Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-02-16
CHLOROFORM AND CRIME.
Some Facts Net Generally
KnOWn-shRrp Practice
by a Detective.
Chicago Herald.

Chicago Herald.
You can put it down as an estab-
lished fact in medicine" said
Buffalo doctor to newspaper repor-
ter, "aud I've had an experience Of
over forty years, that its beasty, up |
hill Job, if not we'll nigh impossible, to |
drug one with chloroform in midwin-
ter in the open air. 1t evaporates
very rapidly, indeed, and its power is
about gone before it could have time
to act. I've made a great many
attempts in an experimental way, and
hence feel as if | knew what was
talking about. I've known quite a
number of cases in army practice
where it required many minutes of
persistent effort to get patient under
the control of the drug. The common
impression that chloroform is instau-
taneous in its effect is all nonsense.
1t is much more rapid than ether, and
also more dangerous, and for that
reason the fraternity are generally
adopting ether as a safer resort.
But continued the doctor, "let
me give you story combining medi
cine and detective work, with dash
of chlorotorm in it. just
before the war there was
a banking house in Buffalo
by the name of Brown, Keep 4 Co,
They were private bankers, of course.
For abouta dozen years they had had
in their employ q trusted and conf
Dental clerk, who knew all the secrets
and carried all the keys. Among his
other duties he was obliged to sleep
all night in the bank. Well, oue night
the town was Mortified to learn that
the bank had been robbed of some
thousands Of dollars. The amount
was not quite up to the standard re-
uuired in fashionable circles to day,
but it was fair haul for those primi-
tive times.
"They called in Ham Best, one Of
| the most remarkable detectives who
ever lived, and turned him loose on
the case. The story told by the young
man was that he had allowed an old
friend, whose landlady had demanded
| his key, to share his bed with him
that night; that he was very tired had
gone to bed early, and must have been
drueged in his sleep with chloroform
There was no doubt of the chloroform
because a small vial of il was found
only few feet from his bed. While
the clerk was under the influence Of
the drug the foul villain had cut the
glass in the bank window and riiec
the safe.
well. Best went quietly TO work
: on the case, and at the end of the frs
day he informed the directors that b,
had the man. He said it was Mr.
Clerk. Then did they all with on
. accord begin to crowd him with ex
CARNATIONS of disbelief. But Bes
| never jumped till he was good anC
: ready. He first observed that thu
f, bank glass had been cut from tn,
inside. Next he telegraphed to DR.
Frank Hamilton, of New York 9TH
same one who attended Garfeld), ant
1 got a statement by dispatch tina
e chloroform cant be administered to I
i sleeping patient without waking hir
v up. The clerk 'fessed up and neerl
Q all the money was recovered. Hi
t friend had been simply an accom-
plice.
by the way, while I'm at it,
! might as well tell you an old stor
that illustrates the detective power
of Ham Best. Years ago it create
i quite stir in st. Louis. One Of tn
i banks in that city had occasion to sen
It a lot of gold to bank in Hartford
n This was before the war. The rout
q east was then by the way Of Chi
Q cago. Well, when the gold arrive
J. at the place Of destinatio
!. the Hartford bank discovere
J, that the box had been opened, an
!. that some hundreds of gold had bee
It scraped from the top. Complaint wa
e made to the express company, an
e Best was called in. His first NOV
/, was to get the names Of the men q
Il the runs between st. Louis and Har
:, ford, and to learn as much as possibl
5. about their past business what the
D, had been engaged at, etc. In less tbs
a, no time be exhonorated every agel
d, between Chicago and the East. IT
ell robbery was committed west oil Oh
S, cago, and | think | have the mar
or said Ham. He got leave to travel
n the express car with the suspect,
20 man, having the opened box in b
(, possession. All got along amicably Ii
}; the agent produced a small hamme
I'd which, he remarked, was quite han
" at times. Best at once brought for
Z. the box and asked Mr.. Agent if
n would not be kind enough to fit tn
ID hammer to a dent in Il
ID side of the box, the fellO
I'd stammered and turned pale, but col
piled. 1t fitted like paper on I
at wall. He had found his man. II
1t small dent in the box was the on
d. thing to indicate that the box b
to been opened. No one but an expC
ia could have done it. In running oy
"a the former occupations Of the vario
to agents. Best had found that the m
OF in question was the only one OF t
raj number who had previously been
'ee carpenter, and hence the only 0
nd likely to know that you can pry opel
to- wooden box with wooden wedge a
a leave no marks. The unfortunate 5
Tar of the hammer furnished the come
we ing link. Deadl Oh, yes. Best di
nd fifteen years ago, should think, VIII
ir- Chief Of the Buffalo police. He ha
in very vide range Of Information, a
ry, was as modest as a school girl.
led said the work of detective was me
18th " applied to common sense. L
TO trouble of our detectives Of to-day
lip that they have no common sense, 9
In wouldn't know how to apply it If &
md had"
ter ---------
vas The River Below.
,ad vicksburg Herald, 49,