Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-05-01

Richard Croker, Immigrant
Boy, Rose to Be Ruler Of
New York.
CBy The Associates Press.)

(By The Associated Press.)
Dublin. May 1.--Richard Croker,
formerly leader OF Tammany Hall,
New York, died Saturday afternoon at
Glsneairn Castle. sandyford, a few
miles from Dublin. His wife was at
the bedside.
Tins former political leader spent
tbs better part of the last ten or
twelve years in Ireland, where he
owned extensive estates, making oc-
$c1sional visits to the United States.
A1Croker took a keen interest in the
associations between Ireland and
England, looking to a settlement Of
the age-long controversy over free
providing for the free state was
sisHed, he gave it as his opinion that
by the pact Ireland gained practically
everything fought for in the last TOO
years. He believed 80 per cent OF the
people in America were in favor Of
the treaty. tsas'f
Under the leadership Of Richard
Welstead Croker, Tammany Hall be-
came one of the most efficient and
successful political machinessthat ever
existed In the United States. 4,~It was
under his leadership also that public
condemnation was visited Upon the
organization in unstinted measure for
the alleged unscrupulOus n in,
which it was conducted. For nine
years Croker's mastery hand abso-
iutely dominated New York City's
Democratic organization and during
that time Tarnrnany vas invariably
victorious at, the polls. .l- !.
From a poor Irish Immigrant boy,
none too well educated, he forced
himself by courage and self aggres
sion and by political tactics that sub
jected HIM to extreme public criticism
York City's gangs. then into numerous
city offices and eventually into the
leadership Of TA1nmany Hall where
he IN in contact and dealings with
many Of the leading fnanciers and
business men Of the city.
He was rewarded. by h accumula-
ton OF great wealth the source OF
the public. Where did he get it?''
was once the question of the hour in
New York: but Croker never an
SWeFed it. st ST. 50.
. Spent Iavfshly. 81
He spent his wealth !, 1avishly in
maintaining a magnifcently furnished
home in New York. a stock farm in
New York state, n in purchasing 4
half interest In b famous Belle Mead
BUCK 1tlIII near EVdSiVltIS, 1SIkh.-. 11S
invested hundreds of thousands of
dollars In race horses and In main
tanning a raci,4 stable in England.
while seeking and winning honoHs on
the British turf he first occupied a
fne home at Vantage, England,aand
aftefward purchased his present
home at G~lencairn, near Dublin. Ire
land. He Also maintained an estab-
liahment at Palm Beach, Fla.
Ht~-A-l -. h-~E.~A H11o o1r o~NL
near Cork. Ireland. K November "a,
1B41. Hlssefaa1ser came to America
when Richard was n child. For a
few years the tanlfly lived in cincin-
nai but o returned to New York
.AAs a youth he was employed, as a
machtnist in locomotive building,
SHINE of the physical strength devel-
oped in this work be employed in a
number of prize fights in which it
was reported that he was principally
victor. He became a member and
soon leader of 4 band OF unemployed
youths or political heelers known as
the Fourth Avenue Tunnel Gang
This leadership 92v him his first po-
lftical recognition and he quickly de-
veloped into a ward politician, soon
becoming Tammany leader OF one OF
the assembly districts Of New York
city. ,,.... .p.,
SeFSt y&f. i oOU9AS t#
"A charge Of murder preferred
against Croker in his early ventures
into politics almost terminated his po-
ltftcaf career. Croker went to the
ps6Ils in his district and protested
AGAINST the stufffng Of the ballot
bdres 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
Jury disagreed and the case was sub
sequent1y thrown out OF court. Crok'
Ell denied thai he did the shooting
and although he knew the name Of
the man who did the shooting, he
would not reveal It.
.For nearly twenty years Croker was
on the payroll Of New York City
eitEer AS Alderman. Coroner. Fire
Commissioner or City Chamberlain
He was Coroner when accused of tht
shooting of .McKenna- While running
for election az alderman he clashee
With the famous Boss Tweed and wor
the election despite the boss bu'
Tweed had him legislated out Of office
One OF the odd phases of Croker!