The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-05-14
DEATH CAUSED
BY SOME DRUG
Verdict of Coroner's jury IN Case Of
Young Croker.
PROBABLY HIS OWN FAULT
WAS TO HAVE BEEN MARRIED IN
TWO WEEKS.


+++++++++++++++++++++++4+4
Newton. Kan, May 13.-The cor y
= oneT's jury in the case of Herbert =
Y. Croker brought in the following y
= verdict at 1890 today
We find upon our OathS that =
said Herbert V Croker came to his =
death on May y. 1905. on Santa Fe =
= train No. L. while between Kansas
= City. Mo. and Newton, Kan. from =
= the effects of narcotic poisoning. y
= taken into his system at Kansas =
= City. Mo, before boarding said =
= train. by means and manner I'M
= known to this jury
%%+44@4+AA+A4%+%%+<%***<%*
KANSAS CITY, Mo, May 13--LOcal
interest in the mysterious death on
train between Kansas City and
Newton, Kan. of Herbert V Croker,
son Of Richard Croker of New York
City. centered today around Charles
Wilson, the Coates House negro porter,
Who placed the young New Yorker on
the train for the south on Thursday
night
Wilson. who Is 80 years old, was ar
rested after midnight and held pending
investigation
Although Wilson was frank in all his
admissions to the police, and told a
connected story that fitted in closely
with all they had learned about the
case from other sources, it was decided
10 put him through another severe ex-
animation today
Detectives at Work.
In the meantime a dozen detectives
continued TO work on the case in an
endeavor TO gain any evidence that
would throw further light upon Gro
ker's movements while i'm kansas City
When Wilson was examined by Chief
OF Police John Hayes today nothing
new was learned from him. but follow
ing the examination All officer was sent
out to bring I'm All Lee. the Chlnaman,
whose place Wilson said he had visited
with Croker on Thursday night, and
where il was asserted, he had smoked
opium.
Wilson told how he had met Croker
Ia the barrOOm of the Coates House,
one of the leading hOStelTies in the city,
where the negro was employed as por-
ter. Croker, Wilson said, had asked
him at $50 Thursday evening where
ne could have a little fun Wilson
had told him of an opium den in the
north end. and offered TO conduct him
TO the place after o'clock. when he
would hc of duty al the hotel
Gave Bookkeeper Money.
croker had waited until that time.
and then had gone with the negro To
Con CrOuin's saloon at Fourth street
and Broadway There Wilson suggest
ed that if Croker had any money he
r. 3.
safe keeping before they started out
Croker gave the bartender $50 saying
II was all he had except some change.
and the bartender placed the money in
an envelope in the safe
From CrOnin's saloon the two men
went to Lees place above saloon IN
West Sixth street, four blocks away
There Lee had conducted Croker to a
couch, and Wilson had gone downstairs
70 wait until Croker had had a smoke. I
Croker had requested Wilson to be
sure and wait for him. Wilson had
played cards in the saloon below with |
some negroes for about an hour. when !
Croker reeled into the room
Trip to the Depot.
He was a little unsteady" said Viii
son. but he talked we'll He told me
that he had To catch d train for Okla |
bona. and that We had better 90. We !
went 10 Cronin's saloon and secured the /
$50 left there with the bartender CTO- /
ker bought a drink and soon said he /
had but few minutes in which to 4
catch his train We got into a hack .
and were driven fast to the depot
Wilson said that they had reached {
the Union station only few minutes
before time for the train TO star. At
ter paving the carriage fare Wilson
said Croker had between ST. and SIS /
left Croker tried to get a pullman.
but was unable To do SO, and the two
went into the chair car.
Gave Wilson a Dollar.
Croker gave me d dollar" said VIII
son. and two checks calling for d rain
coat and cane. which he had checked !
at the hotel The train started soon,
and I jumped OFF,
After the examination of Wilson
Chief Hayes gave il as his opinion that
Croker had died from the effect Of
smoking the opium too fast
He had but a short time before train
time" said Chief Hayes" and evil
IDENTIFY in his endeav to make the best
of the time took the drug too fast.
7 am convinced that Wilson has told
the truth. and was not connected in |
any way. Criminally. with the death Of
Croker We shall hold Wilson. how
ever. for further Investigation, and to
be used as a witness against Lee"
chinaman Questioned.
All Lee. the Chinaman. was arrested
and brought to Central station today.
He was questioned closely and told a |
story that bore out the statements |
made by Wilson. regarding the visit |
of the two men to his place. Lee said |
that Croker had smoked five pills Of
opium. but insisted that when he left
the place Croker, although a little IN
steady. was capable of taking care of
himself. Both Wilson and Lee were
placed in cells
The bartender at CrOuin'S saloon,
questioned by the police told the same |
related by Wilson. The bartender was
not arrested and would not be the
chief said.
In telephone conversation this !
morning the coroner at Newton. Kan !
Informed the Associated Press that the
body of Mr.. Croker had been embalmed |
early today upon instructions from
Richard Croker, jr-, at New York. and
that no autopsy would be held at New
ton.
Testimony at the Inquest.
At Newton. Kas-. where the body Of
Croker is being held, the cOrOner's jury.
which last night began an inquiry into |
the cause Of his death, continued its
today Last night the
conductor, brakeman and porter of the !
Santa Fe train on which Croker died
had given their testimony This story !
tailed practically with what is already |
known. The conductor however, had
testified that there was no smell of |