Morning journal and courier., 1889-08-29
THE PARIS CHLOROFORMIST. The Export Criminals Who Rob by Means of Narcotics in Europe.

Means of Narcotics In Europe.
 From the St. Louis Gobe-Democrat.l
 The thieves who make use of narcotics are not very numerous, but they should not be confounded with the chloroformists. They are as different from each other as day and night. The thefts committed with the aid of narcotics are the work of individuals known as Gan eshesieurs." They seek for persons dsposing to drink with the first one who comes along, and in the great centres such people abound.
 After having assured himself that the tip pier has money, the thief puts him to sleep by causing him to smoke tobacco mixed with opium, or by pouring into his glass liquid which produces stupor for Q sufficiently long period to enable him to commit the robbery in perfect security.
 The chloroformist Is generally an old hand, having frequented the schools of medicine, where he learned the use and efficacy of nar- cotics. man of the world, intelligent, and good company his conversation is captivat- ing. He speaks several languages, and claims to belong to the nobility. He has an agreeable presence. An excellent dancer and somewhat of @ musician, young ladies are delighted with him.
 This is the way he operates on railway train: He stations himself in the depot and watches the purchasers of tickets. Having chosen as his victim the man with the best filled pockstbook, he buys ticket and gets into the same compartment. In his travelling bag he carries reserve of provisions, good wine, extra cigars, playing cards, and every thing such as an experienced traveller would have.
 He adroitly engages his victim in conver- sation, speaks of the inconvenience of rail- | way station restaurants, the crowd, the long wait to be served and the small time allowed to passengers. In a winning manner he ther offers to share his bill of fare with his com panion. friend was going with him te Switzerland, but at the last moment wired him that he could not go, and that is why | he is 50 amply provided with provisions. | l necessary he shows the despatch. Should | the victim refuse to partake, he proceed | with his repast and afterward otfe1s hin ! cigars, prepared as was his wine. The, ! chat, time flies, and the monotonous nois | of the train, added to the cigar smoke ! plunges the victim into 8 torpor which h cannot conquer, and by which he is finall.. I overcome.
 The chloroformist then opens his vial ant | places it for several seconds beneath tn ssleeper's nostrils. At the same time
 gently puts over the mouth a sheet of yer
 fine parchment to prevent the breathing o | the external air. This parchment is calle, the tsstifers." It is shaped like the lowe | part of carnival mask. The man is in sound sleep, almost corpse-the chloroforn
 vapor has done it's work. Then the thie
 leisurely rifles the victims pocketbook, tax ing care to leave one or two bank notes Ii it, after which he restores it to the owner
 pocket: He does not appropriate any of tn ! sleeper's jewelry. The robbery committed the thief quits the train at the next station Two reasons actuate the chloroformist il not absolutely depriving his victim of money
 Having enough left to pay his expenses \ the latter is in less haste to make his com plaint The second reason is that, should the man die under the influence of the chloro form, being in possession of his jewelry ant money, his death will be attributed to naturs causes and the authorities will not suspec that crime has been committed.
 On steamboat the chloroformist bring all his artifces into play. He usually claim
 to be physician, and forms the acquain
 tance of some rich family whose suffering
 from sea-siekness he adroitly relieves. Thi
 gives him standing, and enables him t
 select his victim, generally wealthy Amerl
 can merchant or planter. On disembarkin he follows up the American and becomes hi
 friend. The robbery ordinarily takes plac
 in private room or a cafe. While the coffe is being drunk after the repast, the chlort formist draws the attention of his victim t
 some lady who is passing in the street, an
 quietly pours the pernicious liquid into h
 cup. He then relieves his pocketbook ( the major portion of its contents, and leav' the cafe. Of course nothing is more natur l than for man to fall asleep after a heart meal.
 ,t As last example, will show how tt chloroformist operates in hotel. The Urea , urer of commercial establishment in Bo deaux was accustomed to come frequently { l Paris with large sums of money. He alwa!
 stopped at the same hotel, one of the large F and best. Three months ago he arrived