The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-08-06

] TWO or Inree lengtn5, Wnlcn are screwed
together when required for actual use.
| Some are solid, some of tubular steel.
: the latter construction giving increased
lightness without any sacrifice OF
, strength. Each end terminates in a
/ chisel point. the one straight, the other
= slightly bent. Ia close contiguity to
the crowbars We are shown specimens
, of the ''knuckle-duster. a small but
formidable weapon, for which we are
} indebted to our American cousins. The
ordinary knuckle-duster is a fiat piece
: of iron or brass about half an inch thick,
with four oval openings of such size as
) to allow the passage of the four fingers.
The fingers being passed through these
holes, the hand closes with a firm grip
on the butt of the weapon, while the
remainder of the metal stands out in
the shape of an iron ring or guard over
each knuckle, blow from the hand
thus armed coming with terrific force.
Still more formidable is the spiked
knuckle-duster. Here each loop of the
projecting guard over the knuckles,
instead of being rounded, as in the
former case, is fashioned into an angle
of about ninety degrees, giving
a cutting effect in addition to
the natural force of the blow
Passing on from the knuckle busters.
we give cursory glance at a varied
collection of iife-preservers, pistols.
daggers and other lethal weapons, all
of which have seen service at some time
or other. The butchers knife, we note.
is decidedly popular weapon. There
| at n, hale o11 of
which have been used in the commission
of murders or attempted murders. 1t
Is curious fact that they are without
exception black handled, the innocent
whiteness of bone or ivory being appar-
emily uncongenial to the murderous in
stinct.
Our attention is next directed to sun
dry tin canisters, which prove to be in
fernal machines. As rule, they look
harmless enough, one even assuming
the innocent semblance of an ordinary
lump of coal. The imitation is so good
that it is only on taking it in the hand
that we discover that the supposed coal
is in reality metal. hollow. but of great
weight and substance. This singular
article was brought to the police by one
/ l. AboCl OIllCI w lSC DlIlCl-
wise ''Warhawk," man who had
mania for warning our own and foreign
governments of plots which in reality
had no existence save in his own mag
ination. He asserted that this supposed
piece of coal, with others of the same
kind, was intended to be charged with
| explosives, and mixed with the genuine
| coal in the bunkers of some doomed
steamship, 1t is said that, in conse-
quence of his revelations, an eXamina-
| ton was made of the whole of the coal
in the bunkers of the late Cars steam
yacht Livadia, then lying at Glasgow,
but without result Side by side with
this last item is far more formidable
looking affair. 1t is of small size. but
the solidity of its construction and the
popularity of its shape-a fattened
oval, tapering down at the extremity,
where the fuse is inserted-indicate
that special thought and ingenuity have
been expended on its design. Even the
most accomplished of criminals, how
ever, can not always be on his guard,
and this deadly contrivance was mad
vertently left in a tramcar. The con-
ductor was persuaded that his find
was an internal machine of more than
ordinarily dabolical character, and he
conveyed it with infinite precaution to
the police, who at first were of the same
opinion. Further investigation, how
ever, satisfied them that the supposed
explosive was merely model artistic
ally cast in lead, of new design for
an infants feeding bottle.
A ,,,oro
the etruucheon-case-pierced with bull
let-Of the unfortunate policeman Cole,
shot at Dalston in 1882 by the cowardlv
rulfian OrrOck, in an attempted burg
larry at Baptist chapel Orrock's soft
felt hat, found on the scene of the MUIR
der, is also here preserved. as also the
chisel, with the letters ''rOck'' scratched
upon it, which led to his Identification.
A photograph of the chisel is also
shown; and it is curious illustration
OF the detective powers of science that
the mark, which on the chisel itself is
imperceptible to ordinary eye-sight, is
plainly legible in the photograph.
Among the cartes-de-visite which
adorn the Museum Catalogue is that of
O'Donnell. the man who shot the in
former Carey. Here, too, are the two
bullets which were extracted from
Carey's body, and the revolver, small |
pocket weapon, from which they were |
fired. A larger revolver, found among |
O'Donnelrs luggage. lies beside it. |
Under glass shade hard by lies a gela-
tine capsule, harmless looking affair !
enough, but belying its appearance, for
it contains deadly poison, aconite-l
being, in fact, the fellow to that used |
by DIR. Lamson in 1882 to destroy his |
youthful brother-in-law. We are shown |
the carte of this criminal also, a gentle
manly looking man, by no means an
swering to the conventional type of as
sassins. Appearances. however, are
deceitful as the copybooks of our youth
so persiStently reminded us. Under
another glass shade is piece of dark
brown leather. which proves to be a
portion of the tanned skin of Bellng-
ham, the murderer of Mr.. Perceval.
Side by side with this is a curiosity
of different kind. a pin-cushion, skill
fully worked in human hair, with the
inscription: Il VIII instruct thee and
teach thee in the way thou shalt 90. I
will guide thee with Mine eye" Here,
apparently. the workers stock of Scrip
tural quotation failed. for she continues:
My home is in Heaven" 1t is painful
to have to relate that the good lady
who worked these pious sentiments has
been over three hundred times convicted
of drunkenness and disorderly conduct
She presented this pin-cusAion-in
honor, we presume, of old acquaintance
to Rev. Mr.. Horsley, chaplain of