Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-05-13
NEGRO PORTER HELD
Kansas City Authorities, However,
Believe He is Not Responsible For
the Death Of Young Croker, Son Of
Richard Croker.

Kansas City, May 13.-Charles Will
son, the negro porter arrested at mid
night in connection with the death of
Herbert W Croker, son Of Richard
Croker, was rigidly examined by Chief
of Police Hayes this morning. The
negro told a straightforward story
detailing the movements of Croker and
himself, as already given. At the con-
clusion of the examination an officer
was dispatched to bring in All Sin, the
Chinaman, at whose place it is as
serted Croker smoked opium Thurs
day night. Chief Hayes is of the opin-
ion Wilson is in no way criminally
connected with Croker's death.
A. H. Lee corroborated Wilson'S story,
but both were locked up pending fur
ther investigation.
Kansas City, Mo-, May 13. - Herbert
v. Croker, son Of Richard Croker. the
former Tammany chief, died Friday on
Santa Fe train between Emporia and
Newton, Kas., and there are indica-
tions that his death was caused by
foul play.
Young Croker was on his way to
nous 1O1 ranch. He arrived ins Kan
sas City on Thursday. and appeared
at the Coates house at 8 o'clock in the
evening, but did not register. After
checking small valise Croker asked
Charles Woodson, negro porter, to
take him to "hop joint" Woodson
says Croker was intoxicated.
Visits an Opium Den.
After repeated requests Woodson
says that he agreed to accompany
Croker to a Chinese resort on Sixth
street, between Wyandotte and Della
ware, where they remained an hour.
Woodson says that he then took Cro-
ker directly to the train at the union
station. Croker's vaHse is still at the
check stand at the Coates house.
Passengers on the train took partic-
ular notice when young Croker was
assisted into chair car at the union
station in Kansas City by the negro,
because Croker was helpless as If from
liquor or some drug. The negro as
sisted Croker into seat and then gave
him a purse containing railroad
ticket and $40, counting the money out
to Croker. The passengers heard Cro-
ker say:
"Now, I want you to send me the
rest Of it,"
The negro asked Croker to write
his address, but Croker refused, and
finally the negro wrote as Croker die
tated. The address was Bliss. Okla.
care 101 Ranch"
Dies While Asleep.
Immediately after the train started
Croker fell into a deep sleep, snoring
loudly. Later he grew quierer, and
it is not known at what time in the
night he died. The conductor thought
him drunk, and made no effort to take
his ticket up until the train was few
miles from Newton, when he tried to
arouse the apparently sleeping man.
Then it was discovered that he had
died sitting quietly in his seat.
The body was taken from the train
at Newton and turned over to a local
undertaken, who notified the coroner.
1t was several hours before the dead
mans identity became fully known.
Then a message was sent 10 Rlcnafd
Croker, Jr., in New York, who asked
that the body be prepared for burial
and held pending arrival of relatives
from New York. The coroner will
hold an autopsy to discover the cause
of the young mans death.
Was On An Outing Trip.
In the dead mans pockets were
found letters, one from Zach Mulhall,
introducing Croker to Joe Miller of the
1O1 ranch, near Bliss, Okla Another a
letter of introduction from j. D. Car
roll of New York to Miller letter
signed Garter" from New York. and
an affectionate letter from a woman in
West Twenty second street, New