Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-04-30
DEATH CLAIMS
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When Honest John Kelly died in
1885, the reins of Tammany hall were
put into Croker's hands by agreement
of the district leaders. His leadership
was described as m%atchless, from q po-
pitical standpoint. He ruled Tam
many with an iron hand and brooked nc
interference. If his leadership was
questioned he called the leaders to-
gether and demanded to know which
of them was dissatisfied. None dared
to brave his wrath. Then he ordered
them out to win another victory for
Tammany.
AS Tammany's chief he virtually con-
trolled about 100000 votes and influ-
encd a much greater number. He ex-
ercised tremendous power. With other
Tammany leaders he dictated nomina-
tons for every political office in New
Yorl. from the mayor down to the low
est clerk. His orders went to city and
district conventions and were rarely
disobeyed. When a judge failed to give
obedience he was disciplined by Cookers
refusal to renOminate him.
Regime Of Vast Graft
Under Cookers rule it was estimated
that Tammany collected from city office
holders, saloonkeepers and others more
b a million dollars q year as a cam
paign fund. Croker said no accounting
of this fund was ever given. The fl
aance committee kept no books. Large
business houses seeking city contracts
found it necessary to consult Croker.
Within a few years after assuming
the leadership of Tammany Hall
Croker showed evidence of possessing
great wealth. His conduct and it's re-
lation to. city affairs was the subject
of occasional investigation by legisla-
tive committees, but resulted in no
charge against him of violation of the
law.
AS the result of one of these investi-
cations Tammany was confronted in
1885 with inevitable defeat. Despite
organization to defeat. Croker resign
ed. A few years later he returned and
resumed the leadership, but soon re-
linquished it.
Couldn't VII Kings Recognition
Meantime he had established a splen-
did home in New York city. He began
to spend his accumulated wealth in
establishing himself as q horse breeder
and turfman. Having purchased many
fast American horses he went to Eng
land and established himself at Want
age where he lived like a middle-class
gentleman and sought honors on the
British turf. It was estimated that he
spent more than half a million dollars
in this effort but he declared that his
returns equalled his expenses. Sub
s%equently he purchased a home at
Glencairn, Ireland, where he continued
to breed and race horses. Although
his famous horse Orby won both the
English and the Irish derby and his
Rhodora won the thousand guineas
stake at Newmarket. Croker did not
obtain the social recognition which
usually accompanied such successes.
The king failed to invite him to the
Derby dinner and he was refused the
privilege of training his horses on
Newmarket heath.
Married Indian Princess
Croker was twice married. His first
wife was Miss Elizabeth Frazer Of
New York. They had nine children of
whom three died when young. Richard
Croker, Jr.. his eldest son, is a New
York business man. Another son.
Frank Croker, was killed in an automo-
bile accident at Ormonde Beach, Fla.
One of his daughters was married to
Count Louis San Martini, of Naples.
The first Mrs. Croker was sensitive
to the publicity and criticism under
which Croker lived and. when he went
England for his turf campaign, she
made her home in southern France
Her death occurred in Austria in 1914
Within a year Croker, who was then
q years old, married, in 1914, Miss
Beula Benton ~Edmondson, known as
the Princess %Seouoyah. daughter of a
and m 1ber of the Cherokee
tribe. but an educated woman devoted
philanthropic work. At that time
maintained a home in New
York. but spent his time either at
Glencairn or at his home at Palm
Fla.
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