Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-05-18
WASDEADON TRAIN.
Santa Re Conductor Finds Lifeless
Body Of Passenger.
HERBERT V. CROKER, OF new YORK.
Son OF Prominent Political Leader
WAS Placed ON Train Mt Kan
sas CITY by Unknown
Party.

Kansas City, Mo-, May 13.-Herbert
v. Croker, son of Richard Croker
was found dead on a southbound Atch-
ison. Topeka G. Santa Fe railway
train between Kansas City and New
ton. Kan, Friday. He had died dur
ing the night, evidently from The ef-
feets of some drug administered at
Kansas City, where he took the train
for Bliss, OK.
According 10 a telephone message
from Newton. Croker was found dead
in a car seat Just before the frail
reached Newton early Friday. The
body was taken from the train at
Newton. His identity did not become
known until a message was received
from Richard Croker at New York
several hours later, asking the author
tiles to hold the remains and stating
that he would leave the east immedi-
ately for Newton.
Following a message Of inquiry sent
to New York city, the coroner took
charge of the body and impaneled
Jury. An inquest was begun.
According to stories Of passengers
and the conductor on the train upon
which Croker died, the young New
Yorker was placed on the train at
Kansas City shortly after 10 O'Clock
Thursday night by a negro. Croker
appeared to be under the influence OF
some drug. The negro was seen to
hand him sum Of money and rail-
road ticket Just before the train start
ed, when he jumped of and disap-
pearod. When the conductor came
around to collect Cookers fare the lat.
ter was asleep and he did not disturb
the passenger. Croker was left to
himself all night until nearly five
o'clock in the morning, when the con-
ductor made another attempt to col
lect his ticket He was unable to
arouse Croker and upon examination
found that he was dead.
Newton, Kan, May ia coroner's
Jury was empanelled here at Z o'clock
Friday evening. The members Of the
train crew we're examined by the
county attorney. Conductor A. ]. RAJ
der told of finding Croker in the chair
car shortly after leaving Kansas City
In a stupor and breathing heavily;
could detect no oder Of liquor on his
breath or about his clothes; he lay in
an unconscious condition until after
leaving Emporia; the passengers re-
ported him dead to the conductor at
Peabody; the body was taken off the
train at Newton; brakeman F. M, Gar
rett first saw Croker after the train
pulled out of Topeka; he looked very
pale and apparently was nearly dead.
There was no smell. of liquor about
him.
The passengers reported to the con-
ductor that another man had brought
Croker on the train at the depot in
Kansas City; the strange man helped
him into a seat, counted out SIT in
money to him, gave him a railroad
ticket and remarked that he would
send the rest Of the money to him at
Bliss, Ok. Ben Dotson. the colored
train porter, testified to seeing the
dead man in the union depot at Kansas
City; he came up led by another man
and tried to get into the Pullman, but
was sent back to the chair car. Gro
ker looked like a drunken man and
had to have strangers help to get along
The stranger wore black fedora hat,
was neatly dressed and had a small
moustache: they could nst tell whethar
ne was black or White, but thought at
the time he was an Italian. The
stranger carried bills in his left hand
and told his companion that he wanted
to count out some money to him. Gro
ker had on his person S17.20 In money
and no jewelry Of any value or any
other valuables.
He had q book of blank drafts with
only one torn out and ticket to Bliss,
Ok.