Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-12-12
THE CHLOROFoRMISTs.
How They vfctimixe and Drug Unsusne,
iuR RailHcod

now They Vfctimixe and Drug Unsuspece-
Ing Railroad Travellers.
The ch1oroformist is generally an old
hand, having 'frequehted the schools
OF medicine where he learned the
emcacy of narcotics, says the chief OF
the Paris detectives. A man of the
world, intelligent and good company.
his conversation is captivating. He
speaks several languages and claims tc
belong to the nobility He has an
agreeable presence. An excellent
dancer and somewhat of a musician
the young ladies are delighted with him.
This is the way he operates on rail-
way train: He stations himself in the
depot and watches. the purchasers of
tickets. Having chosen as his victim
the man with the best-filled pocket book
he buys ticket and gets into the same
compartment. In his travelling BAG: he
carries reserve of PROVISIONS, good
wines. extra cigars, playing cards and
every thing such as an experienced tray.
eler would have.
conversation, speaks of the incon.
venlence of railway station restaurants,
the crowd, the long wait to be served
gers. In winning manner he then
offers to share his bill-of-fare with his
companion. A friend was going with
him to Switzerland. but at the last mo-
ment wired him that he could not go,
and that is why he is so amply provided
with provisions. If necessary he shows
the dispatch. Should the victim refuse
to partake he proceeds with his repast
and afterwards offers him cigars, pre-
pared as was his wine. They chat, time
flies, and the nUnotonous noise of the
train, added to the cigar smoke, plunges
the victim into torpor which he oan not
conquer. and by which he is finally over
come.
The chloroformist then opens his vial
and places it for several seconds be-
meath the sleeper's nostrils. At the
same time he gently puts over the
mouth sheet of very fine parchment to
prevent the breathing of external air.
This parchment is called the sitter. It
is shaped like the lower part of a car
nival mask. The man is in sound
sleep-almost a corpse-the chloroform
vapor has done its work. Then the thief
lelsurely rifles the victims pocket-book,
taking care to leave one or two bank
notes in it, after which he restores it to
the owners pocket. He does not ap-
propriate any of the sleepers jewelry.
The robbery committed, the thief Quits
the train at the next station. Two rea-
sons actuate the chloroformist in not
absolutely depriving his victim of
money. Having enough to pay his ex-
penses. the latter is in less haste to
make his complaint. The second rea-
son is that should the man die under
the influence of chloroform, being in
possession of his jewelry and money
his death will be attributed to natural
causes and the authorities will not sus-
pect that crime has been committed.
On a steamboat the chloroformist
brings all his articles into play. He
usually claims to be a physician, and
farms the acquaintsnce of some rich
family whose sufferings from seasick-
ness he adroitly relieves. This gives
him standing and enables him to select
his victim, generally wealthy Ameri-
can merchant or planter. On disem-
barking he follows up the American and
becomes his friend. The robbery ordi-
narily takes place in private room or
cafe. While the coffee is being drank,
after the repast, the chloroformist draws
the attention of his victim to some lady
who is passing in the street and quietly
pours the pernicious liquid into his cup.
He then relieves his victims pocket
book of the major portion of its con-
tents and leaves the cafe. OF course
nothing is more natural than for man
to fall asleep after a hearty meal
Globe-Democrat.