The New York herald., 1922-05-01
Never Got Over Charge OF
Insanity and Dissipating
Fortune.
BACKED IRISH FREEDOM
Former Tammany Boss De
plored Prohibition as Hard
ship on the Poor.

Richard Croker and his wife both
made new Wills disposing of his estate
just prior to coming to this country
for their last trip. The documents
were drawn in England and it devel-
oped yesterday that in all probability
none of his family here knew what
dispositions he made.
Estimates of his wealth varied yes
terday among even his best friends
here. None of them had been in close
touch with the former Tammany chief
in the latter years of his life. but the
belief of his old time associates was
that the estate he left, virtually all of
which was accumulated in New York
when he was ruler of the city's politi-
cal destinies, might be expected to
range anywhere from $2.000,0OO to
$4,000, 700.
1t is also believed here that the last
will was drawn expressly to leave the
bulk of his estate to his widow. who was
Miss Buelah Benton Edmondson OF
Florida. ''the Indian bride" whom he
married in November, 1914. Her will
was made at the time his last testament
was drawn in order to provide against
contingency which might arise from their
ocean travels.
Makes VIII After Quarrel.
This will was made after Mr. Croker's
quarrel with his children. which culmi-
=, mated in an action brought by his sons
I aud daughters in March, 1919, in the
FLORIDA coiirts to have Rim declared
mentally unsound and to restrain him
from further dissipating his estate"
AThe children charged their father was
Rfuenced unduly by his second wife.
10 by means of gifts and deeds waa
ltng possession OF all h.: fortune.
The case went to trial in 1920 lii the
1Zlm Beach court, both Mr.. and Mrs
Croker coming from Ireland to defend
the action. Judge L. b. Donnel! dis
solved the temporary injunction. affirmed
the mental soundness of the 'Tammany
cx-boss and became convinced that Mrs.
Croker had not fraudulently gained pos
session of any of his property. The
senior sons. Richard, Jr.. and Howard.
accepted the result.
Richard had managed his fathers
property in this country until 1917. when
they had & disagreement. Several court
actions arose subsequently from the
question whether during that period as
trustee the son had acted solely for Mr..
Croker or as agent under 4 trust fund
created for the benefit of his first wife
and children. The results were In favor
of the elder Croker.
These experiences cmbittered Mr.
Croker against his children and are
believed to have been the reason for his
executing an entirely new will little
more than year ago.
Among Mr.. Croker's largest holdings
ir this country is much real estate in
Florida, which, with a mile waterfront
about Palm Beach, has been increasing
In value for several years. lie is under
stood to have had other real estate, some
In this city. and to have considerable
blocks of securities. His estate I'm Ire
land. together with his stables. is re-
Garded as worth A large sum. and he told
some of his old political cronies on the
last trip that he had been making good
Z money from racing in recent years. so
that his stables were more than self
sustaining. His estate Is mostly free and
|. clear.
Mr.. Croker believed only a few weeks
ago that he was recovering. and was
sooa 10 be well.
Advocated Irelnnd's Freedom.
Down TO his end Mr.. Croker main
tained deep interest in Ireland's fight
for free state. II was his last political
interest and activity. On the evening
before he left this country the last time
he spent five hours with John Whalen
and much of the time was passed dis
cussing the Irish situation and hopes
You just watch these men. Michael
Collins and Griffith" he then said
'They are the equals of any statesmen
in Europe. and you will'hear from them
before we get through. Lloyd George
viii find they are as able as any states
men he has ever dealt with in Europe
and they will match Lloyd George any
time. They are two of the brightest men
ever met
Mr.. Croker never watched New
York election with more keen interest
than the last. but his concern was not
whether Tammany would win but how
the result would react on Ireland. He
arranged to have cabIegrams sent to
him on election night and tho next
day dictated this letter to Mrs. Croker
for his friend Mr.. Whalen:
My Dear John--Many thanks for your
cables. l am delighted that Tammany
had such n victory. 1t will have u
splendid effect on the Irish cause"
OTTER had the old Tammany boss sa.1
that u was his wish TO be buried in
this country. for he wanted to rest In
the American soil. But that was sew
eral years ago. before he had become
20 attached 10 the new fight in Ireland
Jie owned big plot in Calvary Gene
tary, where other members of his famii !.
are buried. and where he had mad }
provision for his own interment
Whether the body will be brought here
is not known.
Prohibition and its effects hcenly IN.