The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-05
CROKER LIKES her
Old Tammany Boss Would
Adopt Annette KeIlerman.
He Introduces Her as His Niece
at the Races.

London, june 5.-Richard Croker
wants to adopt Annette Kellerman.
When Miss Kellerman sailed for Eng
land, Croker was on the same ship
and became sc interested in the fair
Australian swimmer hat he invited
her to Glencairn, where she remained
Tor a fortnight before the beginning
OF her London theatrical engagement,
giving the former Tammany chieftain
physical culture and swimming les
sons.
Croker came to London, ~ostensibly
to attend the derby-his first visit
since his own horse, Orby, won the
race five years ago-but the real
reason seems to be a desire to enjoy
the society of the diving Venus
roker took Miss Kellerman in his
motor to EPSON Downs for the first
days racing and introduced her as
his niece" Immediately there came
a wild scramble of titled gentry to
gain access to Cookers box, the rumor
flying thick and fast that no niece Of
Croker could possibly possess less than
a million sterling.
Last night the former Tammany
boss sat in a fifty cent seat in h ball
con- in the Oxford Music hall to wit
ness Annette's diving act. The man
agement when it learned of Cookers
presence, graciously offered him a
box, but he declined saying that from
the box one lost the full view of the
az dA0 TIC PISISIISu liz SnlC VI IAlC
front row of the balcony. So there
he sat in state, conspicuous by the
fact that he was I only person
wearing evening clothes in that part
of the house and the object of much
attention from the gallery habitues.t
Today Annette graced box
at the derby. A special Croker auto
mobile was provided to speed her
back to town in time for her matinee.
Names Horse After Her.
A year hence Croker will have an
other candidate at EPSON Downs car
rying his colors and his gold in an
effort to win the derby, and her name
is Annette Kellerman.
Annette, seen in her dressing room,
admitted that Mr.. Croker had asked
her to become his adopted daughter.
She said:
Hes a dear old gentleman and has
been most kind to me ever since we
met. 1t is true he introduced me as
was only for a lark. He really wants
to adopt me. 1t was great fun after
the Introduction. First his friend,
George Edwards, came to the box. He
he went away. he pointed me out to
his friends as Mr.. Cookers niece. Next
came a German baron, I forget his
NAME, but he is here purchasing
horses for some crack cavalry regf-
ment. He evidently thought I look-
ed like ready money, for he invited
me to luncheon and several others
who followed nave requested dinner.
engagements. Tt will keep me busy
if I accept them. I won't say whether
1 will accept the adoption or not, but
it is quite true hat Mr.. Croker has
named his next years derby candi-
date after me-"
The king of G1encairn, when seen
after the performance, was as yreti-
cent as ever on the subject of Ameri-
can politics, but concerning Annette
he became enthusiastic. He said:
Whatever Miss Kellerman says
goes. She can sign her name to any
thing I've got. I wouldn't mind doing
a high diving act, but I am afraid I've
waited too long to attempt that"
1t is understood that following the
KeIIerman engagements in the Lon
don Music halls, h will again visit
G%lencairn before returning to Amer