
street Mr. Croker did not at once let
his mother know the full extent OF the
news the dispatch contained.
Mrs. Croker has been much broken in
health since the tragic death OF her son
Frank in Florida on Jan 20 last and 1t
was feared that the sudden announce
ment OF this fresh disaster would be too
much for her.
She was told by Richard that Herbert
had met with an accident and IL was
not until last night that she was informed
that he was dead She is completely
prostrated by the blow.
Richard Croker. Jr.. left for the west
~ o'clock last evening Before he
went away he said that he had received
q telegram announcing his brothers
death on a Santa Re train. but that he
had received no additional particulars.
Friends OF Richard Croker Sr.. IN the
Democratic club said last night that a
cablegram had been sent TO Mr.. ~roker
telling him OF the death OF Herbert. but
that no response had been received. Mr.
Croker Is at his place in Ireland.
WAS THE THIRD SON
Herbert d Croker was Mr. Croker's
third son. Richard Jr.. aged 3. being
the first Frank. deceased, aged IS. the
second; Herbert. aged q, the third. and
Howard. aged 2l, tho fourth. Howard
is with his father in Ireland. Richard
and Herbert lived with their mother IN
the Seventy-fourth street house.
Herbert was once a student IN Cornell
university. but left there after a few
months. saying that ne found himself
ostracised because his father was the
leader Of Tammany Hall II was learned
afterward that this was very largely
imaginary on the young mans part
He was In his boyhood little inclined
90 be wild. and his father put him on
board the schoQlship 81. Mary's IN the
hope that tho rigid marine discipline
would be OF benefit 20 him.
when the S. Mary's had got up az far
ss the place where the East river begins
20 broaden irto the Sound young Crok-
er dlved suddenly over5oard and struck
out for shore. a mile and a half away.
II was not possible 90 put the ship
about. apd although a boat was lowered
-