Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-13
MAY BE FOUL PLAY
Herbert, Son of Richard Cro-
 ker, Dies on Train.
POLICE SUSPECT OPIUM WAS USED
Brother of the Unfortunate YOung Man Who Wns Lately Killed In Auto Accident at Ormond, Fla.
 NegrO's Story Straight.


 NeEro's Story Straight.
 KANSAS CITY, May 13.-Herbert V. Croker, a son of Richard Croker, the New York political leader, was found dead ou southbound Atchison, T0pe- ka and Santa Fe railway train be- tween Kansas City and Newton, Kan, where he had died during the night. evidently from the effects of some drug administered at Kansas City while en route to Bliss, Okla.
 The first news of the death of young Croker was received in Kansas City 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 Newton, Croker was found dead in car seat just before the train reached Newton, and the body was taken from the train there. His iden- tity did not become known until a message was received from Richard Croker, IT,, at New York several hours after asking the authorities to hold the remains and stating that he would leave the east Immediately for Newton.
 According to stories of passengers which Croker died, the young New Yorker was placed on the train at Kan sas City by q negro shortly after 10 o'clock at night. Csoker appeared to be under the influence of some drug. The negro was seen to hand him a sum of money and a railroad ticker just be fore the train started, when he jumped off and disappeared.
 Passengers on the train took par ticular notice when young Croker was assisted into a chair car by young negro because the white man was helpless. as if from liquor or drugs.
 The negro who put young Croker on the train was Charles Woodson. DOT ter at the Coates hotel. Woodson says that Croker had been drinking when he arrived at the hotel and asked him, where there was hop joint.' They then went together to Chinese resort in Sixth street, where they remained an hour. Woodson says that he then took Croker directly to the train at the Union station Woodson tells straight story. and the police do not think that he was guilty of robbing Croker or oth- erwise abusing his confidence.
 Immediately after the train started Croker fell into deep sleep, snoring loudly. Later he grew quieter. As the train neared Newton the conductor, who wished to take up Croker's ticket. shook him to arouse him and found him dead. There are no marks of vio- Ience on the young mans body, and the police do not believe he died of heart trouble, as he was of fine physic- al development.
 As far as can be learned Croker arrived in Kansas City early on Thurs day and spent the afternoon at the Elmridge race track. Tod Sloan, a jockey, who formerly rode for Richard Croker, ST., and was well acquainted with Herbert's brother. was at the track all afternoon. mingling freely with the horsemen and bettors, and he did not even hear that Croker was in town. It appears that Croker did not make his identity known anywhere in Kansas City.
 This is the second son of Richard Croker to die this year. h's son Frank having been killed in an automobile ac- cident at Ormond Beach. Fla, few months ago.