The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-10-02
MODERN. TORTURE.
THE .sWEAT-BOX" AS AN AID TO
THE DETECTIVE.
Steam Turned Upon "Crooks" Until
~. They Wilt and ''squeal" on
,4esMH Other Thieves-A Most g -
? Refined Torment.

= ~. --.. -
"Detectives have many devices for
inducing suspected criminals to confess,
remarked wel-known member OF the
local force, says the Cincinnati Enquirer.
'sProbably you have noticed in the papers
during the excitement over the Cronin
mystery that such and such suspect was
in the 'sweat-box.' You don't know
what that means, eh2"
The reporter signifed that he was
ignorant on the subject and would like
to be enlightened.
"Well, you've taken Turkish bath"
continued the detective. ''It's very
pleasant thing when you 60 in for an,
hour or so, and can lie on smooth marble
slabs and receive the attention of skilled
operators. But just imagine if you had
to take the bath in dirty iron box, dark
as the blackest night, and instead of a
marble couch, extend yourself on q rough
board. And then, instead of only an
hour, you had to remain in the place
three, four and even ten days, with no.
body to rub you down and wrap you in
soft blankets. You know how weak one
of those baths makes you even when you
stay only a short time in place with
such luxurious appointments. Probably
you can realize how several days in an
iron 'sweat-box' would make you wilt.
"Such is the sweater" which the
Chicago detectives use to force a .confes-
sion from suspects. It is way down in
endorsement under Police Headquarters,
and in q large, close room. In the GEN.
ter of this apartment is what might be
termed cage, except that it has no bars.
There are eight cells or divisions in this
cage. In the opening corridors or space
surrounding it are four gaslights, simply
sufficient to dimly light the place. Each
cell has small wicket through which
bread and water can be thrust once day.
Sometimes the prisoner is given only the
liquid, especially if he is very stubborn
subject. .....' .,...-|
stThe walls of the cells are thick sheets
of iron, through which not the slightest
lsonnd can pass. OF course the darkness
isintense, and broken only by few rays
when the wicket is unfastened from the
outside and opened. Talk about dun
geons, there never was one that could
furnish the refined torture one of those
sweaters is capable of. All around the
walls of the big room are pipes communl-
eating with the steam boiler. The tenn
perature can be increased to any desired
degree, and moderated so as to prevent
any serious results. lean tell you, though,
it is kept pretty high all the time. The
subject, of course, has to peel off all his
clothes, but when he gets tired OF stand
ing there is only the rough bench to lie
upon, and just think Of placing your ten
der, bare flesh on bed of that kind.
cit is not the old toughs that are
treated to these involuntary baths, but
well-known thieves or men used to the
comforts of the best hotels. The expert
crook, while at times not overly pro-
vided with funds, always has the best
the land affords. It is necessary in bis
business that he should put up at proml-
nent hotels, and the life itself gives him
q liking for the luxuries. Crooks and
gamblers are among the best dressers and
highest ivers that walk the streets. Take
q man used to such comforts and place
him in the sweater Eve described, and
how long do you suppose he will hold
out2
"For instance, noted crook or con-
fdence man drops into the city. You
generally find such people about the
leading hotels and public resorts. The
detective watches for two or three days,
and then some evening, as he stands
picking his teeth in front of the hotel,
be is quietly tapped on the shoulder and
informed that the chief wants to see him.
He is walked away to headquarters and
has very pleasant interview with the
chief. Of course, the crook knows moth
ing and is merely passing through the
city, or else paying it harmless visit.
well, we'll hold you little while, any
how remarks the chief, who expected
no information at that time; take him
down. The crook is placed in the
sweater Probably there are others
undergoing the torture. If not the
steam is turned on at intervals.
"Next day, if the chief thinks of it,
the crook is again called up into the Of
fee. If he is not ready to talk he is soon
sent back. He can't talk with anybody,
and is in constant darkness and perspira-
ton. Maybe the chief forgets all about
him for a few days, or perhaps the crook
informs the turnkey that he would like
to talk to the chief. If he is very stub
born he is firmly told that the police
know he has some useful information,
and that he will be held until he spits it
out. Very probably the police are work
ing simply on general principles. Anyhow
q few days experience in the sweater
will bring the crook to very complacent
mood.
"He knows he has got to purchase his
freedom, and the only way is to betray
some other crook. When he reaches this
state of feeling he is taken before t9e
chief. If he hasn't been doing something
himself he probably knows somebody
who has. The result is that he gives the
chief information which will throw light
on some known crime. Frequently in
this way the police get onto robberies
that they knew nothing about. If the
information proves correct the crook is
turned up or released, and given the ad-
vice to gently slip out of town.
"These subjects for the sweater are
almost invariably professional thieves,
and the detectives run no risk in holding