The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-10-19
cHLoRoFoRmIsrs.
A Dangerous Glass of Criminals
Who Operate on the European
RaiIwava

A Dangerous Glass of Criminals
Who Operate on the European
Railways.
A correspondent OF the st. Louis
Globe-Democrat gives the following
interesting description OF the methods
adopted by band of criminals known
in France as chloroformists: The
chloroformists administer with great
skill, either with the aid of sponge
or that OF handkerchief, that poison
GUS, powerful, tenacious, and always
dangerous substance which, given I'M
skillfully, may prove fatal. They are
shrewd, adroit, and we'll posted;
they are IaAt with on the railway
train, on the steamboats,, and at the
hotels. Essentially cosmopolitan,
they spend the major part of their ex-
istence in travelling. They talk like
guides and are thoroughly acquainted
with the watering-places and sea
baths where the aristocracy and wealth
gather.
The chloroformist is generally an old
hand, having frequented the schools of
medicine, where he learned the use
and efficacy of narcotics. A man of
the world, intelligent, and god COM
pany, his conversation is captivating.
He speaks several languages and
claims to belong to the nobility. He
has an agreeable presence. An excel
lent dancer and somewhat of a mu-
stefan, young ladies are delighted with
him.
This is the way he operates on a
railway train He stations himself in
the depot and watches the purchasers
OF tickets. Having chosen as his vic
tim the man with the best filled pocket
book he buys ticket and gets into
the same compartment. In his travel
ing-bag he carries reserve of pro-
visions, good wine, extra cigars, play
ing cards, and everything such as an
experienced traveller would have.
He adroitly engages his victim in
conversation, speaks of the inconven-
icnce of railway station restaurants,
the crowd the long wait to be served,
and the small time allowed to passen-
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-
mcnt wired him that he could not go,
and that is why he is so amply pro-
vided with provisions. II necessary he
shows the dispatch. Should the victim
REFUSE to partake he proceeds with his
repast and afterward offers him cigars
prepared rs W, his wine. They chat,
time flies, and the monotonous noise of
the train, added to the cigar smoke,
plunges the victim into torpor which
ne can not conquer and by which he is
finally overcome.
The chloroformist then opens his
vial and places it for several seconds
beneath the sleeper's nostrils. At the
same time he gently puts over the
mouth sheet of very fine parchment
10 prevent the breathing of the ex-
ternal air This parchment is called
the ''stiier;" it is shaped like the low
er part of a carnival mask. The man
is in a sound sleep, almost corpse;
The chlorosorm vapor has done its work.
Then the thief liesurely 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 appropriate any
of the sleeper's iewelry. The robbery
committed, the thief qnits the train at
the next station. Two reasons actuate
the chloroformist in not absolutely de-
priving his victim of money. Having
enough left to pay his expenses the
latter is in less haste to make his COM
plant. The second reason is that,
should the man die under the influence
of the chloro!orm, being in possession
of his jewelry and money his death will
be attributed to natural causes and the
authorities will not suspect that
prime has been committed.