The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-13
HERBERT CROKER
DEAD FROM DRUG
Police Believe That He
Ate Opium.
WARRANT FOR DEN KEEPER
Charles Wilson, c6lored. Pilot of un-
fortunate Man, Is Acquitted
of Blame

KANSAS CITY, Mo, May 12-Investi-
cation by corps Of detectives this
morning failed To clear up the mystery
surrounding the movements OF Herbert
V Croker. son of Richard Croker, prior
TO the time when he was put on board
the train upon which he died, pSesuma-
bly, from the effects Of drug. Police
are inclined TO believe. however. that
the main points in the case have been
developed.
Croker attended the Elm Ridge races
at Kansas City Yesterday Last even
ing about 10 O'Clock he was put aboard
Santa Fe train No. Il at the union depot
in Kansas City by colored man,
Charles Wilson. who gave to him a
purse containing SIT and a railroad
ticket.
The passengers noticed that he was
unconscious, apparently drunk The
conductor made no effort to take his
ticket up until the train was few miles
from Newton, when he tried to arouse
the man and found him dead
Papers Found on Body.
Croker had sat quietly in his seat ali
the way from Kansas City, and IL is not
known just when he died. The body was
taken from the train at Newton and
turned over TO a local undertaken. Pa
pers found on the body indicated tht
the young man was the son of Rich
ard Croker, of New York, and a mes
sage To New York brought instructions
from Richard Croker, ,jr., TO embalm the
body and hold il pending his arrival.
There are no marks Of violence on the
young mans body and the officers here
do not believe he died OF heart disease.
An Lee, the Chinaman whose den it is
said Croker visited, was named in a
city warrant today, which was placed
in the hands of officers for service. He
is pit to be prosecuted on city and State
charges of selling opium
Charles Wilson, the young negro who
piloted Croker TO Lees den, still is held
by the police. but probably viii be re-
leased IN the course of the day.
The police have not located the hack
driver who took Croker from Cronin s
place to the depot.
Wilson'S Explanation.
Wilson is a porter in the Coates Hotel.
and says Croker had been drinking when
he arrived at the hotel about 8 o'clock
last night. After checking a small
valIse IN the hotel, Croker. the negro
says asked where there was a hop
joint" After repeated requests, Wilson
says that he agreed to accompany
Croker 10 such a resort.
Then they went together to q Chinese
resort In Sixth street. between Wyan-
dotta and Delaware streets. where they
remained an hour Wilson says he took
Croker directly 10 the train at the
Union Station. Croker Valise is still at
the check stand at the hotel Croker |
did not register at the hotel. and it is
not believed that he went to any other |
hotel during his stay in Kansas City.
His Mother Frustrated
NEW YORK. May 13.-The first news |
of the death of Herbert D. Croker came |
yesterday "a a telegram which was |
to Richard Croker, jr., at |
the family home, East Seventy-fourth |
street.
Mrs Croker has been much broken In |
health since the tragic death Of her son, |
Frank, in Florida in an automobile ac- |
cident, on January 20 last, and 1t was |
feared that the sudden announcemtnt of |
this fresh disaster would be too much |
for her. She is completely prostrated |
by the blow