Grand Forks herald., 1922-05-01

iel1ard Croker Immigrant
Boy, Rose to Be Ruler Of \
New ! York.
s(By The Associates Press. )


Dublin, May Richard Croker,
D formerly leader OF Tammany Hail,
New York, died Saturday afternoon at
aIenea Castle. isandyford, a few,
ntiies from Dublin. His wife was at
the bedside
sThs furmer political leader spent
this better part Of the last ten or
I twelve years in Ireland, where he
/ owned extensive estates. making oc-
cAsional visits to the United States.
Croker took a keen interest in the
nSgOtiations between Ireland and
England, looking TO a settlement Of
the age-long controversy over free
d6m for Ireland. When the treaty
providing for the free state was
aGned, he gave it as his opinion that
by the pact ireland gained practically
everything fought for in the last roo
years. He believed 80 per cent OF the
people in America were in favor OF
the treaty. @29
Under the leadership Of Richard
Welstead Croker. Tammany Hall be-
came one OF the most efficient and
successful political machines; that ever
existed in the United States. It was
under his leadership also that public
condemnation was visited upon the
organization in unstinted measure for
the alleged unscrupulous manner in,
which it was conducted. For nine
years Croker 81 mastery hand abso-
! ltAely Dominated New York City's
nemocratic Organization and during
that time Tamrnany vas Invariably
victorious at the polls. ,zt.1, /.
4 From poor Irish Immigrant boy,
none too we'll educated. he forced
himself by courage and self aggres
\ sion and by political tactics that sub
jected him to extreme public criticism
into. the leadership first Of one OF New
York City's gangs. then into numerous
city Offices and eventually into the
leadership Of Tammany Hall where
he came in contact and dealings with
many of the leading financiers and
5 business men of the city.
He was rewarded by the accumula-
ton OF great wealth the source Of
which was never exactly known by
the public. Where did he get it?"s
was once the question of the hour in
New York: but Croker never an
spcne Iavfshly. 1;
He spent his wealth lavishly in
maintaining magnihcently furnished
4 home in New York, stock farm IN
New York state, and in purchasing q
halt, interest in tho famous Belle Mead
$ stock farm near Nashville, Tenn. He
invested hundreds of thousands of
dollars in race horses and in main
tanning raciis stable in England.
While seeking and winning honofs on
the British turf he first occupied q
6ne home at Vantage, England, and
aftefward purchased his present
!. home at Glencairn, near Dublin, Ire
land. He alsO maintained an estab-
lishment at Palm Beach, Fla.
Croker was born att Black Rock,
near Cork, Ireland, @ November "a
1B41. HIS fA1tef came to America
when Richard was child. For
feM years the fanliU lived in Cincin-
natl but soon returned to New York.
8SAs a youth he was employed as a
sune OF the phylcal strength deyel-
oped in this work he employed in a
Iumber OF prize fights in which it
was reported that he was principally
Victor. He became member and
soon leader of hand OF unemployed
youths or political heelers known as
the Fourth Avenue Tunnel Gang.
3 This leadership gave him his first po-
lttica1 recognition and he quickly de-
veIoped into ward politician, soon
becoming Tammany leader Of one OF
tire assembly districts Of New York
city. - !, -.
"A charge Of murder preferred
Hstainst Croker in his early ventures
into politics almost terminated his po-
lx1caf career. Croker went to the
polls in his district and protested
against the stufffng Of the ballot
b3rrs By another political leader
while he was arguing James Nc
Kenna one OF the henchmen of the
other leader, was shot and killed.
Croker was indicted and tried, the