Tammany Hall Leader Richard "Boss" Croker Autograph

Description

TAMMANY HALL LEADER RICHARD "BOSS" CROKER AUTOGRAPH
Signature "Richard Croker" on a postcard with a glued on note saying it was received 2/19/1896.
Some collectors's notes and toning but signature is strong.
Measures 13 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Richard Welstead Croker (November 24, 1843 – April 29, 1922), known as "Boss Croker," was an Irish American political boss who was a leader of New York City's Tammany Hall.[1] His control over the city was cemented with the 1897 election of Robert A. Van Wyck as the first Mayor of all five boroughs. During his tenure as Grand Sachem, Boss Croker garnered a reputation for corruption and ruthlessness and was frequently the subject of investigations. As his power waned following the 1900 and 1901 elections, Croker resigned his position and returned to Ireland, where he spent the rest of his life.
Richard Croker was born in the townland of Ballyva, in the parish of Ardfield, six miles south of Clonakilty in County Cork on November 24, 1843,[2] son of Eyre Coote Croker (1800–1881) and Frances Laura Welsted (1807–1894).[3] He was taken to the United States by his parents when he was just two years old. They boarded the Henry Clay in Cobh, County Cork and headed for the land of opportunity.
There were significant differences between this family and the typical family leaving Ireland at that time. They were Protestant, and were not land tenants. Eyre Coote Croker owned an estate in Ardfield, in south west Cork.[5] Upon arrival in the United States, Eyre Coote Croker was without a profession, but he had a general knowledge of horses and soon became a veterinary surgeon. During the Civil War, he served in that same capacity under General Daniel Sickles.
Richard Croker was educated in New York public schools. Croker dropped out of school at age twelve or thirteen to become an apprentice machinist in the Harlem Railroad machine shops. Not long after, he became a valued member of the Fourth Avenue Tunnel Gang, a street gang that attacked teamsters and other workers that gathered around the Harlem line's freight depot. Croker eventually became the gang's leader.[6] He joined one of the Volunteer Fire Departments in 1863, becoming an engineer of one of the engine companies. That was his gateway into public life.[5] James O'Brien, a Tammany associate, took notice of Croker after Croker won a boxing match against Dick Lynch whereby Crocker knocked out all of Lynch's teeth. Croker became a member of Tammany Hall and active in its politics. In the 1860s he was well known for being a "repeater" at elections, voting multiple times at the polls.[6] He was an alderman from 1868–70, Coroner of New York County, New York from 1873–76. Croker was charged with the murder of John McKenna, a lieutenant of James O'Brien, during a fight on election day of 1874 with O'Brien's rival political group. O'Brien was running for Congress against the Tammany-backed Abram S. Hewitt. John Kelly, the new Tammany Hall boss, attended the trial and Croker was freed after the jury was undecided.[6] Croker moved to Harrison, New York by 1880. He was appointed the New York City Fire Commissioner in 1883 and 1887 and city Chamberlain from 1889-90.
CELEBRATING 27 YEARS IN BUSINESS!!
PLEASE DO NOT WASTE OUR TIME BY WINNING AN ITEM AND NOT PAYING FOR IT!! YOU WILL BE REPORTED TO EBAY AND BLOCKED FROM OUR AUCTIONS!!!  ALSO WE WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY BIDS FROM 0 FEEDBACKS, THEY WILL BE CANCELLED!
NO RESERVE
PLEASE READ
!!
Terms of Sale:
1. Payment is due within
4 days
of the close of this auction.
We are set
automatically on
Unpaid Bidder Assistant.
2. EBAY COLLECTS THE SALES TAX
3. If you have any questions, please ask prior to bidding.
4. All items are guaranteed authentic. COAs issued upon request.  (Only for signed items)
You can buy with complete confidence.
5. Buyer pays for shipping. (combine shipping for multiple items)
PLEASE NOTE IF BIDDING OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. - WE ONLY SHIP THROUGH EBAY'S GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAM SO PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND THEIR TERMS AND CONDITIONS
!!
Thanks for looking and Good Luck bidding!
The Inkwell Autograph Gallery