Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-04-30

nous Belle Meade Stock Farm. near
Nashville Tenn. lie invested hun
dreds OF thousands OF dollars in race
horses and In maintaining racing
stable In England. While seeking
and winning honors on the British
turf, he first occupied q fine home at
Vantage, England, and afterwards
purchased his present home at Glen
cairn. near Dublin. Ireland. lie also
maintained an establishment at Palm
Beach, Fla.
horn Near Cork, Ireland.
Croker was born mt Black Rock,
near Cork. Ireland, November "a, 1S4I.
His father came to America wncn
Richard was Il child. For few
years. the family lived in Cincinnati,
but soon returned to New York.
AS youth. he was employed as Il
machinist in locomotive building.
Some OF the physical strength de-
vclopcd In this work he employed in
number of prize fights in which
1t was reported that he was prin-
ciDally victor. He became mem
Der and soon leader OF II band OF
unemployed youths oe political heel
crs, known as the Fourth Avenue
Tunnel Gang. This leadership gave
him his first political recognition.
and he quickly developed into II ward
poist ician, soon becoming Tammany
leader OF the assembly districts Of
New York City.
y charge of murder preferred
against Croker in his early ventures
into politics almost terminated his
political career. Croker went TO the
polls in his district and protested
against stufling tho ballot boxes by
another political leader. While he
was arguing James Mckenna, one OF
the hcnchmen OF the other leader.
was shot and killed. Croker was in
dicted and tried, the jury disagreed
and the case was subsequently
thrown out OF court. Croker denied
that he did the shooting and the
man who did II afterward confessed
II was characteristic OF Croker that
although he knew the name OF the
man who did the shooting, he would
not reveal II.
On Pay HoIl for Two Decades.
For nearly twenty years Croker
was on the pay roll OF New York City
either as Alderman, Coroner. Fire
Commissioner of city Chamberlain.
lie was Coroner when accused OF the
shooting of McKcnna. While running
for election as Alderman he clashcd
with the famous Boss Tweed and
Won the election despite the boss. but
Tweed had him leg,siated out of
office.
One OF the odd phases OF Crokcr's
career. In view OF his subsequent
record as Tammany chicftan. was his
association that he went Into poll
tics to put a stop ~ the robbery
OF the city by Boss Tweed and his
band OF plunderers. at was n shock
ing state Of things" Croker de-
CARED. Il consulted honest John
Kelly and went on the warpath
against Tweed and We SSwncd him.
We rcformcrs and independent Demo-
Gratis took over Tammany and made
the old sink of corruption the head
quarters OF reform"
When Honest John Kelly died in
1855 the rcins OF Tammany Hall were
put into Cookers hands by agreement
OF the district leaders. His leader
ship was described as matchless, from
"A political standpoint. He ruled Tam
many with an iron hand and broolscd
no Interference. If his leadership
was questioned he called the leaders
together and demanded to know
which OF them was dissatisfied None
dared Ia brave his wrath Then he
ordered them out TO WIN another VIC
tory for Tammany.
AS Tammany's chief he virtually