The Jersey City news., 1889-11-20
CHL0R0F0RMIST CROOKS.
P-dRIsIAN VIEW or RAILWAY
CAR CRIME.

Japanese Girls Who Were Educated in
America-The Rage for TitIes-Points
ON Engagement Rings.
The chloroformist is generally an old
hand, having frequented the schools of
medicine where he learned the efficacy of
narcotics A man of the world, intelli-
gent and good company, his conversation
is captivating. He speaks several Ian
guages and claims to belong TO the nobil-
ity He has an agreeable presence. An
elegant dancer and somewhat of musi-
clan, young ladies are delighted with
him.
This is the way he operates on arailway
train: He stations himself in the depot
and watches the purchasers of tickets.
Having chosen as his victimth the man with
the best-filled pocketbook he buys tick
ct and gets into the same compartments.
In his travelling-bag he carries reserve
of provisions, good wine, extra cigars,
playing cards, and everything such as an
experienced traveller would have.
He adroitly engages his victim In con-
yersation, speaks of the inconvenience of
railway station restaurants, the crowd,
the long wait to be served and the small
time allowed to passengers. In win
ming manner he then offers to share his
Dill of fare with his companion. A friend
was going with him to Switzerland, but
at the last moment wired him that he
could not go, and that is why he Is SO
amply provided with provisions. If ne
cessary he shows the dispatch. Should
the victim refuse to partake he proceeds
with his repast and afterward offers him
cigars, prepared as was his wine. They
chat, time flies, and the monotonous
noise of the train, added to the cigar
which he cannot conquer, and by which
he is finally overcome.
The chlOroformist then opens his vial
and places it for several seconds beneath
the sleeper's nostri1s. AT the same time
he gently puts over the mouth a sheet OF
very fine parchment to preventive breath
ing of the external air. This parchment
is called the ''stifiers." 1t is shaped like
the lower part of carnival mask. The
man is in sound sleep, almost q corpse
the chloroform vapor has done its work.
Then the thief leisurely rifles the victims
pocketbook, taking care to leave one or
two bank notes in it, after which he re-
stores it to the owners pocket. He does
not appropriate any of the sleeper's jew
elry. The robbery committed, the thief
quits the train at the next station. Two
reasons actuate the chloroformist in not
absolutely depriying his victim OF money.
Having enough 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 chloro-
form, being in possession of his jewelry
and money, his death would be attributed
TO natural causes, and the authorities will
not suspect that crime had been COM
mitted
On steamboat the cnloroformist
brings all his articles into play He
usually claims to be a physician, and
forms the acquaintance of some rich fam
lily whose sufferings from seasickness he
adroitly relieves. This gives him stand
ing and enables him to select his victim,
generally wealthy American merchant
or planter. On disembarking he follows
up the American and becomes his friend.
The robbery ordinarily takes place in a
private room or cafe. While the coffee is
being drunk, after the repast. the chloro-
fornlst 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 pocket
book OF the major portion of its contenrs
and leaves the cafe OF course nothing is
more natural than for q man to fall asleep
after a hearty meal Chief of Detectives
IN a Parts pdper.