The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-14
Another Son of Richard
Croker Gone.
A NEGRO SUSPECTED
This Man However, Tells a Straight
Story of Taking Croker at His
Own Request TO a Chinese
Joint Where Croker Took
the Drug.
the Drug.
(By the Associated Press

Chicago, May 12.-Herbcrt v,
Croker, son of Richard Croker, the
New York political leader, was found
dead on q southbound Atchison, To-
peka & Santa Fe Railroad train be-
tween Kansas City and Newton, Ka3.,
today. He died during the night. evil
IDENTIFY from the effects of some drug
administered al Kansas City, where he
took the train last night for Bliss.
oklahoma.
The first news of the death of young
Croker was received in Kansas City
this afternoon when the local police
we're requested to hunt for negro
who placed Croker on the train at
Kansas City.
According to a telephone message
from Newton, Croker was found dead
in a car seat just before the train
reached Newton today. 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 authorities to hold
the remains and stating that he would
leave the east Immediately for New
ton.
The first clue to Cookers identity
was letter found in the dead man 5
pockets This letter was addressed by
Seach Mulhall formerly of oklahoma,
who is now holding a wild west show
in New York City, to Joseph Shiller,
manager of the famous "101" ranch
at Bliss, Okla. Inquiry by telephone
ELECTED the information that Croker
was not known at the Bliss ranch.
Evidently he was on the way to the
ranch for an outing.
Stories of the Afl"ir.
According To stories of passengers
and the conductor on the train upon
which Croker died, the young New
Yorker was placed on the train al
Kansas City shortly after l o o'clock
last night. Croker appeared to be
under the inuence of some drug. The
negro was seen to have a sum OF
money and a railroad ticket just be-
fore the train started when he jumped
off and disappeared When the con-
ductor came around to collect Croker
fare the latter was asleep and the
conductor did not disturb the passen-
ger. Croker was left to himself all
night until nearly o'clock this morn
ing, when the conductor made another
attempt to collect the fare. He was
unable to arouse Croker, and upon
examination of the body Croker was
found to be dead.
The negro who put young Croker on
the train last night was Charles
Woorson, a porter at the Coates Hotel.
WoodSon says that Croker had been
drinking when he arrived at the hotel
about s o'clock last night. After
checking a small valise at the hotel
Croker, the negro says, asked where
there was a hop joint" After re-
peated requests Woodson says that ne
agreed to accompany Croker to such
a resort Then they went together to
g. Chinese resort in Sixth street between
Wyandotte and Delaware streets.
where they remained an hour. Wood :
son says that he then took Croker di-
rcctly to the train at the Union station.
Croker's valise is still at the check
stand at the hotel. Croker did not
register at the hotel, and it is not be-
lieved that he went to any other hotel
during his brief stay in Kansas City.
Woodson tells a straight story and
the police do not think that he was
guilty of robbirg Croker or otherwise
abusing his confidence.